What should I use instead of Firebase Cloud Messaging for a multi-platform app?

If you need an alternative to Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) for a multi-platform app, the best choice depends on your goals:

Good alternatives

1. OneSignal

• Easiest drop-in replacement for push notifications
• Supports iOS, Android, Web, and some desktop use cases
• Includes segmentation, analytics, A/B testing, and scheduling
• Good if you want a managed notification platform

2. AWS SNS

• Good if you already use AWS
• Supports mobile push notifications via APNs, FCM, and other channels
• More backend-oriented; less polished notification dashboard than OneSignal
• Better for infrastructure-heavy apps

3. Azure Notification Hubs

• Best if you’re in Microsoft/Azure ecosystem
• Supports iOS, Android, Windows, and cross-platform backends
• Scales well, but can be more complex to set up

4. Pusher Beams

• Simple push notification service
• Good developer experience
• Supports mobile and web push
• Useful if you want something lighter than OneSignal

5. Airship

• Enterprise-grade push and engagement platform
• Advanced automation, analytics, and messaging tools
• Typically more expensive and feature-rich than most alternatives

If you want open-source / self-hosted

6. ntfy

• Great for self-hosted notifications
• Simple, lightweight, and supports mobile/web clients
• More suitable for internal tools or technical teams than consumer apps

Important note

For iOS push notifications, you still must use Apple Push Notification service (APNs) under the hood. No third-party service fully replaces APNs/FCM at the platform level; these services mostly help manage tokens, routing, analytics, and sending.

Quick recommendation

• Small/medium app, fastest setup: OneSignal
• AWS-based backend: AWS SNS
• Enterprise needs: Airship
• Self-hosted/internal use: ntfy

If you tell me your stack (React Native, Flutter, native iOS/Android, web) and whether you need push, in-app messaging, or both, I can recommend the best option more precisely.