Trying to decide between Birdeye and Podium? In this guide, we go over the similarities and differences between these two tools and help you make the right choice for your business’s needs.
Features
The similarities
Both Birdeye and Podium offer a review management feature, allowing businesses to monitor and respond to reviews across multiple review platforms.
They include a unified inbox, which helps you save time when responding to reviews. And an AI-powered response feature that generates a personalized review response in seconds.
Both tools also offer a way for users to automate review requests and generate more reviews for their businesses.
Birdeye offers a few additional review management features that aren’t available in Podium, though. Such as the ability to translate review responses into the customer’s language.
And multiple ways of showcasing customer reviews—including on your existing website and on a dedicated microsite.
The differences
Review management is where the similarities between these two tools end.
Birdeye is more focused on helping businesses manage their social media pages and business listings. You can use it to manage your social media presence across multiple business locations and create and schedule posts in bulk.
It also includes built-in approval workflows, detailed reporting, and AI-powered copywriting and post time recommendations.
Podium, on the other hand, puts more emphasis on customer communication. Its Lead forms feature allows you to collect customer inquiries on your website and engage them immediately with automated text messages.
And the AI Employee feature enables you to use AI to respond to customer inquiries, schedule appointments, and engage customers with personalized follow-up messages.
The platform supports Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology, allowing you to make and receive calls and send and receive text messages.
Podium also includes a built-in CRM you can use to manage customer details and see a history of your business’s interactions with each customer.
Top Birdeye and Podium alternative
Monitor, manage, and get more online reviews for your business with ReviewsOnMyWebsite.
Integrations
When it comes to integrations, Birdeye is the clear winner. It integrates with over 3,000 apps, including QuickBooks, HubSpot, and AgencyAnalytics.
But Podium still offers a sizeable number of integrations, too. It integrates with 200+ apps, including ActiveCampaign, Airtable, Calendly, and Keap.
Pros and cons
Both Birdeye and Podium come with their own sets of pros and cons.
Customers praise Birdeye’s real-time alerts for new reviews and the built-in templates that allow them to set up review request campaigns quickly.
They also enjoy how easy it is to integrate Birdeye with their existing tech stack and get an overview of all their business’s reviews.
The best thing about Birdeye is that I can easily see an overview of all major review sites and my recent reviews in one convenient, easy-to-read dashboard. - Ian B. (Capterra)
When it comes to cons, multiple customers noted that they weren’t happy with Birdeye’s customer support, which was slow to respond and address issues.
They also complained about the platform’s lengthy onboarding process which includes multiple calls and back-and-forth emails.
Additionally, some customers found Birdeye’s interface to be difficult to navigate.
Birdeye’s comprehensive nature may initially come off as overwhelming. Its multiple features demand a certain learning curve, which may be time-consuming for newcomers. - Lisa S. (Capterra)
As for Podium, reviewers note how the platform makes it easy to communicate with customers and accept payments. They also praise the software’s intuitive user interface and enjoy using the mobile app to manage reviews on the go.
Podium works so well. Easy to communicate with customers, request reviews, and get payments either at the job site or from the office. - David H. (Capterra)
Most commonly mentioned cons include issues with SMS review requests and review tagging, and a limited search feature. Some customers also experienced difficulties with canceling their subscription.
The software does its job when it works but I began to notice that over time SMS review requests were no longer being received. - Darren W. (Capterra)
Pricing
Both tools offer three pricing plans. Birdeye’s plans include Starter, Growth, and Dominate. The company doesn’t display pricing for its plans publicly, though.
The pricing for Podium’s plans is as follows:
- Core ($399/month)
- Pro ($599/month)
- Signature (custom pricing)
Top Birdeye and Podium alternative
Monitor, manage, and get more online reviews for your business with ReviewsOnMyWebsite.
Birdeye vs. Podium: Which one is right for you?
Both Birdeye and Podium are equally capable when it comes to review management, making either of them a good choice.
The only exception might be if your business has plenty of international customers or reviews, in which case Birdeye’s translation feature might come in handy.
To have an easier time deciding between these two tools, consider which additional features would be useful for your business.
If you’d benefit from a tool that also lets you manage your social media pages and business listings, opt for Birdeye.
On the other hand, if having multiple options to communicate with customers (such as through an AI-powered chatbot or with VoIP calling and texting) is more important to you, Podium would be a better choice.
Looking for an alternative to Birdeye and Podium?
In case neither Birdeye nor Podium are a good fit for you, consider ReviewsOnMyWebsite—a top-notch online reputation management solution for both big and small businesses.
With plans starting at just $9/month, it’s a much more affordable solution compared to both Birdeye and Podium.
ReviewsOnMyWebsite tracks 27+ popular review platforms (including Google, Facebook, Tripadvisor, and Yelp) and notifies you as soon as your business receives a new review.
It also allows you to read and respond to all the reviews from a unified inbox.
And generate personalized review responses using AI.
ReviewsOnMyWebsite can also help you generate more reviews for your business through automated email and SMS reminders.
Then, there’s the review widget feature which allows you to display top customer reviews on your website with no coding required.
And a social sharing option that helps you create eye-catching social media images showcasing customer reviews.
Ready to try it out? Start a free trial today.
