WeatherBug

Active

Country: United States (US)
Founded: 2000
Developer: WeatherBug (operated by GroundTruth)
Pricing: Freemium
Open source: No
Platforms: iOS, Android, Web

Indexes

Weather

Overview

WeatherBug provides local and national weather forecasts, live radar, lightning detection, and severe weather alerts through its website and mobile apps. It targets users needing real-time weather data for daily planning and safety, with features like customizable notifications and multiple map layers for storm tracking. The service covers current conditions, hourly forecasts updated every 15 minutes, and 10-day outlooks, sourced from its weather network.

Key Features

Live Radar - Displays real-time precipitation and storm movement with multiple map layers.
Lightning Alerts - In-app notifications for lightning strikes within 30 miles of saved locations.
Severe Weather Alerts - Push notifications from National Weather Service for approaching dangerous weather.
Hourly Forecast - Forecasts updated every 15 minutes for precise short-term planning.
10-Day Forecast - Extended outlook updated hourly with temperature highs and lows.
Map Layers - Over 20 layers including Storm Tracker, Future Radar, and Pressure maps.
Saved Locations - Multiple location tracking with alerts for each.

Pricing

Plan	Price	Includes
Free	Free	Basic forecasts, radar, alerts, and map layers with ads.
WeatherBug Plus	$9.99/year	Ad-free experience, advanced alerts, and additional map layers.

Platforms & Requirements

Available as native apps on iOS (iPhone/iPad) and Android, plus a web version at weatherbug.com. Android app package is com.aws.android; iOS requires iOS 12.0+. Web platform supports major browsers with no specific minimums noted, but lacks some app-exclusive push notifications.

Integrations & Ecosystem

National Weather Service alerts
Location services for GPS tracking
Push notifications on mobile
Account sync across devices
Email alerts
Customizable units (metric/imperial)

Alternatives

App	Difference
AccuWeather	Emphasizes MinuteCast precipitation forecasts over WeatherBug's lightning focus.
The Weather Channel	Includes video forecasts and air quality; broader international coverage.
Weather Underground	Uses personal weather station network for hyper-local data.
Carrot Weather	Offers customizable personalities and Apple Watch integration.

Reputation

WeatherBug is recognized for accurate lightning detection and fast severe weather alerts, with a large user base since 2000. Users praise the detailed radar layers and reliable notifications but criticize frequent ads in the free version and occasional forecast inaccuracies during rapidly changing conditions. App ratings average 4.5/5 on Google Play and App Store as of 2026.

Sources (10)