RCS vs Push Notifications, line by line.
Every dimension, both sides. Search to jump to what matters, hover a row to focus it.
None, the native inbox
Your app must be installed
Anyone with an RCS-capable phone
Capped by installs and opt-in rates
Carrier-rate, per message
Effectively free
Stays in the inbox
Easy to dismiss, then gone
Reaching people who will never install
Re-engaging your installed base
Use push to re-engage your installed base at no marginal cost; use RCS to reach the much larger group who will never install your app but will read a branded text. For many brands, RCS is the way to get app-like engagement without app fatigue.
RCS vs Push Notifications, common questions.
How is RCS different from push notifications?
Push notifications need your app installed and permission granted, and they clear from the lock screen quickly. RCS delivers a persistent, branded, interactive message to the phone’s inbox, with no app required.
Do customers opt in for RCS like they do for push?
RCS uses consent and honors STOP, like SMS. Unlike push, it does not depend on an installed app or a separate notification permission, so your reachable audience is much larger.
Can RCS do more than a push notification?
Yes. Beyond a short alert, RCS can carry images, carousels, and buttons that let a customer reorder, confirm, or reschedule right inside the thread.
Compare RCS with another channel.
Nine head-to-heads, including the one you are reading.