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Software · head to head

Podium vs LiveAgent

Podium logo

Podium

Software

Messaging platform for local businesses

From
$249/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
LiveAgent logo

LiveAgent

Software

All-in-one help desk software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only LiveAgent has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Podium no monthly price, contact limit or message allowance is published anywhere on the pricing page; LiveAgent social and messaging channels are separately priced add ons rather than plan features, at $19 to $39 a month each on top of the seat price
  • They diverge on capability: Podium covers Text messaging, LiveAgent covers Ticketing system.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Podium and LiveAgent actually diverge.

Attributes where Podium and LiveAgent differ
AttributePodiumLiveAgent
Starting price$249/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
Founded20142004

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), platforms (Web, Ios, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Podium

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

Only in LiveAgent

  • Ticketing system
  • Live chat
  • Call center
  • Social media
  • Knowledge base
  • Customer portal
  • WordPress
  • Shopify

Both cover

  • GDPR
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Podium

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

LiveAgent

  • Multichannel help desk covering email, chat, calls and social messagesnot Podium
  • Ticketing and shared inbox for customer support teamsnot Podium

Where each one falls short

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

Podium

  • No monthly price, contact limit or message allowance is published anywhere on the pricing page
  • The page carries a heading asking what Podium costs monthly and does not answer it
  • The AI Employee is an add on across all tiers rather than being included

LiveAgent

  • Social and messaging channels are separately priced add ons rather than plan features, at $19 to $39 a month each on top of the seat price
  • The entry plan is limited to 3 email accounts, 2 live chat buttons and 3 contact forms
  • WhatsApp numbers are rationed by plan, at 5 on Large Business and 20 on Enterprise
  • The advertised prices require annual billing, and monthly billing raises the entry plan from $10 to $13 per agent
  • Every published price is a discounted rate against a higher regular price

Pricing, plan by plan

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

LiveAgent

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 7-day ticket history
    • 1 chat button
    • 1 email account
  • Small$9/month
    • Unlimited ticket history
    • 3 email accounts
    • Customer portal
  • Medium$29/month
    • Call center
    • 10 email accounts
    • Advanced reporting
  • Large$49/month
    • Everything unlimited
    • Senior account manager
    • White glove setup

Which should you pick?

Choose Podium if

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

Choose LiveAgent if

  • You need ticketing system.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want live chat.
LiveAgent review

Questions people ask

Is Podium or LiveAgent better?
Neither clearly leads. Podium starts at $249/month and LiveAgent at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Podium or LiveAgent?
LiveAgent has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $249/month for Podium and Free for LiveAgent.
Does Podium or LiveAgent run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, Ios, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use LiveAgent for free?
Yes. LiveAgent has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Podium starts at $249/month.
What is Podium best used for?
Podium is most often used for managing customer messages and reviews for local businesses, converting inbound leads through text and web chat. Of those, managing customer messages and reviews for local businesses and converting inbound leads through text and web chat are not what LiveAgent is typically brought in for.
What can Podium do that LiveAgent cannot?
Podium covers Text messaging, Review management, Webchat, Payments. LiveAgent covers Ticketing system, Live chat, Call center, Social media. Both handle GDPR, Web support, Ios support, Android support.
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