Head to head

Referoo vs Xref

Same facts, side by side: starting price, free tier, MCP, API and what each one is actually built for.

Referoo

Sales-quoted 14 day free trial

Referoo sells reference checks by email, phone or SMS, and offers a 14 day reference checking trial. Referoo Hub, launched in late 2024, adds ID and background checks around that core. Pricing is quoted.

Where Referoo fits

  • Employers in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK that want referees abroad included
  • Recruiters who want call, email, or SMS outreach in one request
  • Teams on JobAdder, Bullhorn, Workday, or Lever
  • Buyers who will use a 14 day trial before a subscription

Xref

$70/mo Free trial

Xref automates reference checks and says results come back in about 18 hours on average. Published USD plans start at $70 a month billed annually, or $80 paid monthly, for organizations of 1 to 74 employees.

Where Xref fits

  • Talent teams that want structured references instead of phone tag
  • Organizations under 75 employees that can start on the published Starter plan
  • Recruiters who want fraud signals on the reference report itself
  • Teams already in Greenhouse, Lever, Workday, or PageUp

At a glance

DetailReferooXref
Starting priceSales-quoted$70/mo
Free tier–No–No
Free trial14 day free trialYes
MCP server–No–No
Public API–No✓Yes
Listed underReference checks, Background checkReference checks, Background check
Capterra4.7 from 15 reviews4.7 from 95 reviews

Where they pull apart

Referoo

Stands out: The trial includes IP tracking to spot fraud and LinkedIn verification of referees. The vendor says high volume teams can finish the reference stage in under 24 hours.

Watch out: There is no public price. Hub unlimited references sit next to per check background fees, so the quote depends on which checks you turn on.

Not the right fit for

  • A US team that wants a self serve card price in dollars
  • A buyer who only needs a criminal history report

Xref

Stands out: The same check adds report analytics, sentiment, and fraud detection, and AI Reference Summaries condense the feedback. Xref also says a check can be sent in as little as 30 seconds.

Watch out: Starter caps turnover at 25 candidate profiles a year, so volume hiring outgrows it fast. Pulse surveys, exit surveys and a background check marketplace sit on the same platform, so a reference only buyer can end up in a wider suite.

Not the right fit for

  • A buyer who only needs a criminal background check
  • Enterprises over 500 employees that expect a public rate instead of a sales quote

Pros and cons

Referoo

  • 14 day reference checking trial with IP tracking and LinkedIn referee checks
  • Email, phone, and SMS are all referee channels
  • Named ATS and HR connections include JobAdder, Bullhorn, Workday, and Lever
  • No public rate card
  • Hub pricing mixes unlimited references with per check background fees
  • No public API documentation

Xref

  • Published USD plans, with a lower rate on annual billing
  • Fraud detection and AI Reference Summaries are part of the reference product
  • ATS connections include Greenhouse, Lever, Workday, PageUp and iCIMS
  • Starter turnover is capped at 25, so volume hiring outgrows the entry plan
  • Background checks and surveys are sold beside references, which widens the scope
  • Enterprise pricing above 500 employees is quoted

What each one costs

Referoo

Sales-quoted

Referoo does not publish plan prices. Essential covers reference checks, and Referoo Hub adds ID and background checks with a per check fee on background checks. Buyers submit a form for a quote, and a 14 day reference checking trial is offered. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 24 Sep 2026

Xref

$70/mo

Plans are sized by employee count and billed annually, with a higher rate when paid monthly. Starter (1 to 74 employees, turnover cap 25) is $70 a month, or $80 paid monthly. Growth is $140 ($160 monthly), Plus is $290 ($335) and Premium is $485 ($560), up to 500 employees. Enterprise is quoted. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 24 Sep 2026

Common questions

Can you try Referoo or Xref for free?
Neither carries a free tier on our listing. Referoo offers a 14 day free trial. Xref offers a free trial.

Not the pair you wanted?

All Referoo alternatives All Xref alternatives Every Reference checks tool

Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 24 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?