Best AI tools to get more Google reviews (small businesses)
Quick answer: For one location, start with a low-cost review tool such as Reviewshake, NiceJob or GatherUp, and send a review link to every customer after each job. If you run several locations or work for clients, compare per-location pricing or the custom-priced platforms such as Podium and Birdeye. Whatever you choose, ask every customer, do not offer rewards for reviews and do not steer unhappy customers away from Google.
Review-request tools for small businesses, what Google's policies allow, and the CASL and US rules to know before you ask. Use the matcher for a personalized shortlist.
Comparison
Comparison of the picks, from the PickMyStack tool database
Pick order: fit for small and local businesses first, then published (verified) price, then lowest starting price; custom-priced platforms come last. Podium and Birdeye are built for larger, multi-location businesses. Pages for Reviewshake and GatherUp show only a $ sign, so confirm the currency on the vendor's pricing page.
Do and don't: what Google's policies say
Google's Maps user-generated content policy lists what merchants may not do. In its words, you may not "offer incentives - such as payment, discounts, free goods and/or services - in exchange for posting any review", and you may not "discourage or prohibit negative reviews, or selectively solicit positive reviews from customers".
Do: ask every customer, soon after the job, with a direct link to your Google review page; reply to every review, good or bad; fix problems in public replies.
Don't: offer discounts, gifts or other rewards for reviews; ask only the customers you expect to be happy; send unhappy customers to a private form instead of the Google link (often called review gating). If a tool has a feature that routes customers by their rating, check it against Google's policy before you turn it on.
Canada: review requests are commercial messages
An email or text asking for a review is generally treated as a commercial electronic message under CASL. That means you should have consent (express, or implied in some existing customer relationships), identify your business clearly and include a working unsubscribe. Rules and exceptions are detailed, so check with a lawyer or your provider.
US: texting rules and the FTC
Texting customers is covered by the TCPA, which generally requires prior consent, and email by CAN-SPAM. Separately, the FTC's Consumer Reviews and Testimonials Rule, in effect since October 21, 2024 according to the FTC's questions and answers, targets fake reviews and review suppression. The FTC says incentives for reviews are not barred as long as there is no express or implied requirement that the review be positive, and that threats, false accusations or groundless legal threats to remove a review are not allowed. Google's policy is stricter on incentives, so follow Google's rule too.
Set it up
Claim and verify your Google Business Profile.
Find your review link or QR code in the profile and test it on a phone.
Pick a tool and import or connect your customer list or job software.
Send the request to every customer shortly after each job, using the same message for everyone.
Reply to every new review and keep a record of when and how you asked for consent.
Low-cost review request and monitoring tool for a single business location
Price: No free plan listed (14-day free trial); paid from $29/mo (Starter, 1 location, 250 email invites; currency not stated on page) · pricing page
Start the 14-day free trial
Add your Google review link and customer list
Send review invitations by email after each job
Reply to new reviews and track your rating
Canada: commercial emails/texts must follow CASL (consent + unsubscribe). Ask every customer, not only happy ones, and never offer rewards for reviews (Google policy).
Email: CAN-SPAM requires accurate sender info and a working opt-out. Texting or auto-dialled calls to consumers: the TCPA generally requires prior consent, and carriers and states add rules. Confirm with your broker or counsel.
Automated review requests and referrals for home services
Price: No free plan (14-day trial); paid from $75/mo billed monthly (Starter) · pricing page
Sign up
Connect your job software (e.g. Jobber)
Turn on review campaigns
Share reviews to site
NiceJob is a Canadian (London, Ontario) company. Canada: commercial emails/texts must follow CASL (consent + unsubscribe).
Email: CAN-SPAM requires accurate sender info and a working opt-out. Texting or auto-dialled calls to consumers: the TCPA generally requires prior consent, and carriers and states add rules. Confirm with your broker or counsel.
Review request and monitoring platform for single locations, multi-location brands and agencies (Small Business plan covers 1 location)
Price: No free plan (14-day free trial); paid from $99/mo (Small Business, 1 location; currency not stated on page) · pricing page
Start the 14-day free trial
Connect your Google Business Profile
Send review requests to every customer by email or text
Reply to reviews as they come in
Canada: commercial emails/texts must follow CASL (consent + unsubscribe). Ask every customer, not only happy ones, and never offer rewards for reviews (Google policy).
Email: CAN-SPAM requires accurate sender info and a working opt-out. Texting or auto-dialled calls to consumers: the TCPA generally requires prior consent, and carriers and states add rules. Confirm with your broker or counsel.
Canada: commercial emails/texts must follow CASL (consent + unsubscribe).
Email: CAN-SPAM requires accurate sender info and a working opt-out. Texting or auto-dialled calls to consumers: the TCPA generally requires prior consent, and carriers and states add rules. Confirm with your broker or counsel.
Canada: commercial emails/texts must follow CASL (consent + unsubscribe).
Frequently asked questions
What is the best tool to get more Google reviews for a small business?
In our database, Reviewshake (Low-cost review request and monitoring tool for a single business location) is listed first (we order by fit for small and local businesses, then published price, then lowest starting price); the other tools in the table are alternatives. Send the same request to every customer.
How much do review request tools cost?
Starting prices from our last check: Reviewshake: $29/mo (Starter, 1 location, 250 email invites; currency not stated on page) (checked 2026-10-19); NiceJob: $75/mo billed monthly (Starter) (checked 2026-10-16); GatherUp: $99/mo (Small Business, 1 location; currency not stated on page) (checked 2026-10-19); Podium: Custom pricing (contact sales) (checked 2026-10-16); Birdeye: Custom pricing (contact sales) (checked 2026-10-16). Plans, billing periods and currencies differ, so confirm on the vendor's pricing page before you buy.
Is there a free trial for review tools?
Among the picks, Reviewshake: No free plan; 14-day free trial; NiceJob: No free plan; 14-day trial; GatherUp: No free plan; 14-day free trial. Confirm the current terms on the vendor's pricing page.
Can I offer a discount or gift for a Google review?
No. Google's Maps user-generated content policy says merchants may not offer incentives, such as payment, discounts, free goods or services, in exchange for posting any review.
Can I ask only my happy customers for reviews?
No. Google's policy says merchants may not selectively solicit positive reviews or discourage negative ones. Ask every customer with the same message, and respond to negative reviews in public.
Generated from the PickMyStack tool database. Always confirm current pricing on the vendor site. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Some links are affiliate links and are labelled; read the disclosure.