Podium vs Smooch (Sunshine Conversations)
Converge Team
Side-by-side comparison for 2026
| Feature | Podium | Smooch (Sunshine Conversations) |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $399/mo | From $115/seat/mo |
| Best For | Local businesses needing integrated messaging and payments | Existing Zendesk customers needing omnichannel messaging |
| Standout Feature | Integrated payment collection through messaging | Deep integration with Zendesk ecosystem |
| Free Plan | ✗ | ✗ |
| G2 Rating | 4.3 | 4.2 |
Podium and Smooch (now Sunshine Conversations by Zendesk) approach customer messaging from different angles. Podium focuses on local business SMS marketing and customer acquisition, while Smooch provides omnichannel messaging APIs for businesses building custom conversation experiences.
The key distinction is between ready-to-use business tools versus developer-focused messaging infrastructure.
Feature Comparison
Podium delivers complete SMS marketing automation, review collection, payment processing, and lead management tools. It's built for local businesses like dental practices, auto shops, and service companies that need immediate results.
Smooch (Sunshine Conversations) provides messaging APIs that connect multiple channels like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, SMS, and web chat into unified conversations. It includes bot frameworks and custom integration capabilities.
Podium emphasizes ease of use for business operators, while Smooch prioritizes flexibility for developers building messaging experiences.
Pricing Comparison
Podium starts at $89/month with custom pricing for larger businesses, based on message volume and feature requirements rather than technical usage metrics.
Smooch ranges from $19 to $99 per agent per month depending on features and channel access. Additional costs apply for premium channels and high message volumes.
Podium's flat business pricing works better for predictable local business needs, while Smooch's agent-based model suits teams building custom messaging solutions.
Podium
Pros
- ✓ Strong local business focus
- ✓ Integrated payment processing
- ✓ Comprehensive review management
Cons
- ✗ Expensive pricing structure
- ✗ Limited international messaging
- ✗ Complex setup process
Smooch (Sunshine Conversations)
Pros
- ✓ Strong Zendesk integration
- ✓ Good channel coverage
- ✓ Mature platform
Cons
- ✗ Per-agent pricing gets expensive
- ✗ Complex setup process
- ✗ Limited customization options
Verdict
Choose Podium if you're a local business needing immediate SMS marketing and customer engagement capabilities. Choose Smooch if you need flexible messaging APIs to build custom conversation workflows.
Choose Podium if: You're a local business wanting immediate SMS marketing results with review management and payment collection features.
Choose Smooch if: You need flexible messaging APIs to build custom omnichannel conversation experiences with developer resources.
Consider Converge at $49/month flat rate for unified customer communication that provides business-ready features without the complexity of custom development or high per-agent costs.
Looking for more options? Browse all 750+ platform comparisons, or see all Podium comparisons and all Smooch (Sunshine Conversations) comparisons.