The Pushcut Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Pushcut in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Pushcut
The Insider’s Guide
Smart notifications, widgets and a server for Apple Shortcuts
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among automation tools, read from Pushcut’s own pages.
Made by Snailed It Development Ltd · checked Oct 6, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Pushcut’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Pushcut’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 6, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.2
GPA, above 6 of the 40 other automation tools we grade
Pushcut is an iOS app that extends Apple's Shortcuts and HomeKit with actionable notifications, custom widgets and background triggers. Notifications can be raised by a schedule, a location, a webhook or a service such as IFTTT or Zapier, and their buttons run shortcuts, HomeKit scenes or web requests. A spare iPhone or iPad can also act as an Automation Server that runs shortcuts on request or on a schedule.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about Pushcut, taken from its own pages and our grades.
- 1
Best for notifications that run your Apple shortcuts
Pushcut is an add-on to Apple's Shortcuts and HomeKit: notifications with buttons that run a shortcut, widgets you design, and a server that runs shortcuts unattended on a spare iPhone or iPad.
- 2
Paid plans start at $1.50 a month when paid by the year
As its pricing page puts it: $1.99 / month for Pro, or $17.99 per year.
- 3
There is a free plan
Up to 3 notifications with 1 action each and 2 background actions, using local triggers or basic webhooks. No widgets, dynamic content, online actions or Automation Server.
- 4
It runs on iOS
iOS.
- 5
Actionable notifications
Notifications carry custom text, images and sounds plus buttons that run a shortcut, activate a HomeKit scene, open a URL or send a web request. They can target specific devices.
- 6
Time, location and webhook triggers
Notifications and background actions fire on daily, weekly or monthly schedules, at locations or iBeacons, from Shortcuts and HomeKit automations, or from a webhook.
- 7
Custom widgets
Widgets for the home and lock screen show content that automations, online services or the API update, and run a shortcut or HomeKit scene when tapped. They need Pro.
- 8
A 2.2 GPA, above 6 of 40
That is against the other automation tools we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
To replace Pushcut you would be making connections to other products, each kept working as those products change. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
Pushcut at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan, from $1.99 / month for Pro, or $17.99 per year
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- iOS
- Made by
- Snailed It Development Ltd
- Category
- Automation
- Our grade
- 2.2 GPA, fair
- Store rating
- 4.4 on the App Store, 541 ratings
The report card
Best for notifications that run your Apple shortcuts
Pushcut is an add-on to Apple's Shortcuts and HomeKit: notifications with buttons that run a shortcut, widgets you design, and a server that runs shortcuts unattended on a spare iPhone or iPad. Pro is $1.99 a month or $39.99 once. It's iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch only, the server caps Pro at 100 requests a day, and there's little point unless you already use Shortcuts.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | Pro is $1.99 a month, $17.99 a year, or $39.99 once for good, where automation tools here start around $15 a month. The Automation Server Extended package is a separate $2.49 a month if you need more than 100 requests a day. |
| Free plan and trial | C | Free is a demo of the idea: 3 notifications with 1 action each and 2 background actions, from local triggers or basic webhooks. No widgets, no dynamic content, no online actions and no Automation Server. You'll know within a day whether you want Pro. |
| Features | C | Notifications with buttons that run a shortcut or a HomeKit scene, widgets you design, time, location and webhook triggers, a JSON API and an Automation Server on a spare iPhone. It does that fully, and it's a narrow job: an add-on to Shortcuts, with the server capped at 100 requests a day on Pro. |
| Ease of use | C | 4.4 on the App Store from about 540 ratings, which is middling. The Automation Server is the fiddly part: it wants a dedicated, always-on iOS device with Pushcut open in the foreground, and it runs requests one at a time. |
| Platforms and integrations | D | iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch only. No Mac, Android or web version, so it lives on one operating system. IFTTT, Zapier and Make can send it notifications, and the JSON API takes requests from anything that can make an HTTP call. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Pushcut is for
- Fits if you use Shortcuts and HomeKit and want notifications with action buttons
- Works for people with a spare iPhone or iPad to run shortcuts unattended
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you don't already use Apple's Shortcuts, as Pushcut extends it and doesn't replace it
- Not for you if you want it on a Mac or Android, since it's iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch only
- Tight if you're staying free, with 3 notifications, 1 action each and no widgets
- Watch out: the Automation Server needs an always-on iOS device with Pushcut open, and runs requests one at a time
- Pricey if you need over 100 server requests a day or interval schedules, which take a separate $2.49 a month
Good to know
Good for
- Shortcuts and HomeKit users who want notifications with action buttons
- Running shortcuts unattended on a spare iPhone or iPad
- Triggering iOS shortcuts from IFTTT, Zapier, Make or a home server
Worth knowing
- The app is listed for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch only; the site offers no Mac, Android or web version.
- The free version stops at 3 notifications, 1 action per notification and 2 background actions, with no widgets or dynamic content.
- The Automation Server needs a dedicated, always-on iOS device with Pushcut in the foreground, and it runs requests one at a time.
- Pro caps the server at 100 requests a day. Interval schedules, delayed execution and timeouts over 10 seconds need the separate Server Extended subscription.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$1.50
A month to start, paid by the year. There is a free plan too
Pushcut has a free plan. Paid plans start at $1.99 / month for Pro, or $17.99 per year.
No widgets, no dynamic content, no online actions and no Automation Server.
Free
$0
Up to 3 notifications with 1 action each and 2 location-based background actions, sent from local triggers or basic webhooks without dynamic content.
Pro
$1.99
per month; $17.99 per year
Unlimited notifications and actions, custom widgets, HomeKit scenes, online actions, the JSON API and an Automation Server limited to 100 requests a day.
Pro Lifetime
$39.99
one-time purchase
The Pro feature set bought once as an in-app purchase instead of by subscription.
Automation Server Extended
$2.49
per month; $22.49 per year
Separate package for the Automation Server: 5,000 requests a day instead of 100, interval schedules, delayed execution and longer request timeouts.
The free plan
Up to 3 notifications with 1 action each and 2 background actions, using local triggers or basic webhooks. No widgets, dynamic content, online actions or Automation Server.
Read from pushcut.io on Oct 6, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Annual discount
About 25% less on annual plans
Pro is $17.99 a year against $1.99 a month ($23.88 over 12 months), and Server Extended is $22.49 a year against $2.49 a month.
Stated on pushcut.ioLifetime license
Pro Lifetime for $39.99
Pushcut Pro can be bought once for $39.99 as an in-app purchase. The Automation Server Extended package is listed only as a monthly or annual subscription.
Stated on pushcut.io
What the app costs elsewhere
Each country’s App Store price for “Pro monthly”, against $1.99 in the United States, in dollars at the day’s rate. The four cheapest and the four dearest of 11.
| Country | Price there | In dollars | Against the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey | ₺11,99 | $0.24 | 88% less |
| Brazil | R$ 6,90 | $1.38 | 31% less |
| Philippines | ₱ 99.00 | $1.58 | 21% less |
| Indonesia | Rp 29ribu | $1.62 | 18% less |
| Mexico | $35.00 | $1.92 | about the same |
| Australia | $2.99 | $2.09 | about the same |
| Germany | 1,99 € | $2.23 | 12% more |
| United Kingdom | £1.79 | $2.37 | 19% more |
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: iOS
Smart notifications, widgets and a server for Apple Shortcuts. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: one-time purchase, public API, workflow automation.
No Mac, Android or web version, so it lives on one operating system.
- Actionable notifications
- Notifications carry custom text, images and sounds plus buttons that run a shortcut, activate a HomeKit scene, open a URL or send a web request. They can target specific devices.
- Time, location and webhook triggers
- Notifications and background actions fire on daily, weekly or monthly schedules, at locations or iBeacons, from Shortcuts and HomeKit automations, or from a webhook.
- Custom widgets
- Widgets for the home and lock screen show content that automations, online services or the API update, and run a shortcut or HomeKit scene when tapped. They need Pro.
- Automation Server
- A dedicated iOS device running Pushcut executes shortcuts and HomeKit scenes without confirmation, triggered by schedules, locations, notifications, integrations or the API.
- Integrations and Web API
- IFTTT, Zapier and Make can send notifications, update widgets and run server actions, and a JSON API accepts requests from home servers or anything that can make an HTTP call.
- Apple Watch support
- Interactive notifications arrive on the watch, where HomeKit scenes, online actions and HTTP requests can be run directly. Opening Shortcuts or other apps from the watch is not supported.
Where it runs
- iOS
What it works with
- Apple Shortcuts
- HomeKit
- IFTTT
- Zapier
- Make
Pushcut is made by Snailed It Development Ltd.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
6/40
Other automation tools it is graded above
Pushcut's GPA of 2.2 is higher than 6 of the 40 other automation tools we grade, and level with 8.
It stands best on value for money (A, above 27 of 40) and worst on platforms and integrations (D, above 0).
Its paid plans start at $1.50 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $18.50 for the category: 0 of the 29 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 1.7 out of 4. 2 tools score higher and cost less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 41 automation tools we grade, cut by the letter each got. Pushcut’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 27 of 40
- CFree plan and trialAbove 2 of 40
- CFeaturesAbove 1 of 40
- CEase of useAbove 3 of 40
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 40
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 33 automation tools. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Pushcut is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace Pushcut you would be making connections to other products, each kept working as those products change. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 26 of the 40 other automation tools grade higher. It costs $17.99 a year.
What you could not
- Connections to other products, each kept working as those products change.
- A real app for iOS. Something home-made would be a web page.
- Hooks into the device itself: an Apple Watch app, widgets, Shortcuts and the lock screen.
What this rests on. Pushcut’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Apple Shortcuts, IFTTT, MacroDroid and Tasker
The 4 tools Pushcut is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.8GPA
Apple Shortcuts
Free
Free automation app for iPhone, iPad and Mac, built by Apple.
- Only Apple Shortcuts lists a macOS app.
- Pushcut can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Apple Shortcuts also covers templates and no-code.
- 3.0GPA
IFTTT
Free plan · from $2.99/mo
Simple trigger-and-action automations for apps and smart devices.
- Only IFTTT lists a web app.
- Only IFTTT lists an Android app.
- Pushcut can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 2.4GPA
MacroDroid
Free plan · from $1.49
Android automation app built on triggers, actions and constraints.
- Only Pushcut lists an iOS app.
- Only MacroDroid lists an Android app.
- MacroDroid also covers templates and no-code.
- 2.4GPA
Tasker
Free trial · from $4.49 one-time
Android automation app driven by profiles, contexts and tasks.
- Pushcut has a free plan. Tasker does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Pushcut lists an iOS app.
- Only Tasker lists an Android app.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
15
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Pushcut free?
Pushcut has a free plan. Up to 3 notifications with 1 action each and 2 background actions, using local triggers or basic webhooks.
How much does Pushcut cost?
Pushcut lists 4 plans. Free: $0.
What platforms does Pushcut work on?
Pushcut is available on iOS.
Does Pushcut offer any discounts?
Pushcut publicly lists the following: About 25% less on annual plans; Pro Lifetime for $39.99.
How is Pushcut rated?
Pushcut's iPhone and iPad app averages 4.4 out of 5 from 541 ratings on the App Store in the United States, as read on Oct 6, 2026.
Does Pushcut have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. Pushcut is listed for iOS.
Does Pushcut have a Windows app?
No Windows app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. Pushcut is listed for iOS.
Is Pushcut open source?
Pushcut is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 6, 2026.
Does Pushcut have an API?
Yes. Pushcut offers a public API, according to its own site.
What does Pushcut integrate with?
Pushcut's listing names Apple Shortcuts, HomeKit, IFTTT, Zapier and Make.
Who makes Pushcut?
Pushcut is made by Snailed It Development Ltd.
What are the alternatives to Pushcut?
The closest alternatives to Pushcut in our directory are Apple Shortcuts, IFTTT, MacroDroid and Tasker.
How does Pushcut compare with other automation tools?
Pushcut's GPA of 2.2 is higher than 6 of the 40 other automation tools we grade, and level with 8.
Is Pushcut good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Pushcut A for value for money. Its paid plans start at $1.50 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $18.50 for the category: 0 of the 29 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of Pushcut?
To replace Pushcut you would be making connections to other products, each kept working as those products change.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Pushcut’s own pages on Oct 6, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Pushcut's own pages on 6 October 2026, and its App Store rating. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-08-15.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Snailed It Development Ltd. Prices change, so check pushcut.io before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Pushcut, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/pushcut
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Pushcut: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 6, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/pushcut
Know someone choosing between automation tools?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/pushcut/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded automation tools after Pushcut, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Automation Insider's GuideEvery one of the 41 automation tools we grade, compared
- IFTTT Insider's GuideSimple trigger-and-action automations for apps and smart devices3.0 GPA
- Node-RED Insider's GuideOpen-source, flow-based programming tool for event-driven apps3.0 GPA
- Ui.Vision Insider's GuideOpen-source browser and desktop automation with computer vision3.0 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Pushcut’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Pushcut is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Snailed It Development Ltd. Prices and plans change: check pushcut.io before you buy.