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Ruth Favela
By Ruth Favela
Ruth Favela
Ruth Favela
Ruth Favela is Tomorrow.io's AI Marketer. She draws on over 5 years of experience as an editor, writer, and social media manager for AI startups, B2B SaaS, and B2C products. In her role, Ruth focuses on using AI tools to create customer-first content for the various industries Tomorrow.io has solutions for. She writes about weather innovations, AI/ML modeling, weather API applications, weather AI use cases, and much more.
Shahar Wider
Reviewed By Shahar Wider
Shahar Wider
Shahar Wider
As Director of Engineering at Tomorrow.io, Shahar Wider oversees the engineering group. In his role, he builds engineering-product-marketing capabilities and leads initiatives to scale the company's weather intelligence platform. With over 8 years of technical leadership experience, including 5 years in management roles, Shahar specializes in architecting innovative products powered by cutting-edge technologies. He believes in empowering teams to deliver robust solutions that drive business impact. Shahar holds a B.S. in Computer Science and enjoys staying on top of emerging tech trends.
Jan 1, 2025· 12 min

The Best Weather APIs for 2025

TL;DR:

  • Weather APIs provide developers access to current, forecasted, and historical weather data.
  • The best weather APIs for 2025 are judged based on functionality & scope, compatibility & ease of implementation, responsiveness & reliability, and cost.
  • The top weather APIs in 2025 include Tomorrow.io, OpenWeatherMap, MeteoGroup, Weatherstack, Weatherbit, Weather2020, AerisWeather, Accuweather, and Visual Crossing.
  • The all-around best Weather API for 2025 is Tomorrow.io’s Weather API, offering 80+ data layers and a top-rated interface.

Accurate, actionable weather forecasts available through a weather API are vital to the success of many organizations.

In fact, there are entire industries where weather conditions directly impact day-to-day operations, including shipping, on-demand, energy, and supply chain (to name just a few).

Who Needs a Weather API?

Take utilities, for example. According to McKinsey, a typical utility company sees up to $1.4B in storm damage costs and lost revenue due to outages from storms over a 20-year period. Through 2050, that number could increase to $1.7B in costs and lost revenues due to storm damage.

Through actionable weather forecasts, businesses can better prepare for weather events, save money, and improve operations, all in the same process.

With the shutdown of Dark Sky Weather API, many people have sought an alternative weather API for their weather data needs. But how do you know what’s the right choice for you?

weather map - US

North American Weather Map via Tomorrow.io Weather Intelligence Platform

Whether you’re building an app, adding weather data to your software platform, or embedding data into a home assistant, you may be looking for very different capabilities from a free weather API.

That’s where we can help!

Depending on your priorities, some APIs will be a better fit than others.

We looked at all the top weather APIs on the market in 2025 to help you choose the right one and get started faster.

Scroll down to learn what to consider when choosing the best weather API for your project or business this year.

What is a Weather API?

A weather API is an application programming interface that allows software developers to access and integrate weather data from various providers into their own applications and websites.

Weather APIs are similar to map APIs in terms of integration and versatility of data sources. Each service provider collects, aggregates, and processes meteorological and other relevant weather data then offers access to it via API.

As a developer, you likely already use APIs to perform different tasks and functions in your apps or across your site.

This data includes information such as:

For example, if you are building a web or mobile app that needs to pull weather forecast data, the right weather API makes this easy. With this data, you can generate updates and alerts in web and mobile apps, creating solutions uniquely suited to your needs.

From on-demand weather forecasting to planning business operations, the use cases for a weather API are immense.

Start Building with Tomorrow.io’s Weather API Today →

How to Choose a Weather API

With the number of weather APIs out there, there are a few things to consider before making your selecting.

You should be aware that each has unique capabilities, varying costs, and different degrees of reliability. Some even target specific markets or communities with unique features for agricultural applications or air quality monitoring.

Here’s what we recommend you consider.

Functionality and Scope of a Weather API

While most major weather APIs provide similar core functionality, they can vary in aspects like:

  • Data resolution and accuracy
  • Length of historical records
  • Date/time formats

Selecting an API that provides the specific weather data your app needs (e.g., marine conditions, weather on Mars) without unnecessary features is essential.

Free APIs often have limitations like:

  • Number of API calls
  • Functionality depth

So if building a commercial app that needs advanced weather data for a business use case, additional costs for premium APIs with more robust capabilities may be warranted.Explore API

Compatibility and Ease of Implementation

Most weather APIs today are based on RESTful architecture, with a handful offering a SOAP alternative. Be sure to pay attention to those subtle differences in date and time formats and well-tested compatibility with the app framework and language you’re coding in.

Another thing to take note of is the quality of API documentation.

While some services have in-depth tutorials and guides, others expect you to figure it out yourself or come armed with previous experience implementing weather APIs.

Depending on your level of expertise, you may want more documentation to set things up effectively.

Responsiveness and Reliability

You need a weather API to not only do what you want and well, but you want it to be fast and available. There are several sources for information on uptime and response speed of available weather APIs, but the information there is inconsistent or inaccurate.

The best way to find out which APIs are reliable and fast enough to make it into the production version of your app is to try them. Fortunately, most offer a free trial option or a freemium subscription.

Cost

Once you’ve determined the needs and scope of your project and narrowed down your list of potential weather API providers, it’s time to consider the price tag.

The features, uptime, capacity, and responsiveness offered by the free API services are inferior to those of paid options. That said, even the highest-priced APIs will become a significant expense only if and when your app’s number of API requests is exceptionally high.

Our Picks for the Best Weather APIs

Based on our research, here are the top free and paid weather APIs available in 2025 based on functionality, price, and data access:

  1. Tomorrow.io API
  2. OpenWeatherMap
  3. Meteogroup
  4. Weatherstack
  5. Weatherbit
  6. Weather2020
  7. AerisWeather
  8. Accuweather
  9. Visual Crossing
API Provider Key Features Free Tier?  Pricing Range
Tomorrow.io
  • 80+ data layers
  • Polygon/polyline locations
  • Custom monitoring & alerts
  • Dynamic route mapping
Yes Custom Enterprise Pricing
OpenWeatherMap
  • Global coverage
  • 5-day forecast
  • Weather alerts
  • Weather maps
Yes Free to Enterprise Pricing
MeteoGroup
  • UK-specific data
  • Nautical focus
  • Point forecasts
  • Precipitation radar
No Contact for Pricing
Weatherstack
  • Real-time data
  • Historical weather
  • International coverage
  • Widget support
Yes Free to Enterprise Pricing
Weatherbit
  • ML/AI predictions
  • 95% uptime
  • Air quality data
  • Soil monitoring
Yes $35/month to Enterprise Pricing
Weather2020
  • 12-week forecast
  • Basic weather data
  • Long-range prediction
  • Weather alerts
Yes $9.99/month+
AerisWeather
  • Storm reports
  • Earthquake warnings
  • Developer toolkits
  • Natural hazards data
Yes $23/month+
Accuweather
  • Imagery endpoints
  • Global coverage
  • Mosquito activity index
  • Commercial license
Yes $25-500/month to Enterprise Pricing
Visual Crossing
  • Historical records
  • Global coverage
  • Analysis tools
  • Business analytics
Yes $35/month+

Note: Pricing and features may vary based on specific enterprise agreements and custom implementations. Contact providers directly for detailed pricing information.

1. The Best Weather API for 2025: Tomorrow.io’s Weather API:

Tomorrow.io’s APIoffers an all-in-one endpoint with 80 different data fields, including weather, air quality, pollen, road risk, and fire index, and also includes historical, real-time, and forecast weather data, globally.

A lean and flat payload creates a seamless developer experience with comprehensive documentation, cutting-edge functionality and features, including:

  • Polygon/polyline locations: Location types give developers the flexibility to choose the right bounding box to continuously observe inclement weather within that specific lat/long vicinity.
  • Monitoring and alerts: Customize your own rules for what weather conditions you want to be monitored in which locations, and you can receive alerts through the Tomorrow.io Weather API for when those specific thresholds have been met.
  • Dynamic routes: Get any of our data fields in real-time mapped to a travel route, with granularity in the forecast every step of the way.
  • Custom Vector Events API: Puts the power of customization in your hands. This feature allows users to create tailored weather insights and integrate them with third-party GIS solutions, such as Esri.

Tomorrow.io’s Weather API is trusted by top companies such as Microsoft, Uber, JetBlue, AWS, Ford, and more.

App Integration/ Format: AWS, Autodesk, REST Weather API using JSON for the requests and the responses, with HTTPS support

Learn more about our various API options:

2. OpenWeatherMap

openweather logo
OpenWeatherMap offers weather data APIs for different types of timeline data. In a solution inspired by crowdsourcing projects like Wikipedia, weather data is collected from meteorological broadcast services worldwide and over 40,000 weather stations. This freemium solution also has a feature-limited free option that allows access to the 5 days/3 hour forecast API, as well as weather alerts and a weather map.

openweather map

One thing to consider is that the free account for OpenWeatherMap limits your app to 60 API calls a minute at most.

App Integration/Format: JSON / XML

Pricing: Varies. Free up to Enterprise.

3. Meteogroup

meteogroup logo
Priding themselves by specializing in UK-specific and nautical weather and environmental data, Meteogroup offers four different APIs: Nautical API (Beta), Point Forecast, Point Observations, and Radar Precipitation Forecast (Beta).

meteotech dashboard

If you’re in search of weather data for nautical verticals and UK-based customers, then the MeteoGroup API could be a great fit.

App Integration/Format: JSON with HTTPS support

Pricing: Unknown

4. Weatherstack

weatherstack logo
Staying in the UK, The Weatherstack API is developed by a UK company that excels in SaaS with companies like Ipstack, Currencylayer, Invoicely, and Eversign. Aimed mostly at websites and mobile apps looking to include a live weather widget at minimal cost, offers real-time weather, historical weather, international weather, and more.

weatherstack app screenshot

App Integration/Format: REST API returns JSON formatted responses, and supports JSONP callbacks. HTTPS is enabled for paid subscriptions.

Pricing: Varies. Free up to Enterprise.

5. Weatherbit

weatherbit logo
Weatherbit offers 5 different APIs for forecasts, historical data, and other weather data such as air quality, soil temperature, and soil moisture. Collecting data from weather stations and other traditional sources, Weatherbit uses machine learning and AI to help predict the weather.

weatherbit map with heat signatures for rainfall

Boasting a 95% uptime and highly responsive API servers, Weatherbit provides a free limited-functionality account for a single API key. If you’re looking to create a commercial app, note that the free API subscription will not be enough and you will have to upgrade to one of the paid plans.

App Integration/Format: JSON, HTTPS available for premium subscribers

Pricing: Premium pricing starts at $35 / month. The free version (not for use with commercial projects) is limited to 500 API calls/day.

6. Weather2020
weather2020 logo

Weather2020 brands itself as the only provider capable of delivering a 12-week forecast, so it’s great if you’re looking for long-term forecast data. However, there are some questions around the accuracy of forecasting after 10 days. The company also prides itself on being the weather data provider of leading weather apps like 1Weather.

If your focus is on long-range weather forecasting, and you’re willing to take your chances on famed meteorologist Gary Lezak’s forecasting model, Weather2020 is worth checking out.

App Integration/Format: JSON

Pricing: Premium pricing starts at $9.99 / month. The free version allows for up to 1000 API calls/day with each additional call priced at $0.002.

7. AerisWeather

aerisweather logo
AerisWeather API provides access to weather data and forecasts as well as storm reports, earthquake warnings, and other unique data for premium subscribers.

One of the main advantages of AerisWeather API is its documentation, as well as available developer toolkits for easier integration into your app.

App Integration/Format: RESTful calls and responses are formatted in JSON and JSONP

Pricing: Pricing starts at $23 / month. Free trial available (2 months).v

8. Accuweather

Accuweather is probably one of the most well-known names in weather. They offer current, historical, and international weather data, along with other specific data like mosquito activity. But when it comes to their API, they’re most well known for their imagery endpoints.

Note that while you can use this API in both commercial and non-commercial applications, including the Accuweather logo is required.

App Integration/Format: RESTful calls and responses are formatted in JSON and JSONP.

Pricing: Limited trial offers up to 50 calls per day, then three pricing tiers of $25 to $500/month

9. Visual Crossing API

Visual Crossing provides instant access to both historical weather records and weather forecast data, globally. The company aims to bring low-cost data and analysis tools to the public for use in data science, business analytics, machine learning, and other applications.

App Integration/Format: CSV, JSON, & OData

Pricing: 1000 calls per day, then $35/month.

Common Weather API Integration Challenges

When implementing a weather API, organizations often encounter several challenges that need to be addressed for successful deployment:

Data Volume Management

One of the most significant challenges is handling large volumes of weather data efficiently:

  • Implementing effective caching strategies
  • Optimizing API calls to minimize costs
  • Managing storage for historical data
  • Handling peak load during severe weather events

Integration Complexity

Weather APIs must often work seamlessly with existing systems and workflows:

  • Legacy system compatibility
  • Multiple data format handling
  • Authentication and security implementation
  • Custom data transformation requirements

Accuracy and Reliability Verification

Ensuring data accuracy and reliability requires careful consideration:

  • Cross-validation with multiple data sources
  • Implementing error handling and fallback options
  • Monitoring forecast accuracy
  • Managing data latency issues

Geographic Coverage Challenges

Global operations present unique challenges:

  • Handling different time zones and formats
  • Managing varying data availability by region
  • Dealing with different measurement systems
  • Accounting for local weather patterns and seasonality

Performance Optimization

Maintaining fast response times while handling complex weather data requires:

  • Implementing efficient query optimization
  • Managing API rate limits
  • Optimizing data payload size
  • Balancing real-time vs. cached data

Compliance and Security

Enterprise implementations must address various compliance requirements:

  • Data privacy regulations
  • Industry-specific compliance standards
  • Security protocols and encryption
  • Access control and authentication

Need Help? Talk to Our Integration Experts →

Best Practices for Success

To overcome these challenges, consider these implementation best practices:

Start with a Pilot Program

  • Begin with a limited scope implementation
  • Test integration points thoroughly
  • Validate data accuracy and reliability
  • Measure performance metrics

Plan for Scale

  • Design flexible architecture
  • Implement robust error handling
  • Plan for future data needs
  • Consider geographic expansion requirements

Implement Proper Monitoring

  • Set up performance monitoring
  • Track API usage and costs
  • Monitor data accuracy
  • Implement alerting systems

Document and Train

  • Create detailed integration documentation
  • Develop operational procedures
  • Train technical and business users
  • Plan for knowledge transfer

By understanding and preparing for these challenges, organizations can ensure successful implementation of enterprise weather APIs and maximize their return on investment.

Choosing the Best Weather API

The weather API that works best for you as a developer depends heavily on your goals, preferences, project scope, and budget. Numerous services offer data on topics ranging from air quality to earthquakes, fire risk index, and historical to forecast weather.

The services and solutions we listed cover all and any needs you might have as a developer.

Did we miss something? Reach out to let us know!

Sign Up for the Tomorrow.io Weather API for Free

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