AppBreakup

Pusher alternatives: 2 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Pusher: free plan allows only 100 concurrent connections, and fixed tiers jump in price as connections grow. We ranked 2 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Pusher, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Firebase currently ranks first.

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Show all 2 alternatives

The best Pusher alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Firebase logo

Best Pusher alternative for most people

Firebase

Realtime Database and Firestore listeners push live updates to clients alongside auth and hosting.

Supabase logo

Best Pusher alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Supabase

Its Realtime feature broadcasts database changes and presence if you also want a hosted Postgres backend.

Supabase logo

Best Pusher alternative for open source

Supabase

Its Realtime feature broadcasts database changes and presence if you also want a hosted Postgres backend.

Supabase logo

Best Pusher alternative for self-hosting

Supabase

Its Realtime feature broadcasts database changes and presence if you also want a hosted Postgres backend.

Firebase logo

Best Pusher alternative for iPhone and Android

Firebase

Realtime Database and Firestore listeners push live updates to clients alongside auth and hosting.

Firebase logo

Best Pusher alternative for working in the browser

Firebase

Realtime Database and Firestore listeners push live updates to clients alongside auth and hosting.

Pusher alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Pusher?

Firebase ranks first right now. Realtime Database and Firestore listeners push live updates to clients alongside auth and hosting.

Is there a free alternative to Pusher?

Yes. Firebase (free plan + paid) and Supabase (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Pusher?

Yes: Supabase. Supabase can also be self-hosted.

Why do people switch from Pusher?

The complaints we hear most: free plan allows only 100 concurrent connections; fixed tiers jump in price as connections grow; no message history or delivery guarantees like Ably's.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Pusher, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.