HookEcho
HookEcho: A free, open-source radar app with storm tools and offline maps, not broad forecasts. Ranked #41 of 62 in Weather Apps for Android by our editors (5.3/10); pricing: Free plan; best for radar-focused users and storm chasers.
At a glance
- Editor score5.3 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forRadar-focused users and storm chasers
- Free planYes
- Paid fromNone
- Severe-weather alertsYes
- Facts checked3 Oct 2026
Where it wins
- Selectable radar products, sites, tilt and thresholds
- Watch, warning and emergency notifications run in the background
- Chase tools and offline basemap packs support field monitoring
Where it doesn't
- Android requires version 10 or newer and an arm64 device
- Android installation requires sideloading the APK
- Its focus is radar and storm analysis rather than broad forecasting
Our verdict on HookEcho
HookEcho is a free, open-source weather radar app built around public weather data, rather than a broad daily forecast. Its Android version is aimed at people who want to inspect radar and severe-weather activity, including storm chasers; it also runs in a browser and has Windows, Linux and macOS builds. Android requires version 10 or newer on an arm64 device, and the app is distributed as a sideloaded APK. That makes it a more specialized choice than a conventional weather app, particularly for Android users who are comfortable installing software outside an app store.
The radar view offers selectable products, sites, tilt and thresholds, with additional layers for storm tracks, storm attributes, MRMS and SPC outlook. Users can review recent radar and replay historical scans. Saved locations can be monitored for watch, warning and emergency tiers, with background notifications; a home-screen widget and quick-settings tile provide additional ways to access the app. Chase mode adds live GPS position, closest approach and escape bearing, while offline basemap packs help keep maps available in areas without data connectivity. Together, these capabilities make radar analysis and storm monitoring its center of gravity, not general-purpose forecasting.
HookEcho is free, and its open-source status may suit users who prefer that model. The product spans cloud, desktop and mobile, with community and documentation support. The main trade-off is the Android distribution and device requirement: installation is sideloaded, and the build requires Android 10 or newer on arm64. Choose HookEcho if radar layers, warning monitoring, scan replay or chase tools matter more than a broad forecast experience. If you want a conventional Android weather app centered on everyday forecasts, a less specialized alternative may be a better fit.
Your product? Our editors can test HookEcho in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $99/mo →
HookEcho pricing
HookEcho fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | None |
| Minimum Android version | Android 10 or newer |
| Forecast horizon | Not verified |
| Radar layers | Yes |
| Severe-weather alerts | Yes |
| Weather focus | Radar |
| Update interval | Not verified |
| Deployment | Cloud, Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | hookecho.io |
| Facts checked | 3 Oct 2026 |
Alternatives to HookEcho
- The Weather NetworkAn all-around Android weather app with long-range forecasts, layered maps and official warnings.9.3
- The Weather ChannelA general-purpose Android forecast app with radar, storm alerts and air-quality data.9.2
- Met Office Weather ForecastA free Android weather app with detailed local forecasts and a UK outlook up to 28 days.9.1
See all HookEcho alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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