Freshdesk vs Podium
Converge Team
Side-by-side comparison for 2026
| Feature | Freshdesk | Podium |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $79/seat/mo | From $399/mo |
| Best For | Mid-sized businesses needing traditional helpdesk with automation | Local businesses needing integrated messaging and payments |
| Standout Feature | Freddy AI for automated ticket classification and responses | Integrated payment collection through messaging |
| Free Plan | ✓ | ✗ |
| G2 Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.3 |
Freshdesk and Podium serve different business needs. Freshdesk offers comprehensive helpdesk functionality at $0-$79/agent (G2 4.4), while Podium specializes in local business messaging and reputation management with pricing from $89/month to custom enterprise plans (G2 4.3).
This comparison explores how Freshdesk's traditional support approach differs from Podium's focus on local business customer acquisition and reviews.
Feature Comparison
Freshdesk provides comprehensive ticket management, automation workflows, knowledge base, and multi-channel support including email, phone, chat, and social media. It's designed for traditional customer support operations.
Podium focuses on local business needs with text messaging, review management, payment collection, and lead generation tools. Its strength lies in customer acquisition and reputation building rather than support ticket resolution.
The platforms serve fundamentally different purposes: Freshdesk for support operations, Podium for local business growth and customer engagement.
Pricing Comparison
Freshdesk ranges from free (3 agents) to $79/agent/month, making it scalable for teams of various sizes. Most features are available in the $18-35/agent range.
Podium starts at $89/month for basic messaging features, with higher tiers and custom pricing for advanced reputation management and payment features. It's priced per location rather than per agent.
The pricing models reflect different use cases: Freshdesk for support team scaling, Podium for local business locations.
Freshdesk
Pros
- ✓ Mature platform with proven reliability
- ✓ Strong automation and workflow capabilities
- ✓ Good integration ecosystem
Cons
- ✗ Messaging channels require add-ons
- ✗ Interface can feel dated
- ✗ Complex setup for multi-channel
Podium
Pros
- ✓ Strong local business focus
- ✓ Integrated payment processing
- ✓ Comprehensive review management
Cons
- ✗ Expensive pricing structure
- ✗ Limited international messaging
- ✗ Complex setup process
Verdict
Choose Freshdesk if you need a complete helpdesk solution with ticketing, automation, and multi-channel support. Choose Podium if you're a local business prioritizing customer acquisition, messaging, and reputation management.
Choose Freshdesk if: You need traditional helpdesk functionality with ticketing, automation, and comprehensive support channel management.
Choose Podium if: You're a local business focused on customer acquisition, text messaging, and reputation management rather than support tickets.
Consider Converge: At $49/month flat rate with up to 15 agents, Converge provides modern support features for businesses needing helpdesk functionality without the complexity of local business-specific tools.
Looking for more options? Browse all 750+ platform comparisons, or see all Freshdesk comparisons and all Podium comparisons.