AQICN vs RainViewer
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
AQICN vs RainViewer: common questions
Which is more reliable, AQICN or RainViewer?
Both are neck-and-neck — AQICN and RainViewer each measure 100% uptime over 90 days on our probe schedule. Reliability here is verified from our own scheduled checks; use the 30-day bars above to see which has been steadier lately.
Which is faster, AQICN or RainViewer?
AQICN has the lower median latency in our checks — AQICN responds in 224 ms versus RainViewer at 551 ms (P50). Tail latency (P95) is in the table above; for most workloads the median is the number that shapes how the API feels.
Do AQICN and RainViewer need an API key?
RainViewer needs no key, while AQICN requires a free API key. If you want to start calling without signup, reach for RainViewer first.
Can I call AQICN and RainViewer from the browser?
Only RainViewer is browser-friendly — it returns CORS headers over HTTPS. AQICN needs a server-side call or proxy, so factor that into which one fits a front-end project.
Are AQICN and RainViewer free for commercial use?
AQICN has unclear commercial terms, and RainViewer has unclear commercial terms. We track service terms and the data license as separate fields — see the Commercial use and Data license rows above, and confirm both before shipping either in a paid product.