Comparison

ntfy vs Nelos

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

ntfy

This app allows you to send push notifications to your phone from scripts or other applications using simple HTTP requests. It acts as a client for a free, open-source pub-sub service, enabling you to receive alerts and updates directly on your device.

Highlights
  • Send notifications via REST API
  • Subscribe to topics
  • Publish messages via HTTP
  • Integrates with Bash/PowerShell
  • Free and open source client
Features
Read full description

Send push notifications to your phone from any Bash or PowerShell script, or from your own app using PUT/POST requests, e.g. via curl on Linux or Invoke-WebRequest. ntfy is a client for https://ntfy.sh, a free and open source HTTP-based pub-sub service. You can subscribe to topics in this app, and then publish messages via a simple HTTP API. Uses: * Notify yourself when a long-running process is done * Ping your phone when a backup has failed * Alerts when someone logs into your server Example: $ curl -d "Your backup is done" ntfy.sh/mytopic Find more examples and usage instructions here: https://ntfy.sh/docs

About

Nelos

Features
Read full description

Stay connected beyond cell coverage. Nelos is an offline messaging, location sharing, and tracking app for families and small teams using MeshCore-compatible LoRa radios. Message your team, see everyone on a map, find trackers, and coordinate even when cell service or internet isn’t available. STAY TOGETHER OFF-GRID • See teammates and compatible trackers on one map • Send team messages and direct messages over LoRa • Track family members, pets, and personal belongings with compatible trackers • Find a tracker faster with Find Mode • Create Safe Zones and get alerts when a tracker leaves them • Send help requests and coordinate responses with your teams • Create and join teams offline using QR codes READY FOR THE OUTDOORS • Download detailed offline maps worldwide • Mark campsites, meeting points, hazards, and other locations with waypoints • Review the last 24 hours of location history MORE WITH NELOS PRO Unlock multiple active teams, unlimited offline maps, and up to 90 days of location history with a one-time lifetime purchase. PRIVACY-FOCUSED No account required. No central message server. Built for families, hiking, camping, outdoor adventures, travel, volunteer teams, festivals, and other off-grid situations. COMPATIBLE HARDWARE REQUIRED Off-grid communication requires MeshCore-compatible LoRa hardware. Download maps before heading out. Location updates and message delivery depend on your devices, radio conditions, terrain, positioning availability, and permissions. Help requests are sent to your Nelos teams, not emergency services. Nelos should not be your only means of communication or safety in critical situations.

Screenshots

ntfy2 screens
Nelos4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Nelos at every 4 days against ntfy's fortnightly. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ntfy ships an update fortnightly, Nelos every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
ntfy versus Nelos: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterntfyNelos
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (452 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews78.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings452 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB57 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperPhilipp HeckelThe Quyen Le

Bugs and requests

ntfy

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Notifications not working on iOS
  • Broken click URLs in notifications
  • Compatibility issues with iOS notification summarizing

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to change notification sounds
  • Support for Apple Watch
  • Customizable topic names/aliases
  • Improved iOS notification handling
  • All topics view and read/unread indicators

Nelos

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

ntfy

No in-app purchases

None

Nelos

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ntfy free?
ntfy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Nelos free?
Nelos is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do ntfy or Nelos have ads?
Neither ntfy nor Nelos shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ntfy or Nelos?
ntfy ships an update fortnightly, and Nelos every 4 days. Most recently, ntfy was updated on October 18, 2026 and Nelos on October 10, 2026.

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