The short answer
Podium’s main job is turning leads into customers. It pulls every lead channel into one inbox, texts customers, takes payments, runs phones and text marketing, and asks for and replies to reviews. Its AI Employee can answer leads and book jobs.
ReplyChamp does one of those jobs: replying to Google reviews in your own voice. So the question is whether you need help with leads and messages, or just with your reviews. If it’s just the reviews, you’d be paying Podium mostly for things you won’t use.
Podium pricing vs ReplyChamp
Podium now shows prices on its pricing page. When we viewed it from Canada, they were in Canadian dollars; prices where you are may differ, so check the page from your own location. The page doesn’t say whether prices are per location.
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Podium Core | $459 CAD a month | Lead inbox, review management with AI responses, basic automations and reporting, mobile app, 200+ integrations, onboarding and a success manager |
| Podium Pro | $689 CAD a month | Everything in Core, plus AI Concierge, AI Reputation Specialist, call summaries, lead routing, surveys, text marketing and lower payment fees |
| Podium Signature | Custom | Everything in Pro, plus more AI agents, multi-location management, account migration and custom billing |
| Podium Phones (add-on) | $30 per user a month (1–4 users) | $25 per user for 5+ users, plus a $500 network optimization fee per location |
| ReplyChamp | $7 per location per month, or $70 a year | A drafted reply to every new Google review, in your voice. Auto-reply only for the ratings you choose. First 10 replies free, cancel any time |
Podium also lists a $5 monthly 10DLC texting fee for US locations, and says pricing may vary by industry, integrations, volume and carrier fees. HVAC businesses are asked to contact sales. The AI Employee is an add-on for any plan.
Podium vs ReplyChamp features
| Podium | ReplyChamp | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A lead-conversion platform: inbox, texting, phones, payments, marketing, reviews | A Google review reply tool |
| Review sites | Google, Facebook and industry-specific sites | Google only |
| Review requests | Automated text invites and review reminders | No. Our free review link and QR code tool helps you ask |
| AI review replies | AI review responses on every plan; automated AI responses listed as an add-on (G2 lists auto responses on Pro) | Drafts in your voice on every plan |
| Approval controls | Podium lists “review response controls” in its plan features; ask which plan includes them | Every draft waits until you’ve approved 10; 1–2★ and sensitive reviews keep waiting |
| Free trial | Not available, per its G2 listing | First 10 replies free |
| Contract | 12 months, renews automatically; 30 days’ notice to stop | None. Cancel any time |
| Built for | Local businesses: auto dealers, home services, aesthetics, retail | Owners who look after their own Google profile |
Podium details are from the sources listed at the end of this page, checked on November 4, 2026. Podium changes its products and plans, so check their site for the latest. Podiumis a trademark of its owner, and ReplyChamp isn't affiliated with Podium.
Podium’s 12-month term
Podium’s Terms of Service (version 7.0, effective October 15, 2026) set out the commitment:
- The first term is 12 months unless your order says otherwise, and it renews automatically for the same length.
- To stop the renewal, give written notice at least 30 days before the term ends. Podium says you can email it to support@podium.com.
- You agree to pay for the whole term. If you end it early for reasons other than those the terms list, the fees for the rest of the term are still due.
- Export your data while you’re a customer. After the term ends, you have 30 days to ask in writing, and the export is done as a paid professional service.
Leads or reviews: which do you need help with?
Podium earns its price when leads slip through the cracks: texts that nobody answers, website chats that sit there, missed calls. If that’s where you lose money, its inbox and AI Employee are the point.
If leads are fine and the problem is a list of Google reviews nobody has replied to, the review part is a small slice of what Podium charges for. ReplyChamp does that slice for $7 a location, and you can see how it works below.
When Podium is the better choice
- Leads come in by text, web chat or phone, and you miss some because nobody gets back fast enough.
- You want payments, text marketing and phones in the same place as your reviews.
- You collect reviews on Facebook and industry sites as well as Google.
- You’re happy with a 12-month term.
If that’s you, book the demo and get the full monthly cost in writing, including phones, texting fees and the AI Employee.
When ReplyChamp is the better choice
- You own the business and look after your own Google Business Profile.
- Your leads are fine. Your reviews are the part that piles up.
- You want every review answered in your own voice, without an evening a week on it.
- You want to pay month to month and cancel any time.
Every draft waits for you until you’ve approved 10. After that, auto-reply posts only the ratings you pick. 1–2★ reviews wait for you unless you deliberately choose All reviews, and reviews about health, safety, legal threats or refunds always wait.
How to move your review replies off Podium
You don’t have to leave Podium to change who writes your replies, but if you do, plan around the term:
- Check your term end date. Notice of non-renewal has to reach Podium at least 30 days before it.
- Export your data before the term ends, while you can still do it yourself.
- Turn off Podium’s automatic review responses so no review is answered twice.
- Sign in to ReplyChamp with Google and connect your Business Profile. Approve your first 10 drafts.
- Choose what posts on its own, for example 5★ only. Your past replies stay on Google.
Common questions
How much does Podium cost?
When we checked on November 4, 2026, Podium’s pricing page showed Core at $459 CAD and Pro at $689 CAD a month when viewed from Canada, with Signature on custom pricing. Phones, texting fees and the AI Employee cost extra. Check the page from your location for your currency.
Does Podium have a contract?
Yes. Podium’s terms set a 12-month first term that renews automatically, and you need to give written notice at least 30 days before the term ends to stop it. You agree to pay the fees for the whole term.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Podium for review replies?
If what you mainly need is replies to your Google reviews, yes. ReplyChamp drafts and posts them in your voice for $7 per location per month, or $70 per year, with 10 free replies first. It doesn’t do texting, lead capture, phones or payments.
Does Podium have a free trial?
Podium’s G2 listing says a free trial is not available. Its pricing page offers a demo with the sales team.
Can I try ReplyChamp before paying?
Yes. Your first 10 replies are free and no credit card is needed. You can also try the public demo with a made-up café without signing in.
Verdict
Podium is a strong pick for local businesses whose real problem is leads: texts, chats and calls that need answering fast. Reviews come with it, and so does a 12-month term.
If reviews are the only part you need, ReplyChamp does that job for $7 a location, in your voice, holds the hard ones for you, and lets you stop any month.
Your first 10 replies are free
No credit card. Then $7 per location per month, or $70 per year. See pricing.
Start freeSources
Checked on November 4, 2026. Prices are in US dollars unless the source says otherwise.