Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) is the new version of GCM. It inherits the reliable and scalable GCM infrastructure, plus new features. It is a cross-platform solution that let user reliably deliver and receive messages and notifications at no cost. It supports Android, iOS, Desktop Web Browsers, the Mobile web with JavaScript or WebPush and Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices.
About Firebase Cloud Messaging
Firebase Cloud Messaging is a component of the Firebase suite of tools for cross-platform application development.
- Send unlimited upstream/downstream messages
- Send messages to individual devices or a user segment
- Handle all aspects of queueing and delivery
- Optimize for battery efficiency
Using FCM, you can notify a client app that new email or other data is available to sync. You can send notifications to drive user reengagement and retention. For use cases such as instant messaging, a message can transfer a payload of up to 4KB to a client app.
How does it work?
An FCM implementation includes an app server in your environment that interacts with FCM via HTTP or XMPP protocol, and a client app. Additionally, FCM includes the Notifications console, which you can use to send notifications to client apps.
Firebase Notifications is built on Firebase Cloud Messaging and shares the same FCM SDK for client development. For testing or for sending marketing or engagement messages with powerful built-in targeting and analytics, you can use Notifications. For deployments with more complex messaging requirements, FCM is the right choice.
