Skip to content

Xref HR & Recruiting

from $70/mo

Xref (HR & Recruiting): Xref automates reference checks, background checks, and engagement surveys to help you avoid bad hires and retain top talent. Pricing: from $70/mo. (data verified August 2026)

Transparency: if you buy through our links we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Rankings cannot be bought. How we rate tools

About Xref

What is Xref?

Xref is an automated platform for reference checking, background checks, engagement surveys, and talent pooling. It helps HR teams and recruiters make informed, compliant hiring decisions and understand employee sentiment throughout the employee lifecycle.

Problem it solves

Traditional reference checks are slow and manual, delaying time-to-hire. Xref automates the process, allowing candidates to submit referee details and referees to respond quickly, all in one trusted platform. It also reduces the risk of bad hires by providing structured references and background checks.

Who it's for

Ideal for growing companies (1-500+ employees) and enterprises needing scalable hiring solutions. It's also useful for HR teams aiming to measure and improve employee engagement through pulse surveys and exit interviews. It is not designed for individual freelancers or very small teams with only occasional hiring needs.

Real use cases

For high-volume recruiters, Xref speeds up background checks and reference collection. For HR leaders, it provides engagement surveys and exit insights to reduce attrition and build a talent pool of vetted former employees. AI Reference Summaries give instant clarity from referee feedback.

Key features

  • AI Reference Summaries — Get instant, clear insights from candidate referees in a single overview.
  • Automated Reference Checking — Reduce time to hire with self-serve reference requests.
  • Background Checks — Conduct thorough due diligence tailored to various employment types.
  • Talent Pool — Identify and connect with reliable referees and former employees who opt in.
  • Pulse Surveys — Gather anonymous employee feedback on diversity, leadership, and development.
  • Insights & eNPS — Track organizational performance, department metrics, and employee net promoter scores.
  • Integrations — Seamless workflow connections with your existing HR tools.

SaaSpartout Score

7.7 /10
Ease of use 8.0
Features depth 8.5
Value for money 7.0
Support quality 7.5
Integrations 7.0
Scalability 8.5
Documentation 7.0
Onboarding speed 8.0

Editorial score from our review methodology — not user ratings.

Xref Pricing

Xref pricing: from $70/mo.

Starter Plan — $70/month (billed annually) or $80/month monthly

For 1-74 employees. Includes automated talent pooling, essential support, multi-language, unlimited users, and a turnover cap of 25.

Growth Plan — $140/month (billed annually) or $160/month monthly

For 76-150 employees. Everything in Starter, plus more control as you grow. Includes automated talent pooling, essential support, multi-language, unlimited users, and a turnover cap of 50.

Plus Plan — $290/month (billed annually) or $335/month monthly

For 151-300 employees. Adds custom questions, report sharing and tracking, priority support, and a turnover cap of 100.

Premium Plan — $485/month (billed annually) or $560/month monthly

For 301-500 employees. Adds bulk upload tool, integrations support, and a turnover cap of 200.

Enterprise Plan — Custom pricing

For 501+ employees. Tailored solutions with custom features, dedicated account manager, and custom pricing. Contact sales.

Start with a free trial to test the platform.

Find the right tool for you with our AI advisor →

Frequently asked questions

How much does Xref cost?
Xref pricing starts at $70 per month for the Starter plan (annual billing) for up to 74 employees. Other plans scale up, with Enterprise custom pricing.
Is there a free trial for Xref?
Yes, Xref offers a free trial, allowing you to test the platform before committing to a paid plan.
What is Xref used for?
Xref is used for automated reference checking, background checks, employee engagement surveys, and building talent pools to avoid bad hires and improve retention.
Who is Xref best for?
Xref is best for HR teams and recruiters in small to enterprise-sized organizations (1-500+ employees) that need efficient, compliant hiring and employee feedback tools.
What are the top alternatives to Xref?
Common alternatives include Checkr, HireRight, and SkillSurvey for reference and background checks. For engagement surveys, tools like Culture Amp and Glint are popular.
Does Xref offer a free plan?
There is no permanent free plan, but a free trial is available to explore all features before purchase.
◆ Not sure this is the right tool?

Too many tools to choose from?
Tell us what you need.

Answer 3 quick questions and our AI advisor will match you with the perfect SaaS — only from our hand-picked partners, often with exclusive deals you won't find elsewhere.

Get my personal recommendation 60 seconds · free · no signup