HiveRef
7.6#1 in reference checking softwareFrom A$29 a monthAndroidiOSWebAPI
VisitHiveRef vs RefNow
What both publish
| Fact | HiveRef | RefNow |
|---|---|---|
| Audit trail | Actions, notices and acknowledgements are timestamped and logged for each check. | Reference activity records text, email and phone-call attempts in one centralised delivery log. |
| Company legal name | The operator is HiveRef Pty Ltd, Australian company ACN 697 040 136. | The company identifies itself as RefNow Ltd, company number 12118557. |
| Data location | Personal information is stored in Sydney on AWS ap-southeast-2, while application processing uses US-based Vercel infrastructure. | The privacy policy says customer data is currently stored in Europe, with safeguards for overseas processing. |
| Headquarters | HiveRef describes Australia as its headquarters and primary market; its legal documents identify New South Wales, Australia. | London, England, UK |
| Purpose | HiveRef automates structured employment reference checks for small and medium businesses. | RefNow automates employment reference checks for hiring teams, including reminders to candidates and referees. |
| Retention | Reference reports are retained for 12 months, referee contact details for 90 days, and candidate consent records for seven years. | The privacy policy says personal information is generally retained for seven years unless no longer needed sooner. |
HiveRef plans
- Pay as you goA$4, paid once
- CoreA$29 a month
- GrowthA$49 a month
- ScaleA$98 a month
- VelocityA$298 a month
RefNow plans
- Free accountFree
- Paid version£12.99, paid once
- Digital ID/DBS ChecksPriced on request
- RefNow ReferencePriced on request
- RefNow RespondPriced on request
Pick HiveRef if…
HiveRef suits office managers, founders, or people and culture leads working without a dedicated HR department. It is for employment reference checks rather than criminal-record or credit screening.
Pick RefNow if…
RefNow suits hiring teams that collect employment references and want request tracking, reminders, and reports. Its listed customer types include healthcare providers, recruitment agencies, retailers, and startups.