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HubSpot Live Chat vs Podium

HubSpot Live Chat logo

HubSpot Live Chat

Live Chat

Live chat integrated with HubSpot CRM platform

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 HubSpot Live Chat has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: HubSpot Live Chat no specific pricing published on the live chat product page; pricing requires navigation to separate Marketing Hub pricing page; Podium no transparent pricing published online
  • They diverge on capability: HubSpot Live Chat covers Live chat messaging, Podium covers Text messaging.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which HubSpot Live Chat and Podium actually diverge.

Attributes where HubSpot Live Chat and Podium differ
AttributeHubSpot Live ChatPodium
Starting priceFree$249/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Mobile app, IOS, AndroidWeb, Ios, Android
CategoryLive ChatCustomer Support
Founded20062014

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 HubSpot Live Chat

  • Live chat messaging
  • CRM integration
  • Visitor identification
  • Chatbot builder
  • Slack
  • Gmail
  • Outlook
  • Mobile app support

Only in Podium

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

Both cover

  • Salesforce
  • Web support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

HubSpot Live Chat

  • Customer engagementnot Podium
  • Lead generationnot Podium
  • Customer supportnot Podium
  • Sales automationnot Podium

Podium

  • Managing customer messages and reviews for local businessesnot HubSpot Live Chat
  • Converting inbound leads through text and web chatnot HubSpot Live Chat

Where each one falls short

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

HubSpot Live Chat

  • No specific pricing published on the live chat product page; pricing requires navigation to separate Marketing Hub pricing page
  • Live chat pricing bundled with broader Marketing Hub plans rather than offered as standalone product pricing
  • Free tier features not detailed on product page, requiring contact or additional navigation for feature clarity

Podium

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

Pricing, plan by plan

HubSpot Live Chat

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Live chat
    • CRM
    • Basic features
  • Starter$50/month
    • Marketing automation
    • Enhanced features
  • Professional$320/month
    • Advanced workflows
    • Custom reporting

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 HubSpot Live Chat if

  • You need live chat messaging.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile app, IOS, Android.
  • You also want crm integration.
HubSpot Live Chat 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 HubSpot Live Chat or Podium better?
Neither clearly leads. HubSpot Live Chat 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, HubSpot Live Chat or Podium?
HubSpot Live Chat has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for HubSpot Live Chat and $249/month for Podium.
Does HubSpot Live Chat or Podium run on more platforms?
HubSpot Live Chat runs on Web, Mobile app, IOS, Android. Podium runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use HubSpot Live Chat for free?
Yes. HubSpot Live Chat has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Podium starts at $249/month.
What is HubSpot Live Chat best used for?
HubSpot Live Chat is most often used for customer engagement, lead generation, customer support, sales automation. Of those, customer engagement and lead generation are not what Podium is typically brought in for.
What can HubSpot Live Chat do that Podium cannot?
HubSpot Live Chat covers Live chat messaging, CRM integration, Visitor identification, Chatbot builder. Podium covers Text messaging, Review management, Webchat, Payments. Both handle Salesforce, Web support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

HubSpot Live Chat: What does HubSpot live chat cost?

HubSpot live chat is available free with core functionality and no credit card required. Premium features are available through Marketing Hub Starter, Professional, and Enterprise plans starting at $7/month annually, with details available on the main pricing page.

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
HubSpot Live Chat: Is there a free version of HubSpot live chat?

Yes, HubSpot live chat and chatbot builder are available free with core functionality including CRM integration and mobile app access, requiring no credit card to start.

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
HubSpot Live Chat: What premium features are included in paid HubSpot live chat plans?

Paid tiers include advanced automation and scaling features through Marketing Hub Starter, Professional, and Enterprise editions with varying levels of functionality and support.

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
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