Windy.com vs its rivals

Side-by-side comparison against Windy.com's closest competitors — identity, store metrics, ratings & sentiment, and strategic intel.

Windy.com
This App
Core Identity
DeveloperWindyty, SEAviation Data Systems, IncMosaic S.r.l.AccuWeather International, Inc.The Weather Channel InteractiveNeave InteractiveWeatherBugWindfinderJRustonApps B.V.JRustonApps B.V.
CategoryWeatherWeatherWeatherWeatherWeatherWeatherWeatherWeatherWeatherWeather
PlatformAndroid, iOSiOSiOS, AndroidAndroid, iOSAndroid, iOSiOS, AndroidAndroid, iOSiOS, AndroidiOS, AndroidiOS, Android
Store Metrics
Rating4.8 / 54.8 / 54.5 / 54.6 / 54.8 / 54.9 / 54.8 / 54.8 / 54.8 / 54.8 / 5
Ratings Count75,8711,064,9811,037,7741,496,2545,821,45735,9902,157,39360,43461,66666,075
PriceFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFree
Release DateOct 31, 2016Jul 17, 2009Nov 25, 2013Dec 22, 2008Nov 9, 2008Jun 27, 2023Feb 7, 2019Nov 15, 2009Nov 16, 2016Jul 25, 2015
Last UpdatedMar 24, 2026Apr 14, 2026Apr 3, 2026Apr 10, 2026May 14, 2026Mar 12, 2026Mar 30, 2026Apr 1, 2026Apr 11, 2026Apr 17, 2026
Sentiment & Reviews
Sentimentexcellentpositivepositivenegativeterrible-mixedpositivepositivepositive
Score85/10075/10068/10022/10015/100-45/10075/10062/10072/100
Praises
  • High-fidelity radar and multi-layer weather visualization tools provide professional-grade utility for outdoor enthusiasts
  • High-fidelity radar imagery provides critical situational awareness during severe weather events for outdoor users
  • Forecasting Accuracy
  • Ease of Use
  • Visual Design
  • Live radar functionality provides essential visual tracking for storm monitoring during severe weather events
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  • Forecast Accuracy
  • Specialized Weather Features
  • Highly accurate wind and weather forecasting provides critical safety data for offshore boating and fishing
  • Accuracy and Reliability
  • Ease of Use
  • Accuracy and Reliability
  • Ease of Use
Complaints
  • Widget functionality regressions post-update cause data loading failures on specific Android device models
  • Aggressive advertising frequency interrupts critical weather monitoring during time-sensitive severe storm tracking sessions
  • Aggressive Monetization
  • Legacy Purchase Issues
  • Intrusive Advertising
  • Forecast Inaccuracy
  • Performance
  • Application fails to launch or remains stuck on the splash screen following the latest update
  • Intrusive advertisement frequency and placement disrupt the core weather viewing experience for long-term users
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  • Location Services Malfunction
  • App Stability and Freezing
  • Inappropriate and offensive advertising content appears within the app, causing significant user frustration and discomfort
  • Intrusive Advertising
  • Technical Stability and Loading Issues
  • Excessive Advertising
  • Feature Regression
Requests
  • Expanded visual indicators for wind direction and storm alerts would improve situational awareness for users
  • One-time purchase option to remove advertisements without requiring a recurring subscription model
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  • Option to revert to a classic interface design that prioritizes simple weather data over news
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  • Increased frequency of real-time weather updates would improve the reliability of current wind condition reporting
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Strategic Intel
Strengths
  • Multi-model aggregation provides scientific depth for complex meteorological analysis
  • 67,000+ webcam network creates a visual-verification loop that competitors lack
  • Professional-grade aviation/marine toolset creates high switching costs for power users
  • Patent-pending rain prediction drives daily retention
  • Professional radar pack creates high-value enthusiast barrier
  • Aviation data layers secure niche professional revenue
  • Top-tier forecasting accuracy (high user trust)
  • Dominant market position (#2 Grossing)
  • Specialized hurricane and wildfire tracking modules
  • Proprietary MinuteCast and RealFeel data models
  • Strong category rankings (#3 Grossing/Free)
  • High iOS rating volume (1.49M+)
  • ForecastWatch 2021-2024 data validates accuracy as a primary brand differentiator
  • Massive monthly unique visitor volume provides a foundational B2B distribution moat
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  • Proprietary network of 10,000+ professional weather stations
  • Unique Spark Lightning Alert technology
  • Massive social proof with 4M+ ratings
  • 21,000-station proprietary network creates a high switching cost
  • Forecast accuracy sustains organic install velocity
  • High user trust regarding data accuracy and reliability.
  • Clean, intuitive UI that avoids feature bloat.
  • Strong global coverage and real-time data processing capabilities.
  • High user trust in data accuracy and storm path reliability.
  • Unique historical archive feature that drives long-term engagement.
  • Clean, minimalist UI that differentiates from cluttered competitors.
Weaknesses
  • Premium tier lacks the hyper-local simplicity of MinuteCast
  • Widget regressions on Android create a 0.16★ platform rating gap
  • High battery consumption from persistent location requests
  • Aggressive ad-insertion triggers severe weather churn
  • Post-update stability regressions erode trust
  • Premium tier lacks one-time purchase option
  • Declining sentiment due to aggressive pricing tactics
  • Failure to honor legacy 'lifetime' purchases
  • Lower update frequency than top nemesis (MyRadar)
  • Poor Android performance (2.55 rating)
  • Ad-load interfering with core utility
  • Perceived inaccuracy in severe weather events
  • High ad-density and small hit-targets create significant usability friction
  • Persistent launch failures and widget regressions erode daily utility
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  • Critical bugs in location detection
  • Frequent app freezing and stability issues
  • Perception of low-quality/scammy advertisements
  • Inappropriate ad content erodes brand trust
  • Post-update search freezes increase churn risk
  • Aggressive ad-monetization is actively degrading user experience.
  • Recurring technical issues with radar loading and app stability.
  • Limited social media presence and community engagement channels.
  • Aggressive ad-monetization strategy is damaging user sentiment.
  • Recent UI regressions (removing map access) have alienated the core user base.
  • Technical bugs regarding ad-skipping and notification accuracy.
Pricingfreemiumfreemiumsubscriptionfreemiumfreemiumfreefreemiumsubscriptionfreemiumfreemium
MomentumActiveIntenseMaintenanceActiveActiveActiveActiveIntense--
Update Cadence5 versions, 4 majors/6mo, ~20d avg5 versions, 5 majors/6mo, ~4d avg3 versions, ~80d avg4 versions, 1 majors/6mo, ~11d avg5 versions, 4 majors/6mo, ~10d avg5 versions3 versions, 2 majors/6mo, ~9d avg5 versions--

Compare Windy.com head-to-head

Disclosure: Independent intel to help mobile builders succeed.

AI-powered analysis with editorial review, built from publicly available sources. Marlvel.ai is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Windy.com, its developer, the app publisher, Apple, or Google Play. All trademarks, logos, and screenshots referenced remain the property of their respective owners.

Data licensed under CC-BY-NC 4.0