Last verified: August 13, 2026. Features were checked against each provider’s official information. This is a task-based comparison, not a hands-on test or sponsored ranking. We omit prices because they change quickly.
There is no single “best” air-quality app for everyone. The right choice depends on the decision you need to make:
- Do you want a U.S. government source?
- Do you need a forecast while traveling internationally?
- Are you following wildfire smoke near your neighborhood?
- Do you need a native iPhone or Android app, or is a detailed web map enough?
If you already know those preferences, use the interactive Air Quality App Finder. It filters the verified options below by region, platform, and priority.
Quick answer: which air-quality app should you use?
| Your main need | Start with | Why | | --- | --- | --- | | Official U.S. AQI and smoke context | AirNow | EPA current and forecast AQI, saved locations, and a Fire and Smoke Map | | Global cities and multi-day planning | IQAir AirVisual | Broad international coverage, a seven-day forecast, alerts, and health recommendations | | Hyperlocal PM2.5 sensor detail | PurpleAir Map | Nearby sensor readings, history, conversions, and adjustable averaging periods |
These products solve different problems. AirNow and IQAir AirVisual are native mobile apps. PurpleAir’s official map is a Web/PWA experience that can be installed from a compatible browser; we do not describe it as an official native iOS or Android app.
1. AirNow: best for official U.S. AQI and wildfire context
- Platforms: iOS and Android
- Best for: U.S. users who prioritize a government source
Official source: EPA AirNow mobile app
AirNow is the clearest starting point when the query is “What is the official AQI near me?” The EPA’s app provides current AQI, forecast AQI, saved locations, and access to the Fire and Smoke Map.
The map adds useful wildfire context by combining air-quality monitor information across the United States and parts of Canada and Mexico. That makes AirNow especially useful when smoke is regional and a single city reading does not tell the whole story.
Choose AirNow when:
- You are in the United States and want an official public source.
- You want current conditions and a forecast in the same app.
- You need fire-and-smoke context rather than a sensor-only view.
- You regularly check several saved places for family, school, or work.
AirNow is not the universal answer for international travel, and a regional monitor can differ from a sensor closer to your street. That is where the next two options become useful.
2. IQAir AirVisual: best for global cities and forecasts
- Platforms: iOS and Android
- Best for: Travelers, international households, and multi-city monitoring
Official source: IQAir AirVisual platform
IQAir AirVisual is the strongest fit when global coverage and forward planning matter more than using one country’s official reporting system. Coverage changes as monitoring networks and modeled locations change, so verify that the place you need is available in the current app rather than relying on a fixed city count.
The official product page lists real-time and historical air-quality data, a seven-day forecast, alerts, and health recommendations. Those features answer long-tail needs such as “best AQI app for international travel” or “air-quality app with a seven-day forecast.”
Choose IQAir AirVisual when:
- You compare cities across countries.
- You need several forecast days for a trip or outdoor schedule.
- Alerts and health recommendations are important to your routine.
- You want historical context alongside the current reading.
Coverage quality still depends on the data available for a location. A “global” app does not guarantee a monitor on every block, so check the source and timestamp shown for the place you care about.
3. PurpleAir Map: best for hyperlocal sensor detail
- Platform: Web / installable PWA
- Best for: Nearby PM2.5 sensors, wildfire smoke gradients, and local variation
Official sources: PurpleAir and the official PurpleAir Map guide
PurpleAir is useful when the real question is “What do sensors close to my home show right now?” Its network and map are built around hyperlocal, real-time air-quality measurements.
The official map guide documents customizable data layers, conversions, averaging periods, and historical graphs. These controls matter during smoke events because a short averaging window can move much faster than a longer public-reporting average.
Choose PurpleAir Map when:
- You want to inspect several sensors near a neighborhood.
- Wildfire smoke varies sharply across a city or valley.
- You need sensor history or want to change the averaging period.
- A web map is acceptable and you value detail over a simplified mobile dashboard.
Is there an official PurpleAir app?
The official product we verified is the PurpleAir Map on the web. PurpleAir documents how to install it as a Progressive Web App on supported mobile and desktop devices. Treat third-party store listings separately; this guide does not assume they are official PurpleAir native apps.
AirNow vs IQAir vs PurpleAir
The most useful comparison is not “Which app wins?” but “Which data view matches this decision?”
| Question | AirNow | IQAir AirVisual | PurpleAir Map | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Native iPhone and Android app? | Yes | Yes | No; official Web/PWA map | | U.S. government-source priority? | Best fit | Not its primary distinction | Not a government reporting app | | Global city comparison? | Limited fit | Best fit | Available where sensors exist | | Multi-day forecast? | Forecast AQI | Seven-day forecast | Sensor map rather than the main forecast choice | | Wildfire context? | Fire and Smoke Map | Forecast and alerts | Hyperlocal sensor variation | | Adjustable sensor view? | Simplified public view | App-oriented view | Best fit |
Many users will use two sources: one for official or forecast context and another for nearby sensor detail. A disagreement does not automatically mean one is wrong. The products may use different locations, averaging periods, pollutants, or conversion settings. Use our AQI disagreement checklist before comparing the numbers.
Best AQI app for wildfire smoke
For a smoke event, use the tool that answers the stage you are in:
- Use AirNow for official U.S. AQI and the regional Fire and Smoke Map.
- Use PurpleAir Map to inspect nearby PM2.5 variation and sensor history.
- Use IQAir AirVisual when you need a broader forecast or are outside the United States.
- Turn the reading into a concrete household plan with the Wildfire Smoke Planner.
Do not treat any app as an evacuation system. During an active fire or emergency, local fire, evacuation, and public-health instructions take priority.
Best air-quality app for iPhone or Android
If a native mobile app is a hard requirement, start with AirNow in the United States or IQAir AirVisual for broader international coverage. Both providers officially list iOS and Android availability.
If you specifically searched for a “PurpleAir app,” the verified official option in this review is the PurpleAir Map as a Web/PWA. That distinction prevents users from mistaking an unrelated third-party store listing for the provider’s own native product.
What about indoor air-quality monitors?
Outdoor apps and indoor monitors answer different questions. An outdoor app estimates conditions around a reporting location; an indoor monitor measures the room where it is placed.
Before buying hardware, decide which measurement you actually need:
- PM2.5 for smoke and particle filtration decisions.
- CO₂ for ventilation context, which is not the same as particle pollution.
- Temperature and humidity for comfort and building conditions.
- Data export or integrations for longer-term analysis.
Hardware models, prices, sensor packages, and subscriptions change frequently. Verify current specifications on the manufacturer’s official page and do not assume that a device measuring CO₂ also measures PM2.5.
How to read app data without fooling yourself
Check the pollutant
AQI can be driven by PM2.5, ozone, or another pollutant. A nearby particle sensor is especially useful for PM2.5 and smoke, but it does not automatically describe every pollutant in the AQI.
Check the timestamp and averaging period
A fast sensor layer can change before an hourly or longer-period public display. Compare like with like before concluding that two sources conflict.
Check the sensor location
A sensor beside a road, grill, construction site, or local smoke plume may not represent the whole city. Nearby detail is valuable precisely because local variation exists.
Use the number to make a decision
Once you have a reading, identify its index and dominant pollutant. Only a confirmed U.S. PM2.5 AQI belongs in the AQI to Cigarettes Calculator. If the source gives PM2.5 directly in µg/m³, use the PM2.5 Cigarette Calculator.
Bottom line
- Choose AirNow for official U.S. AQI and wildfire context.
- Choose IQAir AirVisual for global city coverage and multi-day forecasts.
- Choose PurpleAir Map for hyperlocal sensor detail and adjustable map views.
The best setup is the smallest one you will actually check before a decision. Use the Air Quality App Finder to narrow the list, then turn the reading into an activity or smoke-day plan instead of stopping at the number.