The best free push notification service for most websites is Webpushr, which is free up to 10,000 subscribers with every feature included. OneSignal is the best free option if you also need app push, SendPulse suits marketers who want email in the same tool, and Firebase Cloud Messaging is free for developers who build their own dashboard.
Free plans are a good way to start web push. However, each one is funded somehow: a subscriber cap, a per-send cap, feature limits, branding or ads. So when I compare free push notification services, I don’t ask “is it free?” I ask “what’s the limit, and what happens when I hit it?” Every limit below comes from each vendor’s own pricing page, checked on Oct 31, 2026.
Which free push notification services are best in 2026?
Seven services offer a genuinely usable free web push plan. This table shows the free limit that matters most for each one.
| Service | Free limit (checked Oct 31, 2026) | Main catch | First paid step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webpushr | Up to 10,000 subscribers, all features | Web push only | $29/mo up to 50K |
| OneSignal | Web push with a max of 10,000 subscribers per send | Mobile push capped at 1,000 MAU | Growth from $19/mo |
| SendPulse | 10,000 subscribers | Chat support only for the first 30 days | Pro, priced by subscribers |
| Gravitec | Notify up to 10,000 subscribers | “Powered by Gravitec.net” branding, no Safari | Fix at $20/mo |
| PushAlert | 3,000 subscribers | 1,000 API calls a month | Basic at $12/mo |
| PushEngage | 200 subscribers, 30 campaigns | Very small list cap | Business from $8/mo billed yearly |
| Firebase Cloud Messaging | No-cost API | No dashboard; you build everything | Stays no-cost |
What does each free push notification service actually include?
Each free plan suits a different kind of site. Here’s what stands out, plus the trade-off.
1. Webpushr: best free plan for most websites
Webpushr is free up to 10,000 subscribers, and its pricing FAQ says there’s no time limit and no credit card. More importantly, it says the free plan has no feature limits. You get unlimited websites, notifications, segments and API access. So for a blog or small business site, it’s the most complete free plan I’ve found. The catch arrives at 10,001 subscribers, when you move to $29 a month. My Webpushr vs LaraPush comparison covers the bigger picture.
2. OneSignal: best free option for web plus app push
OneSignal’s Free plan includes web push, but each send reaches at most 10,000 subscribers. You can collect more, yet a single campaign won’t go to all of them. In addition, since its Free plan change (new customers Sept 1, existing customers Oct 1, 2026), mobile push and in-app messaging on Free are limited to organisations with up to 1,000 monthly active users. OneSignal says web push and email keep working under the existing limits.
3. SendPulse: best free plan for email marketers
SendPulse is a multi-channel marketing platform, and web push is one module. Its Basic plan lets you send web push to 10,000 subscribers a month for free, with RSS-to-push and automated message series. However, online chat support on the free plan only lasts 30 days after registration. It’s a good fit if you already use SendPulse for email.
4. Gravitec: best free plan for collecting a large list
Gravitec lets you collect unlimited subscribers on Free and notify up to 10,000 of them. It also allows unlimited websites. On the other hand, the free plan carries an unremovable “Powered by Gravitec.net” credit, allows 1 user and 5 automations a day, and excludes Safari. Gravitec also notes that Free has some limits on speed.
5. PushAlert: best tiny free plan with iOS support
PushAlert’s free plan covers 3,000 subscribers for life, with unlimited notifications, unlimited segments and iOS/iPadOS web push support listed. API access is capped at 1,000 REST calls a month. That’s enough for a hobby site. Ecommerce features such as abandoned cart alerts start on Basic at $12 a month.
6. PushEngage: best for trying WordPress features
PushEngage’s free plan allows 1 website, up to 200 subscribers and up to 30 campaigns. That’s really a trial-sized plan. Still, it’s useful if you want to test its WordPress and WooCommerce workflow before you pay. Paid Business plans start at $8 a month billed yearly, at the lowest subscriber tier.
7. Firebase Cloud Messaging: best free option for developers
Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) is listed as no-cost on Firebase’s pricing page. It delivers messages, but it isn’t a marketing tool. You build the opt-in prompt, subscriber storage, segmentation and sending logic yourself. My guide on Firebase web push for free explains what that work involves.
How do free push notification services make money?
Free push plans are paid for in one of five ways, and knowing which one helps you predict the catch:
- Subscriber caps: free until a list size, then a paid tier (Webpushr, SendPulse, PushAlert).
- Per-send caps: you can collect more, but each send is limited (OneSignal, Gravitec).
- Feature gates: automations, API calls or extra sites are reserved for paid plans.
- Branding: a “Powered by” credit on the prompt or notification (Gravitec Free).
- Ads: the vendor sends ads to your subscribers, as with iZooto’s Monetize programme.
For a deeper look at the last one, read do free push notification services send ads to your subscribers?.
Which free push notification service should you pick?
Pick based on list size and whether you need app push. This table maps common situations to a first choice.
| Your situation | Best free pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Blog or small site, web only | Webpushr | All features free up to 10,000 subscribers |
| Website plus a mobile app | OneSignal | One platform for web and app push |
| Already use SendPulse email | SendPulse | Web push in the same account |
| Large list, small sends | Gravitec | Unlimited collection, notify up to 10,000 |
| Developer building a custom stack | Firebase Cloud Messaging | No-cost delivery API |
Before you commit, check two things. First, can you export subscribers if you leave? Second, what will you pay at two or three times today’s list? My push notification cost calculator runs those numbers over 3 years.
What are the real limits of free push plans?
The real limit of a free push plan is usually growth. For example, a site that adds 500 subscribers a month passes a 10,000-subscriber cap in under two years. At that point you either pay, cut your list, or switch tools.
Switching is the expensive part. Web push subscriptions are tied to the original site’s service worker and application server keys (VAPID), as described in RFC 8292. So moving providers can mean asking people to subscribe again. That’s why I pick a free plan with the next tier in mind, not just the free tier.
Where does LaraPush fit?
LaraPush isn’t free, and it has no free plan or free tier. It’s a self-hosted panel that you install on your own VPS for a one-time licence from $499 (check LaraPush pricing for the current price). In return, you get unlimited subscribers, campaigns and domains on one licensed server, with no sponsored ads in your subscribers’ notifications. For a list under 10,000 subscribers, a free tier is cheaper. For a list that’s growing past the free caps, see the LaraPush features and our roundup of the best push notification services and tools.
Frequently asked questions
For most websites, Webpushr is the best free push notification service because it’s free up to 10,000 subscribers with all features included, according to its pricing page checked Oct 31, 2026. OneSignal is better if you also need mobile app push.
Yes. OneSignal’s Free plan still includes web push, with a maximum of 10,000 subscribers per send. Its 2026 Free plan change added a 1,000 MAU limit for mobile push and in-app messaging, and OneSignal says web push keeps working under existing limits.
Gravitec lets you collect unlimited subscribers on its free plan but notify only up to 10,000. Webpushr and SendPulse allow 10,000 subscribers. Firebase Cloud Messaging has no subscriber price, but you must build the dashboard and storage yourself.
Most free plans in this list are funded by caps or upgrades, not ads. Some programmes, such as iZooto’s Monetize plan, are free because ads are sent to your subscribers. Always read the vendor’s terms before you install.
No. LaraPush has no free plan or free tier. It’s a self-hosted panel sold as a one-time licence from $499, with unlimited subscribers on one licensed server. You also pay for your own VPS.
