Brindle Reference Checking vs The Reference Checker

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.

The Reference Checker automates job-reference requests and follow-up for employers. A customer can send requests directly to referees or have job seekers register and request them. The web portal sends email messages and reminders, and an anti-fraud algorithm helps identify whether references are genuine. Email and question templates can be customised; the service also creates branded PDF references and supports digital signatures. Reporting breaks down statistics and information by team and user. The company says it offers integrations with many CRM and ATS systems and a documented API, but customers need to contact it to check support for a particular system. There is no stated limit on request volume. Requests come from the company’s central email address, not the customer’s own. The company says the portal complies with UK GDPR and lists hosting certifications including ISO 27001, ISO 27017, ISO 27018, SOC 1, SOC 2 and SOC 3. Plans start at £40/user/mo, with a free two-week trial and free setup.