Although we often associate web push with desktop notifications, web push notifications can also appear on tablets and Android devices (Apple iOS does not support web push). The name “web” refers to the mechanism by which notifications are sent to a user’s device via a web browser (e.g. Chrome, Safari). This technical distinction is also why web push notifications cannot be sent to users unless their browser is open. In contrast, mobile push notifications are sent directly to a device’s operating system (e.g. iOS, Android) and are therefore only possible for companies who have a native mobile application.
Any company with a website can send a web push notification after taking a few simple steps to integrate with a web push service. Most companies leverage a third-party notification provider to quickly add these capabilities to their site and provide a reliable infrastructure to manage, optimize, and scale their messaging strategy.