This website uses its own and third-party cookies (including Google and LinkedIn) to ensure the proper functioning of the site, analyze user navigation, and improve the services offered. You can obtain more information about the use of cookies or configure your preferences by accessing our Cookie Policy.

More information about the use of cookies can be found in our Cookie Policy.

C4B
sign instart 7-day free trial

C4B vs Meteonorm

C4B vs Meteonorm

Meteonorm is a long-established source of climate data and weather files for solar and building simulation. C4B is built for a different step: turning a site's climate into analyses an architect can design from.

Last checked13 October 2026

C4B and Meteonorm at a glance

AspectC4BMeteonorm
TypeWeb app, in the browserWeb app and API for climate data (successor to Meteonorm 8)
PriceFree plan; paid plans from €59/month (cancellation takes effect after 12 billing cycles) or €599/year, with a 7-day free trialAnnual subscriptions from CHF 320; education plan; free demo
Choosing the locationSearch an address or click the map; no weather file neededAny location worldwide
Weather dataNearest weather station file (Climate.OneBuilding.Org, usually TMYx) plus, in projects, EPW files built from site-specific reanalysis (ERA5 / ERA5-Land, CERRA, NORA3) at the exact coordinatesStations, satellites and climate reanalysis
PrecipitationMonthly totals and rain event intensity from NOAA rain gauges near the site; in projects, site-specific reanalysis at the exact coordinates and a rainfall record from 1941Precipitation, snow depth and driving rain in exported data files; the app's charts show radiation and temperature
Future climateSSP1-1.9 to SSP5-8.5, any year from 2025 to 2100, in projects on paid plansSSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5 and SSP3-7.0
Outdoor comfortUTCI outdoor comfort, including on the Free planNot stated on the pages we reviewed
Passive design strategies (indoor)Passive Design Strategies for Indoor Environments, with seven strategies per bioclimatic method, in projects on paid plans; the chart with the strategy zones drawn on it in the Designer module on Technical and EnterpriseNot provided
Energy analysisPreliminary hourly energy balance; orientation and aspect-ratio optimization and window shading recommendations (five fixed devices on eight facades) in projects on paid plansData for energy and PV simulation tools
Design directionIndoor passive design strategies, outdoor comfort strategies, building orientation and aspect ratio, PV panel orientation and window shading recommendations, in projects on paid plansNot provided
Accessibility of outputGraphics and data interpretation are targeted at laypeople, and can be read by architects and building developers, in addition to more technical personnelMainly data files for simulation tools, for engineers, architects and solar planners; analysing them needs another tool
OutputsInteractive charts; written readings on most charts in projects and a PDF report on paid plans; EPW downloads on Technical and EnterpriseFiles and data: CSV, JSON, EPW, PVsyst, PHPP, IDA ICE, WUFI and more

Where Meteonorm is strong

  • A long-established climate data reference, with data from thousands of stations, satellites and reanalysis.
  • Exports to many formats, including EPW, PVsyst, PHPP, IDA ICE and WUFI.
  • Typical and actual years plus SSP future scenarios for any location.
  • An API that shares data and algorithms with the web app.

Where C4B takes a different approach

  • C4B presents design analyses (climate zone, wind roses, sun path, psychrometric chart with passive design strategies, UTCI, precipitation intensity, energy balance) rather than primarily data files.
  • In projects on paid plans, most charts come with a written reading, and projects can be exported as a PDF report.
  • Future climate covers five SSPs and any year from 2025 to 2100 in projects.
  • Aimed at architects and design teams at the earliest stages.

Meteonorm may suit you better if

  • You need weather files in many simulation formats, especially for PV or detailed energy tools.
  • You need actual-year data or API access for your own workflows.

C4B may suit you better if

  • You want design-ready analyses and a readable report, not only data files.
  • You need passive design strategies for indoor comfort, outdoor comfort, climate zones and a first energy balance for a site.
  • Your team works at the concept stage, before simulation.

See your site's climate before design begins

Pin any location and get climate, comfort and preliminary energy insight your whole team can read. Start with a 7-day free trial, or book a 30-minute demo.

Free plan; paid plans from €59/month (cancellation takes effect after 12 billing cycles) or €599/year, with a 7-day free trial. No card required. If you add a card during the trial, the plan is charged when the trial ends; otherwise your account moves to the Free plan. See all plans.

start 7-day free trialbook a 30 min demo

Frequently asked questions

Does C4B export weather files like Meteonorm?

EPW downloads, including a custom EPW builder and future-climate files, are available on C4B's Technical and Enterprise plans. Meteonorm exports a much wider range of file formats.

Where does C4B's data come from?

The nearest OneBuilding.org weather station file (usually TMYx) and, in projects, ERA5 / ERA5-Land, CERRA and NORA3 reanalysis at the site's coordinates, plus NOAA rain gauges, CHELSA and World Bank CMIP6 projections.

How much does Meteonorm cost?

Meteonorm's web application is sold as yearly subscriptions: Basic CHF 320, Pro CHF 980 and Expert CHF 4,200, with an education plan at CHF 260 and a free demo, as published on its app page in September 2026.

Which is better for PV design?

For detailed PV yield studies, a dedicated data source and PV simulation tool is the right choice. C4B gives an early estimate of PV potential and optimal panel orientation.

Sources

Information about Meteonorm comes from its official website and documentation, checked on 13 October 2026. Products change, so check the official site for the latest details. Meteonorm belongs to Meteotest AG; C4B is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.

Other comparisons

All comparisons