ntfy
What it is
ntfy is an HTTP-based publish-subscribe service for sending notifications to phones or desktops from scripts and REST API requests. Messages can be published with HTTP PUT or POST, and topics are created when published to or subscribed to. Notifications support priorities, attachments, action buttons, tags, and emojis. The web app can subscribe to topics and display incoming messages as browser notifications; open-source Android and iOS apps provide mobile notifications. The service can be self-hosted, with installation options including binaries, tarballs, deb or rpm packages, and Docker images. Listed integrations include Home Assistant, Healthchecks.io, changedetection.io, Uptime Kuma, and Netdata. Android intents connect the app to automation tools such as MacroDroid and Tasker. Anonymous use is supported. By default, messages are cached for 12 hours and attachments for 3 hours. Connections to ntfy.sh use TLS/HTTPS, passwords are stored as bcrypt hashes, and message content is not logged by default. The documentation warns that ntfy.sh topics are public unless access control is configured; an unguessable topic name then functions as the password. Each message can be up to 4,096 bytes, with longer messages treated as attachments. The service has a free plan and paid access from $5/mo (annual).
For and against
For
- Publishes messages through HTTP PUT or POST.
- Provides open-source Android and iOS apps.
- Can be self-hosted with Docker and package options.
- Supports automation integrations and Android intents.
- Free plan is available.
Against
- ntfy.sh topics are public unless access control is configured.
- Messages are limited to 4,096 bytes before becoming attachments.
- Desktop push is marked unavailable.
The verdict
ntfy offers several ways to publish and receive notifications, including mobile apps, browser notifications, integrations, and self-hosting. Check topic access settings before sending sensitive content to ntfy.sh, and note the message-size limit.
Who it suits
It suits people who want script or API-driven alerts on phones or in a browser, including alerts for script failures, long-running commands, and home automation events. Self-hosting is also an option for those who want to run the server themselves.
Plans and prices
Supporter
2,500 daily messages · 3 reserved topics · 3 phone calls · 50 daily emails
Read 5 Oct 2026 · ntfy.sh
Pro
20k daily messages · 10 reserved topics · 20 phone calls · 250 daily emails
Read 5 Oct 2026 · ntfy.sh
Business
50k daily messages · 50 reserved topics · 50 phone calls · 500 daily emails
Read 5 Oct 2026 · ntfy.sh
On the record
- API access
- Yesntfy.sh · read 20 Sep 2026
- API limit
- The documentation states that each message can be up to 4,096 bytes long, with longer messages treated as attachments.docs.ntfy.sh · read 5 Oct 2026
- Automation
- The Android app integrates with automation apps such as MacroDroid and Tasker using Android intents.docs.ntfy.sh · read 5 Oct 2026
- Automation workflows
- Yesntfy.sh · read 20 Sep 2026
- Desktop push
- Nontfy.sh · read 20 Sep 2026
- Desktop web
- The web app can subscribe to topics and show incoming messages as browser notifications.docs.ntfy.sh · read 5 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Officially listed integrations include Home Assistant, Healthchecks.io, changedetection.io, Uptime Kuma, and Netdata.docs.ntfy.sh · read 5 Oct 2026
- Intended audience
- The site describes using ntfy to receive alerts about script failures, completed long-running commands, and home automation events.docs.ntfy.sh · read 5 Oct 2026
- Mobile apps
- ntfy provides open-source Android and iOS apps, and Android is also available through F-Droid and GitHub APKs.docs.ntfy.sh · read 5 Oct 2026
- Mobile push
- Yesntfy.sh · read 20 Sep 2026
- Notifications
- Notifications support priorities, attachments, action buttons, tags, and emojis.ntfy.sh · read 5 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The privacy policy says anonymous use is supported, messages are cached by default for 12 hours, and attachments for 3 hours.docs.ntfy.sh · read 5 Oct 2026
- Product
- ntfy is an HTTP-based publish-subscribe notification service for sending notifications to phones or desktops from scripts or through a REST API.ntfy.sh · read 5 Oct 2026
- Public topics
- The documentation warns that ntfy.sh topics are public and that an unguessable topic name functions as the password when access control is not configured.docs.ntfy.sh · read 5 Oct 2026
- Publishing
- Messages can be published with HTTP PUT or POST requests, and topics are created when subscribed to or published to.ntfy.sh · read 5 Oct 2026
- Security
- The privacy policy states that connections to ntfy.sh use TLS/HTTPS, passwords are stored as bcrypt hashes, and message content is not logged by default.docs.ntfy.sh · read 5 Oct 2026
- Self-hosting
- The ntfy server can be self-hosted, and the installation documentation lists binary, tarball, deb/rpm package, and Docker image options.docs.ntfy.sh · read 5 Oct 2026
- Paid from
- 5ntfy.sh · read 20 Sep 2026
