What is OneSignal?
OneSignal is a customer engagement platform that lets apps and websites send mobile push notifications, web push, email, SMS, RCS and in-app messages from one dashboard. It is widely used by app developers, startups and growing businesses because the free plan covers unlimited mobile push for up to 1,000 monthly active users plus 10,000 emails a month. OneSignal says more than 2 million businesses use it.
Beyond single campaigns, OneSignal offers Journeys for automated lifecycle flows, segmentation, personalization, A/B testing and analytics. It supports iOS Live Activities and integrates with tools such as Segment, Amplitude, Mixpanel, HubSpot and Snowflake. OneSignal AI can draft, send, test and optimize campaigns within guardrails you set. Paid plans scale with usage, starting with the month-to-month Growth plan.
OneSignal at a glance
How does OneSignal work?
- Create an app and add the SDK
Set up your app or site in OneSignal and install the SDK for iOS, Android, web, Flutter, React Native, Unity or Expo.
- Collect subscribers and data
Gather push permissions, email addresses and phone numbers, and send tags and events to build profiles.
- Segment your audience
Group users by tags, behavior or location to target messages.
- Send messages and Journeys
Launch one-off campaigns or automated Journeys across push, email, SMS and in-app.
- Analyze and improve
Review delivery and click data, run A/B tests and adjust campaigns.
OneSignal key features
Mobile and web push
Push notifications for iOS, Android and major browsers, including rich media and scheduling.
Email, SMS and in-app messages
Additional channels managed from the same dashboard and user profiles.
Journeys
Automated multi-step, cross-channel flows for onboarding, re-engagement and retention.
Live Activities
Real-time updates on iOS lock screens for orders, scores and deliveries.
Segmentation and personalization
Target users with tags, events and dynamic content.
OneSignal AI
Drafts, sends, tests and optimizes lifecycle campaigns within brand guardrails you define.
Analytics and A/B testing
Reporting on deliveries and conversions, plus variant testing on every plan.
Why use OneSignal?
- The free plan is generous enough for many small apps and websites to start at no cost.
- Usage-based paid pricing grows with your audience rather than forcing a big jump.
- SDKs cover native and cross-platform frameworks, including Flutter and Unity.
- Multiple channels sit in one tool, so you can coordinate push, email and SMS.
- Integrations with analytics and data tools make targeting easier.
Who is OneSignal best for?
A good fit for
- Mobile app developers and startups
- Websites adding web push notifications
- Gaming and media apps with large audiences
- Growing businesses that want push, email and SMS together
Less suited to
- Teams needing unlimited Journeys and segments on a small budget
- Enterprises needing long data history without a custom contract
- Marketers who want a full email design and newsletter suite
OneSignal pricing
| Pricing model | Freemium |
|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes |
| Free trial | Not confirmed |
| Starting price | From $19/month (Growth) |
Growth is month-to-month, charging per monthly active user for mobile push, per subscriber for web push and per 1,000 emails beyond the included sends. Professional and Enterprise are annual custom plans with more Journeys, segments, data history and support.
Prices checked October 2026. Vendors change plans often, so confirm on the official OneSignal pricing page before you buy.
OneSignal pros and cons
Pros
- Strong free plan for mobile push and email
- Easy SDK setup across many frameworks
- Usage-based pricing that starts low
- Several channels in one platform
Cons
- Free and Growth plans limit Journeys, segments and data history
- Costs can climb with large active user counts
- Advanced features and premium integrations need custom plans
OneSignal integrations and platforms
Works with
Available on
OneSignal alternatives
See the full shortlist in Best Push Notification Software.
OneSignal FAQ
Is OneSignal free?
Yes. OneSignal has a free plan with unlimited mobile push for up to 1,000 monthly active users, web push to up to 10,000 subscribers per send and 10,000 emails a month. It includes three active Journeys and six segments. The paid Growth plan starts at $19 per month and adds usage-based pricing.
What is OneSignal used for?
OneSignal is used to send push notifications and other messages to app and website users. Developers and marketers use it for onboarding flows, product updates, promotions, abandoned-cart reminders and re-engagement campaigns. It also supports email, SMS, in-app messages and iOS Live Activities, with Journeys to automate messages across channels.
Is OneSignal good for beginners?
OneSignal is one of the easier push tools to start with. The free plan needs no contract, the dashboard is straightforward, and SDKs and guides exist for iOS, Android, web, Flutter, React Native and Unity. Some basic coding is still needed to install the SDK in a mobile app.
OneSignal vs Braze: what's the difference?
OneSignal offers a free plan and low, usage-based pricing, which suits startups and growing apps. Braze is an enterprise engagement platform with quote-only pricing, more channels such as WhatsApp and LINE, and deeper data and AI decisioning. Many teams start with OneSignal and consider Braze when their needs become more complex.
Does OneSignal integrate with Segment?
Yes. Segment is listed among OneSignal's integrations, along with Amplitude, Mixpanel, HubSpot, Snowflake, AppsFlyer and RevenueCat. On the pricing page, integrations such as Segment, Mixpanel, Amplitude and HubSpot are shown as part of the paid Growth plan, so check plan details before relying on them.
Sources
This overview is based on OneSignal's official website and documentation, checked October 2026.