The right push notification service depends on where your subscribers are: in a browser, inside a mobile app or on an online store. Web-only tools keep things simple, multichannel platforms add SMS, email and in-app messages, and store apps tie alerts to carts and stock.
Push tools sound alike until you ask where your subscribers really live. That one question sorts this whole category.
If you're moving away from PushEngage, the eight services below cover web push, app push and store messaging. They're listed in no particular order and described from each vendor's own site, so treat every claim as theirs.
Eight push services at a glance
| Tool | Kind of service | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Aimtell | Web push service | Re-engaging site visitors across the main browsers |
| Gravitec | Automated web push | Setting up automated web push quickly |
| OneSignal | Multichannel messaging platform | Mobile push, web push, SMS, email and in-app |
| PushAlert | Web push for websites | Browser push without building a mobile app |
| PushOwl | Shopify messaging app | Store alerts by push, email and SMS together |
| SendPulse | Marketing automation suite | Push alongside email, SMS and chatbots |
| Subscribers | Ecommerce web push | Repeat visits and repeat orders through push |
| Webpushr | Web push platform | Browser push to desktop and mobile devices |
Three homes for your subscribers
People who opted in through a browser
Aimtell, Gravitec, PushAlert and Webpushr are built around web push. Visitors opt in on your site, and you send them notifications on desktop and mobile browsers. No app is needed, which makes these the natural fit for publishers, bloggers and service businesses.
Audiences you reach on several channels
SendPulse and OneSignal go wider, adding SMS, email and other channels next to push. If you're also weighing app-first options, my list of alternatives to that second platform goes deeper. These suit teams who want one place for every message and don't mind more set-up.
Shoppers on your online store
PushOwl is built for Shopify and ties push to store events, while the tool called simply Subscribers focuses on repeat visits and repeat orders. If your notifications are mostly about carts, stock and new products, start here.
Opt-in, segments and delivery reports
The homepage of the service you're leaving now describes it as web push, app push, in-app messaging and WhatsApp for retention teams. That's a broad toolkit, and it's a reminder that the word push covers very different jobs. When you compare replacements, look past the channel list and test three things.
How people opt in. Web push depends on a browser prompt, and the way that prompt is timed and worded makes a big difference to how many visitors say yes. Mobile push depends on your app asking for permission. Check what each tool lets you control.
How messages are segmented and sent. You'll want to group subscribers by page visited, product viewed or location, and to schedule or automate sends. Some tools do this with simple rules; others expect a developer to wire up events.
What delivery reporting exists. You need to see sends, clicks and unsubscribes per campaign at the very least. Ask whether reports show results by browser and device, because that's where problems hide.
Browser support deserves its own check. Several vendors here name Chrome, Firefox and Safari on their sites, but browsers don't all treat permission prompts the same way, and phones behave differently from desktops. Subscribe to your own test site on a laptop and a phone, send yourself a notification from each tool you're considering, and see what arrives, how it looks and how quickly it lands.
Push services from A to Z
Alphabetical and in no particular order.
Aimtell
Best for: Content sites wanting to bring visitors back without asking for an email address, with the vendor naming Safari, Firefox and Chrome support.
Gravitec
Best for: Small teams that want web push automation they can learn quickly; the vendor pitches its system as easy to master.
OneSignal
Best for: Apps and product teams who want mobile push, web push, SMS, email and in-app messages in one place, with an AI angle on win-back campaigns.
PushAlert
Best for: Website owners who want push notifications without a mobile app, sending to subscribers on Chrome, Firefox and Safari, per the vendor.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
PushOwl
Best for: Shopify stores wanting push, email and SMS with popups and automated abandoned cart and back-in-stock alerts, which is how the vendor frames it.
SendPulse
Best for: Marketers who'd rather run web push inside a wider automation tool covering email, SMS and chatbots on popular messaging apps.
Subscribers
Best for: Online shops focused on repeat visits and repeat orders, using automated push to desktop and mobile browsers, as the vendor describes it.
Webpushr
Best for: Publishers and bloggers who only need browser push, with the vendor stating support for mobile and desktop browsers including Chrome and Firefox.
My advice on choosing a push service
Start with the channel you'll use every week and ignore the rest of the feature list. If you run a content site, a web-only service will be simpler to install and easier to live with. If you run a store, a tool that understands carts and stock will save you building those triggers by hand. If you've got a mobile app and a marketing team sending email and SMS, a multichannel platform keeps every message in one calendar.
Remember that moving web push subscribers between services isn't always simple, because permissions are tied to the service worker on your site. Ask each vendor how they handle a switch before you sign anything. Plan for a period where both services run side by side, so people who opted in on the old one still hear from you while new visitors join the new one. Write down your current segments and automated messages first, too, because you'll be rebuilding them by hand. For a wider list, see my guide to the best push notification services.
Questions to ask on a sales call
- Can existing web push subscribers be moved over, or will they need to opt in again?
- How much control do I get over the timing and wording of the opt-in prompt?
- Which events can trigger an automated message without developer help?
- Do reports break results down by browser, device and segment?
- What happens to my subscriber data if I leave?
Do you make push notification software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
Want your tool on this list? Featured spots and reviews here are paid partnerships. Here's how to partner with me.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between web push and app push?
Web push reaches people who opted in through a browser on your site. App push reaches people who installed your mobile app and allowed notifications.
Do I need a mobile app to send push notifications?
No. Web push works through the browser on desktop and mobile, so a website is enough to start collecting subscribers.
Can I move my push subscribers to a new service?
Sometimes. It depends on how the old service set up permissions on your site. Ask the new vendor about migration before you switch.
Are push notifications covered by privacy rules?
Usually, because opt-ins and any data you collect count as personal data. Requirements vary by country, so check your regulator's guidance.
How often should I send push notifications?
Only as often as you've got something useful to say. Too many sends lead to unsubscribes, so watch your reports and pull back if people leave.
