Softwr

Customer Support · head to head

Podium vs Userlike

Podium logo

Podium

Customer Support

Messaging platform for local businesses

From
$249/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Userlike logo

Userlike

Live Chat

The leading GDPR-compliant customer messaging

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Userlike has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Podium no transparent pricing published online; Userlike userlike now operates as Lime Connect under Lime Technologies; the free plan is capped at 1 seat, 1 channel and 200 conversations
  • They diverge on capability: Podium covers Text messaging, Userlike covers Live chat.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Podium and Userlike actually diverge.

Attributes where Podium and Userlike differ
AttributePodiumUserlike
Starting price$249/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
CategoryCustomer SupportLive Chat
Founded20142011

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), platforms (Web, Ios, Android), 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 Podium

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

Only in Userlike

  • Live chat
  • WhatsApp
  • Facebook Messenger
  • SMS
  • Video calls
  • Chatbot
  • Slack
  • Pipedrive

Both cover

  • Salesforce
  • HubSpot
  • 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 Userlike
  • Converting inbound leads through text and web chatnot Userlike

Userlike

  • Teams needing multilingual live chat with WhatsApp support who can tolerate a seat minimum on paid plansnot Podium

Where each one falls short

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

Podium

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

Userlike

  • Userlike now operates as Lime Connect under Lime Technologies; the free plan is capped at 1 seat, 1 channel and 200 conversations
  • The Pro plan has a minimum of 3 seats and Enterprise a minimum of 5 seats, both priced per seat with Enterprise gated behind a custom quote
  • AI Agent, AI Copilot and Workflows are separately priced add-ons starting at 99 euros/month, 19 euros/month per seat and 50 euros/month respectively

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

Userlike

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 1 widget
    • 1 seat
    • Unlimited chats
  • Team$90/month
    • 4 widgets
    • 4 seats
    • WhatsApp
  • Corporate$290/month
    • 10 widgets
    • 10 seats
    • Analytics
  • Flex$undefined/month
    • Unlimited
    • Custom features
    • Dedicated support

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 Userlike if

  • You need live chat.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want whatsapp.
Userlike review

Questions people ask

Is Podium or Userlike better?
Neither clearly leads. Podium starts at $249/month and Userlike at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Podium or Userlike?
Userlike has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $249/month for Podium and Free for Userlike.
Does Podium or Userlike run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, Ios, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Userlike for free?
Yes. Userlike 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 Userlike is typically brought in for.
What can Podium do that Userlike cannot?
Podium covers Text messaging, Review management, Webchat, Payments. Userlike covers Live chat, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, SMS. Both handle Salesforce, HubSpot, GDPR, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Userlike: What does the free plan include?

The free plan includes 1 seat, 1 channel, and up to 200 conversations per month. It provides basic features like messenger customization, file sharing, and feedback collection.

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
Userlike: What is the cost of the Pro plan and what does it offer?

The Pro plan costs 105 euros per month (or 87 euros per month if billed annually) with a minimum of 3 seats. It includes unlimited channels and conversations, live translation, video calls, basic API access, and analytics.

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
Userlike: Is there a trial period before committing to a paid plan?

Yes, the platform offers a 14-day free trial of the Pro plan features. After the trial expires, accounts automatically downgrade to the Free plan unless upgraded.

Source
Userlike: What add-on costs are available?

Additional features can be added separately: Connect AI Agent from 99 euros per month, Connect AI Copilot from 19 euros per user per month, Workflows from 50 euros per month for 1,000 runs, and WhatsApp Campaigns from 20 euros per month plus Meta fees.

Source
Userlike: How does billing work on the Pro plan?

The Pro plan is billed monthly or annually, with annual billing offering a 20 percent discount. Unused conversations roll over to subsequent months within the same contract year.

Source
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