Laudy vs. Podium
Honest Comparison
Podium started as a review tool. It became a $200M messaging platform. You pay for features you'll never use.
Podium
- Full customer messaging suite — reviews, payments, inbox, chat
- $249–$449+/month, annual contract
- 30+ min setup, demo required to get started
- No review-only plan — messaging is always bundled
Laudy
Best for reviews- Laser-focused on reviews and reputation
- Free plan + $49/month, no annual lock-in
- Live in 5 minutes
- In-browser video reviews — Podium can't do this
Feature Comparison
Side by side
Pricing and features based on publicly available information. Last updated March 2026.
Why They Switch
Why businesses choose Laudy over Podium
You're paying for features you'll never use
Podium bundles payments, live chat, webchat, and a full messaging inbox into every plan. If you just want more Google reviews, you're funding a product roadmap that isn't yours.
Pricing that grows with you, not against you
Podium starts at $249/month with annual lock-in. Laudy starts free. When you're ready to scale, paid plans start at $49 — month-to-month, cancel anytime.
Video testimonials built in
Send a customer one text. They tap the link, their browser camera opens, they record a video review — no app, no friction. Podium doesn't have this at any price point.
Common questions
Ready to simplify?
Stop paying for messaging. Start getting more reviews.
Laudy is focused on one thing: getting your business more 5-star reviews. Free plan available, live in 5 minutes.