Checkr
Checkr is a modern background check platform that uses artificial intelligence and automation to help you hire faster while maintaining compliance and reducing manual review for your team.
Xref
Xref is an automated reference checking platform that helps you verify candidate history through secure, data-driven insights to make faster and more confident hiring decisions during your recruitment process.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Checkr | Xref |
|---|---|---|
| Website | checkr.com | xref.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting Price | $29.99/month | $99/month |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2014 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | Sydney, Australia |
Overview
Checkr
Checkr provides a faster, fairer way to manage background checks for your growing team. Instead of waiting weeks for manual results, you can use its AI-powered platform to automate the screening process for employees, contractors, and volunteers. It integrates directly with your existing hiring tools to trigger checks automatically the moment a candidate reaches the right stage in your pipeline.
You can customize your screening packages to include criminal records, driving history, drug testing, and education verification. The platform also helps you stay compliant with built-in tools for adverse action and fair hiring workflows. It is designed to scale with your needs, whether you are a small business hiring your first employee or a massive gig-economy platform managing thousands of applicants daily.
Xref
Xref transforms the traditional, time-consuming reference checking process into a streamlined digital workflow. You can initiate reference requests in seconds, allowing candidates to provide referee details through a secure portal. The platform then automatically follows up with referees, collecting structured feedback that you can review in easy-to-read reports. This eliminates manual phone tag and ensures you receive consistent, high-quality data for every hire.
You can also extend your insights beyond initial hiring with integrated exit surveys and pulse checks to understand your entire employee lifecycle. The platform is designed for recruitment teams and HR professionals in highly regulated industries like healthcare, aged care, and government where compliance is non-negotiable. By using Xref, you reduce the risk of recruitment fraud and ensure your hiring process remains fair, transparent, and efficient.
Overview
Checkr Features
- Automated Workflows Trigger background checks automatically from your ATS and receive real-time status updates as reports progress through the system.
- AI-Powered Filtering Reduce manual review time by using smart filters that highlight relevant records while hiding non-actionable data automatically.
- Candidate Portal Give your candidates a mobile-friendly way to submit information, upload documents, and track their own background check status easily.
- Compliance Tools Manage the adverse action process with built-in templates and automated mailing services to help you meet legal requirements.
- International Screening Expand your hiring reach by running background checks in over 200 countries and territories through a single unified interface.
- Continuous Monitoring Receive instant alerts if an employee's record changes after they are hired so you can maintain a safe workplace.
Xref Features
- Automated Reference Checks. Send reference requests in seconds and let the platform handle the follow-ups so you can focus on interviewing.
- Fraud Detection. Identify suspicious activity with built-in IP tracking and browser analysis to ensure references are authentic and trustworthy.
- Customizable Questionnaires. Build tailored surveys or use pre-validated templates to gather the specific performance data you need for any role.
- People Records. Store and manage all candidate feedback and compliance documents in one centralized, searchable digital file for easy access.
- Exit Surveys. Automate the collection of feedback from departing employees to uncover turnover trends and improve your workplace culture.
- Real-time Progress Tracking. Monitor the status of every reference request from a live dashboard and receive instant notifications upon completion.
Pricing Comparison
Checkr Pricing
- Social Security Number trace
- Sex Offender Registry search
- Global Watchlist search
- National Criminal Search
- Standard turnaround time
- Everything in Basic+, plus:
- Unlimited County Civil search
- County Criminal search (current)
- Faster processing times
- Enhanced compliance tools
Xref Pricing
- Pay-as-you-go credits
- Standard reference checks
- Fraud detection system
- Standard support
- Essential compliance tools
- Everything in Lifestyle, plus:
- Unlimited platform users
- Custom questionnaire builder
- Advanced API access
- Dedicated account management
- SSO and advanced security
Pros & Cons
Checkr
Pros
- Fast turnaround times for standard criminal background checks
- Excellent mobile experience for candidates submitting their data
- Seamless integrations with popular ATS platforms like Greenhouse
- Clean and modern dashboard is very easy to navigate
Cons
- Customer support response times can be slow occasionally
- County-level checks may take longer due to court delays
- Pricing can become expensive for high-volume hiring needs
Xref
Pros
- Significantly reduces the time spent on manual reference calls
- High response rates from referees due to mobile-friendly interface
- Detailed fraud alerts provide peace of mind during hiring
- Seamless integration with popular Applicant Tracking Systems
Cons
- Credit-based pricing can be difficult to budget annually
- Limited customization options on the entry-level tier
- Referees occasionally request phone calls for sensitive feedback