RefNow alternatives in the UK (2026)
RefNow is an established UK referencing platform. If you want something different, here are five alternatives, compared fairly.
What is RefNow, and what are the alternatives?
RefNow is a London-based reference checking platform that also offers DBS, right to work and ID checks. Common UK alternatives are RefAssure (pay per reference from 80p, no subscription), Xref (subscription plans for larger teams), Zinc and Veremark (wider background screening) and Amiqus (identity and onboarding checks with references). The right choice depends on what you want bundled.
A fair word about RefNow
RefNow is a capable, established UK platform. Its website describes automated reference checks with fraud detection, an audit trail of chasing attempts, ATS integrations, and separate products for DBS checks, right to work and ID checks, and employment verification requests from former employers. It offers a free trial.
People usually look for a RefNow alternative for commercial reasons rather than quality ones:
- They want to see a per-reference price before speaking to sales
- They hire unevenly and prefer pay as you go to a plan
- They want a simpler tool that does references and nothing else
- Or the opposite: they want a wider screening suite or international checks
If you value DBS and right to work checks from the same supplier as your references, staying with RefNow may well be the right call.
RefNow vs RefAssure at a glance.
| RefNow | RefAssure | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Subscription or quote-based, free trial | 99p to 80p per reference, first reference free, no VAT added |
| Commitment | See RefNow's terms | No monthly fee, no contract, credits never expire |
| Chasing | Automated reminders with an audit trail | 5 emails and up to 2 texts over 12 days |
| Other checks | DBS, right to work and ID checks | References and employment history |
| Integrations | ATS integrations advertised | No integrations, web app |
| Problem handling | Advertises fraud detection | Bounced addresses flagged, email replies captured |
| Team | See RefNow's plans | Unlimited team members, shared credits |
Five alternatives, and when to stay.
Each described from its own public website, checked October 2026. Confirm current features and terms with the supplier.
RefAssure
Pay-per-reference platform for references and employment history, with signed consent, automatic chasing and a signed PDF audit trail. Choose it if you want a known price per reference and no subscription.
Xref
Reference and background checks, staff surveys and AI reference summaries for SMEs and enterprises worldwide. Subscription plans by company size. Choose it if you want referencing inside a wider HR toolkit.
Zinc
Screening covering references, criminal record, right to work, employment verification and qualifications. Subscription or quote-based. Choose it if you want verified employment facts as well as referee views.
Veremark
Background screening with references, criminal record, identity and an instant employment report, across several countries. Subscription or quote-based. Choose it if you hire internationally.
Amiqus
Identity and onboarding platform with ID, AML, right to work, DBS and BPSS checks plus employment references. Subscription or quote-based. Choose it if you work in legal, financial services or property.
Stay with RefNow
RefNow keeps references, DBS and right to work in one place, with ATS integrations. Choose it if one supplier for all three checks matters more than per-reference pricing.
What switching to RefAssure looks like.
No contract to sign and nothing to migrate. Add your next candidate and the chasing starts.
- Your first reference is free when you sign up, with no card
- Upload your current PDF or Word reference form and it becomes a template in about 20 seconds, for you to check
- Median turnaround about 23 hours across 229 completed references in October 2026
- Signed PDF report with timestamps for consent, requests, reminders and completion
How to choose between RefNow and its alternatives
These platforms answer different questions. Decide what job references do in your hiring, then match the tool to the job.
"Get written references back fast, at a known cost"
That is what RefAssure is built for. Prices are on the pricing page, and how it works shows the consent, chasing and report step by step.
"Run all our checks through one supplier"
A bundled platform earns its plan. RefNow and Amiqus combine references with right to work and DBS; Zinc and Veremark add wider screening. If you run those checks on every hire, one invoice and one dashboard is a real saving.
"Standardise referencing across a large organisation"
Xref and RefNow both advertise integrations that suit larger HR teams. Smaller teams, such as recruitment agencies and direct employers, often prefer a tool they can start using the same day.
For a wider comparison, see reference checking software compared.
RefNow alternatives: questions
More in the full FAQs.
What is RefNow?
RefNow is a reference checking platform based in London. Its website lists automated reference checks, DBS checks, right to work and ID checks, and employment verification for former employees, with a free trial.
Why do UK employers look for a RefNow alternative?
Usually for commercial reasons: wanting a published per-reference price, pay as you go instead of a plan, or a simpler references-focused tool. Others want wider international screening. Teams that value bundled DBS and right to work checks often stay with RefNow.
Does RefNow publish its prices?
Check RefNow's own pricing page for current terms, as suppliers change them. RefAssure lists every pack publicly: 10 credits for £9.99 down to 250 for £200, with no VAT added. See pricing.
Which RefNow alternative suits a small team?
For small teams and occasional hirers, pay per reference avoids a standing cost. RefAssure has no subscription, no contract, unlimited team members and credits that never expire.
Can RefAssure do DBS or right to work checks?
No. RefAssure handles references and employment history. DBS and right to work checks follow their own official processes: see our guides to DBS checks and right to work checks.
How fast does RefAssure return references?
Across 229 completed references in October 2026, the median was about 23 hours and half came back within 24 hours. 4 in 10 arrived after an automatic reminder.
Related guides
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