JivoChat vs Podium
Converge Team
Side-by-side comparison for 2026
| Feature | JivoChat | Podium |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $19/seat/mo | From $399/mo |
| Best For | Small businesses needing affordable multi-channel chat | Local businesses needing integrated messaging and payments |
| Standout Feature | Affordable multi-channel support including WhatsApp and Telegram | Integrated payment collection through messaging |
| Free Plan | ✓ | ✗ |
| G2 Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.3 |
JivoChat and Podium serve different segments of the customer communication market. JivoChat focuses on real-time website engagement and multi-channel support, while Podium specializes in local business messaging with strong SMS and review management capabilities.
This comparison highlights how each platform addresses distinct business needs in customer communication and lead generation.
Feature Comparison
JivoChat excels in website visitor engagement with real-time monitoring, proactive chat triggers, and seamless integration across web, mobile, and social channels. Its strength lies in immediate customer interaction and support ticket management.
Podium focuses on local business needs with powerful SMS messaging, review invitation automation, and payment collection features. It's designed specifically for businesses that rely on local customer relationships and reputation.
While both offer messaging capabilities, JivoChat provides broader channel support whereas Podium delivers deeper local business functionality.
Pricing Comparison
JivoChat offers straightforward per-agent pricing starting at $19/month, making it predictable for growing teams. Additional features are included in higher tiers without surprise costs.
Podium uses a more complex pricing model starting around $89/month with additional costs for SMS messages and advanced features. The total cost can vary significantly based on message volume.
Consider your expected message volume and feature requirements when evaluating total cost of ownership.
JivoChat
Pros
- ✓ Free tier available
- ✓ Multi-channel support
- ✓ Good WhatsApp integration
Cons
- ✗ Per-agent pricing
- ✗ Limited free tier
- ✗ Basic automation
Podium
Pros
- ✓ Strong local business focus
- ✓ Integrated payment processing
- ✓ Comprehensive review management
Cons
- ✗ Expensive pricing structure
- ✗ Limited international messaging
- ✗ Complex setup process
Verdict
Choose JivoChat if you need comprehensive multi-channel support with real-time website engagement. Choose Podium if you're a local business prioritizing SMS communication and reputation management.
Choose JivoChat if: You need multi-channel customer support, real-time website engagement, and predictable per-agent pricing.
Choose Podium if: You're a local business focused on SMS marketing, review management, and customer relationship building.
For businesses wanting comprehensive communication features without complex pricing, Converge at $49/month flat rate provides enterprise functionality with transparent costs.
Looking for more options? Browse all 750+ platform comparisons, or see all JivoChat comparisons and all Podium comparisons.