--- description: Review of Podium Software: system overview, features, price and cost information. Get free demos and compare to similar programs on Software Advice New Zealand. image: https://gdm-localsites-assets-gfprod.imgix.net/images/software_advice/og_logo-55146305bbe7b450bea05c18e9be9c9a.png title: Podium | Reviews, Pricing & Demos - SoftwareAdvice NZ --- Breadcrumb: [Home](/) > [VoIP Software](/directory/4508/voip/software) > [Podium](/software/172279/podium) # Podium Canonical: https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/software/172279/podium Page: 1 / 22\ Next: [Next page](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/software/172279/podium?page=2) > Podium is a cloud-based customer communication and lead management platform built for local and small-to-midsize businesses, including auto dealerships, home services, retail, dental and healthcare practices, and medical spas. It consolidates text, phone, email, and social messages into a single inbox, reducing the need for multiple tools. Core features include an AI-powered agent that responds to inbound leads around the clock, qualifies inquiries, books appointments, and follows up with past customers without staff involvement. A VoIP phone system handles call routing, recording, transcription, and automatically texts missed callers to reduce lost leads. Review management automates invite and reminder texts and generates responses for Google and Facebook listings. Payments can be collected via text-based invoice links, tap-to-pay on iOS and Android, or in-store card readers, all within the same platform. Bulk SMS and MMS campaigns support segmented outreach with compliance controls. The platform integrates with over 200 third-party tools, including QuickBooks, Salesforce, and Mailchimp. Podium is accessible via web browser, iOS and Android mobile apps, and a Windows desktop app. Support options include a knowledge base, live chat, email, and phone support. > > Verdict: Rated **4.2/5** by 526 users. Top-rated for **Likelihood to recommend**. ----- ## Quick Stats & Ratings | Metric | Rating | Detail | | **Overall** | **4.2/5** | 526 Reviews | | Ease of Use | 4.3/5 | Based on overall reviews | | Customer Support | 4.0/5 | Based on overall reviews | | Value for Money | 3.9/5 | Based on overall reviews | | Features | 4.2/5 | Based on overall reviews | | Recommendation percentage | 70% | (7/10 Likelihood to recommend) | ## About the vendor - **Company**: Podium ## Commercial Context - **Pricing model**: Other - **Pricing Details**: Free 14-Day Trial. Pricing starts at $399 per month for our Essentials plan, ideal for small businesses. - **Target Audience**: Self Employed, 2–10, 11–50, 51–200, 201–500, 501–1,000, 1,001–5,000, 5,001–10,000, 10,000+ - **Deployment & Platforms**: Cloud, SaaS, Web-based, Android (Mobile), iPhone (Mobile), iPad (Mobile) - **Supported Languages**: English, French, Portuguese, Spanish - **Available Countries**: Australia, Canada, United States ## Features - 2-Way Messaging - ACH Payment Processing - AI/Machine Learning - API - Access Controls/Permissions - Accounting Integration - Activity Dashboard - Activity Tracking - Alerts/Notifications - Appointment Management - Appointment Scheduling - Automated Responses - Automated Scheduling - Autoresponders - Batch Communications - Before & After Pictures - Billing & Invoicing - CRM - Call Recording - Campaign Analytics ## Integrations (16 total) - CDK - CDK CRM - CompanyCam - Connect CRM - FROG - FareHarbor - FieldEdge - Google Workspace - Housecall Pro - Instagram for Business - QuickBooks Online - SYVO - Seceon aiSecurity Score 360 - ServiceTitan - SmartDistributor ... and 1 more integrations ## Support Options - Email/Help Desk - FAQs/Forum - Knowledge Base - Phone Support - Chat ## Category - [VoIP Software](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/directory/4508/voip/software) ## Related Categories - [VoIP Software](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/directory/4508/voip/software) - [Chatbot Software](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/directory/3923/chatbot/software) - [Conversational AI Platforms](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/directory/4010/conversational-ai-comparison/software) - [Conversational Marketing Platforms](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/directory/4671/conversational-marketing/software) - [Medical Spa Software](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/directory/3851/spa/software) ## Alternatives 1. [Twilio](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/software/390005/twilio) — 4.4/5 (513 reviews) 2. [Text Request](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/software/306855/text-request) — 4.6/5 (1193 reviews) 3. [Klaviyo](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/software/63589/klaviyo) — 4.6/5 (539 reviews) 4. [Omnisend](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/software/100592/omnisend) — 4.7/5 (837 reviews) 5. [Messente](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/software/103340/messente) — 4.7/5 (84 reviews) ## Reviews ### "Podium App" — 3.0/5 > **Alexa** | *7 September 2026* | Sports | Recommendation rating: 7.0/10 > > **Pros**: Ability to schedule send individualized text messages and bulk messages. The use of tagging contacts to filter. > > **Cons**: Frequent lagging during peak usage. Anytime bulk messages are sent there's no notifications coming through and there's a need to refresh the entire site to see incoming messages, they do not immediately pop up when coming through. ----- ### "Solid Customer Relations platform" — 5.0/5 > **Larry** | *23 July 2026* | Construction | Recommendation rating: 8.0/10 > > **Pros**: Podium offers a streamlined platform that allows you to manage your customer and call center interactions seamlessly. The learning curve is not steep for the software which makes onboarding a breeze. The ability to have all customer records including messages and call records quickly accessible allows for better insight into the entire job lifecycle. > > **Cons**: I really do not have any problems with Podium as it is a solid platform offering a very user friendly ui and feature set. > > Overall I would recommend Podium as a all in one call center and customer relation software. The ability to have all the call center interactions connected to the customers as well as the ability to handle text messages as well is a huge benefit. ----- ### "Podium Review Update After Many Years" — 4.0/5 > **Marina** | *30 June 2025* | Automotive | Recommendation rating: 6.0/10 > > **Pros**: It is still our best contributor to getting public reviews online, even after using it for about 9-10 years. > > **Cons**: Since it has incorporated more and more features, it feels like Amazon Prime (where you start paying for things you don't need nor want). Current accounts are grandfathered, but when considering new accounts, it becomes less viable. > > Overall, good. The good comes from the same reason we got Podium in the first place - review generation. Other features are okay. ----- ### "Great technology, but customer service failures cost us months of unnecessary charges" — 1.0/5 > **Jim** | *16 July 2026* | Hospitality | Recommendation rating: 0.0/10 > > **Pros**: The core technology worked well most of the time and delivered on the review management side — the review response tools were solid and made it easy to stay on top of customer feedback. > > **Cons**: Customer service was the deal-breaker. Email responses took weeks, and phone calls went unanswered entirely. When we requested to cancel our account, that request was ignored, and Podium continued charging us for six additional months after we tried to cancel. Getting any resolution required far more effort than it should have. > > We ran into significant system downtime on multiple occasions, and each time, we couldn't get anyone from support to help us troubleshoot or resolve the issue in a reasonable timeframe. That unreliability, combined with unresponsive support, ultimately pushed us to switch to a different platform. When we tried to cancel, our request was ignored and we were billed for 6 more months. Between the downtime and the billing dispute, the good technology wasn't enough to keep us as customers. ----- ### "Great Communication Tool\!" — 4.0/5 > **Erika** | *14 July 2026* | Consumer Services | Recommendation rating: 10.0/10 > > **Pros**: We love that we can text back and forth with our customers and create reminder text messages for the customer appointments. It saves a lot of time. > > **Cons**: Having to use another screen to schedule an appointment can slow down the process, it would be easier to have access through the contact info page. > > Total Comfort is overall very pleased with Podium and the abilty to have our customers text us directly through our website. ----- Page: 1 / 22\ Next: [Next page](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/software/172279/podium?page=2) ## Links - [View on SoftwareAdvice](https://www.softwareadvice.co.nz/software/172279/podium) ## This page is available in the following languages | Locale | URL | | en | | | en-AU | | | en-GB | | | en-IE | | | en-NZ | | | fr | | ----- ## Structured Data