Brindle Reference Checking vs RefNow

Brindle Reference Checking automates reference checks for recruitment agencies, from candidate consent through referee follow-up to a completed report. Recruiters set up reusable templates, add candidates, capture consent, and send requests; Brindle sends reminders and returns a structured PDF. Reports organize answers by section and include identity verification, a completion timestamp, an audit trail, and candidate and referee consent. Accounts can have unlimited templates with open, scaled, multiple-choice, and scenario-based questions. Referees respond through a guided web conversation, while recruiters can conduct checks by phone for referees who will not go online. CV templating returns a candidate CV in the agency’s house format and is free on annual plans. Brindle can run alongside ATS products including JobAdder, Bullhorn, FastTrack360, and Astute, but ATS integration is not available. The company says it complies with GDPR and the Australian and New Zealand Privacy Acts, does not train AI on customer data, and retains candidate and reference data for 10 working days after last activity. Annual Foundation starts at $299 a year; monthly Foundation is $499 a month.

RefNow automates employment reference checks for hiring teams, from collecting referee details to delivering reports. Candidates provide referee details, and referees respond through a secure, mobile-friendly questionnaire. The platform tracks requests and automation attempts in real time, sends reminders, and uses algorithms to identify potentially fraudulent references. RefNow says its LinkedIn and YOTI partnerships help verify reference authenticity and provide additional candidate insights. Teams can download PDF reports and manage users with permission groups. The service also offers Right to Work checks and Basic, Standard, and Enhanced DBS checks. The maker lists more than 65 ATS and HRIS integrations and an Open API for custom connections. RefNow Respond automates incoming references for former employees after candidate consent, then generates and sends a PDF report to the requester. One reference credit covers up to 10 references from one candidate; bulk discounts and subscriptions are available, but no plan price is listed. RefNow is available on the web and through an API, and is based in London, England.