--- title: "RefNow Software Pricing, Alternatives & More 2026 | Capterra" description: "With the help of Capterra, learn about RefNow Software - reviews, pricing plans, popular comparisons to other Reference Check products and more." source_url: "https://www.capterra.com/p/190447/RefNow/" page_type: "product" language: "en" --- # RefNow Software Review 2026: Features, Integrations, Pros & Cons Last updated on September 16, 2026 Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Description](#description)[Use cases](#use-cases)[Alternatives](#alternatives)[FAQs](#faqs)[Users](#users)[Features](#features)[Pricing](#pricing)[Integrations](#integrations)[Support](#support)[Reviews](#reviews) RefNow ## What is RefNow? RefNow allows companies to make smarter, more informed recruitment decisions by providing online employment reference reports. Founded in 2019 from its London Headquarters and now operating globally to serve large organisations, startups, charities and schools. Created out of a frustration with the time consuming referencing process, RefNow's mission is to free up peoples time from referencing with a user friendly platform offering user/team management, custom questions, and ID checks. ## What is RefNow used for? [Reference Check](https://www.capterra.com/reference-check-software/)[Background Check](https://www.capterra.com/background-check-software/) Overall rating Based on 472 user reviews Reviews sentiment Positive 96% Neutral 4% Negative 0% Starting price £12.99 One Time Free trial available Capterra Shortlist charts the highest-rated and most popular products... Our "Best of" badge program showcases products with the highest ratings... Our "Best of" badge program showcases products with the highest ratings... ## RefNow alternatives Highest Rated [4.9 (49)](https://www.capterra.com/p/183558/Vitay/reviews/) Starting price $699.00 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 100% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [4.6 (125)](https://www.capterra.com/p/127883/VidCruiter/reviews/) Starting price $5000.00 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 97% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [4.6 (36)](https://www.capterra.com/p/276237/AssureHire/reviews/) Starting price Contact vendor for pricing Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 92% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [4.8 (18)](https://www.capterra.com/p/181402/Checkmate/reviews/) Starting price $17.00 Per User, Per Month Pricing Options Free Trial Free Version User Rating 94% of reviewers rated it above 4 stars [View all alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/190447/RefNow/alternatives/) ## FAQs about RefNow Overview ### What problems does RefNow solve? RefNow solves slow, manual reference checking by automating requests, reminders, tracking, and form completion in one place. It reduces back-and-forth emails, missed references, and unclear progress while keeping records organized. HR teams, recruiters, hiring managers, and compliance-focused employers benefit most from faster candidate screening and fewer administrative bottlenecks. Answer based on 401 reviews Overview ### Which roles and teams benefit most from RefNow? RefNow is most used by care teams, healthcare staff, educators, and business leaders who need to manage employment references quickly and securely. Support workers, carers, and nurses use it to complete checks efficiently, while managers, HR teams, and executives rely on it to streamline hiring, verify candidates, and reduce administrative delays. Answer based on 471 reviews Overview ### What company size and industries is RefNow built for? RefNow serves small businesses most of all, with 66% of reviewers, and is used most in hospital and health care at 26%. It is aimed at HR teams, recruitment agencies, charities, education, banks, and startups, with additional use in health and wellness at 13% and education management at 12%, primarily for reference checks. Answer based on 471 reviews Features and Usability ### What are the key features of RefNow? RefNow includes core reference checking and offboarding features, with reviewer-cited strengths in reference request automation, customizable questions and forms, email and SMS reminders, and status tracking. Differentiating capabilities include real-time reference tracking, candidate and referee self-service, compliance management, and reporting dashboards for HR teams. Answer based on 289 reviews Integrations ### Which third-party tools and platforms does RefNow integrate with? RefNow integrates with over 50 third-party tools, including Volunteer Impact, AFAS Software, Ashby, Avature, BambooHR, Breezy, Bullhorn, CareerPlug, Cornerstone, and Greenhouse. Its catalog also includes Factorial, Fountain, GuideCom HR Suite, HR WORKS, and Heyrecruit for recruitment and HR workflows. Answer based on 8 reviews Getting Started and Support ### What training and onboarding options does RefNow offer? RefNow provides in-person training, live online sessions, webinars, documentation, and videos to help teams get started. In-person and live online formats support guided instruction, webinars offer scheduled overviews, and documentation and videos provide self-paced reference and step-by-step guidance. Answer based on 1 reviews Getting Started and Support ### What customer support options does RefNow offer, and how do users rate the experience? RefNow offers email/help desk, FAQ/forum, a knowledge base, phone support, 24/7 live representatives, and chat. Users generally describe support as responsive, helpful, caring, and easy to access, with prompt communication and useful guidance. A few reviewers suggest there is still room to improve parts of the service. Answer based on 32 reviews Features and Usability ### How easy is the reference process with RefNow? RefNow makes the reference process quick, clear, and easy for candidates, referees, and hiring teams. Many users value the simple forms, status updates, and reduced back-and-forth, while some want better progress visibility, more flexibility for freelance or private references, and clearer options around editing, extra references, and transparency. Answer based on 173 reviews Features and Usability ### Is RefNow easy to use day to day? RefNow feels simple and low-stress for everyday use, with clear navigation, fast form entry, and helpful validation messages. Many small teams and candidates find the interface straightforward, though some users mention loading delays, limited back-navigation, occasional saving issues, and a need for broader dropdown choices, integrations, and account management options. Answer based on 54 reviews ## Who uses RefNow? Based on Capterra reviews from the past 2 years Talk to a software expert to get a free software list tailored to your business needs ## Features AI summary Based on 813 Reference Check reviews Capterra data shows that buyers of reference check software rank the following features as their top priorities: - **Email Reminders** (**31%** of reviewers rated this feature as critical) - **Reference Request Automation** (**33%**) - **Background Screening** (**32%**) RefNow supports all three of the features reviewers value most: **Email Reminders**, **Reference Request Automation**, and **Background Screening**. Together, these capabilities help businesses keep reference checks moving on time, reduce manual follow-up work, and verify candidate information more thoroughly, allowing teams to make faster and more informed hiring decisions. Reference Request Automation 4.7 (279) 71.33% of 279 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Reference request automation helps you save time by streamlining the process. Reviewers appreciate its simplicity, speed, and ease of use, saying it reduces manual effort and makes reference collection straightforward and efficient. Background Screening 4.6 (92) 66.30% of 92 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Researching and validating a person's criminal, educational, job or financial records Email/Online 4.7 (263) 71.10% of 263 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important You get seamless email and online access, making communication and document handling efficient. Reviewers indicate it’s easy to use, professional, and helps quickly transmit information, track requests, and manage tasks online. Compliance Management 4.6 (162) 59.88% of 162 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important Track and manage adherence to policies for any service, product, process, or supplier Mobile Access 4.7 (262) 66.03% of 262 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important With mobile access, you can use RefNow anywhere, anytime, on any device. Reviewers appreciate the convenience, flexibility, and ease of use, noting it works well for busy users and is compatible with various mobile devices. Reminders 4.7 (184) 63.04% of 184 reviewers that rated this feature as important or highly important This capability sends reminders to ensure you don’t miss tasks or deadlines. Some reviewers find reminders effective and helpful for staying on track, though a few mention they can be too frequent or arrive too quickly. RefNow 30 features ### All Features - Activity Dashboard: Dashboard to view the status of ongoing processes, identify current incidents and track past activities - Alerts/Notifications: RefNow offers timely alerts and notifications to keep you updated on important events. Users think notifications are prompt, reliable, and help them stay informed about progress, document status, and any urgent updates. - API: Application programming interface that allows for integration with other systems/databases - Applicant Tracking: Find and manage potential candidates and their applications and resumes through the recruiting life cycle - Background Screening: Researching and validating a person's criminal, educational, job or financial records - Bulk Reference Request: Ability to request multiple references in the same batch - Candidate Scoring: Assign a qualitative score to a candidate - Compliance Management: Track and manage adherence to policies for any service, product, process, or supplier - Customizable Branding: Add customized logos and colors to align with company branding - Customizable Reports: Alter the layout and content of reports - Customizable Templates: Pre-designed layouts that can be customized to match preferences and requirements - Data Import/Export: Import and export data to and from software applications - Email Reminders: Reminders sent via email - Email/Online: You get seamless email and online access, making communication and document handling efficient. Reviewers indicate it’s easy to use, professional, and helps quickly transmit information, track requests, and manage tasks online. - Feedback Management: Collecting, analyzing, and utilizing feedback from users or customers to improve a product or service - Mobile Access: With mobile access, you can use RefNow anywhere, anytime, on any device. Reviewers appreciate the convenience, flexibility, and ease of use, noting it works well for busy users and is compatible with various mobile devices. - Real-Time Notifications: Notifications that are delivered to users as soon as an event occurs - Recruitment Management: Tools to find, assess, and hire suitable candidates for a job within an organization - Reference Checking: Process used by hiring managers to get more information about a candidate by contacting previous employers - Reference Request Automation: Reference request automation helps you save time by streamlining the process. Reviewers appreciate its simplicity, speed, and ease of use, saying it reduces manual effort and makes reference collection straightforward and efficient. - Referral Tracking: Log and store the source of contacts/leads - Reminders: This capability sends reminders to ensure you don’t miss tasks or deadlines. Some reviewers find reminders effective and helpful for staying on track, though a few mention they can be too frequent or arrive too quickly. - Reporting & Statistics: Collection, analysis, and representation of numerical data and generation of reports to understand various patterns - Reporting/Analytics: View and track pertinent metrics to find patterns and gain insights from data - Self Service Portal: Online portal through which end users can access the system, manage tasks, or obtain information - Status Tracking: Track the status over time for a request, process, asset, or transaction - Survey Builder: Create and manage surveys - Survey Library: Repository of pre-built questionnaires that can be used as is - Third-Party Integrations: Set up connections to third-party platforms to improve business processes - Workflow Management: Create, design and manage workflows for repetitive tasks --- Get Advice We can help you find the software with the features you need. Features 4.7 (472) 4.7 Based on 472 reviews ## Pricing Value for money 4.6 (385) Free Trial Free Version Basic £12.99 One Time Value for money 4.6 (385) 4.6 Based on 385 reviews ## Integrations [ BambooHR](https://www.capterra.com/p/110968/BambooHR/)[ Paylocity](https://www.capterra.com/p/86714/WebPay/)[ Workday HCM](https://www.capterra.com/p/66908/Workday-HCM/)[ LinkedIn for Business](https://www.capterra.com/p/213505/LinkedIn-for-Business/)[ Breezy](https://www.capterra.com/p/141702/Breezy-HR/)[ Zoho Recruit](https://www.capterra.com/p/125768/Zoho-Recruit/)[ JobDiva](https://www.capterra.com/p/129831/JobDiva/)[ Bullhorn](https://www.capterra.com/p/140531/Bullhorn-Recruiting-Software/) Connect with a Capterra advisor for a free 15-minute consultation Get a personalized software list aligned to your business needs with guidance from our expert advisors. Our team has helped 1 million+ businesses like yours find options that fit their needs. ## Support, customer service and training options Customer Service 4.6 (401) Support - Email/Help Desk - FAQs/Forum - Knowledge Base - Phone Support - 24/7 (Live rep) - Chat Training - In Person - Live Online - Webinars - Documentation - Videos Deployment - Web - Android - iPhone/iPad Typical users - Freelancers - Small businesses - Mid size businesses - Enterprises Customer Service 4.6 (401) 4.6 Based on 401 reviews ## User reviews Overall rating 4.7 Based on 472 reviews Filter by rating 5(357) 4(95) 3(19) 2(0) 1(1) Mentioned topic Sorted by most recent Joseph L. Employee Education Management ### "Reference process" 4.0 Overall Rating 4.0 4.0 Ease of Use 4.0 4.0 Features 4.0 4.0 Customer Service 4.0 4.0 Likelihood to Recommend 9/10 September 14, 2026 The fact that I really don't qualify this as an experience speaks well of the product. It was short enough to allow me to get on with my day. Pros Secure. Short. It seems to cover what is necessary and it does not fill space with redundancy. Straight to the point. Cons There is nothing that sticks out. The form completing was effortless and I felt that it was seeking only what was needed. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. PH Paul H. Residential Support Worker Individual & Family Services ### "In general I found RefNow easy to useSending this review was difficult, but I got round it. I don't if ever use linked-in and briefly got locked out." 4.0 Overall Rating 4.0 4.0 Ease of Use 4.0 4.0 Features 4.0 4.0 Customer Service 1.0 1.0 Likelihood to Recommend 8/10 August 10, 2026 Generally good. It does what it says on the tin and that is what the applicant needs after having met all the other conditions of the up boarding process. Pros Easy to use, with few possibilities of a technical gliche which is often a hazard in this sometimes digitally complex process. Cons Sending this review was difficult, but I got round it. I don't if ever use linked-in and briefly got locked out. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. Hemandh P. Project Quantity Surveyor Construction ### "Project Quantity Surveyor" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 July 8, 2026 Overall, my experience with RefNow was very good. The platform was easy to use, the reference request process was straightforward, and the communication was clear throughout. Pros The process was simple, quick, and user-friendly. It made requesting and providing employment references easy, and I appreciated the clear status updates throughout the process. Cons Overall, my experience with RefNow was positive. The only area for improvement would be providing more frequent progress updates and clearer timelines during the reference verification process. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. AO Ayobami O. i dont know Accounting ### "What I liked most about RefNow was how quick and straight" 3.0 Overall Rating 3.0 3.0 Ease of Use 2.0 2.0 Features 3.0 3.0 Customer Service 3.0 3.0 Likelihood to Recommend 1/10 June 23, 2026 Pros What I liked most about RefNow was how quick and straightforward the process was. It was easy to use, simple to follow, and made providing reference information much more efficient. I also appreciated receiving clear instructions and updates throughout the process. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. MF Marco F. Support worker Health, Wellness and Fitness ### "Learning Curve Security Information Management Questionnaire Design Email Reference Requests Form Completion" 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 November 19, 2025 Learning Curve Security Information Management Questionnaire Design Email Reference Requests Form Completion Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. TD Tongai D. Children residential support worker Hospital & Health Care ### "Refnow magic" 4.0 Overall Rating 4.0 4.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 4.0 4.0 Likelihood to Recommend 8/10 November 15, 2025 Very good software, desktop, laptop and mobile devices user friendly. It runs smoothly without any hiccups. Pros User friendly design and short straight to the point. Highly recommended even good for beginners. Superb. Cons Nothing at all this far, if they can reduce the number of referees needed. Though it’s good software as it is mobile user friendly. Review source Non-incentivized review: any software user can leave a review for any product listed on our site. All submitted reviews are subject to our verification process prior to publication. MD Mary D. K. Community Based Services Alternative Medicine ### "Attention To Details Matters" 4.0 Overall Rating 4.0 4.0 Ease of Use 4.0 4.0 Features 4.0 4.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 3/10 August 26, 2025 The required fields were easily understood. When an error was corrected the amended information was confirmed to be complete for the candidate. Correcting a mistake helped me to make note, and correct one other detail. Pros The professional references portion gives a thorough overview of qualities that employers would want to be informed about. Cons The detail of identifying your present job title was redundant. However, when a human resource employee needs to speak with a referenced person, this is a quick referent. Review source Vendor Referred - Incentive Offered: This reviewer was invited by the software vendor to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive as a thank you. JM Joseph M. Support worker Hospital & Health Care ### "Top Notch Referencing App " 4.0 Overall Rating 4.0 4.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 3/10 June 15, 2025 This is a revolutionary app easy to use and fast in sending references. It will make recruitment for staff quite easy and flawless Pros This is an easy to use app that has made filling for reference fast and convenient. Employers will be able to speed up their recruitment exercises while job seekers will be able to be screened faster Cons I honestly didn't find anything that I could say was least likeable. This up is unlike anything that I have used before Review source Vendor Referred - Incentive Offered: This reviewer was invited by the software vendor to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive as a thank you. HW Holly W. Self employment Fine Art ### "Current review" 4.0 Overall Rating 4.0 4.0 Ease of Use 4.0 4.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 3.0 3.0 Likelihood to Recommend 8/10 June 13, 2025 A very quick and positive experience, didn’t feel confused once. Extremely easy to navigate and type my information in. Pros Very easy to use and follow for someone who struggles with technology. Liked how simple the layout was. Cons Doesn’t save all of my inputted data for one of my references. Also had a slight bit of trouble when I wanted to go back to a previous page. Review source Vendor Referred - Incentive Offered: This reviewer was invited by the software vendor to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive as a thank you. MJ Mbai Junior E. Management Food & Beverages ### "Clyde's RefNow Feedback " 5.0 Overall Rating 5.0 5.0 Ease of Use 5.0 5.0 Features 5.0 5.0 Customer Service 5.0 5.0 Likelihood to Recommend 10/10 June 10, 2025 Brilliant. It was very easy to use and also very precise which i enjoyed very much. I will highly recommend it to a friend Pros Very direct, clear and precise. I like the questions asked and also the structure of it. I also like that it was done in stages Cons Nothing. I don't have anything least desirable about it. I genuinely enjoyed the service. It was done in segments which helped Review source Vendor Referred - Incentive Offered: This reviewer was invited by the software vendor to submit an honest review and offered a nominal incentive as a thank you. [View all Reviews](https://www.capterra.com/p/190447/RefNow/reviews/) ## Top-rated software of 2026 ### Fill out the form and we'll send a list of the top-rated software based on real user reviews directly to your inbox. 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