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CRM · head to head

Capsule CRM vs Podium

Capsule CRM logo

Capsule CRM

CRM

The customer relationship management CRM

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite
Podium logo

Podium

Customer Support

Messaging platform for local businesses

From
$249/month
Free plan
No
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Capsule CRM has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Capsule CRM free plan caps at 250 contacts and a maximum of 2 users, with only 1 sales pipeline; Podium no transparent pricing published online
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Capsule CRM and Podium actually diverge.

Attributes where Capsule CRM and Podium differ
AttributeCapsule CRMPodium
Starting priceFree$249/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebWeb, Ios, Android
CategoryCRMCustomer Support
FoundedUnknown2014

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Capsule CRM

Nothing recorded that Podium does not also cover.

Only in Podium

  • Text messaging
  • Review management
  • Webchat
  • Payments
  • Team inbox
  • Automation
  • Google
  • Facebook

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Capsule CRM

  • Centralizing customer data for salesnot Podium
  • Tracking sales pipeline and conversionnot Podium
  • Managing project delivery with kanban boardsnot Podium
  • Automating task workflows for teamsnot Podium

Podium

  • Managing customer messages and reviews for local businessesnot Capsule CRM
  • Converting inbound leads through text and web chatnot Capsule CRM

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Capsule CRM

  • Free plan caps at 250 contacts and a maximum of 2 users, with only 1 sales pipeline
  • Starter plan, the cheapest paid tier, still caps at 30,000 contacts before requiring an upgrade to Growth (60,000) or Advanced (120,000)
  • Ultimate tier, aimed at teams of 5 or more users, has no published price and requires contacting sales
  • Marketing features are not included in any core plan; the Transpond marketing add-on costs an additional $11/month minimum on top of the CRM price

Podium

  • No transparent pricing published online
  • 10DLC base fee amount not specified
  • Bulk Messages credits and limits not quantified

Pricing, plan by plan

Capsule CRM

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Capsule CRM review.

Podium

$249/month
  • Essentials$249/month
    • Inbox
    • Reviews
    • Website chat
  • Standard$449/month
    • Essentials + Campaigns
    • Payments
    • Automation
  • Professional$undefined/month
    • Standard + Advanced analytics
    • Multi-location

Which should you pick?

Choose Capsule CRM if

  • You want to start without paying.
Capsule CRM review

Choose Podium if

  • You need text messaging.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want review management.
Podium review

Questions people ask

Is Capsule CRM or Podium better?
Neither clearly leads. Capsule CRM starts at Free and Podium at $249/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Capsule CRM or Podium?
Capsule CRM has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Capsule CRM and $249/month for Podium.
Does Capsule CRM or Podium run on more platforms?
Capsule CRM runs on Web. Podium runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Capsule CRM for free?
Yes. Capsule CRM has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Podium starts at $249/month.
What is Capsule CRM best used for?
Capsule CRM is most often used for centralizing customer data for sales, tracking sales pipeline and conversion, managing project delivery with kanban boards, automating task workflows for teams. Of those, centralizing customer data for sales and tracking sales pipeline and conversion are not what Podium is typically brought in for.
What can Capsule CRM do that Podium cannot?
Podium covers Text messaging, Review management, Webchat, Payments.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Capsule CRM: How much does Capsule CRM cost?

Capsule CRM pricing is per-user, per-month with annual billing discounts up to 15%. Specific dollar amounts are not published on the pricing page; contact sales for exact pricing for Starter, Growth, and Advanced plans.

Source
Podium: How do I find out Podium pricing for my business?

Podium requires contacting their sales team directly at 1-801-438-4425 or visiting http://podium.com/getpricing for a custom quote based on your business needs.

Source
Capsule CRM: Does Capsule CRM offer a free tier?

Yes, Capsule CRM offers a free plan for up to 2 users with 250 contacts, 5 custom fields, 1 sales pipeline, and basic features. A 14-day free trial with no card required is also available for paid plans.

Source
Podium: What messaging features might incur additional costs?

10DLC messaging has a base fee (amount unspecified) and Bulk Messages credits are available with limits that are not detailed on their public pricing page.

Source
Capsule CRM: What contact limit does each paid plan include?

Starter plan includes 30,000 contacts, Growth plan includes 60,000 contacts, Advanced plan includes 120,000 contacts, and Ultimate includes custom limits.

Source
Podium: Does Podium publish pricing tiers online?

No. Podium states plans are designed to fit specific business needs and requires sales team consultation instead of displaying standard public pricing.

Source
Capsule CRM: Are there add-on costs beyond the base plan?

Yes, Capsule CRM offers a Marketing Add-on starting at $11/month that includes email campaigns, social posting, and lead capture forms.

Source
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