Novu

Self-Hosted

Open-source notification infrastructure (alternative to Twilio Notify)

Overview

Novu is an open-source notification infrastructure enabling developers to build, manage, and send multi-channel notifications (email, SMS, push, chat) via a single API. It unifies providers like SendGrid, Twilio, and Slack, simplifying custom communication systems. Self-hostable via Docker Compose or Kubernetes, it includes a drag-and-drop workflow builder, template editor, delivery tracking, and real-time analytics. Ideal for teams avoiding proprietary lock-in, Novu integrates seamlessly with existing apps and scales with user growth.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  novu:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: novu
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Multi-channel notification support (email, SMS, push, chat)
Visual workflow builder for notification logic
Self-hostable with Docker/Kubernetes
Real-time delivery tracking and analytics

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Novu hard to install?

Novu is easy to self-host with Docker Compose (one-command setup) or Kubernetes for scalable deployments. Step-by-step docs guide users through both options, making it accessible for developers with basic DevOps skills.

? Is it a good alternative to Twilio Notify?

Yes—Novu offers multi-channel support like Twilio Notify but adds open-source flexibility and self-hosting. It unifies multiple providers (not just Twilio) and includes visual workflow tools, avoiding vendor lock-in.

? Is it completely free?

Novu is 100% free to self-host (MIT license). However, you’ll incur costs for third-party communication providers (e.g., SendGrid for emails) used to deliver notifications.

Top Alternatives

Twilio Notify Search Google

Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) Search Google

OneSignal Compare

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Communication - Custom Communication Systems

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Full data privacy (self-hosted control)
⊕ No subscription fees (MIT licensed)
⊕ Unifies multiple communication providers
⊕ Visual tools for non-technical workflow edits

Cons

⊖ Requires basic DevOps knowledge for self-hosting
⊖ Third-party provider costs for message delivery
⊖ Steep learning curve for advanced configurations