Side by side
| What you get | ReviewHero | Podium |
|---|---|---|
| AI-drafted review replies | Included on every plan | Add-on |
| Negative reviews held for approval | Always | No |
| Review invites and website widget | All plans | Add-on |
| Multi-location dashboard | All plans | Yes |
| Setup | Minutes, self-serve | Onboarding call |
| Contract | None, cancel any time | Annual |
| Starting price | $69/mo | $399+/mo |
Competitor details reflect publicly listed entry-level plans as of 2026 and may change. Shown for comparison only; ReviewHero is not affiliated with Podium.
Where Podium is the better fit
- You want two-way text messaging, web chat, and payment collection in the same inbox as reviews.
- You have front-desk staff who will live in a shared messaging inbox all day.
- You need Podium's phone system or its industry-specific integrations.
Where ReviewHero is the better fit
- You mainly want Google reviews answered fast, in your voice, without anything negative auto-posting.
- You run one to a few dozen locations and want owners or managers to approve replies from their phone.
- You want to be live today for $1 instead of scheduling an onboarding call and signing a 12-month agreement.
- You want roughly 80% less spend for the review workflow itself.
Questions people ask before switching
Can I move from Podium to ReviewHero without losing my reviews?
Yes. Your reviews live on your Google Business Profile, not in either tool. Connect the profile to ReviewHero and every existing review and reply is there immediately.
Does ReviewHero replace everything Podium does?
No. ReviewHero covers review invites, AI replies, approval rules, a review widget, and multi-location reporting. It does not do text messaging, web chat, phones, or payments. If you only use Podium for reviews, ReviewHero is the cheaper fit.
Is there a contract or setup fee?
No contract and no setup fee. Plans are monthly or yearly, the first month is $1, and you can cancel or change plans from the dashboard.