Best Microsoft Start Weather Alternatives in 2026
The top Microsoft Start Weather alternatives are The Weather Network, Ventusky and The Weather Channel: 15 weather apps our editors would look at instead of Microsoft Start Weather, in our ranking order.
Microsoft Start Weather: A free, cross-device weather service with forecasts, maps and severe-weather alerts. Where it falls short: map and radar capabilities are less specified than the forecast coverage.
Switching from Microsoft Start Weather? For most weather apps buyers the best Microsoft Start Weather alternative is The Weather Network, built for android users who want forecasts, maps and local details. FMI Weather offers the most forecast horizon (10 days).
Why People Look for a Microsoft Start Weather Alternative
- Map and radar capabilities are less specified than the forecast coverage
- Personalized data syncing requires signing in with a Microsoft account
- Support channels are limited to documentation
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallThe Weather Network9.3
Android users who want forecasts, maps and local details
Visit The Weather Network - Best free optionThe Weather Network9.3
Has a free plan
Visit The Weather Network - Most forecast horizonFMI Weather8.2
10 days
Visit FMI Weather
All 15 Microsoft Start Weather Alternatives, Ranked
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Best forAndroid users who want forecasts, maps and local details
- Better than Microsoft Start Weather:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 4.0
A broad Android weather app pairing 14-day forecasts with live maps and local reports.
9.3/10★★★★★Visit site -
Best forMap-first forecasting across web and mobile
- Better than Microsoft Start Weather:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 4.0
A map-led weather app with forecast layers, radar, timeline controls and alerts.
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Ventusky -
Best forAndroid users who want long-range forecasts and radar
- Better than Microsoft Start Weather:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 4.0
A broad Android weather app with long-range forecasts and useful radar tools.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit site -
Best forUK-focused forecasts and detailed weather information
- Better than Microsoft Start Weather:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 4.0
A UK-focused weather app with detailed forecasts, maps, alerts and specialist outlooks.
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Met Office -
Best forFree forecasts with radar-based short-term rain nowcasts
- Better than Microsoft Start Weather:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 4.0
A free Android weather app pairing hourly forecasts with radar-based rain nowcasts.
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Yr -
Best forHyperlocal forecasts and personal-station data
- Better than Microsoft Start Weather:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 4.0
A free, map-focused weather app with optional extended forecasts and activity guidance.
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forFree Canadian forecasts and high-resolution radar
- Better than Microsoft Start Weather:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 4.0
A free Android app for Canadian forecasts, animated radar and weather alerts.
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit WeatherCAN -
Best forOfficial forecasts and warnings across Spain
- Better than Microsoft Start Weather:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 4.0
A free mobile app for Spanish forecasts, AEMET warnings and radar imagery.
- Home-screen widgets
- Radar maps
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit AEMET Weather -
Best forFree Australian forecasts, rain alerts and offline use
- Better than Microsoft Start Weather:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 4.0
A free Australian weather app with forecast detail, alerts and offline access.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit BOM Weather -
Best forComparing global forecast models on detailed maps
- Better than Microsoft Start Weather:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 4.0
Compare forecast models on detailed maps, with a free core app and paid advanced tools.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Windy -
Best forLive radar, satellite imagery, and storm tracking
- Better than Microsoft Start Weather:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 4.0
A map-focused weather app for radar, satellite imagery, and storm monitoring.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Zoom Earth -
Best forFree Finnish forecasts and warnings with global locations
- Better than Microsoft Start Weather:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 4.0
A free mobile forecast app with global locations and Finland-focused warnings and aurora forecasts.
- Radar maps
8.2/10★★★★☆Get FMI Weather -
Best forSwiss local forecasts, hazard warnings, and air-quality data
- Better than Microsoft Start Weather:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 4.0
A free Android app for Swiss forecasts, hazard alerts and environmental conditions.
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit MeteoSwiss -
Best forOfficial French forecasts, rain radar, and warnings
- Better than Microsoft Start Weather:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 4.0
A free Android app for French forecasts, rain radar and official Vigilance alerts.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Météo-France -
Best forFree forecasts centered on Sweden and Nordic conditions
- Better than Microsoft Start Weather:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 4.0
A free, ad-free forecast app with strong Swedish and Nordic coverage.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit SMHI
Microsoft Start Weather Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Microsoft Start Weather?
The Weather Network: #1 in our Weather Apps ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A broad Android weather app pairing 14-day forecasts with live maps and local reports.
Is there a free alternative to Microsoft Start Weather?
Yes. The Weather Network, Ventusky, The Weather Channel, Met Office Weather Forecast and Yr have a free plan or a free tier (15 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Microsoft Start Weather alternatives?
Map and radar capabilities are less specified than the forecast coverage; Personalized data syncing requires signing in with a Microsoft account; Support channels are limited to documentation.
Which Microsoft Start Weather alternative has the most forecast horizon?
FMI Weather, with 10 days.
How do I switch from Microsoft Start Weather?
Export your data from Microsoft Start Weather (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Microsoft Start Weather.
How to Switch from Microsoft Start Weather
- Export your data from Microsoft Start Weather (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Microsoft Start Weather.
Microsoft Start Weather vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Severe-weather alerts | Radar maps | Forecast horizon | Map layers | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53 | Microsoft Start Weather | Yes | None | Yes | — | — | — | 4.0 |
| 1 | The Weather Network | Yes | — | Yes | — | — | — | 9.3 |
| 2 | Ventusky | Yes | — | Yes | — | — | — | 9.2 |
| 3 | The Weather Channel | Yes | — | Yes | — | — | — | 9.1 |
| 4 | Met Office Weather Forecast | Yes | — | Yes | — | — | — | 9.0 |
| 5 | Yr | Yes | None | Yes | — | — | — | 8.9 |
| 6 | Weather Underground | Yes | — | Yes | — | — | — | 8.8 |
| 7 | WeatherCAN | Yes | None | Yes | — | — | — | 8.7 |
| 8 | AEMET Weather | Yes | None | Yes | Yes | 7 days | — | 8.6 |
| 9 | BOM Weather | Yes | None | Yes | — | — | — | 8.5 |
| 10 | Windy Weather World | Yes | — | Yes | — | — | — | 8.4 |
| 11 | Zoom Earth | Yes | — | Yes | — | — | — | 8.3 |
| 12 | FMI Weather | Yes | None | Yes | Yes | 10 days | — | 8.2 |
| 13 | MeteoSwiss | Yes | — | Yes | — | — | — | 8.1 |
| 14 | Météo-France | Yes | None | Yes | — | — | — | 7.9 |
| 15 | SMHI Weather | Yes | None | Yes | — | — | — | 7.9 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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