Podio Review: The Real Estate CRM for Serious Investors

If you're a new real estate investor trying to stay organized, scale your business, and stop juggling spreadsheets, you’ve probably heard about Podio. In this Podio review, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about one of the most flexible CRM tools real estate investors use today. Even though Podio wasn't built specifically for real estate, smart investors have customized it into powerful systems for wholesaling, flipping, and rental property management.

When used the right way, Podio can help you automate your daily tasks, manage deals more efficiently, and scale your real estate investing business without feeling overwhelmed. It’s a tool that fits perfectly into the systems we teach inside our real estate investing program—helping you stay organized and close more deals faster.

In this Podio review, you'll learn:

• What Is Podio?
• How Does Podio Work?
• Key Features of Podio (What You Get)
• Who Should Use Podio?
• Pros and Cons of Using Podio
• Podio Pricing: How Much Does It Cost?
• Podio vs. the Competition: Is It the Best?
• Podio User Reviews & Ratings
• Final Verdict: Is Podio Worth It in 2025?
• FAQ: Podio Review

Want to build a real estate business with systems that scale? Join our FREE real estate investing webinar and discover the exact blueprint we teach new investors to close deals using tools like Podio.

What Is Podio?

Podio, now part of Progress, is a highly customizable CRM (Customer Relationship Management) platform designed to help businesses manage their workflows, tasks, and communication all in one place. Although it wasn't originally built just for real estate, many investors have adapted Podio to run their wholesaling, flipping, and rental property businesses more efficiently. In this Podio review, we’re focusing on how investors specifically use Podio to streamline lead management, deal tracking, and daily operations.

If you're wondering "what is Podio" exactly, think of it as a blank canvas you can customize to fit your real estate business. Instead of being locked into a rigid system, Podio allows you to build the apps, fields, and workflows that match how you work. From managing seller leads to tracking renovation tasks, it offers the flexibility many real estate investors need to stay organized without feeling trapped by traditional software.

However, because Podio is so flexible, it’s not "out-of-the-box" ready for real estate. You'll either need to customize it yourself or work with templates designed specifically for investors.

For investors willing to set it up correctly, Podio for real estate can be a game-changer for automating follow-ups, managing contacts, and growing your business like a true professional.

How Does Podio Work?

If you're wondering "how does Podio work" for real estate investors, it’s actually simpler than it looks, once you understand the basics. Podio is organized around "workspaces," which are like virtual offices where you manage different parts of your business. Inside each workspace, you can add customizable "apps" that track everything from seller leads to rehab tasks to closing timelines.

For example, many Podio for wholesalers setups include apps for lead intake, property analysis, contract management, and follow-up reminders. Instead of bouncing between spreadsheets, sticky notes, and your inbox, Podio brings everything under one roof. You can create task lists, set automated reminders, assign projects to team members, and track communication with sellers or buyers—all from one dashboard.

One of Podio’s biggest strengths is automation. With a little setup, you can build simple workflows that automatically update lead statuses, send follow-up emails, and alert your team when it’s time to move forward on a deal. That’s why Podio automation for real estate has become so popular among growing wholesaling businesses.

Used the right way, Podio isn’t just a CRM—it becomes the central nervous system of your real estate investing business.

Key Features of Podio (What You Get)

Podio offers an impressive suite of features that can help real estate investors build serious momentum. While it was designed for general business management, the platform adapts extremely well to wholesaling, flipping, and rental property workflows. Here’s a breakdown of the most useful Podio features for real estate investors:

• Customizable Apps: Podio allows you to create custom apps for lead tracking, deal analysis, marketing campaigns, and more. You can build exactly what your business needs without having to rely on cookie-cutter CRMs.
• Task and Project Management: Manage every step of the deal flow with built-in task lists, deadlines, and status tracking. This is crucial for wholesalers juggling multiple properties at once.
• Team Collaboration Tools: Assign leads, contracts, or rehab tasks to your team. Everyone stays in the loop, whether you're working with acquisition managers, virtual assistants, or contractors.
• Lead Pipelines: Set up visual sales pipelines that track your seller leads from initial contact through closing. This gives you real-time visibility into where every deal stands—a must-have for scaling.
• Integrations and Automations: Connect Podio to other platforms like email, Google Sheets, phone dialers, or even SMS marketing tools. Automations can save hours every week by streamlining repetitive tasks.
• Notifications and Alerts: Stay on top of critical tasks and communication with customizable notifications. Whether it's a follow-up reminder or a signed contract alert, Podio keeps you moving forward.
• Mobile App Access: Manage your real estate business from anywhere with the Podio mobile app. Perfect for wholesalers who are always on the move between properties and appointments.

These CRM features for investors are exactly why Podio has become a favorite among serious real estate professionals. The flexibility gives you total control over how you manage leads, close deals, and grow your business. Inside our real estate investing program, we show students how to customize Podio for real estate investing the right way, so it supports your growth instead of slowing you down.

When used correctly, Podio becomes the engine behind your entire real estate business automation strategy.

Who Should Use Podio?

Podio isn’t just another CRM—it’s a real estate business operating system if you set it up correctly. But it’s not for everyone. In this Podio review, it’s important to explain who will get the most value out of it—and who might want to look elsewhere.

Podio for Beginners

If you’re a newer investor looking for your first few wholesale or flip deals, Podio can be a great choice. It helps you stay organized, manage leads, and build a follow-up system without breaking the bank. Plus, it grows with you as your business gets more complex. That said, beginners benefit most when they follow a proven setup, like the real estate systems we teach, so they don’t get overwhelmed by too many options inside Podio.

Podio for Wholesalers

Podio for real estate investors really shines when it comes to wholesaling. You can track motivated seller leads, automate follow-ups, assign tasks to VAs, and keep your pipeline moving toward closings. It’s much more flexible than many "wholesaling CRM" platforms, but it does require a little setup work. That’s why serious wholesalers who want to run a real business (not just hustle random deals) love Podio combined with a real system like the one we teach.

Podio for Teams

If you’re building a small team—acquisitions managers, dispositions managers, virtual assistants—Podio becomes even more powerful. You can create a shared workspace where everyone knows exactly what to do next. Managing multiple users is easy once your Podio real estate CRM is set up correctly, making it one of the best choices for growing operations.

However, Podio isn’t the best option for investors who just want plug-and-play marketing lists and comps like you’d find with PropStream or BatchLeads. It’s a business management tool, not a lead generation database. Podio works best when paired with a clear system and process, which is exactly what we teach inside our real estate investing program.

If you want total control over your leads, deals, and team—and you’re willing to build it the right way, Podio for real estate investors can be a game-changer for scaling your business.

Pros and Cons of Using Podio

No Podio review would be complete without looking at the real pros and cons. Like any tool, Podio has strengths and limitations, and it's important to know what you're getting into before making it a central part of your business. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide if Podio real estate CRM is the right fit for you:

When it comes to CRM software review comparisons, Podio often ranks high for flexibility and affordability, but it’s not an instant, out-of-the-box solution like some other tools. You’ll get the most out of Podio if you combine it with a real estate business system that clearly defines your workflows and automations, just like we teach in our program.

Podio Pricing: How Much Does It Cost?

Understanding Podio pricing is crucial for real estate investors looking to manage their operations efficiently. Podio offers a range of plans to suit different business needs:

• Free Plan: Ideal for individuals or small teams, this plan allows up to five employees and includes basic features like task management and workspaces. However, it has limitations, such as a cap of 100 items across all workspaces and apps. 
• Plus Plan: At $11.20 per user per month (billed annually), this plan offers unlimited items, user management, automated workflows, and read-only access—features beneficial for growing teams.
• Premium Plan: Priced at $19.20 per user per month (billed annually), it includes all Plus features plus advanced workflow automation, visual reports, and interactive sales dashboards, catering to larger organizations with complex needs.

For real estate investors, especially those scaling their operations, the Plus or Premium plans provide the necessary tools for efficient real estate business management. While the Free plan is a good starting point, upgrading unlocks features that streamline processes and enhance productivity.

Inside our real estate investing program, we guide you on selecting the right Podio plan and customizing it to fit your business model, ensuring you get the most value without unnecessary expenses.

Podio vs. the Competition: Is It the Best?

When it comes to real estate software, there are a lot of options out there. This Podio review wouldn’t be complete without comparing it to other tools investors often consider. Let’s look at how Podio stacks up against top platforms like REsimpli, BatchLeads, PropStream, and InvestorLift—and when it makes the most sense to use.

Let’s take a look at the competition:

• Podio vs REsimpli: REsimpli is an all-in-one CRM designed specifically for real estate investors. It’s great if you want something that’s plug-and-play. But with that simplicity comes less flexibility. Podio wins on customization, especially if you want to build a CRM that mirrors your exact workflow. REsimpli may be better for beginners who want less setup, while Podio shines for those who follow a proven system (like we teach) and want more control.

• Podio vs BatchLeads: BatchLeads is a data-first platform focused on skip tracing, SMS marketing, and list stacking. It’s powerful for lead generation but limited as a CRM. Podio is better suited for managing deals and tasks once a lead comes in. Investors who generate leads from multiple sources love using BatchLeads for acquisition and Podio for backend organization.

• Podio vs PropStream: PropStream is another data-heavy tool known for comps, lists, and direct mail marketing. It’s perfect if you’re focused on acquisition and pulling motivated seller lists. But it lacks the deal management and task tracking that make Podio so strong. For those wanting both, some investors use PropStream for marketing and Podio to run the business side. Podio vs PropStream often comes down to whether you want automation or lead lists.

• Podio vs InvestorLift: InvestorLift is all about disposition—connecting wholesalers with active cash buyers. It’s not a CRM but more of a marketplace. Some investors use InvestorLift to sell deals and Podio to track everything else. Podio offers broader utility across the entire business, while InvestorLift serves one specific (but important) function.

When it comes to the best CRM for wholesalers, Podio stands out for its flexibility, pricing, and long-term scalability. But it’s not perfect—it requires setup and strategy. That’s why we teach our students exactly how to build out a Podio system that mirrors our deal flow process. Without that kind of structure, most investors either get overwhelmed or underuse the platform.

There are plenty of Podio alternatives, but if you’re serious about building a real estate business that runs on systems, Podio remains one of the smartest investments you can make.

Podio User Reviews & Ratings

Real-world feedback is important when deciding whether a tool is worth using. In this Podio review, we’ve pulled insights from actual users across G2, Reddit, Trustpilot, and real estate investing forums to give you the full picture. Here's what people are saying based on Podio user reviews:

Positive Feedback:

• "Podio is extremely flexible—you can make it exactly what you need. It's one of the best platforms for organizing lead flow and managing your day-to-day as a wholesaler." – G2 Reviewer
• "As a real estate investor, Podio changed how I run my business. I can automate tasks, manage my team, and track deals without feeling overwhelmed." – Reddit User
• "The ability to customize apps for acquisitions, dispositions, and project management has made Podio my favorite CRM. I wouldn't run my real estate business without it." – Trustpilot Review

Common Complaints:

• "Support through Citrix can be slow at times, and troubleshooting integrations isn't always easy for non-technical users." – Trustpilot Review
• "Podio doesn't come with real estate-specific templates out of the box—you either have to build your own or buy a prebuilt setup." – G2 Reviewer

Overall Sentiment:

Across the board, most Podio software feedback highlights the platform’s incredible flexibility, powerful automations, and usefulness for investors who are serious about building scalable businesses. However, it’s also clear that without a proven system or a clear roadmap like the one we teach, many investors find the setup and learning curve to be challenging.

Podio remains a top CRM choice for investors who want full control over their pipelines, teams, and operations. For those willing to invest a little time upfront, it delivers long-term advantages few other CRMs can match for real estate investors.

*For in-depth training on real estate investing, Real Estate Skills offers extensive courses to get you ready to make your first investment! Attend our FREE Webinar Training and gain insider knowledge, expert strategies, and essential skills to make the most of every real estate opportunity that comes your way!

Final Verdict: Is Podio Worth It in 2025?

After digging into this Podio review, it’s clear that Podio can be a game-changing CRM for the right type of real estate investor. If you're serious about building an organized, scalable, and system-driven business, Podio offers the flexibility and power you need, at a price that's hard to beat.

Is Podio worth it? For investors who want full control over their pipeline, automate follow-ups, manage tasks, and grow a team, the answer is absolutely yes. However, Podio does come with a learning curve. It’s not a plug-and-play solution like some lead-generation platforms. But that’s exactly why we teach our students how to set it up the right way, saving months of frustration and helping you build a real business from day one.

If you’ve been asking, should I use Podio to run my investing business, the key is whether you want to operate with serious systems or just hustle from deal to deal. Podio becomes even more powerful when combined with the proven real estate processes we share inside our program.

We recommend starting with Podio’s free plan to explore its layout and capabilities. And if you're ready to learn how to turn Podio—and tools like it—into a deal-closing machine, join our FREE real estate investing webinar and discover how thousands of investors are building winning businesses with the right strategies and systems in place.

When it comes to choosing the best CRM for real estate investors who want to grow and scale, Podio stands tall, especially when you know how to use it to its full potential.

FAQ: Podio Review

Still have questions after reading this Podio review? Here are answers to some of the most common things investors want to know about using Podio for real estate deals:

What does Podio do?

Podio is a customizable CRM platform that helps manage leads, tasks, projects, and communication—all from one place, built to fit your business needs.

Is Podio good for wholesaling?

Yes, many investors use Podio for wholesaling to track seller leads, manage follow-ups, and streamline their deal pipelines through automation.

How much does Podio cost?

Podio offers a free plan for small teams and paid plans starting around $11.20 per user monthly, depending on your features and team size.

Is Podio hard to set up?

Podio has a learning curve because it’s highly customizable. That's why using proven real estate CRM templates—or joining our program—can save you months of setup time.

Can Podio automate my real estate business?

Yes! With the right structure, Podio becomes one of the best real estate automation tools for handling lead tracking, task reminders, and follow-ups automatically.

Does Podio integrate with other apps?

Podio integrates with many popular tools like Google Drive, Zapier, email marketing systems, and SMS platforms, expanding its functionality even further.

Is Podio better than REsimpli or PropStream?

It depends. Podio is more flexible and affordable long-term, while REsimpli and PropStream are easier out-of-the-box but less customizable for scaling a full real estate business.

Can I use Podio without a team?

Absolutely. Solo investors can run their entire operation using Podio alone, and it scales easily once you're ready to build a team later.

Is Podio free for real estate investors?

Podio offers a free plan, but growing investors usually upgrade to paid tiers for automation features, larger storage, and better workflow management.

Final Thoughts For This Podio Review

After diving deep into this Podio review, it’s clear that Podio is a powerful CRM option for real estate investors who want to build a business that runs on systems, not chaos. While it’s not built specifically for real estate out of the box, its flexibility, affordability, and automation capabilities make it a top contender for managing wholesaling, flipping, and rental operations.

Whether you’re just getting started or ready to scale, Podio can help you stay organized, operate like a pro, and gain the clarity needed to build long-term success.

Want to build a real estate business with systems that scale? Join our FREE real estate investing webinar and discover the exact blueprint we teach new investors to close deals using tools like Podio.

*Disclosure: Real Estate Skills is not a law firm, and the information contained here does not constitute legal advice. You should consult with an attorney before making any legal conclusions. The information presented here is educational in nature. All investments involve risks, and the past performance of an investment, industry, sector, and/or market does not guarantee future returns or results. Investors are responsible for any investment decision they make. Such decisions should be based on an evaluation of their financial situation, investment objectives, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs.