Freedom251 › Reference Check Software
RefNow
What RefNow is
RefNow automates employment reference checks for hiring teams. Candidates enter referee details, and referees provide references through a secure, mobile-friendly questionnaire. The platform sends reminders, tracks requests and automation attempts in real time, and uses algorithms to detect fraudulent references. RefNow says it partners with LinkedIn and YOTI to verify reference authenticity and provide additional candidate insights. Teams can download PDF reports and manage users in permission groups. The service also offers Right to Work checks and Basic, Standard, and Enhanced DBS checks. Its maker lists more than 65 ATS and HRIS integrations, along with an Open API for custom integrations. One referencing credit covers up to 10 references from a single candidate; bulk discounts and subscriptions are available. RefNow Respond automates incoming references for former employees after the candidate approves consent, then sends a PDF report to the requester. The product is available on the web and through an API. RefNow says it is GDPR compliant, uses secure storage, encryption, and access controls, and currently stores data in Europe. A 14-day trial and free plan are listed.
Who it suits
RefNow suits hiring teams at healthcare providers, recruitment agencies, retailers, and startups that collect employment references. It may also fit teams that need Right to Work or DBS checks and ATS or HRIS connections.
What it does well
- Automates reminders and tracks reference requests.
- Offers PDF reports and permission groups.
- Lists more than 65 ATS and HRIS integrations.
- One credit covers up to 10 references per candidate.
- Offers a 14-day trial and free plan.
What to know first
- Reference collection is credit-based.
- One credit covers references for a single candidate.
- Basic packages include email support.
Limits
The Reference plan is credit-based, and one credit covers collection of up to 10 references from a single candidate. The trial lasts 14 days.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free account | Five reference requests included for a new account | Free |
| Paid version | One-time price shown by Software Advice · Free version and free trial also offered | £12.99, paid once |
| RefNow Reference | Bulk discounts and subscriptions available · Automated references · reminders · question profiles · fraud detection · audit trail · user/team management · talent pool · reporting · analytics | On request |
| Digital ID/DBS Checks | Book a demo · Right-to-work verification · basic/enhanced DBS checks · reminders · downloadable PDF · audit trail · user/team management | On request |
| RefNow Respond | Book a demo · Automated references · CSV upload · self-service requests · customizable PDF reports · instant reports · tenant/mortgage checks · HR/ATS integrations · analytics | On request |
As refnow.com lists them, read 15 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the RefNow website.
- Use the web service or API.
- Choose a credit-based Reference plan; bulk discounts and subscriptions are available.
- Use the 14-day trial or free plan.
- Have candidates enter referee details so referees can submit references.
Verdict
RefNow combines reference collection and tracking with screening checks, team controls, and integrations. Review credit needs and available support options when considering it for a hiring workflow.
Questions
Does RefNow have a free plan?
Yes. RefNow lists a free plan and a 14-day trial.
How much does RefNow cost?
The Reference plan is credit-based; bulk discounts and subscriptions are available. One credit covers up to 10 references from one candidate.
Which platforms does RefNow support?
RefNow is available on the web and through an API.
Does RefNow integrate with ATS or HRIS systems?
The maker lists more than 65 ATS and HRIS integrations and an Open API for custom integrations.
What checks does RefNow offer?
It offers Right to Work checks and Basic, Standard, and Enhanced DBS checks.
Where is RefNow based?
RefNow Ltd lists its head office in London, England, UK.
Facts from RefNow's own pages
- Audit trail
- Reference activity records text, email and phone-call attempts in one centralised delivery log. · refnow.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Automated reference collection
- The platform sends automated email, SMS and phone reminders to candidates and referees and tracks responses. · refnow.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Branding
- A paid custom-branding add-on supports custom text, logos, colours, email styling and PDF styling. · refnow.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Company
- RefNow Ltd lists its head office at 71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9JQ; the opened maker pages do not state a founding year. · refnow.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Company headquarters
- RefNow lists its head office at 71–75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, England, WC2H 9JQ. · refnow.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Company legal name
- The company identifies itself as RefNow Ltd, company number 12118557. · refnow.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Credit limit
- One referencing credit allows collection of up to 10 references from a single candidate. · refnow.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Custom questions
- Question profiles allow configurable reference questionnaires, and advanced setup is estimated at 30–60 minutes. · refnow.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Data location
- The privacy policy says customer data is currently stored in Europe, with safeguards for overseas processing. · refnow.com, 15 Oct 2026
- DBS checks
- Digital ID/DBS functionality includes Basic, Standard and Enhanced DBS checks with downloadable PDF results. · refnow.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation depth
- The Help Centre contains workflow guides, Yoti identity-verification steps, browser troubleshooting and input-format articles. · support.refnow.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Ex-employee references
- RefNow Inbound/Respond automates consent-based incoming reference requests for former employees and generates reports. · softwareadvice.ie, 15 Oct 2026
- Founded and size
- LinkedIn lists RefNow as privately held, founded in 2019, headquartered in London and employing 2–10 people. · uk.linkedin.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Fraud detection
- RefNow uses multiple data points and warning techniques to help detect fraudulent references. · refnow.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- London, England, UK · refnow.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Integration examples
- Listed integrations include Greenhouse, Workable, Workday, Oracle HCM, SAP SuccessFactors, BambooHR, ADP Workforce Now, Okta and UKG Pro. · refnow.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The maker lists more than 65 ATS and HRIS integrations and offers an Open API for custom integrations. · refnow.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Integrations count
- RefNow advertises more than 65 ATS and HRIS integrations. · refnow.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Intended customers
- RefNow describes its customers as including healthcare providers, recruitment agencies, retailers, and startups. · refnow.com, 5 Oct 2026
- Licence position
- Terms state that RefNow owns or licenses the website software and content, prohibit code modification and reverse engineering, and grant no user intellectual-property interest. · refnow.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: country coverage
- A Software Advice reviewer found passport-verification functionality difficult to locate for countries outside the UK and Ireland. · softwareadvice.ie, 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: editing and form flexibility
- Trustpilot’s review summary reports complaints about being unable to edit after submission, lacking a save option and having rigid fields or confusing questions. · trustpilot.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: occasional document issues
- GetApp reviewers mention occasional document-import formatting problems and needing an internet connection to access files. · getapp.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: restrictive reference emails
- Reviewers report that personal referee email addresses may be blocked by the requesting organisation, limiting some legitimate referees. · support.refnow.com, 15 Oct 2026
Where RefNow stands on Freedom251
- Reference Check Software#2 of 33