Xref
Reference check software
Employee engagement software
360 feedback tools software
Recruiting software
Pre-employment screening software
Talent management software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
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$70 per month
Free Trial
Free version unavailable
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- Media and communications
- Professional services (engineering, legal, consulting, etc.)
- Agriculture, fishing, and forestry
What is Xref
Xref is a cloud-based reference checking platform used by recruiting and HR teams to collect, manage, and report on candidate references. It automates referee outreach and questionnaire workflows and centralizes results for hiring decisions and auditability. The product also supports related feedback use cases such as onboarding and employee/360-style feedback surveys, typically as adjacent workflows to hiring.
Automated reference collection workflows
Xref streamlines reference checks by automating referee invitations, reminders, and questionnaire completion. This reduces manual coordination compared with phone- and email-based processes. Results are captured in a consistent format that is easier to compare across candidates. The workflow design fits teams that run high volumes of reference checks.
Structured questionnaires and reporting
The platform supports configurable questionnaires that standardize what is asked of referees and how responses are captured. It produces consolidated reports that help hiring teams review feedback in one place. Standardization can improve internal consistency across roles and regions. Centralized records also support internal review and compliance processes.
Integrations for hiring operations
Xref is commonly used alongside applicant tracking and recruiting workflows, with integration options intended to reduce duplicate data entry. This helps teams trigger reference checks from existing hiring steps and store outcomes back in their systems. Integration support is important for organizations that want reference checking to be a repeatable, trackable stage in the funnel. It also supports multi-stakeholder collaboration across recruiters and hiring managers.
Not a full screening suite
Xref focuses primarily on reference checking and related feedback workflows rather than comprehensive background screening. Organizations that require identity verification, criminal checks, right-to-work checks, or broader pre-employment screening often need additional vendors. This can increase vendor management overhead. It may also complicate candidate experience if multiple systems are used.
Depth varies beyond references
While Xref can be used for surveys and feedback, it is not positioned as a full talent management system. Companies looking for end-to-end performance management, compensation, succession planning, and continuous engagement analytics may find gaps. As a result, it may serve as a point solution within a larger HR stack. Buyers should validate whether non-hiring feedback features meet their governance and reporting needs.
Outcome quality depends on inputs
As with any reference-checking tool, the usefulness of results depends on referee participation and the quality of questions. Some roles or geographies may have lower response rates or more guarded feedback, limiting insight. Automated questionnaires can also miss nuance that live conversations sometimes capture. Teams may still need follow-up calls for sensitive or senior hires.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price (USD) | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Starter (1-75 employees) | $70 per month (annual billing) — or $80/month when paid monthly | Automated Talent Pooling; Multi-language; Essential Support; Unlimited Users. Employee Turnover Cap: 25 (limits only the first Reference Check or Exit Survey). |
| Growth (76-150 employees) | $140 per month (annual billing) — or $160/month when paid monthly | Standard features (as Starter); higher Employee Turnover Cap: 50. |
| Plus (151-300 employees) | $290 per month (annual billing) — or $335/month when paid monthly | All standard features + Custom questions; Report sharing & tracking; Priority support. Employee Turnover Cap: 100. |
| Premium (301-500 employees) | $485 per month (annual billing) — or $560/month when paid monthly | All Plus features + Bulk Upload tool; Integrations support; Priority support. Employee Turnover Cap: 200. |
| Enterprise (501+ employees) | Custom pricing (contact sales / request demo) | Tailored features, tailored pricing, dedicated account manager; Employee Turnover Cap agreed per contract. |
Seller details
Xref Limited
Melbourne, VIC, Australia
2010
Public
https://www.xref.com
https://x.com/xrefhq
https://www.linkedin.com/company/xref/
