OneSignal
Push notifications, in-app messaging, email, and SMS journeys.
Best for
- Push notifications
- Lifecycle messaging
- In-app messages
Not good for
- Teams that already run all messaging through a CDP suite
Pros and cons
Pros
- A genuinely free tier includes unlimited mobile push, so you can add push to a shipping iOS app and pay nothing until you need more email volume or journeys (checked July 19, 2026).
- One SDK bundles push, in-app messages, email, and SMS, so you do not stitch together separate vendors as you add channels.
- Segmentation and A/B testing are built in, so you target and test messages without writing your own delivery logic.
- Native iOS support for rich notifications and Live Activities exists on higher plans, which matters when notifications are core to the app.
Cons
- The Growth plan layers per-active-user and per-send usage costs on top of the base fee, so a large free audience can turn into an unpredictable bill.
- Professional and Enterprise pricing is quote-only, so budgeting past Growth means a sales conversation.
- Adding the SDK pulls in a background service and a notification extension you maintain across iOS releases.
- The free plan's journey and segment limits are tight, so lifecycle messaging of any depth pushes you onto a paid plan quickly.
OneSignal is messaging infrastructure for apps: push notifications, in-app messages, email, SMS, and journeys behind a single SDK and dashboard. For a solo iOS developer, the draw is that you can add reliable push to a shipping app in an afternoon and grow into lifecycle messaging later without swapping vendors. The free tier is generous enough that many small apps never pay for push at all.
It fits best when notifications or in-app messages are part of how the app works, not an afterthought. If you only need a single local reminder, Apple's own UserNotifications framework is enough and adding a third-party SDK is overkill. Teams that already run every channel through a broader engagement suite like Braze will find the channels overlap.
Pricing
OneSignal plans (checked July 19, 2026)
| Plan | Price | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 per month | Unlimited mobile push, 10,000 monthly email sends, 1 journey, basic A/B testing, and 6 segments |
| Growth | From $19 per month plus usage | Adds per-active-user and per-send usage costs, more journeys, journey branching, and advanced in-app messaging |
| Professional | Custom, annual | Adds more journeys and steps, 24/7 support, CSV exports, and advanced personalization |
| Enterprise | Custom, annual | Adds frequency capping, full Live Activities access, an SLA, and a dedicated success manager |
The Growth plan adds usage costs on top of the base fee, so cost scales with active users and message volume rather than staying flat. Pricing last checked July 19, 2026; confirm current numbers on the official pricing page.
Setup and integration
OneSignal provides SDKs for iOS in Swift, plus Android, React Native, Flutter, and web. On iOS you add the SDK through Swift Package Manager, enable the Push Notifications capability, and add a Notification Service Extension so rich media and delivery tracking work. You then upload your APNs key or certificate in the dashboard.
Expect the usual APNs friction rather than SDK friction. Provisioning profiles, the extension target, and testing on a real device are the slow parts, and the permission prompt must be requested at a sensible moment for opt-in rates. Live Activities and some advanced features sit on higher plans, so confirm your tier covers what the app needs.
Frequently asked questions
Is OneSignal free for push notifications?
Yes. The Free plan includes unlimited mobile push notifications at $0 per month, with limits on email sends, journeys, and segments (checked July 19, 2026). Many small apps run push entirely on the free tier.
How is OneSignal different from Braze?
Both send cross-channel messages, but they target different buyers. Braze is an enterprise engagement platform sold by quote and run by a marketing team, while OneSignal is self-serve, has a free tier, and suits a solo developer adding push without a sales process.
Do I still need to configure APNs myself?
Yes. You create the APNs key in your Apple Developer account and upload it to OneSignal, and you request notification permission in the app. OneSignal handles delivery and targeting, but the Apple-side setup is yours.
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