Gotify

Gotify is a self-hosted message server for individuals and teams that want direct control over application notifications. It fits developers, system administrators, and technically confident users who can run a server and connect HTTP-capable tools. Its open-source, no-cost model is attractive, but platform limits and the PKCE requirement for single sign-on can rule it out in some environments.

The service is deliberately focused on transporting messages rather than running marketing campaigns or a hosted notification operation. You provide the infrastructure, then use its API, web interface, and Android client to move alerts from applications to people.

Overview

Gotify accepts messages through a REST API and passes them to connected clients over WebSocket. The server’s WebUI manages users, clients, and applications, giving an administrator a central place to control who can send and receive messages. This architecture suits internal alerts, automation, and personal infrastructure where the sender can make ordinary HTTP requests.

Each message includes content, a title, creation date, application ID, and priority. Priority is operationally useful: clients can present urgent and routine messages differently, and the Android app can use it to determine whether a notification sound plays. That gives senders meaningful control without turning Gotify into a full campaign or audience-engagement platform.

Key features

Delivery and administration

The REST API keeps integration straightforward, while WebSocket delivery provides a live stream to subscribed clients. Gotify’s Android app listens to that stream and displays push notifications as new messages arrive. An optional command-line client can send messages, but it adds little necessity because any HTTP client can call the API.

Extensibility

Plugins can receive webhooks, poll feeds, extend the WebUI, and deliver alarm notifications. This makes the core server adaptable to varied alert sources, particularly on compatible Unix-like systems. The important constraint is that plugins currently run only on Linux and macOS because of a Go limitation; users deploying elsewhere should not assume plugin functionality will be portable.

Identity and security

OpenID Connect support enables single sign-on when the chosen identity provider supports PKCE. That prerequisite is significant for organizations whose provider cannot meet it. Gotify also supports TLS configuration, secure session cookies, and bcrypt password hashing. Sensitive operations—including changing a password, deleting a client or application, and managing users—require session elevation, adding protection around high-impact administration.

Deployment

You can run the server as a Docker container or install a platform-specific binary. Docker images cover amd64, i386, arm64, armv7, and riscv64, which gives self-hosters broad hardware choices. Self-hosting remains the central trade-off: you gain control and avoid service fees, but server operation is your responsibility.

Pricing

Gotify Server — free (self-hosted server; Docker or binary downloads; Android client available). Gotify is open source, has no paid tier, and offers no free trial because the product itself is free. There are no published seat, message, or subscriber quotas in this plan. The price advantage is strongest for users comfortable supplying their own hosting; it does not remove the operational work of deploying and maintaining that host.

Platforms

Gotify supports Android, API access, Linux, self-hosted deployment, web access, and Windows clients or environments. Plugin support is narrower than the overall platform list: plugins are limited to Linux and macOS. Android is the dedicated mobile push client, while the web interface and API serve administration and integrations across supported systems.

Who it's for

Choose Gotify for personal servers, development and operations alerts, and teams that need an internally controlled message path. It is especially suitable when existing tools can issue HTTP requests and when Android push delivery is useful. It is less suitable for organizations seeking a hosted service, broad iOS coverage, subscriber-oriented campaign tooling, or plugins on platforms outside Linux and macOS.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Free and open source: there is no subscription charge or published usage cap, making long-running self-hosted deployments economical.
• Clear integration path: REST sending and WebSocket delivery connect ordinary HTTP-capable applications to live clients.
• Useful message controls: titles, application IDs, timestamps, and priority support practical alert handling, including Android sound behavior.
• Broad container architecture support: Docker images include amd64, i386, arm64, armv7, and riscv64.
• Security-conscious administration: TLS, secure cookies, bcrypt hashing, and session elevation protect core account actions.

Cons

• Self-hosting is required: users must provide and operate the server rather than signing up for a managed endpoint.
• Plugin portability is limited: plugins currently work only on Linux and macOS.
• OIDC depends on PKCE: identity providers without PKCE support cannot be used for the supported single sign-on flow.
• Focused rather than campaign-oriented: it delivers application messages but is not positioned as a broad marketing notification suite.

Alternatives

For a directory-wide comparison, see Push Notification Software.

• PushAlert is a freemium, multi-platform option with a lifetime-free plan for 3,000 subscribers and a paid Basic tier at $12 a month; choose it when subscriber limits and hosted service matter more than self-hosting.
• OneSignal offers a free monthly plan aimed at individuals and organizations starting out, including 10,000 email sends per month and 1,000 monthly active users; pick it for a managed, multi-platform notification service.
• Pushwoosh provides a freemium pay-as-you-go plan with 1,000 MAU, five AI requests per day, and 20,000 email sends per month; choose it when those hosted engagement allowances fit your needs.
• Firepush has a free plan capped at 500 push notifications per month and a $13.00 USD monthly Basic plan for 10,000 pushes; select it when a defined hosted push quota is preferable.
• PushEngage includes a free plan for one website or app, up to 200 subscribers, and 30 campaigns; it suits small campaign programs.
• Firebase Cloud Messaging is a no-cost, multi-platform messaging service; choose it when you want that ecosystem rather than a self-hosted server.
• PushBots offers freemium plans, including a free tier for 1,000 monthly active users; consider it when a hosted subscriber service is the priority.
• iZooto has a free Basic plan for up to 2,500 subscribers with unlimited notifications and a $25.00 USD monthly Essential tier; choose it for hosted web or API notifications at that scale.

Verdict

Gotify is the right choice for technically capable users who want a free, open-source notification server they can run themselves, with a practical API, WebUI, and Android push client. Look elsewhere if you need managed hosting, wider plugin portability, an identity provider without PKCE, or a full subscriber and campaign platform.