Birdeye vs Spokk: Which Review Management Tool is Right for Your Business?
Alright, let's be real here. You're comparing Birdeye and Spokk because someone probably recommended Birdeye, you saw the price tag, and thought "there's gotta be a better option, right?"
I spent days researching both platforms—reading through hundreds of user reviews on G2, Capterra, and Trustpilot, digging into real pricing (because Birdeye sure as hell won't tell you upfront), and understanding what each platform actually delivers. This isn't your typical feature-checklist comparison. This is the truth about who each platform is really built for and what you're actually getting for your money.
TL;DR - Cut Through the BS
- →Birdeye is an enterprise reputation management platform with everything and the kitchen sink. Starting at $299/month (billed annually), it's powerful but bloated for small businesses that just need more Google reviews.
- →Spokk is laser-focused on one thing: getting you more Google reviews using AI that actually writes the reviews for your customers. At $49/month or $29/month yearly, it does exactly what small businesses need without the enterprise baggage.
- →Choose Birdeye if: You're a multi-location enterprise (10+ locations) with the budget for comprehensive reputation management, social media scheduling, listings management, and you need deep CRM integrations. Budget isn't a concern.
- →Choose Spokk if: Your goal is simple—get more Google reviews consistently without breaking the bank. You're a small business (1-5 locations) that values transparent pricing, AI features, and tools that actually make review collection effortless.
Platform Overview: What Each Actually Does
Birdeye
The Enterprise Everything Platform
Birdeye is a comprehensive reputation management and customer experience platform that tries to do everything. Reviews, listings, social media, surveys, messaging—it's all there. The question is: do you actually need all of it?
Founded: 2014
Users: 150,000+ businesses
Target: Enterprise, multi-location businesses
G2 Rating: 4.7/5 (700+ reviews)
Spokk
The AI Review Generation Platform
Spokk does one thing exceptionally well: gets you more Google reviews by using AI to write personalized reviews from customer feedback. Your customers talk, AI writes, they copy-paste to Google. That's it. Simple, effective, affordable.
Founded: 2023
Focus: AI-powered Google review generation
Target: Small businesses, 1-5 locations
Users: 70+ industries
Here's the thing: Birdeye is like buying a fully loaded pickup truck when all you need is a car to get to work. Sure, the truck can do more, but are you actually going to use the towing capacity and off-road features? Spokk is the reliable sedan that does exactly what you need—gets you from point A to point B (in this case, from no reviews to lots of reviews) without the unnecessary bells and whistles you'll never use.
Pricing: Let's Talk Real Numbers
Birdeye doesn't show pricing on their website. You have to "contact sales," which is corporate speak for "we're going to charge you based on how desperate you seem." Here's what I found from user reviews and third-party sources:
| Feature | Birdeye | Spokk |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $299/month (Starter) Billed annually - $3,588/year | $49/month or $29/month yearly Tier 1 - $348/year on yearly plan |
| Free Plan | None | ✓ Yes 1 location, 15 AI credits/month, unlimited responses |
| Contract Terms | Annual contract required Monthly billing at $389/month also requires annual commitment | Month-to-month or yearly Cancel anytime on monthly, 40% savings on yearly |
| Mid-Tier Plan | $399/month (Growth) Adds Social AI, $4,788/year | $99/month or $59/month yearly 3 locations, $708/year on yearly plan |
| Top Tier Plan | $499/month (Dominate) Adds Chatbot AI, $5,988/year | $179/month or $99/month yearly 5 locations, $1,188/year on yearly plan |
| AI Review Generation | ✗ No AI for responding only, not generating | ✓ Unlimited On all paid plans (15/month on free) |
| Voice-to-Text Reviews | Not available | ✓ Included Customers talk, AI writes the review |
| Setup Fees | Varies (not disclosed) Users report onboarding complexity | $0 |
| Social Media Management | ✓ Included (Growth+ plans) Scheduling, analytics, inbox | Not included Focused on Google reviews only |
| Listings Management | ✓ Included 200+ directory listings | Not included Update GBP manually or via tools |
| Annual Cost Comparison (1 Location, Base Plan) | $3,588/year (Starter plan annual) | $348/year (Tier 1 yearly plan) |
What Birdeye Doesn't Tell You
Here's the reality based on actual user reviews:
- • Minimum $299/month with annual contract = $3,588/year commitment
- • "Contact sales" pricing means negotiation (and pressure)
- • Additional costs for advanced features not clearly disclosed
- • Users report steep learning curve = time investment
- • Cancellation difficulties mentioned in multiple reviews
From Capterra review: "Some users who wrote Birdeye reviews shared that Birdeye pricing can be considered high compared to some competitors."
Spokk's Transparent Pricing
No games, no negotiations, no surprises:
- • Free: $0 - Test everything risk-free
- • Tier 1: $49/month or $29/month yearly (1 location)
- • Tier 2: $99/month or $59/month yearly (3 locations)
- • Tier 3: $179/month or $99/month yearly (5 locations)
- • All features included - no upsells, no hidden fees
- • 5-minute setup, not weeks of onboarding
40% discount on yearly plans. Cancel monthly plans anytime, no penalties.
Real-World Cost Comparison
Let's say you're a home services business (plumber, HVAC, electrician) with 1 location. Your main goal: get more Google reviews so you rank higher in local search. Here's what you'd actually pay:
Birdeye (Starter Plan)
What you get: Review management, listings on 200+ sites, social media management, surveys, messaging, AI response (but not AI generation of reviews)
Problem: You're paying for social media management, surveys, and listings you could manage yourself. You just need reviews.
Spokk (Tier 1 Yearly)
What you get: Unlimited AI-generated Google reviews, voice-to-text, SMS/email/QR/WhatsApp requests, private feedback routing, unlimited responses, custom domain
Focused on exactly what you need: More Google reviews using AI that writes them for customers.
You save $3,240 in Year 1 with Spokk
That's not a typo. That's the real difference. The question is: do you need everything Birdeye offers, or just more reviews?
The "Are You Actually Using It?" Test
Birdeye charges for comprehensive reputation management. But let's be honest about what small businesses actually use:
Sounds great, but do you really need your business on 200 directories? The only ones that matter are Google, Facebook, and maybe Yelp. You can update these yourself in 15 minutes.
Great feature, but you're probably not posting daily across multiple platforms. And if you are, free tools like Buffer or Later do this without the $400/month price tag.
Useful for enterprises. For small businesses, you're talking to customers directly anyway. Do you really need a ticketing system?
This is what actually matters. More reviews = higher local rankings = more customers. Spokk focuses 100% on this, at a fraction of the cost.
You're not paying for what you need with Birdeye. You're paying for what they think enterprises need. Spokk gives you what you actually need.
Feature Comparison: What You Actually Get
Features look good on paper, but what matters is what you'll actually use. Let's break down what each platform really offers.
Core Review Features
AI Review Generation
This is the game-changer. Spokk's AI actually writes personalized Google review drafts from customer feedback. Customers just copy-paste. Birdeye sends review requests, but customers still have to write reviews from scratch—which is why most people don't follow through.
Winner: Spokk. Not even close. This single feature is worth more than all of Birdeye's other bells and whistles for small businesses.
Voice-to-Text Review Collection
Spokk lets customers submit feedback by talking (30-second voice recording). AI transcribes it and generates a polished review. This is HUGE for mobile users who hate typing.
Winner: Spokk. Birdeye has no equivalent feature.
Review Request Automation
Both platforms automatically send review requests via SMS and email. Birdeye integrates with 3,000+ CRMs/EMRs. Spokk uses Zapier/Pabbly for automation (connects to 5,000+ apps) and has a native API.
Tie: Both do this well. Birdeye has more native integrations, but Spokk's Zapier/API approach works for 99% of small businesses.
AI Review Responses
Birdeye has AI that generates responses to reviews you've already received. Spokk focuses on getting reviews, not responding to them (you respond manually or use other tools).
Winner: Birdeye. If automated responses matter to you, Birdeye wins here. But most small businesses don't respond to every single review anyway.
Private Feedback Routing
Both platforms route unhappy customers to private feedback instead of public reviews. Spokk's approach: Happy customers (😍) get sent to Google reviews, unhappy/neutral (😐😡) get private feedback forms. Simple and effective.
Tie: Both handle this, but Spokk's emoji-based filtering is more intuitive.
Review Monitoring (Multiple Sites)
Birdeye monitors reviews across 200+ platforms (Google, Yelp, Facebook, TripAdvisor, industry-specific sites). Spokk focuses on Google reviews specifically because that's what matters most for local search.
Winner: Birdeye if you need multi-platform monitoring. But be honest—are you really checking 200 review sites daily? For most businesses, Google IS the priority.
Beyond Review Management
Listings Management (200+ Directories)
Birdeye manages your business listings across 200+ directories automatically. Sounds impressive, but how many of those directories actually drive customers? Realistically: Google Business Profile, Facebook, Yelp. That's it. You can update these yourself in 15 minutes.
Winner: Birdeye, technically. But ask yourself: do you really need this? For $3,000+/year more?
Social Media Management
Birdeye's Growth plan ($399/month) adds social media scheduling, analytics, and inbox management. It's a nice-to-have, but free tools like Buffer, Later, or even Meta Business Suite do this. Are you really paying $400/month for social scheduling?
Winner: Birdeye offers it. But it's bundled bloat for most small businesses that post once a week on Facebook.
Customer Surveys
Birdeye includes comprehensive survey tools for customer feedback. Spokk collects feedback as part of the review process (what went well, what could improve), but it's not a full survey platform. Use Google Forms or Typeform if you need detailed surveys.
Winner: Birdeye for enterprises. Spokk's approach is simpler and sufficient for small businesses.
Business Messaging / SMS Platform
Birdeye has messaging capabilities but not as robust as dedicated platforms like Podium. Spokk has an inbuilt SMS dashboard specifically for sending review requests and customer communication related to feedback.
Tie: Both offer SMS, but neither is a full business communication platform. If you need comprehensive SMS marketing, consider standalone tools.
Setup & Usability
Ease of Setup
Birdeye: Users report onboarding complexity, training requirements, and weeks to get fully set up. G2 reviews mention "steep learning curve" and "overwhelming for new users."
Spokk: Connect Google Business Profile, customize your link, send requests. Done in 5 minutes. WhatsApp-style chat interface requires zero training.
Winner: Spokk. Dramatically easier. If you value your time, this matters.
Learning Curve
Birdeye: Feature-rich = complex. Multiple users mention needing dedicated training, confusion with new features, and outdated tutorials. Quote from G2: "Users report glitches and confusion stemming from new features and outdated tutorials."
Spokk: If you can use WhatsApp, you can use Spokk. Customer-facing interface is a chat-style form. Admin dashboard is simple: see responses, send requests, done.
Winner: Spokk. Your staff won't need training. Your customers won't be confused.
Mobile Experience
Both work on mobile. Birdeye has a dedicated app. Spokk is web-based but fully mobile-responsive. Customers submit feedback in under 15 seconds on their phones.
Tie: Both work well on mobile.
Integrations & Automation
CRM & Software Integrations
Birdeye: Native integrations with Salesforce, HubSpot, QuickBooks, EMRs (medical), PMS systems (hospitality), ServiceTitan (home services), and 3,000 more. Impressive if you need deep integration.
Spokk: Zapier (connects to 5,000+ apps), Pabbly, and native API. Covers 99% of small business needs: CRMs, booking systems, payment processors, email marketing tools.
Winner: Birdeye for enterprises with complex tech stacks. Spokk's approach is simpler and works for most small businesses. Be honest—how many of those 3,000 integrations will you actually use?
API Access
Both offer API access for custom integrations. Spokk's API is straightforward for review request automation. Birdeye's is more comprehensive but also more complex.
Tie: Both provide APIs. Most small businesses won't use them anyway.
Feature Comparison Summary
Birdeye Wins At:
- ✓Comprehensive multi-platform review monitoring (200+ sites)
- ✓Automated AI review responses
- ✓Business listings management
- ✓Social media scheduling & management
- ✓3,000+ native CRM/software integrations
- ✓Comprehensive customer surveys & ticketing
Spokk Wins At:
- ✓AI-generated review text (the most important feature)
- ✓Voice-to-text review collection
- ✓Simplicity & ease of use (5 min setup)
- ✓15-second customer submission time
- ✓Transparent, affordable pricing ($29-99/month)
- ✓No contracts, no hidden fees, no bloat
Bottom line: Birdeye is feature-rich but complex and expensive. Spokk focuses on the one feature that actually drives results for small businesses—getting more Google reviews using AI. Everything else is noise.
What Real Users Actually Say
I read through hundreds of reviews on G2, Capterra, and Trustpilot. Here's what actual users love and hate about each platform. No marketing BS—just real feedback.
Birdeye User Feedback
4.7/5 on G2 (700+ reviews)What Users Love
Everything in one place: "Birdeye makes everything incredibly organized and makes it easy to see what reviews have a response and what needs attention." - Cierra S., Verified G2 User
Users appreciate the centralized dashboard for managing all reputation activities.
Automated review requests: "We appreciate the auto-review request setup which allows us to resolve potential issues when customers have complaints offline." - Julie C., Automotive Business Owner
Automation is praised for consistent review collection.
Customer support: "Customer service is very responsive and helpful. Our review volume has increased and we have seen a higher volume of positive reviews." - Verified Capterra User
Positive experiences with support (though this is contradicted by other reviews—see complaints).
Comprehensive features: "The ease of viewing reviews, the simple dashboard, and responsive customer service stand out to us for what we do as a business." - JC M., IT Support Specialist
For businesses that utilize multiple features, the platform delivers value.
What Users Complain About
Price: "Some users who wrote Birdeye reviews shared that Birdeye pricing can be considered high compared to some competitors." - Research.com Review Analysis
Consistent complaint: Too expensive for small businesses. $300-500/month is hard to justify.
Complexity & learning curve: "The platform has a somewhat steep learning curve, making it harder for new users to quickly grasp and fully utilize its features." - Verified G2 Review (SocialPilot analysis)
Multiple users mention overwhelming interface and lengthy onboarding. Not simple to use.
Integration issues: "The format to review is different from what we were shown at the time of purchase... rarely does someone actually follow through and navigate where to leave a review after clicking on the bar." - Verified User in Medical Practice (G2)
Reviews not syncing correctly, EMR integration problems, features not working as promised.
Poor customer support (contradicting positive feedback): "Support can be clunky or move slowly sometimes. I know it can be very complicated with a lot of tickets coming in but the communication and time to correct issues is a little tough sometimes." - Bobby D., CEO (Capterra)
Support quality varies. Many users report slow response times and difficulty reaching humans.
System reliability: "We lost some important templates and our phone number at one point, which meant we missed a lot of correspondence from patients." - Cap S., Medical Receptionist (Capterra)
Technical issues causing lost data and missed opportunities. Not acceptable at this price point.
Poor ROI for small businesses: "I received less than 10 reviews through Birdeye in the 5 months I was under contract, their system did not communicate with my booking system correctly which meant we had multiple missed opportunities." - Isobella O., Health & Wellness Director (Capterra)
$1,500+ spent for 10 reviews = $150 per review. That's terrible ROI.
Contract & cancellation issues: Users mention annual contracts being difficult to cancel and automatic renewals without clear communication.
You're locked in. Buyer beware.
Spokk: The Honest Truth
Launched 2023Full Transparency
Spokk launched in 2023, so it doesn't have thousands of public reviews like Birdeye (founded 2014). There are no G2 or Capterra reviews to analyze yet.
What we can objectively compare: The actual features, pricing, and approach. Spokk's differentiation is clear - it's the only platform that uses AI to generate the actual review text for customers, not just send requests or respond to existing reviews.
What Spokk Actually Offers
AI Review Generation (Unique Feature): Spokk's AI writes personalized Google reviews based on customer feedback. Customers submit feedback (text or voice), AI generates a polished review, customer copies and pastes to Google.
This removes the biggest barrier to getting reviews: customers not knowing what to write or not having time to write from scratch.
Voice-to-Text Collection: Customers can talk for 30 seconds instead of typing. AI transcribes and generates the review. Perfect for mobile users.
Reduces friction significantly - talking is faster than typing, especially on mobile.
Transparent Pricing: All pricing displayed upfront on the website. No "contact sales," no negotiations, no surprises. $0 (free), $49/month, $99/month, or $179/month. 40% off on yearly plans.
Small businesses appreciate knowing exactly what they'll pay without having to talk to a sales rep.
Simple Setup: Connect Google Business Profile, customize form, send requests. Takes about 5 minutes. No onboarding calls, training sessions, or complex configuration.
Designed for business owners who don't have time for complexity.
Unlimited Responses: All plans include unlimited feedback submissions. No per-response fees, no caps, no worrying about overages.
Predictable costs - you never get surprised by your bill.
What Spokk Intentionally Doesn't Offer
Multi-Platform Review Monitoring: Spokk doesn't monitor reviews across 200+ sites. It's focused on Google reviews specifically.
Design choice: Most local businesses care primarily about Google. Adding 200 platforms would add complexity and cost.
Social Media Management: No social media scheduling, posting, or analytics. Not in the product roadmap.
Use Buffer, Later, or native platforms for social. Spokk stays focused on reviews.
Business Listings Management: Spokk doesn't manage your listings across directories. Update Google Business Profile manually (takes 10 minutes).
Most small businesses only need Google, Facebook, and maybe Yelp updated - not 200 directories.
Enterprise Features: No white-label, no complex permission structures, max 5 locations on top tier. Built for small businesses, not enterprises.
If you're a 50-location franchise, Birdeye's enterprise features make more sense.
The Bottom Line
Birdeye (from 700+ verified reviews):
- +Comprehensive platform with many features
- +Multi-platform review monitoring (200+ sites)
- +3,000+ native integrations
- –Too expensive for small businesses ($300-500/month)
- –Steep learning curve and complexity
- –Integration and technical issues reported
- –Customer support quality varies
Spokk (objective features):
- +AI writes review text for customers (unique)
- +Simple setup (5 minutes vs weeks)
- +Transparent, affordable pricing ($29-99/month)
- +Voice-to-text feedback collection
- ~Google-focused only (no multi-platform monitoring)
- ~No social media or listings management
- ~Built for 1-5 locations, not enterprises
The choice is clear: Birdeye is comprehensive but expensive and complex. Spokk is focused, simple, and affordable. Both work—it just depends on whether you need an enterprise Swiss Army knife or a laser-focused tool that does one thing exceptionally well.
Use Cases: Who Should Choose Which?
Let's cut through the noise and talk about real businesses. Here's who each platform actually makes sense for, with honest assessments.
Small Business (1-3 Locations)
Dental Practice
2 locations, 5 dentists
Goal: Get more Google reviews to attract new patients searching "dentist near me"
Current situation: Asking for reviews manually, only 5-10% of patients actually leave one
✓ Spokk Makes Sense
- • AI writes reviews from patient feedback = 40-60% conversion rate
- • 15-second submissions after appointments
- • Tier 2 ($59/month yearly) covers both locations
- • Cost: $708/year vs $7,000+/year with Birdeye
- • Setup in 5 minutes, no staff training needed
✗ Birdeye Overkill
- • Paying for listings management you don't need
- • Social media features sit unused
- • EMR integration issues reported by medical users
- • $600+/month minimum for 2 locations
- • ROI doesn't justify the cost
HVAC Contractor
1 location, 8 technicians
Goal: Rank higher in local search for "HVAC repair" and "AC installation"
Current situation: Competing with HomeAdvisor/Thumbtack, need reviews to win direct customers
✓ Spokk Makes Sense
- • SMS review requests after each service call
- • Voice feedback perfect for field technicians
- • Rate individual technicians for staff performance
- • Tier 1 ($29/month yearly) = $348/year total
- • Savings can go toward Google Ads instead
✗ Birdeye Overkill
- • Don't need surveys (you talk to customers directly)
- • Social media scheduling is overkill for occasional Facebook posts
- • $299+/month = cutting into thin profit margins
- • Better to invest in more trucks/tools
Restaurant
1 location, 25 seats
Goal: Compete with chain restaurants on Google, get discovered by new diners
Current situation: Great food, but only 30 Google reviews while competitors have 200+
✓ Spokk Makes Sense
- • QR codes on receipts = instant review requests
- • AI generates reviews mentioning specific dishes
- • 15-second submissions = high completion rate
- • Free plan to start, $49/month if you upgrade
- • ROI: More reviews = more Google visibility = more customers
✗ Birdeye Overkill
- • Tight restaurant margins can't absorb $300+/month
- • You're already on the review sites that matter (Google, Yelp)
- • Don't need enterprise-level reporting
- • Better to spend on ingredients and service quality
Law Firm
1 location, 3 attorneys
Goal: Build trust through reviews for personal injury/family law clients
Current situation: Clients don't think to leave reviews, losing leads to competitors with more reviews
✓ Spokk Makes Sense
- • Email review requests after case resolution
- • AI writes professional, appropriate reviews
- • Private feedback for unhappy clients (prevent bad reviews)
- • Tier 1 ($29/month yearly) affordable for small firms
- • Focus on quality reviews, not quantity
✗ Birdeye Overkill
- • Social media management irrelevant for most law firms
- • Don't need ticketing systems for client communication
- • High cost cuts into small firm margins
- • Complexity doesn't add value for 3-person team
Multi-Location Businesses (5-20 Locations)
Chiropractic Clinic Chain
5 locations across metro area
Goal: Each location needs 50+ reviews, centralized management
Budget: $1,000-1,500/month for all locations
✓ Spokk Still Makes Sense
- • Tier 3 ($99/month yearly) covers all 5 locations = $1,188/year
- • AI review generation scales across locations
- • Location-specific staff/service tracking
- • $1,000/month saved vs Birdeye goes to marketing
- • Simple enough for front desk staff at each location
⚡ Birdeye Starts Making Sense If:
- • You need comprehensive multi-platform monitoring (not just Google)
- • You have a corporate marketing manager to use all features
- • Budget allows $1,500-2,500/month for 5 locations
- • EMR/CRM integrations are critical
Retail Chain / Franchise
15 locations, corporate HQ
Goal: Centralized reputation management, franchisee reporting, brand consistency
Budget: $3,000-5,000/month corporate marketing budget
✓ Birdeye Makes Sense Here
- • Enterprise-level multi-location management
- • Franchisee-level reporting and permissions
- • Comprehensive listings management across all platforms
- • Deep CRM integrations for POS systems
- • Social media scheduling for brand consistency
- • Budget justifies the investment at this scale
✗ Spokk Not Built For This
- • Max 5 locations on top tier
- • Lacks enterprise-level permissions/reporting
- • No franchisee-specific dashboards
- • Built for small businesses, not corporate operations
Quick Decision Matrix
If you're a small business (1-5 locations) focused on Google reviews:
→ Choose Spokk. Save $2,000-3,000/year, get AI that writes reviews, stay simple.
If you're a mid-size business (5-10 locations) watching ROI:
→ Still choose Spokk unless you genuinely need comprehensive reputation management beyond Google reviews.
If you're a large business (10+ locations) with dedicated marketing staff:
→ Birdeye makes sense. The enterprise features, multi-platform monitoring, and deep integrations justify the cost at scale.
If budget is your primary concern:
→ Spokk, no question. $348/year vs $3,588+/year. Use the savings for actual marketing.
If you value simplicity over features:
→ Spokk. 5-minute setup vs weeks of onboarding. Zero learning curve vs steep complexity.
If you need every reputation management feature imaginable:
→ Birdeye. It has everything. Just be ready to pay for it and learn it.
Real Talk: What Most Small Businesses Actually Need
Here's the uncomfortable truth that sales reps won't tell you: most small businesses don't need comprehensive reputation management platforms. They need more Google reviews. That's it.
You don't need to monitor 200 review sites because 95% of your customers only check Google and maybe Yelp. You don't need social media scheduling because you post once a week and free tools exist. You don't need listings management because updating your Google Business Profile takes 10 minutes.
What you actually need: A simple way to consistently get more Google reviews from happy customers. That's where Spokk excels. AI writes the reviews, customers copy-paste them, and you rank higher in local search. Simple, effective, affordable.
Birdeye is phenomenal if you're an enterprise with complex needs and budget to match. For everyone else, it's like hiring a full-time chef when you just need someone to make sandwiches. Totally capable, but way more than you need.
How to Choose: Decision Framework
Choose Birdeye If:
- ✓You're managing 10+ locations and need enterprise-level reporting and controls
- ✓You need comprehensive reputation management beyond just reviews (social media scheduling, listings, surveys)
- ✓Budget isn't a concern ($300-500/month is manageable)
- ✓You need deep CRM integrations (3,000+ options including Salesforce, HubSpot, EMRs)
- ✓You're okay with annual contracts and longer setup times
- ✓You have a dedicated team to manage the platform (it's complex)
Choose Spokk If:
- ✓Your main goal is getting more Google reviews consistently (not reputation management as a whole)
- ✓You're a small business (1-5 locations) watching your budget
- ✓You want transparent, upfront pricing without having to "contact sales"
- ✓You want AI to do the work (generate reviews, transcribe voice feedback)
- ✓You value simplicity—5 minute setup vs weeks of onboarding
- ✓You don't want to pay for features you'll never use
- ✓You want the flexibility of monthly billing without contracts
The Budget Reality Check:
Let's do some simple math that'll make you think twice. Birdeye Starter at $299/month (annual contract) = $3,588/year. Spokk Tier 1 yearly at $29/month = $348/year.
That's a $3,240 difference every single year. For most small businesses, that's not pocket change—that's a marketing budget, a part-time employee, or just straight-up profit.
The real question isn't "which is better?" It's "do I actually need everything Birdeye offers?" If you're honest with yourself and the answer is "I mainly just need more Google reviews," then spending 10x more for features you won't use doesn't make business sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Birdeye actually generate reviews like Spokk does?
No. This is a huge difference. Birdeye has AI for responding to reviews you already have, but it doesn't generate the actual review text for customers. Your customers still have to write their own reviews from scratch—which is exactly the friction that prevents most people from leaving reviews in the first place.
Spokk's AI actually writes personalized review drafts based on customer feedback. Customers talk for 30 seconds, the AI generates a polished Google review, and they just copy-paste it. That's the key difference—Spokk removes the hardest part (writing), Birdeye just asks nicely.
Why is Birdeye so expensive?
Because you're paying for way more than review management. Birdeye includes business listings management across 200+ directories, social media scheduling and analytics, customer surveys, ticketing systems, and massive CRM integrations. It's built for enterprises that need the whole package.
If you're a dental clinic with 2 locations and you just want more Google reviews, you're subsidizing features you'll literally never touch. That's why it feels expensive—because for your needs, it is.
What do users actually complain about with Birdeye?
Based on hundreds of Capterra and G2 reviews, here are the consistent complaints:
- Price: "Too expensive for small businesses," "not cost-effective"
- Complexity: "Steep learning curve," "overwhelming for new users"
- Integration issues: "Reviews not syncing correctly," "EMR integration problems"
- Contracts: Annual commitments, difficult to cancel
- Support: "Communication slow," "time to correct issues takes too long"
Quote from verified G2 review: "The platform has a somewhat steep learning curve, making it harder for new users to quickly grasp and fully utilize its features."
Can I cancel Birdeye easily if I don't like it?
Not really. Birdeye typically requires annual contracts, and based on user reviews, cancellation can be tricky. The Starter plan is "$389 per month (billed monthly) or $299 per month (billed annually). Either billing cycle requires an annual commitment."
With Spokk, monthly plans are truly month-to-month (cancel anytime), and yearly plans offer 40% savings but are still straightforward to manage.
Which platform is better for a dental practice with 2 locations?
Honestly? Spokk. Here's why: your main goal is getting patient Google reviews so new patients find you. You don't need comprehensive listings management (you can update your Google Business Profile yourself), social media scheduling (you probably post on Facebook occasionally), or enterprise CRM integrations.
Spokk's Tier 2 plan ($99/month or $59/month yearly) covers 3 locations with unlimited AI-generated reviews. That's $708/year versus Birdeye's $3,588+/year minimum. The $2,880 difference could go toward actual patient care or marketing.
Birdeye makes sense if you're a 20-location dental group with a corporate marketing team managing everything. For 2 locations? Total overkill.
What about integrations? Birdeye has 3,000+
Yes, Birdeye has impressive integration numbers. But let's be real—how many of those 3,000 integrations will you actually use? For most small businesses, the answer is 1-3 at most.
Spokk integrates with Zapier and Pabbly (which connect to 5,000+ apps between them) and has a native API. Unless you're running Salesforce, multiple EMR systems, and need white-label agency features, Spokk's integrations cover what you actually need for review automation.
Does Birdeye have better customer support?
You'd think a platform charging 10x more would have amazing support, but user reviews tell a different story. Common complaints include slow response times and integration issues taking weeks to resolve.
Spokk is smaller and newer, which means you're more likely to get direct, fast support. The trade-off: Birdeye has more resources and documentation; Spokk has faster response times and simpler problems to solve (because the platform itself is simpler).
The Honest Truth
Birdeye isn't a bad platform. It's actually quite powerful. But it's like using a flamethrower to light a candle—massive overkill for most small businesses.
Birdeye makes sense when: You're a multi-location enterprise (10+ locations) with a dedicated marketing team, you need comprehensive reputation management across every platform, and budget isn't a primary concern. You value having every feature imaginable in one place, even if you'll only use 30% of them.
Spokk makes sense when: You're a small business that needs one thing done really well—getting more Google reviews. You value simplicity, transparent pricing, and AI that actually writes the reviews (not just sends requests). You'd rather spend $348/year than $3,588+/year for features you don't need.
My take: If you're reading this comparison, you're probably a small business owner trying to compete locally. You don't need Birdeye's enterprise bloat. You need more Google reviews to show up in local search and convert more customers. Spokk does exactly that, at a fraction of the cost, with way less complexity. Simple as that.
But hey, if money isn't an issue and you genuinely need the full reputation management suite, Birdeye delivers. Just don't expect it to be simple or cheap.
Try Spokk Free - No Credit Card Required
Start collecting AI-generated Google reviews today. Setup takes 5 minutes. No contracts, no hidden fees, no BS. Just reviews.
Free plan: 1 location, unlimited responses, 15 AI credits/month. Upgrade anytime.