Helpshift vs Podium
Converge Team
Side-by-side comparison for 2026
| Feature | Helpshift | Podium |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $150/mo | From $399/mo |
| Best For | Mobile apps needing in-app customer support | Local businesses needing integrated messaging and payments |
| Standout Feature | Native in-app messaging SDK for mobile apps | Integrated payment collection through messaging |
| Free Plan | ✗ | ✗ |
| G2 Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.3 |
Helpshift and Podium target different aspects of customer communication. Helpshift is an in-app customer service platform designed for mobile apps and digital products, while Podium focuses on messaging for local businesses and lead conversion.
These platforms serve distinct markets with minimal overlap in their core use cases.
Feature Comparison
Helpshift specializes in in-app messaging, knowledge bases, and automated workflows specifically designed for mobile apps and SaaS products. It includes features like smart FAQs, conversation continuity, and developer-friendly APIs.
Podium centers on text messaging, webchat, and review management for local businesses. It's built for industries like automotive, home services, and retail where personal messaging drives sales and customer satisfaction.
The platforms address completely different communication scenarios - Helpshift for app-based support, Podium for local business customer acquisition.
Pricing Comparison
Helpshift uses custom pricing based on app usage and support volume, making it suitable for businesses with predictable digital product support needs.
Podium starts at $89 per month with custom pricing for larger implementations. The investment is justified by its lead generation capabilities for local businesses.
Pricing comparison is difficult due to different models, but consider your primary use case - app support versus local business messaging.
Helpshift
Pros
- ✓ Mobile-first
- ✓ Strong SDK
- ✓ In-app experience
Cons
- ✗ Issue-based pricing caps
- ✗ Mobile-focused
- ✗ Complex integration
Podium
Pros
- ✓ Strong local business focus
- ✓ Integrated payment processing
- ✓ Comprehensive review management
Cons
- ✗ Expensive pricing structure
- ✗ Limited international messaging
- ✗ Complex setup process
Verdict
Choose Helpshift if you need in-app customer support for mobile applications or digital products. Choose Podium if you're a local business prioritizing text messaging and lead generation.
Choose Helpshift if: You need specialized in-app customer support with strong G2 ratings (4.3/5) and developer-friendly integrations for mobile or SaaS products.
Choose Podium if: You're a local business that needs messaging-based customer engagement and lead generation tools, also with solid G2 ratings (4.3/5).
For businesses needing general messaging capabilities without app-specific or local business focus, Converge offers a simpler solution at $49/month flat rate.
Looking for more options? Browse all 750+ platform comparisons, or see all Helpshift comparisons and all Podium comparisons.