Updated September 29, 2026 · ForgeCue Editorial Team
Podia vs Kartra
Kartra
Higher score in this comparison
Podia
What sets them apart
| Compare | PodiaReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | KartraReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $49Lower | $59 |
| E-commerce plan price | $49Lower | $59 |
| Templates | Not confirmed | 100 |
Same on both: Free plan (No), Transaction fee (0% to 5%), Free trial length (14 days), Builder type (Site, Store, Landing).
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Key differences
- Kartra scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.7.
- Price from is lower at Podia: $49 vs $59.
- E-commerce plan price is lower at Podia: $49 vs $59.
- Support channels: only Kartra offers Community.
- Audience: only Kartra offers Beginners.
Our verdict on each
Podia
Podia is a single paid plan that covers a site, a store and a landing page, which suits a small business selling online without a web team. Cost is the catch: entry sits high and the free plan is no, so the 14-day trial is the only free look.
Kartra
Kartra suits beginners and small businesses who want a site, a store and a help desk in a single subscription, but its entry price sits above the middle of the field. Entry pricing runs from $59, and the only no-cost look before paying is a trial.
Score breakdown
| Area | Podia | Kartra |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.8HigherEntry of $49 sits above the €7.89 median in this group, and the free plan is no. | 8.7The cost part of the score is 3 against 5.2 overall, and entry price ranks 177 of 199. |
| Offer | 8.8 | 9.4HigherA single subscription for site, store and landing, plus help desk and automation, with 100 templates to start from. |
| Trust | 8.6 | Not confirmed |
How they place
| Ranking | Podia | Kartra |
|---|---|---|
| Website builders | 280 of 370 | 46 of 370 |
| Ecommerce platforms | 168 of 190 | 32 of 190 |
| Email marketing software | 58 of 101 | 10 of 101 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Podia | Kartra |
|---|---|---|
| Audience | Small business | Beginners, Small businessCovers more |
| Pricing model | Free trial | Free trial |
| Legal entity | Podia Labs, Inc. | Kartra Inc. |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | 2014 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Help centre | Email, Chat, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
Email marketing
| Fact | Podia | Kartra |
|---|---|---|
| Price at 1,000 contacts | Not confirmed | $119 |
CRM and helpdesk
| Fact | Podia | Kartra |
|---|---|---|
| Price per user from | Not confirmed | $59 |
| Plan tiers | Not confirmed | Essentials, Starter, Growth, Professional |
| Product | Not confirmed | Help desk |
Business tools
| Fact | Podia | Kartra |
|---|---|---|
| Usage limits | Not confirmed | 500 contacts |
| Tool type | Not confirmed | Automation |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Podia | Kartra | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $49highest quarter | $59highest quarter | $14.97 |
| E-commerce plan price | $49highest quarter | $59highest quarter | $17 |
| Transaction fee | 0% to 5%at the median | 0% to 5%at the median | 0 |
| Free trial length | 14 daysat the median | 14 daysat the median | 14 days |
| Templates | Not confirmed | 100below the median | 150 |
Median across 141 listed software products.
Pros and cons
Podia
Pros
- Site, store and landing pages come from one plan, since site, store and landing lists all three.
- The 14-day free trial is the same length as the 14 typical trial, so a store can be built before paying.
- A transaction fee of 0% to 5% keeps per-sale cost near the 0% typical rate in this set.
Cons
- The free plan is no, so the 14-day trial is the only free look.
- Entry at $49 is well above the €7.89 median for this group.
- Support is limited to email, chat and help centre.
Kartra
Pros
- A single subscription covers site, store and landing, so a site, a store and a landing page do not need separate tools.
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre, which covers most questions without a call.
- Automation and a help desk sit in the same bundle as the builder, widening what the subscription covers.
Cons
- No free plan, so every feature has to be judged inside the trial.
- Entry pricing of $59 asks for more than the group median of €7.89 for website builders.
- Transaction fees run 0% to 5% on store sales, where the group median is 0%.
Who each suits
Podia
Who it suits
- A small business selling products or services, which is the small business Podia lists.
- Founders who want a store and a site on the same subscription rather than two separate tools.
- Sellers who can absorb a transaction fee of 0% to 5% on top of $49.
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers wanting a free tier: the free plan is no and the 14-day trial ends.
- Price-first shoppers who can find a lower entry quote elsewhere, such as Ko-fi at $12.
- Shoppers comparing a different currency, such as Mitienda Uruguay at UYU 400.
Kartra
Who it suits
- Beginners and small businesses in beginners and small business who want one paid subscription for site, store and support.
- Solo sellers who also want a help desk and automation in the same place.
- Buyers who would rather test a full plan than stay on a limited free tier.
Who should look elsewhere
- Shoppers on a tight budget: Ko-fi starts at $12.
- Sellers comparing in a local currency: Mitienda Uruguay starts at UYU 400.
- Automation buyers shopping elsewhere: Shafrik starts at XOF 9,900.
Current offers
Podia
Current offer
Free trial
14-day free trial, no credit card required: 14 days free
Full access to all features; a Mover, Shaker or Earthquaker plan is needed after the trial ends
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Free migrations from any platform: Free migration of products, courses, customers and email lists by hand
Migration help comes with every plan: up to 50 products on Mover, up to 150 on Shaker and Earthquaker; active paying subscriptions are not moved
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Kartra
Current offer
Free trial
14 days free on any plan: 14 days
Limited time offer; trial limited to one trial per person per product; payment information must be on file before the account is created; 30-day hold period before a trial rebill counts as a sale
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
30-Day risk-free money back guarantee: 30 days
Applies to new customers; refund request must be made within 30 days of the start of a subscription; trial payments non-refundable
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
Podia
How much does Podia cost to start?+
The paid plan starts at $49, and the e-commerce plan carries the same $49 figure, so selling does not push you onto a pricier tier. Entry and renewal use the same plan price rather than a lower introductory rate that steps up later.
Is there a free plan?+
No. The free plan is no, so nothing keeps running for nothing once the trial ends. The free trial lasts 14 days, which gives room to build a site, a store or a landing page before committing to $49.
Kartra
How much does Kartra cost to start?+
Entry pricing runs from $59, and the e-commerce plan price is $59. Both point at the same starting figure, so a shop and a plain site begin in the same place. Renewal is the number to watch once the trial ends.
Is there a free plan?+
No. There is no free plan, so the 14 day trial is the only no-cost way in. The builder, the store and the help desk can all be tried before anything is paid, which suits a buyer who wants to feel the templates out first.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Kartra
Podia