Best kite-flying weather apps

The short answer: Windy and Windfinder are the two best all-rounders, but the best choice depends on whether you want forecast maps, raw wind graphs, or a quick go/no-go verdict.

Tools

What kite fliers actually need from an app

You do not need a dedicated "kite" app. You need three numbers before you leave the house: sustained wind, gust speed and rain probability — ideally for the next 48 hours, in the 8–25 mph range that most kites fly in.

The best apps, compared

• Windy — the best forecast maps. Beautiful wind-speed and gust overlays for anywhere on earth, with a strong hourly timeline. Free tier is plenty. Best for: planning trips and reading gradients.
• Windfinder — the best raw wind data. Detailed hourly wind speed and direction, historically excellent for coastal and spot forecasts. Best for: coastal kite beaches.
• Windy.app (separate from Windy) — good clean hourly graphs and wind roses, solid free tier. Best for: quick hourly checks on a familiar spot.
• Meteoblue — excellent wind-gust charts and multi-model comparison, very reliable forecasts. Best for: gust-sensitive flying when models disagree.
• Open-Meteo — free, no signup, open data. You can check the raw forecast in any weather client that supports it. Best for: privacy-minded users who want no account.
• Our own verdict tool — the only one built for single-line kites rather than kitesurfing. It turns wind, gusts, rain and temperature into one plain score with a yes, eh or nope answer. Check today's verdict.

Why most "kite" apps miss the point

Nearly every popular "kite weather" app is built for kitesurfers, who need sustained 12+ mph winds and care about direction. A child with a £5 delta kite has almost the opposite problem — the sweet spot is a gentler 8–15 mph, and direction matters far less. Check the wind range printed on your kite and use a general weather app with a good hourly wind graph instead.

What to check before you head out

• Sustained wind — inside your kite's recommended range?
• Gusts — if gusts are more than double the sustained wind, conditions are lumpy and control will suffer.
• Rain — a wet kite is heavy and sluggish; lightning and wet lines are a hard stop.

Skip the app juggling — get a single kite-flying verdict for your location, or read our guide to the ideal wind speed.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best weather app for kite flying?

Windy and Windfinder are the best all-rounders — Windy for forecast maps, Windfinder for raw coastal wind data. For a single go/no-go answer, try our verdict tool.

Do I need a special kite-flying app?

No. You need three numbers — sustained wind, gusts and rain probability for the next 48 hours — which any good general weather app shows.

Is there a free kite weather app?

Yes. Windy's free tier, Meteoblue and Open-Meteo are all free, and Open-Meteo needs no account at all.

Why do most kite apps target kitesurfers?

Most were built for kitesurfers who need 12+ mph sustained wind. A child with a small delta needs a gentler 8–15 mph, so direction and big wind matter far less.