WeatherKit
Minimalist, but limited without IAPs
Free (IAPs) From FOURBOX, weatherkit.org Made for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch Needs iOS 11 or later
Checking the local weather forecast on a smartphone has become so second nature to most of us, it’s hard to remember what life was like before the iPhone. But finding the right one from hundreds of available free and paid options can be a daunting task.
If you prefer a minimalist approach, WeatherKit is worth a look — but only if you’re prepared for the sticker shock of paying $0.99 every month, $8.99 annually, or a one-time $15.99 to own it for life. That’s because the free version is handicapped by design when compared to almost every other weather app.
Despite advertising a five-day forecast with “ExtremeAccuracy” and an air quality index, you’ll quickly discover basic features such as these are only available in the Pro version, which also unlocks more detailed weather reports. While this approach is understandable in the App Store economy, WeatherKit would be better served as a paid app from the get-go, or with a time-limited trial.
That’s not to say it’s all bad — swiping left reveals Glances, a quick look at current conditions in up to 10 cities (single location only in the free version), while a swipe right allows you to customize the app icon or other settings. The problem is there are no visual clues to remind you about such gestures, so if you click through the first launch prompts too quickly, you’re likely to be wondering how to access them at all.
the bottom line. Unless you’re prepared to go Pro, the forecast is cloudy.