Top Push Notifications Services And Tools to Engage Users [2024 Update]
Push notifications are powerful tools for app marketers. They offer a direct line to users and can significantly boost engagement and retention.
However, tons of different push notification services flood the market.
This article will simplify your decision-making process, presenting a curated list of the top 11 push notification providers for 2024.
Each entry includes a detailed overview of their strengths, use cases, pros and cons, and pricing, helping you find the perfect fit for your app’s needs.
What are mobile push notifications, and how do you use them?
Mobile push notifications are brief, targeted messages sent directly to a user’s smartphone or tablet.
They appear on the device’s screen even when the app is not actively in use.
These timely alerts serve as a powerful communication tool for app marketers and developers, boosting retention rates and driving conversions.
Studies have shown that well-crafted push notifications can increase app engagement by up to 88% and boost retention rates significantly. Push notifications provide an opportunity to deliver personalized content, time-sensitive offers, and important updates, keeping users connected with your app and brand.
Before you start sending push notifications, integrate a push notification service into your app.
Register with the operating system’s push notification service (such as iOS or Android), add the software development kit (SDK) to your app, and configure the app to communicate with the service.
Once set up, you can compose messages through a user interface or automate them via an API. In the next chapter, we’ll present our list of push notification tool market champions.
What are the top 11 push notification services in 2024?
Push notification services have been around for over a decade, leading to a wide variety of options on the market. With new platforms emerging constantly, finding the one that best fits your needs is challenging.
While there may not be a “perfect” tool, we’ve compiled a list of renowned services that can help you effectively manage push notifications.
1. OneSignal
OneSignal is a powerhouse in the push notification market, offering a versatile suite of communication tools to enhance your marketing efforts. Its user-friendly interface and robust features make it a go-to choice for businesses of all sizes, from small startups to enterprise giants.
Pros:
- Seamless integration across multiple platforms
- Powerful segmentation
- A/B testing capabilities that’ll help you nail your messaging
Cons:
- Free plan has limited capabilities
- Advanced features have a bit of a learning curve, but it’s worth it
Pricing:
OneSignal offers a free plan to get you started. Paid plans start at $9 monthly, with Professional and Enterprise options for those ready to take their notifications to the next level.
2. Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM)
Firebase Cloud Messaging, Google’s gift to developers, is a rock-solid choice for sending notifications, especially if you’re in the Android ecosystem. It’s like having a direct line to your users’ devices powered by Google’s robust infrastructure.
Pros:
- Works nicely with other Google services
- Very reliable
- Free to use with generous limits
Cons:
- iOS setup might take additional time
- Customization options aren’t as fancy as some specialized services
Pricing:
FCM is free as part of the Firebase platform.
3. Airship
Airship is a seasoned pro in the mobile engagement world. It offers advanced targeting that’ll make your messages hit home every time. It’s particularly well-suited for enterprises with complex messaging needs and hyper-personalization.
Pros:
- Advanced audience segmentation features
- Cross-channel orchestration that’ll have your campaigns work in harmony
- Analytics that’ll give you detailed audience insights
Cons:
- It might be a bit pricey for the budget-conscious
- Feature set might be too much for smaller operations
Pricing:
The AXP Essentials option for small apps is free to try out, but the AXP Enterprise has a custom quote depending on your business needs.
4. PushEngage
PushEngage has made a name for itself with powerful web push capabilities that significantly increase engagement. It’s a favorite among e-commerce businesses and bloggers looking to keep their audience returning for more.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface that’ll have you creating campaigns in no time
- Segmentation and automation features that’ll make your life easier
- Great value that won’t break the bank
Cons:
- Mobile app push features aren’t as robust as some competitors
- Some advanced goodies are reserved for higher-tier plans
Pricing:
There is a free plan to get you started with limited features. Paid plans begin at $9 monthly for up to 100,000 subscribers, with custom enterprise solutions for the big players.
5. Braze
Braze is another tool for customer engagement platforms. Its push notification capabilities will make your messages stand out from the crowd. It’s known for its AI-powered personalization, which will make your users feel like VIPs.
Pros:
- AI-powered personalization that’s almost scary good
- Cross-channel campaign management that’ll keep your messaging consistent
- Integrations galore to fit into your existing tech stack
Cons:
- The setup might require a bit of elbow grease
- Pricing might make smaller businesses think twice
Pricing:
Braze offers custom pricing based on your requirements and scale.
6. Leanplum
Leanplum is your go-to for push notifications with a side of serious A/B testing muscle. It’s particularly strong in mobile app engagement, helping you perfectly fine-tune your messaging strategy.
Pros:
- A/B testing tools that’ll have you optimizing like a pro
- Mobile app engagement features that’ll keep users coming back
- Plays well with other marketing platforms in your toolkit
Cons:
- It might take a bit more time to master compared to more straightforward tools
- Some users report occasional hiccups in reliability
Pricing:
Leanplum has custom pricing, request a demo or contact sales for a custom quote.
7. Pusher Beams
Pusher Beams is developer-oriented solution that focuses on transactional notifications. This tool keeps users in the loop and ensures your alerts are timely and on-point every single time.
Pros:
- Developer-friendly approach that’ll make your tech team smile
- Reliable delivery of real-time notifications
- Documentation and support that’ll answer your questions before you ask them
Cons:
- Marketing-focused features might be a bit light for some
- It might require a bit more technical know-how to get the most out of it
Pricing:
Free plan for up to 2,000 monthly active users, with paid plans starting at $49 per month as you grow.
8. CleverTap
CleverTap brings AI-driven smarts to your push notification game, offering detailed insights into your user base. It’s particularly strong in analytics and user segmentation, helping you send the right message to the right person at the right time.
Pros:
- AI-driven insights that’ll have you making data-driven decisions like a pro
- User behavior analytics that’ll help you understand your audience better than ever
- Omnichannel campaign capabilities that’ll keep your messaging consistent across platforms
Cons:
- Setup might require a bit of time investment
- Pricing might be a stretch for smaller operations
Pricing:
CleverTap has a “Essentials” option that starts from 75$ / month and has a 30-day free trial. The “Advanced” and “Cutting edge” options have custom pricing plans.
9. Pushwoosh
Pushwoosh specializes in seamlessly integrating push notifications into your omnichannel campaigns. With a no-code editor and flexible campaign builder, Pushwoosh provides versatile tools for notification management in marketing campaigns.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface that’ll have you creating campaigns in no time
- Plays well with various platforms and services
- Flexible pricing that can grow with your business
Cons:
- Some users report occasional delivery delays, but they’re working on it
- Analytics features might leave data enthusiasts wanting more
Pricing:
The free plan is for up to 1,000 subscribers, paid plans start at $49 per month as you scale up.
10. EngageLab
EngageLab is a rising star in the push notification world. It offers comprehensive support for various notification types and advanced segmentation that will ensure your messages hit home every time.
Pros:
- Laser focus on user engagement and retention that’ll keep your audience coming back
- Great balance of features for both marketers and developers
- Competitive pricing that’ll make your finance team happy
Cons:
- The integration ecosystem is growing but not as extensive as some others
Pricing:
Free plan to get you started, with paid plans at competitive rates as you grow and need more advanced features.
11. Amazon Simple Notification Service (SNS)
Amazon Simple Notification Service (SNS) is a robust and scalable notification service offered by AWS, designed to send messages and notifications to distributed systems, applications, and users.
It’s a versatile tool that supports push notifications and SMS, email, and application endpoints.
Pros:
- Highly scalable with AWS infrastructure
- Reliable message delivery
- Seamless integration with other AWS services
- Strong security features with IAM and KMS
Cons:
- Setup can be complex for new AWS users
- It might offer more features than needed for simple use cases
Pricing:
Amazon SNS uses a pay-as-you-go model with no minimum fees. Users pay $0.50 per 1 million SNS requests, $0.06 per 100,000 HTTP notifications, and $2.00 per 100,000 email notifications.
SMS pricing varies by destination country, with a Free Tier offering the first 1 million requests, 100,000 HTTP notifications, and 1,000 email notifications free each month.
Wrapping up the top push notifications services in 2024
Push notifications are a powerful tool in a marketer’s arsenal. When executed skillfully, they can significantly boost user retention and engagement.
However, they’re a double-edged sword—overuse or irrelevance can quickly lead to app uninstalls. ASO professionals and app developers must understand their users’ preferences and deliver attractive and valuable notifications.
The perfect tool depends on your specific requirements. Experiment with free trials, assess your priorities and don’t hesitate to switch if needed. With the right push notification strategy and tool, you’ll keep your users engaged and your app thriving in 2024 and beyond.
