Top Air Quality Index API alternatives in 2025

Top Air Quality Index API Alternatives in 2025

As the demand for accurate air quality data continues to rise, developers are seeking reliable APIs to integrate into their applications. The Air Quality Index API has been a popular choice, but there are several alternatives that offer unique features and capabilities. In this blog post, we will explore the best alternatives to the Air Quality Index API in 2025, detailing their key features, pricing, pros and cons, ideal use cases, and how they differ from the Air Quality Index API.

1. Air Quality Index API (Alternative)

The Air Quality Index API provides a real-time air quality health index on a scale of 1 to 10. This API is based on three-hour averages of ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and fine particulate matter concentrations, making it a valuable tool for monitoring air quality.

Key Features and Capabilities

This API offers several key features:

• Air Quality Health Index: This feature returns the official air quality health index (AQHI) based on key parameters. The AQHI is calculated from three-hour average concentrations of ground-level ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). O3 and NO2 are measured in parts per billion (ppb), while PM2.5 is measured in micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3).

{"carbon":"3 kg co2","success":true}

This response indicates the carbon equivalent in kilograms, providing a clear understanding of the air quality impact.

• Traditional Energy: This feature calculates CO2 emissions from the use of traditional energy sources.
• Clean Energy: This feature returns the CO2 equivalent in kilograms from the consumption of clean energy.
• Fuel To Carbon: This feature transforms liters of diesel, petrol, or LPG into CO2 equivalent in kilograms.
• Car Travel: This feature returns the CO2 equivalent in kilograms from travel by car.
• Flight: This feature calculates CO2 equivalent in kilograms from air travel.
• MotorBike: This feature returns the CO2 equivalent in kilograms from motorbike travel.
• Public Transit: This feature returns CO2 equivalent in kilograms from the use of public transportation.

Pros and Cons Compared to Air Quality Index API

Pros:

• Comprehensive CO2 calculations for various travel modes.
• Real-time health index provides immediate insights into air quality.

Cons:

• Limited geographic coverage compared to some competitors.
• Data may not be as granular as other APIs.

Ideal Use Cases

This API is ideal for public health monitoring, environmental regulation enforcement, and mobile app integration for real-time air quality alerts.

How It Differs from Air Quality Index API

While both APIs provide air quality data, this alternative focuses more on CO2 emissions and their impact on health, offering a broader perspective on environmental factors.

2. Weather by City API

The Weather by City API is an indispensable tool that allows users to access real-time and forecast weather information. This API enhances decision-making, planning, and safety measures by providing comprehensive weather data.

Key Features and Capabilities

The Weather by City API includes the following features:

• Get Weather: This feature allows users to retrieve weather data by entering the name of a city. The API provides real-time weather data, including temperature, humidity, wind speed, air quality, and forecasts.

{"success":true,"data":{"city":"Bandra Kurla Complex, Maharashtra","current_weather":"Haze","temp":"31","expected_temp":"Day34  Night30","insight_heading":"Rain","insight_description":"Rain ending around 11:30 pm.","wind":" 14km/h","humidity":"82%","visibility":"3.22 km","uv_index":"0 of 11","aqi":"56","aqi_remark":"Satisfactory","aqi_description":"May cause minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people.","last_update":"21:44 IST","bg_image":"https://s.w-x.co/WeatherImages_Web/WeatherImage_Haze-night_2.jpg?crop=16:9&width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&quality=70"}}

This response provides a comprehensive overview of the current weather conditions, including air quality index (AQI) details.

Pros and Cons Compared to Air Quality Index API

Pros:

• Combines weather and air quality data in one API.
• Easy integration for developers with well-documented resources.

Cons:

• Less focus on historical air quality data.
• May not provide as detailed air quality metrics as specialized APIs.

Ideal Use Cases

This API is perfect for applications that require real-time weather updates, such as travel apps, event planning tools, and outdoor activity trackers.

How It Differs from Air Quality Index API

The Weather by City API integrates weather and air quality data, making it a versatile option for developers looking for a comprehensive solution, while the Air Quality Index API focuses solely on air quality metrics.

3. UV Index Real-Time and Forecasted API

The UV Index Real-Time and Forecasted API retrieves the UV index for any location in real-time and provides forecasts. This API is essential for applications that need to inform users about UV exposure levels.

Key Features and Capabilities

This API offers the following features:

• UV Index Real-Time: Users can obtain the current UV index by passing the latitude and longitude of the desired location. All times are expressed in UTC.

{"result":{"uv":8.8844,"uv_time":"2022-10-12T18:18:18.886Z","uv_max":9.3573,"uv_max_time":"2022-10-12T17:35:56.449Z","ozone":285.7,"ozone_time":"2022-06-02T12:05:13.749Z","safe_exposure_time":{"st1":19,"st2":23,"st3":30,"st4":38,"st5":60,"st6":113},"sun_info":{"sun_times":{"solarNoon":"2022-10-12T17:35:56.449Z","nadir":"2022-10-12T05:35:56.449Z","sunrise":"2022-10-12T11:43:37.526Z","sunset":"2022-10-12T23:28:15.371Z","sunriseEnd":"2022-10-12T11:45:55.477Z","sunsetStart":"2022-10-12T23:25:57.421Z","dawn":"2022-10-12T11:21:23.292Z","dusk":"2022-10-12T23:50:29.605Z","nightEnd":"2022-10-12T10:29:59.183Z","night":"2022-10-13T00:41:53.714Z","goldenHourEnd":"2022-10-12T12:13:11.709Z","goldenHour":"2022-10-12T22:58:41.188Z"},"sun_position":{"azimuth":0.37898939830176526,"altitude":1.0469926114702273}}}}

This response provides detailed information about the current UV index, maximum UV index, ozone levels, and sun information, which is crucial for sun safety.

• UV Index Forecasted Hourly: This feature allows users to get hourly UV index forecasts by location.

{"result":[{"uv":0,"uv_time":"2024-07-07T11:14:24.387Z","sun_position":{"azimuth":-1.9979482638770827,"altitude":-0.011426987157720857}},{"uv":0.3389,"uv_time":"2024-07-07T12:14:24.387Z","sun_position":{"azimuth":-1.9143489203019375,"altitude":0.21554058846390795}},{"uv":1.4717,"uv_time":"2024-07-07T13:14:24.387Z","sun_position":{"azimuth":-1.847156646774205,"altitude":0.4487659395121431}},{"uv":3.8922,"uv_time":"2024-07-07T14:14:24.387Z","sun_position":{"azimuth":-1.7927337294902674,"altitude":0.6860918389195284}},{"uv":7.126,"uv_time":"2024-07-07T15:14:24.387Z","sun_position":{"azimuth":-1.7508148681222828,"altitude":0.9260641118003088}},{"uv":10.0693,"uv_time":"2024-07-07T16:14:24.387Z","sun_position":{"azimuth":-1.729411106267307,"altitude":1.1675313850872888}},{"uv":12.2284,"uv_time":"2024-07-07T17:14:24.387Z","sun_position":{"azimuth":-1.7991156886324384,"altitude":1.4085887791687823}},{"uv":12.5479,"uv_time":"2024-07-07T18:14:24.387Z","sun_position":{"azimuth":1.9471350357388102,"altitude":1.649646172250235}}]}

This response provides hourly forecasts for the UV index, allowing users to plan their outdoor activities accordingly.

Pros and Cons Compared to Air Quality Index API

Pros:

• Specialized focus on UV exposure, which is crucial for health and safety.
• Provides both real-time and forecasted data, enhancing user awareness.

Cons:

• Limited to UV index data, lacking broader air quality metrics.
• May require additional APIs for comprehensive environmental data.

Ideal Use Cases

This API is ideal for applications focused on outdoor activities, health and wellness apps, and travel applications that need to inform users about UV exposure levels.

How It Differs from Air Quality Index API

The UV Index API specializes in UV radiation data, while the Air Quality Index API provides a broader range of air quality metrics, making them complementary rather than direct competitors.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the Air Quality Index API remains a strong choice for developers seeking air quality data, the alternatives discussed offer unique features that may better suit specific needs. The Air Quality Index API (Alternative) provides a comprehensive view of CO2 emissions alongside air quality metrics, making it ideal for environmental monitoring. The Weather by City API combines weather and air quality data, perfect for applications requiring real-time updates. Lastly, the UV Index Real-Time and Forecasted API is essential for applications focused on UV exposure and sun safety. Depending on your specific requirements, one of these alternatives may be the best fit for your project.