Podium vs Zoho SalesIQ
Converge Team
Side-by-side comparison for 2026
| Feature | Podium | Zoho SalesIQ |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $399/mo | From $39/seat/mo |
| Best For | Local businesses needing integrated messaging and payments | Zoho ecosystem users wanting integrated live chat and visitor tracking |
| Standout Feature | Integrated payment collection through messaging | Deep Zoho CRM integration with lead scoring and visitor intelligence |
| Free Plan | ✗ | ✓ |
| G2 Rating | 4.3 | 4.4/5 |
Podium and Zoho SalesIQ serve different market segments with distinct pricing models. Podium focuses on local businesses with messaging-first approach at $89-Custom pricing, while SalesIQ offers comprehensive live chat and visitor analytics at $0-$20 per operator.
Feature Comparison
Podium specializes in text messaging, review management, and payment collection, making it ideal for local service businesses. SalesIQ provides advanced visitor tracking, lead scoring, chatbots, and deep integration with Zoho's business suite for comprehensive customer management.
Pricing Comparison
SalesIQ's $0-$20 per operator pricing is significantly more affordable than Podium's $89+ pricing. Podium's higher cost reflects its specialized SMS marketing features and local business focus, while SalesIQ offers better value for general live chat needs.
Podium
Pros
- ✓ Strong local business focus
- ✓ Integrated payment processing
- ✓ Comprehensive review management
Cons
- ✗ Expensive pricing structure
- ✗ Limited international messaging
- ✗ Complex setup process
Zoho SalesIQ
Pros
- ✓ Very competitive pricing
- ✓ Excellent Zoho ecosystem integration
- ✓ Good visitor tracking and lead scoring
Cons
- ✗ Interface feels dated
- ✗ Best value within Zoho ecosystem
- ✗ Limited integrations outside Zoho
Verdict
SalesIQ wins on affordability and comprehensive analytics, while Podium excels in SMS marketing and local business customer acquisition.
Choose Podium for SMS-focused local business marketing, or SalesIQ for affordable comprehensive live chat. For a balanced flat-rate option, consider Converge at $49/mo regardless of team size.
Looking for more options? Browse all 750+ platform comparisons, or see all Podium comparisons and all Zoho SalesIQ comparisons.