Pushcut is built around iOS Shortcuts automation. PushTower is built around server-driven notifications and Live Activities — simpler to call, open, and end-to-end encrypted.
| Feature | PushTower | Pushcut |
|---|---|---|
| iOS Live Activities & Dynamic Island | ||
| Native iOS app | ||
| Android app | ||
| Simple HTTP API (no SDK) | ||
| End-to-end encryption | ||
| Self-hostable | ||
| Open source | MIT | |
| Custom notification sounds | 30+ built-in | |
| Shortcuts / HomeKit automation | ||
| Scheduling & quiet hours | ||
| Pricing | Free + from $1.99/mo | Free / from ~$2/mo |
Comparison reflects each product’s public positioning and may change as the tools evolve. Spotted something out of date? Let us know on GitHub.
Pushcut is an iOS app centered on automation: rich notifications with action buttons, web triggers, time/location automations, and deep integration with Shortcuts and HomeKit. If your world revolves around iOS Shortcuts, it’s very powerful.
It’s iOS-only, closed source, and subscription-based, and it doesn’t drive iOS Live Activities or end-to-end encrypt content. Its strength is automation logic, not server-to-phone notification plumbing.
They overlap but aim differently. Pushcut excels at on-device iOS automation via Shortcuts. PushTower excels at server-to-phone notifications and Live Activities with a one-line HTTP call, end-to-end encryption, and self-hosting.
No. Pushcut focuses on rich notifications and automation triggers. PushTower can start, update, and end iOS Live Activities over HTTP.
Yes — PushTower is just an HTTP endpoint, so a Shortcut’s “Get Contents of URL” action can send a notification. For deep HomeKit/location automation, Pushcut goes further.
PushTower is invite-only while we onboard early users. Drop your email and we'll let you know the moment your account is ready.