Ntfy Hosting

Open your pod's web app and subscribe to a topic, then send an HTTP POST containing your message to that topic's URL on your pod. In a phone app, choose your pod's server address rather than the public ntfy.sh server. Before using sensitive messages, review users and access control: unrestricted topics can be read or written by anyone who knows the name. PikaPods makes additional server configuration available through the config file using SFTP.

No. PikaPods sets up and runs Ntfy for you, including OS and app updates and HTTPS. You won't touch Docker or a server. Your files and database stay accessible if you ever want to move them elsewhere.

Yes, use the Android app from Google Play or F-Droid, the iOS app, or your pod's web interface. Android uses a persistent connection for self-hosted servers. Timely native iOS delivery requires an upstream connection, normally configured with upstream-base-url pointing to ntfy.sh; without it, notifications can be substantially delayed. Browser notifications need permission, and delivery with the tab closed requires additional Web Push configuration and browser support. See the phone guide and iOS setup requirements.

Basic HTTP publishing to your own server does not require a paid ntfy.sh plan or an external delivery account. Native iOS notifications still depend on an upstream push service and its limits; an upstream access token may be needed if those limits are exceeded. Optional email forwarding requires SMTP, and optional phone calls require a Twilio account and number, with any provider charges separate from pod hosting. These integrations are not automatically included; see the server configuration guide.

Set up incremental backups to S3 in your pod settings for automatic nightly snapshots, or download your files and database yourself. We keep whole-server backups for server failures, but they aren't a per-pod restore service, so your own backup is what protects your data.

You can use Ntfy instead of Pushover and Pushbullet. PikaPods runs it for you, and you can move your files and database elsewhere.

Both send alerts to your devices from a simple HTTP request. Pushover is a hosted service with its own apps. Ntfy uses topics that devices subscribe to, and adds users and permissions on your own server. Phone delivery on iOS can depend on extra configuration, so read its iOS notes before relying on it for urgent alerts.

No. You add prepaid credit and your pods are billed by the hour from that balance, rounded up to full hours. There are no contracts or minimum terms: delete a pod anytime and billing stops. Optional automatic top-ups keep your pods running without manual payments.

You do. And you're in full control. If you ever want to download, migrate, edit or delete your data, just enable file and database access for your pod and it will be right there.