Quick answer: If you get fewer than a few reviews a week at one location, a free AI chat tool plus your Google Business Profile is enough: paste the review, get a personal draft, edit and post. Paid tools like GatherUp (US$99/month for one location) or BrightLocal (from US$65/month billed monthly for its review-request plan) start to pay off when you want review requests sent automatically and reviews from several sites in one inbox. Podium and Birdeye don't publish prices.
Replies matter. In BrightLocal's 2026 survey of 1,002 US consumers, 89% expect business owners to respond to reviews, 81% expect a response within a week, and templated or generic replies make 50% unlikely to choose a business (BrightLocal). So the goal isn't just "reply." It's "reply like a person, quickly."
This guide compares the tools. For review-request templates and the basics, start with Get more Google reviews and reply to every one in seconds.
Try it in 30 minutes
Open your Google Business Profile and list every review from the last 90 days without a reply. (5 min)
Time yourself replying to 3 of them the old way. (10 min)
Reply to the next 5 with the AI prompt below, editing each one. (15 min)
What to measure: - Minutes per reply, old way vs. AI-assisted. - Unanswered reviews from the last 90 days: today vs. in 30 days (target: zero). - Days from review to reply. BrightLocal found 19% of consumers expect a same-day response (BrightLocal).
The reply prompt (works in any AI tool)
You're [owner first name], owner of [Store], an independent [type] store in [town].
Draft a reply to the review below for our Google Business Profile.
- 40–80 words, warm, plain-spoken, Canadian spelling. No emojis, no sales pitch, no discounts.
- Mention one specific detail the reviewer wrote, so it can't be mistaken for a template.
- Positive: thank them; mention the product, delivery, installation or staff member they named,
using only names they used.
- Mixed or negative: thank them, apologize for their experience without arguing or making
excuses, don't share order details or personal information, and invite them to call
[name] at [number] so we can make it right.
- Give me 2 versions with different openings.
Review: "[paste]"
Two versions stop every reply from starting with "Thank you so much for…", which is exactly what makes replies feel templated.
The comparison (checked Oct 20, 2026; USD)
Option | Price | What you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
Free AI + Google Business Profile | Draft in the AI tool, post in your profile (Google: manage reviews) | One location, a handful of reviews a week | |
$99/month for 1 location; 2–10 locations $60/month each; save 20% annually; 14-day trial | Review requests by SMS and email, monitoring of 100+ sites, "unique AI-crafted replies," in-app responding | Stores that want requests sent automatically from their POS or customer list | |
$65/month billed monthly or $584/year for 1 location; 14-day trial, no card | Monitor and respond to reviews across sites, request reviews by email, SMS and in-store, review widget | Owners who also want local-search tracking | |
Not published; talk to sales | Reviews, texting, web chat, phones, AI employee. It has an NMG OneShop page for Nationwide members | Stores that want texting, payments and reviews in one platform | |
Not published; priced by location count | Reviews, listings, messaging, social | Multi-location retailers |
Podium vs Birdeye? Both are all-in-one platforms with quote-based pricing. Get both quotes in writing and compare contract length, setup fees, what happens to your data if you leave, and whether you can cancel without a penalty.
The one rule every tool must pass
Google doesn't allow businesses to "discourage or prohibit negative reviews, or selectively solicit positive reviews from customers," and bans incentives for reviews (Google Maps policy).
Some software asks customers to rate you first and only sends the Google link to happy ones. Don't use that setup for Google reviews. Before you buy, ask the vendor: "Does every customer get the same review link, regardless of rating?" If the default is filtered, turn it off or choose another tool. Private feedback surveys are fine; just don't use them to decide who gets the review link.
Texting rules (not legal advice)
Automatic review requests by text or email are messages from your business. In Canada, CASL requires consent, identification and an easy unsubscribe for commercial messages (CRTC); in the US, the TCPA covers texting (FCC). Ask permission at the counter and honour STOP.
FAQ
Is it OK to use AI to reply to Google reviews? Yes, as long as a person edits and approves each reply. BrightLocal's 2026 report itself suggests AI-assisted responses can speed things up if they're kept genuine and tailored (BrightLocal).
Should I reply to 5-star reviews with no text? A short, personal thank-you is enough. BrightLocal found 80% of consumers are likely to use a business that responds to all its reviews (BrightLocal).
What's a free Podium alternative? For reviews alone: your Google Business Profile, its free review link and QR code (Google), and a free AI tool for drafts.
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AI Tips for Dealers is written by Al Ruttan in Winkler, Manitoba, for independent dealers and local retailers.