Podium vs Shoutout (2026)
How Podium and Shoutout stack up — plus where VideoTestimonials fits as a third option.
Podium
Podium is a customer interaction platform for local businesses combining messaging, reviews, and payments. It focuses on helping local businesses manage customer communications.
All-in-one platform
Video + text testimonial collection, 55 image studio templates, 10+ Wall of Love widgets, REST API, multi-space.
Shoutout
Shoutout is a simple, budget-friendly testimonial tool for small businesses. It supports both video and text testimonial collection with a focus on ease of use. Offers a lifetime deal option.
Podium vs Shoutout at a glance
Each figure was read off the vendor’s own pricing page on the date shown under the table.
| Feature | Podium | Shoutout |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Review platform | Testimonial tool |
| Free plan | No free plan | No free plan |
| Entry paid plan | Core: $399/month | Monthly: $15/month |
| Unlimited video from | Not offered on published plans | Monthly, $15/month |
| Recording limit | Not stated | Not stated |
| Money-back guarantee | Not stated | 7 days |
| Best for | Local businesses that want messaging, lead capture and reviews in one tool | The lowest monthly price for unlimited video |
| Not for | A small testimonial budget | Trying a tool before paying |
| Checked | 2026-11-01 on podium.com | 2026-11-01 on shoutout.io |
Which to choose
- They are different kinds of product: Podium is a review platform, Shoutout a testimonial tool.
- Neither has a free plan.
- Shoutout costs less to start: its Monthly plan is $15/month, against Podium's Core at $399/month.
- Only Shoutout lists unlimited video testimonials on a published plan, from Monthly, $15/month. Podium does not.
- Shoutout offers a 7-day money-back guarantee.
Choose Podium for
Local businesses that want messaging, lead capture and reviews in one tool
Not the pick for
A small testimonial budget
Choose Shoutout for
The lowest monthly price for unlimited video
Not the pick for
Trying a tool before paying
For reference, VideoTestimonials (our product): a free plan with 20 text testimonials and 10 video testimonials, then unlimited video testimonials from Starter at $24/month; recording length is set per form, up to 5 minutes. Compare plans.
Pricing across all three plans
Each row is a tier — Starter, Pro, etc. — with real prices from each platform’s pricing page.
| Plan | Podium | VideoTestimonials | Shoutout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | No free plan | Free | No free plan |
| Starter | $399/month (Core) | $24/mo | $15/month (Monthly) |
| Pro | $599/month (Pro) | $49/mo | $199 once (Lifetime) |
Each one against VideoTestimonials
Our head-to-head posts compare Podium and Shoutout with VideoTestimonials feature by feature, including where each is the better choice.
More on each platform
Common questions
Is Podium or Shoutout cheaper?
Podium's Core plan is $399/month; Shoutout's Monthly plan is $15/month. Read from each vendor's own pricing page on 2026-11-01.
Do Podium and Shoutout have free plans?
Podium: No free plan. Shoutout: No free plan.
Which has unlimited video testimonials, Podium or Shoutout?
Only Shoutout lists unlimited video testimonials on a published plan, from Monthly, $15/month. Podium does not.
Can VideoTestimonials send SMS review requests like Podium?
We focus on email-based and link-based testimonial collection rather than SMS. Our shareable collection links can be sent via any channel including SMS apps.
Does VideoTestimonials help get Google reviews?
Our focus is on collecting first-party testimonials for your own website. For Google review generation specifically, a dedicated review platform may complement our tools.
Why switch from Podium for testimonials?
If you are paying Podium's enterprise pricing mainly for testimonials and reviews, VideoTestimonials offers dedicated testimonial tools starting at $24/mo with no contract.
Shoutout is cheaper — why should I switch?
Shoutout is more affordable ($15/mo or $199 lifetime) but has only 2 widget types, ~3 import sources, and no image studio. VideoTestimonials offers 10+ widgets, 18 import sources, image studio with 50+ templates, and a free tier to start.
Can I keep my existing testimonials?
Yes. Export from Shoutout and import via CSV. All your testimonials, ratings, and customer info will transfer.
Does VideoTestimonials work on any website?
Yes, our widgets work on WordPress, Shopify, Webflow, Squarespace, Wix, and any site that supports HTML embeds.
Weighing Podium against Shoutout?
Try the third option free.
VideoTestimonials collects video and text testimonials through one link, imports the reviews you already have, and embeds them anywhere. Free plan includes 10 videos, 20 text testimonials and a Wall of Love — no credit card, nothing expires.