Use Windy if…
You enjoy studying the map. You're a planner who likes to compare forecast models the night before.
800K+ reviews on Google Play
vs Windy
Looking for a Windy alternative? WindUp is the live-alarm one.
WindUp and Windy solve different problems: Windy is the best animated wind map, WindUp is the alarm that rings the second your spot fires — even on Do Not Disturb. Windy is loved by 800,000+ users and earns it, but it waits for you to open it. Most riders keep both: Windy to plan, WindUp to catch the moment it's on.
Head to head
WindUp
Windy
- Live wind alarm —
- Cuts through Do Not Disturb / Silent —
- Free live alarm (no subscription) Freemium
- Animated forecast map —
- Multiple forecast models Single AI model
Pick the one that fits how you actually use a wind app.
Use WindUp if…
You want to know the second your spot is on, without checking. You're an alarm-set-and-forget rider.
5.0★ · 20+ reviews · Free
What Windy does brilliantly.
This isn't a hit piece. Windy is a serious app — here's where they shine.
- Beautiful animated wind map and weather visualization
- Multiple forecast models (ECMWF, GFS, ICON, NEMS)
- 55,000+ webcams worldwide
- Pro tier with hyper-local forecasts
What Windy doesn't do.
And where WindUp picks up the slack.
- No live alarm — you check Windy, it doesn't tell you
- Pro features behind a paywall
- No way to bypass Do Not Disturb when wind hits
If you only install one.
If you love reading weather, install Windy — nothing visualizes a forecast better, and we use it ourselves the night before. If you love riding wind more than reading about it, WindUp is the one that actually interrupts your day when the spot turns on. Most riders genuinely end up with both: Windy to plan the week, WindUp to catch the day.
Feature comparison
| Feature | WindUp | Windy |
|---|---|---|
| Live wind alarm | — | |
| Cuts through Do Not Disturb / Silent | — | |
| Free live alarm (no subscription) | Freemium | |
| Animated forecast map | — | |
| Multiple forecast models | Single AI model | |
| Live wind stations | 10,000+ | Yes |
| Direction + gust threshold filter | — | |
| Webcams | — | 55,000+ |
WindUp vs Windy — FAQ
Is WindUp a Windy alternative?
Not exactly — they solve different problems. Windy is the gold standard for animated forecast maps. WindUp is for when you don't want to keep checking. Most riders use both: Windy to plan the night before, WindUp to wake them up the next morning.
Does Windy have a wind alarm?
Windy has favorites and basic notifications, but not a real-time alarm that bypasses iOS Do Not Disturb. WindUp's alarm uses time-sensitive notifications so it cuts through Silent and DnD.
Is WindUp free, like Windy?
Yes. Both have free tiers. WindUp doesn't gate the live alarm behind any subscription — it stays free.
Related comparisons & guides
Try WindUp. Free, alongside Windy.
You don't have to choose. Most riders use both — keep Windy for the forecast and add a free live wind alarm that wakes you the moment your spot fires.