Compare/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.

Starting price

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 4 Nov 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 4 Nov 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 4 Nov 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?