Azure Notification Hubs

What Azure Notification Hubs is

Azure Notification Hubs is an API-based service for sending mobile push notifications. It supports audience segmentation and API access, with a listed subscriber limit of 200,000. Web push, desktop push, and automation workflows are not supported. The Free plan allows 500 active devices per namespace and 1 million pushes per subscription per month, with up to 100 namespaces per tier and 100 hubs per namespace. Basic costs $10 a month and supports 200,000 active devices per namespace, with 10 million pushes included per subscription per month. It allows 100 namespaces per tier and 100 hubs per namespace. Standard costs $200 a month and supports 10,000,000 active devices per namespace, with 10 million pushes included per subscription per month. Standard allows unlimited namespaces per tier by default, subject to subscription limits, and up to 100 hubs per namespace. The listed platform is API, and the pricing note describes the service as freemium with paid plans from $10/mo.

Who it suits

Azure Notification Hubs suits developers or services that need API-based mobile push delivery and audience segmentation. Its tiers offer different active-device allowances and push volumes.

Limits

Free permits 500 active devices per namespace and 1 million pushes per subscription per month. Basic costs $10 a month and allows 200,000 active devices per namespace; Standard costs $200 a month and allows 10,000,000. Both paid plans include 10 million pushes per subscription per month.

Getting started

1. Open the Azure Notification Hubs website.
2. Choose the Free, Basic or Standard plan based on its device and push allowances.
3. Create a namespace and hub within the selected plan's limits.
4. Use the API to send mobile push notifications.

Verdict

Azure Notification Hubs is focused on mobile push delivery through an API, with capacity varying by tier. It is not a fit if web or desktop push, or built-in automation workflows, are required.