# Best Reference Check Software 2026 | Capterra > Find the top Reference Check software of 2026 on Capterra. Based on millions of verified user reviews - compare and filter for whats important to you to find the best tools for your needs. Source: https://www.capterra.com/reference-check-software/s/small-businesses --- # Best Reference Check Software Last updated on March 26, 2026 How to find the right Reference Check Software? Learn more from our team about Reference Check Software pricing features and benefits in our Reference Check Buyers Guide Verified Insights Provider data verified by our Software Research team and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/) ## What is reference check software? Researched by: [Capterra](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/capterra/) Updated on March 26, 2026 [Reference check software](https://www.capterra.com/reference-check-software/) helps recruiters manage the process of requesting and collecting references for job candidates. The software either allows recruiters to gather reference information from candidates and then send requests for information, or lets candidates directly reach out to references themselves. * * * For more information consult our [Reference Check Buyers Guide](#buyers-guide-content) Page 1 of 2 Filter (43) Products: Sort By: Sponsored * * * Plan Type Free Trial Popular 85% of professionals opt for a 30-day trial before the software purchase Other subsciption plans: Free Version Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription One-Time License Key Features All key features Popular We have selected the most important and critical features as defined by Capterra user reviews Activity Dashboard AI Copilot Alerts/Notifications Applicant Tracking Bulk Reference Request Candidate Scoring Email/Online Generative AI Mobile Access Reference Checking Reference Request Automation Reminders Reporting/Analytics Status Tracking Survey Builder Survey Library Deployment Cloud, SaaS, Web-Based Desktop Mac Desktop Windows Desktop Linux On-Premise Windows On-Premise Linux Desktop Chromebook Mobile Android Mobile iPhone Mobile iPad I'm looking for Reference Check Software that is: [Free](https://www.capterra.com/reference-check-software/s/free/) Table of Contents - [The benefits of reference check software](#the-benefits-of-reference-check-software) - [Typical features of reference check software](#typical-features-of-reference-check-software) - [The cost of reference check software](#the-cost-of-reference-check-software) - [Considerations when purchasing reference check software](#considerations-when-purchasing-reference-check-software) - [Relevant reference check software trends](#relevant-reference-check-software-trends) ## The benefits of reference check software - **Reduce turnaround time:** Automated reference checks are faster than completing manual phone calls for verbal references. - **Reduce false references:** Reference software can flag candidates if their references come from the same IP address as theirs. - **Gain relevant information:** Reference check software can include job-specific surveys that recruiters can use to gauge a candidate’s skills. * * * ## Typical features of reference check software - **Bulk reference requests:** Send out reference requests for a single candidate to multiple respondents. - **Reference request automation:** Reduce manual effort by using automated workflows for requesting and collecting references. - **Reporting:** A summary of how candidates perform in key areas such as leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving. - **Survey builder:** Create and share surveys to assess a candidate’s skills related to specific job requirements. - **Survey library:** Choose from a library of ready-to-use, pre-defined surveys. - **Reminders:** Send automatic text or email notifications to contacts reminding them to complete reference requests. * * * ## The cost of reference check software Most products in the market are priced on a “per user, per month” basis and can be divided into three pricing tiers based on their starting price. **Price ranges\*:** - $7.00 - $9.71 - $9.71 - $249.25 - $249.25+ _\*The pricing included is for the entry-level/lowest-priced offering that was found on vendor websites on July 22, 2019. These ranges correspond to the 25th, 75th, and 100th percentiles of pricing information gathered from the vendor websites of sample products._ The above list summarizes pricing for the base plans of most products. An enterprise or premium product that is priced higher may include additional features such as audio references, mobile access, video references, and candidate scoring. * * * ## Considerations when purchasing reference check software - **Look for FCRA-compliant vendors:** Employers must ensure Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) compliance for pre-employment background checks. The act covers consumer credit reports and investigative consumer reports, which include personal opinions (such as feedback from previous employers) and character references. The FCRA also requires a written disclosure and notification to the candidate about the inquiry. Be sure that the software you invest in is FCRA-compliant to help you meet these requirements. - **Evaluate ATS integration:** Integration between an applicant tracking system (ATS) and reference check software helps ensure data consistency and eliminates redundant data entry. Not only does this reduce turnaround time, it also provides a complete and accurate view of candidate data to help recruiters make more informed decisions. If your business uses an ATS, determine whether the reference check software you’re evaluating can integrate with it. * * * ## Relevant reference check software trends - [**Artificial intelligence and machine learning**](https://www.inc.com/joseph-steinberg/how-artificial-intelligence-is-transforming-background-checks.html) **improving background and reference checks:** One of the biggest challenges with traditional methods of reference checking is that once reference requests are completed/submitted, recruiters are left with large amounts of raw information they need to parse manually. The gradual improvement of artificial intelligence and machine learning is making it easier and more efficient for recruiters to find the data that is most relevant to them. * * * **Sources** Products evaluated for the pricing calculation were taken from [Capterra’s directory](https://www.capterra.com/reference-check-software/). The pricing ranges exclude freemium versions of the products. The features highlighted were identified based on their relevance and the percentage of products in [Capterra’s directory](https://www.capterra.com/reference-check-software/) that offer them. The following sources were used for this document: 1\. [7 Ways That Artificial Intelligence Is Transforming Background Checks](https://www.inc.com/joseph-steinberg/how-artificial-intelligence-is-transforming-background-checks.html) (accessed July 22, 2019)