Dark Sky finally brings its hyperlocal weather app to Android, powered by a new business model

As one of the most popular apps for weather-followers on iOS, Dark Sky will need little introduction for millions of people around the world. Now, after years of requests, the app has finally landed on Android, too.

For the uninitiated, Dark Sky has gained plaudits for its accurate, to-the-minute weather forecasts that not only predict the conditions in your town or city, but can hone in on immediate predictions for the street or park where you’re standing. And, as of last year, it gained a new feature that passively gathers data using the built-in barometer on the iPhone 6.

Above: Dark Sky: Android

On iOS, the Dark Sky business model is simple: You pay $4 to download the app. With Android, the company’s trying something different, adopting a freemium model that offers a “try before you buy” feature set designed to lure new users on board, something it’s calling a “bit of an experiment.”

With the free version, you can view current conditions, including the next 24 hours, alongside a detailed forecast for the next week. You can then pay $3 a year to unlock the much-hyped hyperlocal minute-by-minute forecasts, in addition to other smarts such as alerts and fancy Android widgets. There is also a free two-week trial available for these Premium features.

It’s definitely an interesting variation on the company’s iOS pricing model, which is why the good folks behind the app stress that this is very much an experiment.

While it could be indicative of the difference between consumers who use iOS and Android — the former are typically more receptive to paying outright for something in advance — it also could hint at what the future may hold for Dark Sky on iOS. A recurring subscription would also open the door to more revenue, compared to the one-off fee the company currently charges.

Dark Sky for Android is available to download now in the U.S., U.K., and Puerto Rico.