Reference check software
Reference check software for small businesses
HiveRef sends structured referee forms, flags integrity risks and gives you one clear report, without a sales call or an HR department. First 4 reference checks free. No card, no sales call.
- First 4 checks free
- No card needed
- Most reports back overnight
What is reference check software?
Reference check software replaces phone tag and email threads with a structured process. You send the candidate's referees a short online form, the software chases them for you, and the answers come back in one consistent report with a record of who said what and when. Unlike reference check companies that run the calls for you as a managed reference checking service, software lets your own team run every check in minutes and keep the full record.
What to look for in reference check software
Most small teams do not need an enterprise platform or an outsourced reference check company. These are the things that decide whether a tool gets used on every hire.
Structured questions, not free-form emails
Every referee answers the same role-relevant questions, so you can compare candidates side by side. HiveRef drafts questions from the job description and flags risky wording before a check goes out.
A referee experience that takes minutes
Referees open a secure email link on any device. The form is short and mobile-friendly, and typically takes 2 to 3 minutes, which is why more of them finish it.
Fraud and integrity signals
Shared email domains, timing patterns and IP or network signals can show when a reference looks engineered. You see them in the report before you make an offer.
Compliance guardrails and an audit trail
Answers are scanned for sensitive-category disclosures, and every step is timestamped, so you have a defensible record if a hire is ever questioned. Humans make the decision: there is no automated hire or no-hire verdict.
Published pricing and self-serve setup
Plans start from $29/mo AUD, with extra checks at $4.00 AUD each so you are never blocked mid-hire. You can start without talking to anyone.
How HiveRef works
- Step 1
Create the check
Enter the candidate and role, paste the job description for tailored questions, and choose whether you or the candidate adds the referees.
- Step 2
Referees respond online
Each referee gets a secure link, answers on their phone or laptop, and automated reminders follow up so you are not chasing.
- Step 3
Read one clear report
You get a single report with a summary, ratings, full answers, consistency notes and integrity signals. Open the sample report to see one.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best reference check software for a small business?
The best option is the one your team will use on every hire. For small businesses that usually means self-serve setup, published pricing, short referee forms and a report that is easy to read. HiveRef is built for teams of about 5 to 250 people, with or without an HR function.
How much does reference check software cost?
HiveRef plans start from $29/mo AUD and every new account gets 4 reference checks free. Extra candidate checks are $4.00 AUD each on every plan. See the pricing page for all plans.
Is reference check software the same as a background check?
No. Reference checks gather structured feedback from people who worked with the candidate. They are not criminal record, credit or identity screening. HiveRef handles employment references with an audit trail and does not offer background screening.
Can candidates add their own referees?
Yes. You can let candidates enter their own referee details, which removes a common delay, or you can enter them yourself.
Do I need an HR team to use it?
No. HiveRef is designed for owners, office managers and hiring managers who run references alongside other jobs.
Is HiveRef reference check software or a reference checking service?
HiveRef is self-serve software rather than a managed reference checking service where a consultant calls your referees. You set up the check, HiveRef contacts the referees online and chases them, and you keep the full record.
Run your first reference check today.
Four free checks. No credit card. No sales call. Set up in minutes.