Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Firebase Cloud Messaging VS OneSignal

Compare Firebase Cloud Messaging VS OneSignal and see what are their differences

Firebase Cloud Messaging logo Firebase Cloud Messaging

Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) is a cross-platform messaging solution that lets you reliably send messages at no cost.

OneSignal logo OneSignal

Customer engagement platform used by over 1 million developers and marketers; the fastest and most reliable way to send mobile and web push notifications, in-app messages, emails, and SMS.
  • Firebase Cloud Messaging Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-27
  • OneSignal
    Image date //
    2024-09-12

Firebase Cloud Messaging features and specs

  • Scalability
    Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) is designed to handle a large number of messages efficiently, making it suitable for apps with a substantial global user base.
  • Cross-platform Support
    FCM supports multiple platforms including Android, iOS, and web, allowing for a unified messaging solution across different devices.
  • Free Tier
    Firebase provides a generous free tier for Cloud Messaging, which can be especially beneficial for startups and small projects.
  • Real-time Messaging
    FCM allows for real-time and instant messaging, improving user engagement and experience by delivering timely notifications.
  • Integration with Firebase Services
    Seamlessly integrates with other Firebase services like Analytics, Crashlytics, and Remote Config, which can enhance app functionality and insights.

Possible disadvantages of Firebase Cloud Messaging

  • Data Privacy Concerns
    Depending on the region and application, using a cloud-based service might raise concerns regarding data privacy and compliance with local regulations.
  • Complexity in Advanced Use Cases
    While straightforward for basic implementation, FCM can become complex when dealing with advanced features or customization requirements.
  • Delivery Delays
    There might be occasional delays in message delivery due to network issues or server overloads which can impact user experience.
  • Dependence on Google Infrastructure
    Reliance on Google's infrastructure means that any disruptions or changes by Google can affect app functionality.
  • Limited Offline Support
    FCM requires an active internet connection for message delivery, which can limit functionality in offline scenarios.

OneSignal features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    OneSignal offers a user-friendly interface and straightforward setup process, making it accessible even for those with limited technical knowledge.
  • Multi-Platform Support
    The service supports a wide range of platforms including iOS, Android, and web browsers, allowing for comprehensive push notification campaigns.
  • Free Tier
    OneSignal provides a generous free tier that includes many features, which is highly beneficial for startups and small businesses with budget constraints.
  • Automation Capabilities
    Offers robust automation features like automated messaging, segmentation, and personalized notifications, enhancing user engagement.
  • Analytics
    Provides detailed analytics and reporting, allowing users to track the performance of their notifications and optimize campaigns.
  • Integrations
    Supports integration with various platforms and services such as WordPress, Shopify, and Google Analytics, making it versatile and adaptable to different needs.

Analysis of OneSignal

Overall verdict

  • Overall, OneSignal is a highly regarded tool in the realm of push notification services and is generally recommended for both small businesses and large enterprises looking for an effective communication channel with their users.

Why this product is good

  • OneSignal is often considered a good platform because it provides robust and user-friendly solutions for web and mobile push notifications, in-app messaging, and email marketing. Its ease of integration, rich set of features, powerful analytics, and flexible pricing options (including a free tier) make it a popular choice for developers and marketers alike. OneSignal also offers support for multiple platforms and easy segmentation of audiences to tailor messages effectively.

Recommended for

  • Mobile app developers seeking reliable push notification services with multi-platform support.
  • Marketers wanting to engage users through targeted push notifications and in-app messaging.
  • Businesses of all sizes looking for affordable and scalable communication solutions.
  • Teams that want detailed analytics to track user engagement and campaign performance.

Firebase Cloud Messaging videos

Google Cloud Messaging

More videos:

  • Review - Android Push Notifications + Firebase Cloud Messaging
  • Review - Google Cloud Messaging performance factors - Google I/O 2016
  • Review - Google Firebase Cloud Messaging Step By Step Guide
  • Review - PUSH NOTIFICATIONS Android 🔥 FIREBASE Cloud Messaging
  • Review - Sending Notifications on iOS through Google Cloud Messaging (Route 85)

OneSignal videos

OneSignal Product Demo

More videos:

  • Review - Send Push Notifications Through Wordpress Using OneSignal
  • Demo - OneSignal: Product Demo/Overview

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Firebase Cloud Messaging and OneSignal)
Web Push Notifications
12 12%
88% 88
Mobile Push Messaging
9 9%
91% 91
Push Notifications
10 10%
90% 90
Developer Tools
17 17%
83% 83

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Firebase Cloud Messaging and OneSignal

Firebase Cloud Messaging Reviews

35 Best Free Push Notification Services and Tools (+ Open Source Push Notification Services to Consider)
FCM is part of Firebase cloud services from Google. The free service from Google helps to send notifications across various platforms. A simple to use console and APIs provide many capabilities to developers and marketers, such as message targeting, customized messages, A/B testing, etc. FCM can also be used without writing any code.

OneSignal Reviews

Best WordPress Push Notification Plugins For Publishers
Looking for OneSignal alternatives?Check out this in-depth OneSignal comparison guide to make the right choice.
Source: www.izooto.com
35 Best Free Push Notification Services and Tools (+ Open Source Push Notification Services to Consider)
OneSignal is a prominent notification aggregator. Users will be able to send push notifications across different platforms, as well as SMS and emails, making it a well-rounded tool for all messaging. OneSignal offers many capabilities including A/B testing, API service, analytics, segmentation, and personalization. On the free tier, developers can send 1 push message, email,...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Firebase Cloud Messaging should be more popular than OneSignal. It has been mentiond 39 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Firebase Cloud Messaging mentions (39)

  • Receiving Push Notifications from Firebase in Android MAUI
    To power this feature, we are utilizing Firebase as the backend service for sending out messages. Firebase Cloud Messaging service provides a reliable and scalable solution for managing and delivering push notifications. - Source: dev.to / 8 months ago
  • How to Build Progressive Web Apps in 2024? A Step-byStep Guide
    Push Notifications allow PWAs to send real-time updates and messages to users, similar to native apps. React itself doesn't handle push notifications directly, but you can integrate third-party libraries like Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) to enable this functionality. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • How to Send Firebase Push Notifications to Android
    Each mobile operating system provides its own solution for native application push notifications, so they can be tricky to integrate into your app. In Android, the mechanism native applications use for push notifications is Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) notifications. PubNub has taken FCM one step further and integrated the use of Firebase Cloud Messaging notifications into the PubNub Real-time Communications... - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • Custom vs. off-the-shelf React web notification systems: Which is better?
    Firebase Cloud Messaging, or FCM, is a service by Google that allows you to send notifications to Android and iOS devices. It is widely used and known for its reliability and scalability. It's also free up to a specific limit, making it an attractive option for startups and small businesses. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Looking to build a web tool inside a wordpress website from which push notifications can be sent
    I don’t see why not. I don’t have much experience with firebase myself I’ve always just contacted APNS etc directly via NodeJS. Maybe these docs will help you. Source: almost 2 years ago
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OneSignal mentions (26)

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Firebase Cloud Messaging and OneSignal, you can also consider the following products

Firebase - Firebase is a cloud service designed to power real-time, collaborative applications for mobile and web.

iZooto - Engage your mobile and desktop web users with intelligent web push notifications.

Gotify - a simple self-hosted server for sending and receiving messages

Pushover - Real-time notifications on your Android, iPhone, iPad, and Desktop

PushCrew - Push Notifications for Websites

Pusher - Pusher is a hosted API for quickly, easily and securely adding scalable realtime functionality via WebSockets to web and mobile apps.