NEWJoin 1M+ SaaS Professionals|Get Weekly Insights, Trends & Expert PicksSubscribe Free →

Spotsaas logo

RefNow vs Checkster Comparison

Last updated:

RefNow

4.6(418 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Individuals
  • Freelancers / Consultants

RefNow is an automated recruitment tool which helps HR managers when it comes to the referencing process. Employers can create a reference request for potential candidates and then request their most recent referee detai…

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…

Checkster leads on user satisfaction with a 4.7-star rating across 94 reviews.

SpotSaaS Analysis

RefNowCheckster

The core difference between RefNow and Checkster lies in their target company sizes, with RefNow catering primarily to small and medium-sized businesses, while Checkster is designed for mid-sized to larger companies. RefNow is ideal for SMBs seeking a straightforward referencing solution, whereas Checkster suits mid-sized firms focused on obtaining unbiased feedback during the hiring process.

- Best for small to medium-sized businesses - Focus on simple, fast reference checks - Ideal for companies with 1-500 employees - User-friendly interface for HR teams - Streamlined referencing process - Quick completion of reference checks

- Best for mid-sized to larger companies - Emphasis on automated, unbiased feedback - Suitable for companies with 51-2000 employees - Time-saving reference checking process - Enhances hiring accuracy - Streamlined and efficient user experience

RefNow vs Checkster — at a glance

FeatureRefNowCheckster
Rating4.6 / 54.7 / 5
Reviews41894
Starting priceContact for pricingContact for pricing
Free trial No Yes
Free version No No
Best forIndividuals, Freelancers / Consultants, Medium BusinessMedium Business, Enterprise
CategoryReference Check SoftwareReference Check Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android
API
Support modesOnline
Certifications
Data residencyUSUS

Key differences between RefNow and Checkster

  • Free trial: Checkster offers a free trial; RefNow does not.
  • Target audience: RefNow is built for Individuals and Freelancers / Consultants, while Checkster targets Medium Business and Enterprise.
  • User satisfaction: Checkster scores higher with a 4.7-star average.

RefNow vs Checkster — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

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.

RefNow - Reference Check Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert
Checkster - Reference Check Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert

Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

RefNow

Best for SMBs needing simple, fast, and secure automated reference checks.

Choose if
  • You are a small to medium-sized business hiring frequently and want streamlined referencing.
  • Your HR team values an easy-to-use interface with quick reference completion.
  • You require role-based access controls with strong SSL encryption for data security.
Consider alternatives if
  • You are a large enterprise needing complex, multi-stage reference workflows.
  • You want a fully integrated ATS and reference checking platform in one solution.

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.

RefNow: Best for SMBs needing simple, fast, and secure automated reference checks. Checkster: Best for streamlined, automated reference checks with unbiased feedback.

Description

RefNow is an automated recruitment tool which helps HR managers when it comes to the referencing process. Employers can create a reference request for potential candidates and then request ... Read More about RefNow

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

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial
  • Free Trial available

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.7

(94)

Best Company Size

1-50 employees51-500 employees
51-500 employees501-2000 employees
Get pricing help
Get pricing help

Software Demo

Demo

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 RefNow 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

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      RefNow pricing

      Pricing information not available

      Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • 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

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Not Available
      • Not Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Security & Compliance

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

      HIPAA

      ✗ No
      ✗ No

      Data Residency

      🇺🇸 US
      🇺🇸 US

      RefNow User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      1459

      412

      111

      22

      27

      59

      11

      0

      0

      0

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Users generally praise RefNow for its ease of use, efficiency, and clear interface, though some experience challenges with verification and editing processes.

      What buyers like

      • Ease of use
      • Quick reference processing
      • Clear form layout

      Common complaints

      • Verification process complexity
      • User confusion during editing

      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

      • Easy to use and navigate interface

      • Efficient and quick reference completion process

      • Clear and straightforward form layout

      • Verification process can be cumbersome requiring additional apps or LinkedIn login

      • Occasional user confusion leading to accidental data deletion during editing

      • 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

      List of Customers

      Customers

      NHS

      NHS

      Hasbro

      Hasbro

      River Island

      River Island

      ABB

      ABB

      Randstad

      Randstad

      Trilogy

      Trilogy

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      screenshot

      3 Screenshots

      No screenshots available.

      Videos

      video-0

      3 Videos

      video-0

      1 Videos

      Top Alternatives to RefNow and Checkster in 2026

      Expand your shortlist

      Add another option to compare side by side

      Search by product name to compare pricing, fit, and buyer feedback in one view.

      Compare similar software options

      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, RefNow or Checkster?
      Checkster edges out the other on user ratings (4.7 vs 4.6). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do RefNow and Checkster offer a free trial?
      Checkster offers a free trial. RefNow does not.
      What is the starting price of RefNow vs Checkster?
      RefNow starts at Contact for pricing. Checkster starts at Contact for pricing.
      What are the top alternatives to RefNow?
      Top alternatives to RefNow include AutoRefs, SkillSurvey Reference, Refty, Xref, Referoo.
      What are the top alternatives to Checkster?
      Top alternatives to Checkster include SkillSurvey Reference, Refty, Crosschq, Vitay, HiPeople.

      Grow your pipeline with buyers who are already looking for you

      254,000+ buyers use Spotsaas every month to evaluate and shortlist software. Get in front of them — for free, or with a managed growth plan built around your category.