What is a push notification?

A push notification is a short, clickable message sent directly to a user’s device (desktop, mobile, or web browser) to engage or inform them. SaaS companies use push notifications for product updates, user onboarding, retention nudges, and time-sensitive alerts.

Why It Matters: Push notifications offer high visibility and can re-engage inactive users at key moments. They are often used in product-led growth (PLG) strategies to drive usage and retention.

Common Use Cases:

  • Feature announcements
  • Trial-to-paid nudges
  • In-app engagement prompts
  • Abandonment follow-ups

Frequently Asked Questions

When should SaaS use push notifications?

Use them for onboarding, feature education, churn prevention, and activating trial users.

What’s the difference between push and email notifications?

Push is real-time and device-based; email is asynchronous and better for in-depth info.