Which is better, Checkmate or SkillSurvey Reference?

Checkmate edges out SkillSurvey Reference based on user ratings across 24 reviews. That said, the best pick depends on your workflow — SkillSurvey Reference may be a stronger fit for specific team sizes or use cases. Review the full comparison to decide.

What are the main differences between Checkmate and SkillSurvey Reference?

Key differences between Checkmate and SkillSurvey Reference include pricing (Checkmate starts at $17 vs SkillSurvey Reference at undisclosed); free trial availability (SkillSurvey Reference offers one, Checkmate does not). Use the Spotsaas comparison table to evaluate each dimension before deciding.

Do both Checkmate and SkillSurvey Reference offer a Free trial?

SkillSurvey Reference offers Free Trial, but Checkmate does not.

Who are the typical users of Checkmate?

Checkmate is designed for Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business.

Who are the typical users of SkillSurvey Reference?

SkillSurvey Reference is designed for Large Enterprises, Medium Business.

What is the starting price of Checkmate and SkillSurvey Reference?

The starting price of Checkmate is $17per check. Pricing for SkillSurvey Reference is unavailable.

What are the best alternatives to Checkmate?

Some top alternatives to Checkmate include SkillSurvey Reference, Refty, Xref, Crosschq, Referoo.

What are the best alternatives to SkillSurvey Reference?

Some top alternatives to SkillSurvey Reference include AutoRefs, Checkmate, Refty, Xref, Artboard Studio.

Checkmate vs SkillSurvey Reference vs Checkster Comparison

Last updated: May 21, 2026

Checkmate

4.9(24 reviews)

Starting at $17 per check

Large Enterprises
Medium Business

Checkmate is a cloud-based reference check software that streamlines the reference checking process. Checkmate allows users to store candidates' reference information online, enabling them to see everything from one pla…

View Pricing Read Reviews

SkillSurvey Reference

4.4(486 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

Free Trial
Large Enterprises
Medium Business

SkillSurvey Reference is the ultimate tool for reference checking. It captures candidate responses and automatically calculates new rankings based on weighted input from references. SkillSurvey Reference is the perfect s…

View Pricing Read Reviews

Checkster

4.7(94 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

Free Trial
Medium Business
Enterprise

Checkster is a powerful reference checking platform, designed to verify, screen, and select honest candidates before they are hired by an organization. It streamlines the hiring process by gathering essential data and tr…

View Pricing Read Reviews

Checkmate leads on user satisfaction with a 4.9-star rating across 24 reviews.

Checkmate vs SkillSurvey Reference vs Checkster — at a glance

Feature	Checkmate	SkillSurvey Reference	Checkster
Rating	4.9 / 5	4.4 / 5	4.7 / 5
Reviews	24	486	94
Starting price	$17 per check	Contact for pricing	Contact for pricing
Free trial	No	Yes	Yes
Free version	No	No	No
Best for	Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business	Large Enterprises, Medium Business	Medium Business, Enterprise
Category	Reference Check Software	Reference Check Software	Reference Check Software
Platforms	SaaS/Web/Cloud	SaaS/Web/Cloud	—
API	—	Available	—
Support modes	Online	24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online	—
Certifications	—	—	—
Data residency	US	US	US

Key differences between Checkmate and SkillSurvey Reference

Pricing: Checkmate starts at $17 per check. SkillSurvey Reference pricing is not publicly listed.
Free trial: SkillSurvey Reference offers a free trial; Checkmate does not.
User satisfaction: Checkmate scores higher with a 4.9-star average.
Deployment: Checkmate supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; SkillSurvey Reference supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.

Compare Checkmate vs SkillSurvey Reference vs Checkster — and walk away knowing which one fits.

Which tool fits your team best

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Reference Check Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

Biggest differences

Features

Pricing

Buying details

Security

Buyer feedback

Integrations

Product tour

Other options

	Checkmate (22) Talk to an expert Talk to an expert	SkillSurvey Reference (178) Talk to an expert Talk to an expert	Checkster (70) Talk to an expert Talk to an expert

Biggest differences

Affiliate Disclosure

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Checkmate

Best for HR teams needing streamlined, automated reference checks with ATS integration.

Choose if

You want a user-friendly interface that saves time and boosts productivity.
You need automation for reminders and reference checks to improve hiring efficiency.
Your team requires seamless ATS integration and automated suspicious reference detection.

Consider alternatives if

You are a small company with a very simple hiring process and minimal complexity.
You require extensive third-party app integrations beyond the limited marketplace offerings.

SkillSurvey Reference

Automates and streamlines reference checks for medium to large hiring teams.

Choose if

You need to save recruiter time with automated reference collection and ranking.
Your ATS or CRM requires seamless integration with reference checking tools.
You want automated reminders to improve reference response rates and speed hiring.

Consider alternatives if

You are a small business with low hiring volume and limited budget.
You require highly customizable reference questions or advanced checking features.

Checkster

Best for streamlined, automated reference checks with unbiased feedback.

Choose if

You need a simple, time-saving reference checking process for mid-sized companies.
Your team values automated, unbiased feedback to improve hiring accuracy.
You want quick turnaround with consolidated reporting for efficient decision-making.

Consider alternatives if

You require extensive customization of reference check workflows.
You need broad integrations with multiple third-party HR tools.

Checkmate: Best for HR teams needing streamlined, automated reference checks with ATS integration. SkillSurvey Reference: Automates and streamlines reference checks for medium to large hiring teams.

Description	Checkmate is a cloud-based reference check software that streamlines the reference checking process. Checkmate allows users to store candidates' reference information online, enabling them ... Read More about Checkmate	SkillSurvey Reference is the ultimate tool for reference checking. It captures candidate responses and automatically calculates new rankings based on weighted input from references. ... Read More about SkillSurvey Reference	Checkster is a powerful reference checking platform, designed to verify, screen, and select honest candidates before they are hired by an organization. It streamlines the hiring process by ... Read More about Checkster
Entry Level Pricing	Starts from $17	Not Available	Not Available
Free Trial Availability	No free trial	Get Free Trial	Free Trial available
User Ratings Based on verified Spotsaas reviews	4.9 (24)	4.4 (486)	4.7 (94)
Best Company Size	51-500 employees500+ employees	51-500 employees500+ employees	51-500 employees501-2000 employees
	Get pricing help	Get pricing help	Get pricing help

Software Demo

Demo	Checkmate has not given any software demo yet If you're the owner of this profile, add your demo.Contact us

Need a second opinion?

Get shortlist help from a software advisor

Share your priorities, budget, and team needs, and we’ll help you narrow the options and understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors.

Compare Checkmate, SkillSurvey Reference and Checkster on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option
Starting From	$17	Not Available	Not Available
Pricing Plans	Not Available	Not Available	Not Available
Pricing Page			Pricing information not available
	View detailed pricing	View detailed pricing	View detailed pricing

Other Details

Organization Types supported	Large Enterprises Medium Business Small Business Individuals Freelancers	Large Enterprises Medium Business Small Business Individuals Freelancers	Large Enterprises Medium Business Small Business Individuals Freelancers
Platforms Supported	Browser Based (Cloud) Mobile - Android Installed - Windows	Browser Based (Cloud) Mobile - Android Installed - Windows	Browser Based (Cloud) Mobile - Android Installed - Windows
Modes of support	24/7 (Live rep) Business Hours Online	24/7 (Live rep) Business Hours Online	24/7 (Live rep) Business Hours Online
API Support	Not Available	Available	Not Available
	Get help choosing	Get help choosing	Get help choosing

Security & Compliance

Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

HIPAA	✗ No	✗ No	✗ No
Data Residency	🇺🇸 US	🇺🇸 US	🇺🇸 US

Checkmate vs SkillSurvey Reference User Reviews & Rating Comparison

User Ratings	4.9 (based on 24 reviews)	4.4 (based on 486 reviews)	4.7 (based on 94 reviews)
Rating Distribution	22 0 0 0 0	127 49 2 0 0	59 11 0 0 0
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI	Buyer sentiment Users consistently praise Checkmate for its ease of use, automation capabilities, and time-saving features, though some find the feature set overwhelming initially. What buyers like Ease of use Automation and efficiency Customer support Common complaints Feature complexity for new users Limited integrations marketplace	Buyer sentiment Users generally praise the tool for significantly streamlining and speeding up the reference checking process, though some find setup and customization limited or confusing. What buyers like Ease of use Integration with ATS/CRM Automation and time savings Common complaints Setup complexity Limited customization options	Buyer sentiment Users consistently praise Checkster for its ease of use, time-saving automation, and accurate, unbiased reference feedback that improves hiring decisions. What buyers like Ease of use Time savings Accuracy of reference feedback Common complaints Limited customization Restricted integrations
Pros and Cons	User-friendly interface that saves time and enhances productivity Automation features for reminders and reference checks improve efficiency Excellent 24/7 customer service and support Feature richness can be overwhelming for new users without adequate support Limited marketplace for additional apps and connectors restricts advanced functionality	Streamlines and automates the reference checking process, saving recruiter time Integrates well with ATS and CRM systems for seamless workflow Automated reminders improve reference response rates and speed up hiring Initial setup and configuration can be challenging for new users Limited flexibility in customizing questions and adding advanced features	Streamlines reference checking process, saving time and effort User-friendly interface with clear instructions for candidates and recruiters Automated unbiased feedback collection improves hiring decisions Limited customization options restrict advanced user needs Constrained marketplace for additional apps and connectors limits extensibility
Positive Reviews	No reviews available for the product	No reviews available for the product	No reviews available for the product
	Read reviews	Read reviews	Read reviews

List of Customers

Customers	MARS Meridian Farmlands	ADP ApplicantPRO Bullhorn	ABB Randstad Trilogy

Media and Screenshots

Screenshots	No screenshots available.	3 Screenshots	No screenshots available.
Videos	No videos available.	1 Videos	1 Videos

Alternatives

Alternatives	SkillSurvey Reference 4.4 Refty 4.9 Xref 4.6	AutoRefs 5 Checkmate 4.9 Refty 4.9	SkillSurvey Reference 4.4 Refty 4.9 Crosschq 4.7

Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, Checkmate or SkillSurvey Reference?: Checkmate edges out the other on user ratings (4.9 vs 4.4). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
Do Checkmate and SkillSurvey Reference offer a free trial?: SkillSurvey Reference offers a free trial. Checkmate does not.
What is the starting price of Checkmate vs SkillSurvey Reference?: Checkmate starts at $17 per check. SkillSurvey Reference starts at Contact for pricing.
What are the top alternatives to Checkmate?: Top alternatives to Checkmate include SkillSurvey Reference, Refty, Xref, Crosschq, Referoo.
What are the top alternatives to SkillSurvey Reference?: Top alternatives to SkillSurvey Reference include AutoRefs, Checkmate, Refty, Xref, Artboard Studio.

Checkmate vs SkillSurvey Reference vs Checkster Comparison

Checkmate

SkillSurvey Reference

Checkster

Checkmate vs SkillSurvey Reference vs Checkster — at a glance

Key differences between Checkmate and SkillSurvey Reference

Compare Checkmate vs SkillSurvey Reference vs Checkster — and walk away knowing which one fits.

Checkmate

SkillSurvey Reference

Checkster

Biggest differences

Description

Entry Level Pricing

Free Trial Availability

User Ratings

Best Company Size

Software Demo

Demo

Get shortlist help from a software advisor

Compare Checkmate, SkillSurvey Reference and Checkster on pricing

Other Details

Organization Types supported

Platforms Supported

Modes of support

API Support

Security & Compliance

Checkmate vs SkillSurvey Reference User Reviews & Rating Comparison

List of Customers

Customers

Media and Screenshots

Screenshots

Videos

Alternatives

Frequently asked questions