The best weather apps for Android and iPhone
Is the weather forecast wrong again? Instead of sunshine you only see snow? It’s time for a mobile weather report that you can have with you at all times. We show you the best weather apps for Switzerland.
What makes a good weather app
There are many weather apps, but not all of them are good. It goes without saying that all of them should have standard weather maps with current temperatures, rainfall and a weather forecast on board. However, other factors should also be important to you: A good weather app is transparent and shows you where it gets its data from, where the measuring station is located, and often how the editorial team behind the app works.
Many apps also offer support for smartwatches and tablets. The latter, in particular, are perfect for displaying the wealth of information and maps.
Tips for weather apps
14-day forecasts? The benefit is small
Almost all weather apps offer a 14-day forecast, also long-term forecast. Decisive for you, this should not be. After all, the accuracy and quality of weather forecasts decreases significantly after just three days. Whether there will really be snow on Christmas Day is only known a few days before – and not two weeks in advance.
GPS: Leave it switched off
Leave the GPS turned off and add your locations manually instead. When GPS is on, it drains your battery faster, even when the app isn’t active. And let’s face it, who looks at the weather app when you’re on the go 😉.
Enable push messages for hazard alerts
Enable push messages for hazard alerts: Many apps offer weather alerts that warn you of heavy rain, severe weather and other dangers.
Are preinstalled weather apps from Apple and Google any good?
You’re probably wondering, “I already have a weather app installed!” Yes, they do their job. However, these apps fall far short of the possibilities. Allergy sufferers are happy about pollen maps, while skiers want to know the current slope weather. The preinstalled standard apps do not offer all that. In addition, the services often rely on US weather data, which does not always have valid measurement data for your location. The methodology for weather forecasts and calculations is also different, which is why there are very often deviations from domestic apps. Regional apps therefore have a clear advantage.
LANDI weather
LANDI is better known from the Landi stores, but they have a popular weather app with the Landi Weather app, which has been downloaded over 500,000 times in the Google Play Store alone. Highlights of the app include LANDI Weather TV, which provides an up-to-date weather report three times a day. A monthly competition in which prizes can be won is also part of the app. Another positive feature is the display of the water temperature of nearby bathing waters.
| Apple App Store | Google Play Store | Huawei AppGallery | |
 | Download for iOS | Download for Android | Not available for HarmonyOS |
WeatherPro
The German company MeteoGroup Deutschland GmbH is responsible for WeatherPro, but that doesn’t mean that we Swiss can’t use it as well. Apple Watch users wear the weather report on their wrist thanks to far-reaching support, but Android and Huawei users don’t miss out either: Over two million locations are available in the app, and webcam streams are even available for some. The high-resolution weather maps are also great, providing crystal-clear results for your location even when zooming in.
If you want a little more, you can take out a premium subscription for CHF 1. This includes heat maps, lightning maps and a 14-day preview. The premium subscription is also valid for the other MeteoGroup apps, namely MeteoEarth and AlertsPro.
| Apple App Store | Google Play Store | Huawei AppGallery | |
 | Download for iOS | Download for Android | Download for HarmonyOS |
Wetter.com
Wetter.com is also a German product and part of the ProSiebenSat.1 Media Group. Founded at the end of 2000, the team behind the weather reports now has over 20 years of experience, which is also reflected in the figures: In summer 2019, the website reached over 20 million users. At wetter.com, you can also access thousands of webcams – and thus assess the weather at your destination.
iOS users are happy to have their own Apple Watch app, and you can also install a widget for the homescreen on all operating systems, giving you an instant overview of the weather. In addition, wetter.com produces regional weather reports and moderated videos on climate, long-term weather and other topics in its own studio. An annual subscription costs a fair CHF 4.60.
| Apple App Store | Google Play Store | Huawei AppGallery | |
 | Download for iOS | Download for Android | Download for HarmonyOS |
MeteoSchweiz
With MeteoSwiss, we have an official weather app from the Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology on this list. In addition to the standard weather maps and forecasts, the nicely laid out app also provides an isobar map for Europe and a weather report for all three Swiss language regions. MeteoSwiss also warns you about upcoming natural hazards such as storms, floods, forest fires, earthquakes or avalanches. You can view the natural hazards on a zoomable map.
Also on a zoomable map, you can select different weather stations in your vicinity, which provide updated measurement data every ten minutes. Amateur pilots are well served by the aviation weather maps and data provided by MeteoSwiss. However, these are only available after a purchase of CHF 50.
| Apple App Store | Google Play Store | Huawei AppGallery | |
 | Download for iOS | Download for Android | Not available for HarmonyOS |
Wetter Online
Wetter Online has been around since 1997 and is one of the most popular weather apps in the DACH region. The app not only provides accurate weather information, but also shows an up-to-date rain radar, which not only allows you to track clouds, rain and snow, but also to view lightning strikes.
A wind map shows you where the wind is blowing you. Ski fans will be pleased with the snow and ski info for the Alps. Weather Online also lets you access webcams to see what the weather is like at your destination. With an in-app purchase, you can hide the advertising.
| Apple App Store | Google Play Store | Huawei AppGallery | |
 | Download for iOS | Download for Android | Download for HarmonyOS |
SRF Meteo
Switzerland’s public broadcaster also offers an official weather app that is very popular with users and has been downloaded over half a million times for Android. Special features of the SRF Meteo app include a snow weather map with current snow depth and avalanche danger.
The weather report for your region is updated three times a day, and more than 40 webcams in Switzerland are also available. The precipitation radar shows developments over the next 48 hours. Positive: The entire app is free and very clear.
| Apple App Store | Google Play Store | Huawei AppGallery | |
 | Download for iOS | Download for Android | Download for HarmonyOS |
Conclusion: trial and error helps!
No weather app is always 100% correct. Nevertheless, it should be installed on every smartphone. Ultimately, it also depends on your taste: If you own an Apple Watch, an app with Apple Watch support is the right one. If you want to have the weather displayed on your home screen, look for an app with a widget.
As diverse as the apps are, so is the user interface of the respective apps. Some like a lot of data on the screen, others prefer visual maps. Besides the above-mentioned apps, there are also apps that are particularly nicely animated, but functionally more like the preinstalled standard apps. Therefore: Trying them out helps, as does looking out of the window. 😉
You can find more apps for your smartphone on our app page!
