GoodHire vs Xref Comparison: Reviews, Features, Pricing & Alternatives in 2026

Detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right solution for your team

Updated Apr 2026 8 min read

GoodHire

0.0 (0 reviews)

GoodHire is a comprehensive background check platform providing automated employment screening, identity verification, and compliance tools to help you make faster and more informed hiring decisions securely.

Starting at $29.99/mo
Free Trial NO FREE TRIAL
VS

Xref

0.0 (0 reviews)

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.

Starting at $99/mo
Free Trial NO FREE TRIAL

Quick Comparison

Feature GoodHire Xref
Website goodhire.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 cloud mobile cloud mobile
Integrations Greenhouse Lever BambooHR Workday JazzHR Breezy HR SmartRecruiters Zoho Recruit Paychex ADP Workday Bullhorn Greenhouse Lever SmartRecruiters Jobadder PageUp SAP SuccessFactors Oracle Taleo Teamtailor
Target Users small-business mid-market enterprise mid-market enterprise
Target Industries healthcare education government
Customer Count 0 0
Founded Year 2012 2010
Headquarters Redwood City, USA Sydney, Australia

Overview

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GoodHire

GoodHire simplifies the complex world of employment screening by providing a fast, mobile-friendly platform for all your background check needs. You can run everything from standard criminal record searches and social security traces to specialized drug testing and education verifications. The platform is designed to automate the consent process, so you spend less time chasing paperwork and more time evaluating top talent for your open roles.

You get built-in compliance tools that help you navigate Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) regulations and local 'ban-the-box' laws automatically. Whether you are a small business hiring your first employee or a large enterprise managing high-volume recruitment, the interface remains intuitive and easy to navigate. By integrating directly with your existing applicant tracking systems, you can initiate checks and view results without ever leaving your primary workflow.

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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

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GoodHire Features

  • Automated Consent Send digital consent forms directly to your candidates so they can sign and submit information from any mobile device.
  • Criminal Record Searches Access thousands of local, state, and federal databases to get accurate criminal history reports on your potential hires.
  • Employment Verifications Confirm previous job titles and dates of employment automatically to ensure your candidates have the experience they claim.
  • Compliance Engine Use built-in tools to manage adverse action notices and stay compliant with evolving state and federal hiring laws.
  • Drug Testing Services Schedule and track employee drug tests at thousands of clinics nationwide directly through your central dashboard.
  • ATS Integrations Connect your favorite hiring tools like Greenhouse or Lever to start background checks with just one click.
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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

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GoodHire Pricing

Basic
$29.99
  • SSN Trace
  • National Criminal Databases
  • Sex Offender Registry Search
  • 1-2 business day turnaround
  • Mobile-friendly candidate flow
X

Xref Pricing

Lifestyle
$99
  • Pay-as-you-go credits
  • Standard reference checks
  • Fraud detection system
  • Standard support
  • Essential compliance tools

Pros & Cons

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GoodHire

Pros

  • Extremely intuitive interface for both employers and candidates
  • Fast turnaround times for standard criminal background checks
  • Excellent automated compliance and adverse action workflows
  • Responsive customer support team based in the USA

Cons

  • Verification of older employment records can take longer
  • Additional third-party fees for certain state records
  • Pricing is higher than some budget-focused competitors
A

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
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