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Developer Tools · head to head

Helm vs Podio

H

Helm

Developer Tools

The package manager for Kubernetes

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit HelmFull review
Podio logo

Podio

Project Management

The flexible team collaboration platform

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit PodioFull review

The short version

  • Helm is a Kubernetes package manager, licensed Apache 2; Podio is a flexible, highly customizable work management platform.
  • Helm is free; Podio starts at $11.2/user/mo.
  • Where Podio falls short: the free plan stops at 5 users and 100 items across the whole organisation.
  • Prices and features on this page were last checked on 13 November 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Helm and Podio actually diverge.

Attributes where Helm and Podio differ
AttributeHelmPodio
Pricing modelOpen-sourceSubscription
PlatformsWebWeb, iOS, Android
CategoryDeveloper ToolsProject Management

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes).

Not yet recorded: founded for Helm.

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 Helm

Nothing recorded that Podio does not also cover.

Only in Podio

  • Workspaces
  • Apps
  • Workflows
  • Tasks
  • Calendar
  • Slack
  • Google Drive
  • Dropbox

What people use each for

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

Helm

  • Kubernetes package manager and deployment toolnot Podio

Podio

  • Building custom workspaces and apps without codenot Helm
  • Project and task management for a small teamnot Helm
  • Client collaboration with external users on the paid plansnot Helm
  • Simple workflow automation between appsnot Helm

Where each one falls short

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

Helm

  • Contributors must sign commits under the Developer Certificate of Origin to have them accepted, per helm.sh, a process requirement not all Kubernetes tools impose

Podio

  • The free plan stops at 5 users and 100 items across the whole organisation
  • Workflow automation is capped at 25,000 actions a month even on Premium at $19.20 per user
  • API access is a paid add-on from $23 a month, and higher call rates run to $159
  • Extra automation is billed separately, from $39 up to $559 a month
  • Visual reports, email integrations and PDF generation all require Premium

Pricing, plan by plan

Helm

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Helm review.

Podio

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to 5 users
    • 100 items maximum per organization
    • Basic task management
  • Plus$11.2/user/mo
    • $14/user/month monthly
    • Unlimited items
    • Task automation
  • Premium$19.2/user/mo
    • $24/user/month monthly
    • Advanced automation with 25,000 actions/month
    • Enhanced API

Which should you pick?

Choose Helm if

  • You want to start without paying.
Helm review

Choose Podio if

  • You need workspaces.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want apps.
Podio review

Questions people ask

Is Helm or Podio better?
Neither clearly leads. Helm starts at Free and Podio at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Helm or Podio?
Helm starts at Free and Podio at Free.
Does Helm or Podio run on more platforms?
Helm runs on Web. Podio runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Helm for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Helm best used for?
Helm is most often used for kubernetes package manager and deployment tool. Of those, kubernetes package manager and deployment tool is not what Podio is typically brought in for.
What can Helm do that Podio cannot?
Podio covers Workspaces, Apps, Workflows, Tasks.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Helm: How much does Helm cost?

Helm is free and open-source. It is a graduated project in the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) with no commercial pricing model.

Source
Podio: How much does Podio cost?

Podio offers a free plan with up to 5 users and 100 items limit. Paid tiers start at $11.20/user/month (annual) or $14/user/month (monthly) for Plus, and $19.20/user/month (annual) or $24/user/month (monthly) for Premium.

Source
Podio: Is Podio free?

Podio offers a free plan for up to 5 users with basic task management features and a maximum of 100 items per organization. Paid plans are required for more users or items.

Source
Podio: What limits are on Podio's free plan?

The free plan supports up to 5 users and stores a maximum of 100 items per organization. API calls are limited to 1,000 per hour on the base tier.

Source
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