Install
OpenAQ alternatives
3 tools to consider instead of OpenAQ, shown against it.
| OpenAQ | PurpleAir | IQAir | Aclima | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vendor | OpenAQ (nonprofit) | PurpleAir, Inc. | IQAir | Aclima, Inc. | ||||
| Pricing model | Open source + paid options | Free tier + paid plans | Subscription | Quote only | ||||
| Free tier | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | ||||
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud | Cloud | Cloud | ||||
| Open source | Yes (MIT) | No | No | No | ||||
| Best for | Researchers, journalists and developers who need one free, global API for air quality data instead of stitching together national sources. | Communities, schools and individuals wanting an affordable, real-time local air quality readout, with awareness that readings need calibration against regulatory monitors. | Consumers and businesses wanting a branded indoor/outdoor monitor plus access to IQAir's global air quality map. | City, state and utility agencies needing hyperlocal pollution data for regulatory and environmental-justice programs. | ||||
| Pricing | Free public API and open data archives; funded by grants and donations, not subscriptions. Pricing has not been verified yet — see the vendor's site. | Sensor map and API access are free; revenue comes from one-time hardware purchases rather than subscriptions. Pricing has not been verified yet — see the vendor's site. | Free AirVisual app and map; monitors are one-time hardware purchases, with business data licensing sold separately.
Prices read from the vendor's own page on September 21, 2026. Vendors change prices; check the source before you budget. | Custom contracts with government agencies, utilities and research partners; no public pricing. Pricing has not been verified yet — see the vendor's site. | ||||
| Features |
|
|
|
|