Alexis Kestler
Finding and hiring top talent is one of the biggest challenges facing companies today. With the job market more competitive than ever, organizations need to leverage their networks and stand out from the crowd to attract the best candidates.
This is where having a solid employee referral program can give you a distinct edge. Referrals from current employees tend to yield higher quality and better cultural fit, with significantly less cost and effort than other recruiting methods.
But running an effective referral program requires having the right software in place to streamline and optimize the process. The employee referral software market has exploded with options in recent years, so how do you pick the right solution for your needs?
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover:
- The benefits of using employee referral software
- Key features to look for in top tools
- 13 of the best employee referral software platforms
- Tips for choosing the right one for your company
Let’s dive in!
Why Employee Referral Software?
Before looking at specific options, let’s examine why investing in employee referral software pays off:
Higher Quality Hires
Referred candidates that come from someone within your organization tend to be a better culture fit and more qualified. They have the insider perspective on your workplace environment and self-select based on that knowledge.
According to a Jobvite survey, referrals are 4x more likely to get hired than other applicants. The hiring yield for referrals can be as high as 60%, compared to 20-30% for job board applicants.
Lower Cost Per Hire
In addition to quality, referrals provide huge cost savings in recruiting. According to a study by recruiter.com, the average cost per hire for job board applicants is $1,671, compared to just $377 for employee referrals.
By leveraging your employee network, you avoid expensive job board fees and recruiter costs to find passive candidates. Referral software also reduces time spent screening unqualified applicants.
Higher Retention Rates
Not only are referred employees cheaper to hire, they tend to stay longer too. According to research by the Wharton School of Business, referred employees remain at companies 35% longer than non-referred hires.
When current employees bring in their trusted connections, it filters for people likely to thrive in your culture and workplace. The result is top talent that sticks around longer.
Increased Employee Engagement
An employee referral program gets your staff involved in recruiting, which makes them feel valued and boosts engagement. It also helps employees build relationships and enhances your employer brand.
According to LinkedIn, 77% of employees are happy to refer candidates, but only 46% actually do. Referral software empowers staff to easily tap into their networks.
Data-Driven Insights
Sophisticated referral platforms provide analytics on critical recruitment metrics like quality of hire, source of hire, referral volume, and more.
This enables you to optimize incentives, target high-value sources, and continually improve your referral program’s ROI.
Clearly, there are compelling reasons to implement a structured referral approach backed by purpose-built software. Next let’s look at must-have features to integrate this into your hiring process.
Key Features of Top Employee Referral Software
While options vary across platforms, some core capabilities are essential to streamline and enhance your referral program:
Referral Submission Portal
This provides a simple interface for employees to submit referrals directly from the software, rather than informal email or word-of-mouth referrals.
Look for quick apply options,resume uploads, fields for key details, and confirmation messaging to get employees referring with just a few clicks.
Candidate Tracking
Once a referral comes in, seamless candidate tracking keeps everything organized in one place. Dashboard views, custom workflows, and automated notifications keep referrals moving through the process efficiently.
Robust filtering and tags make it easy to search and segment your referral database. Track referral status, activity history, hiring team feedback, and more.
Referrer Communication
Keep employees informed on the status of their referrals. Look for real-time referral status updates, notifications when candidates advance stages, and instant messaging capabilities.
Management Analytics
Analytics provide transparency into referral metrics like volume, quality, conversion rate, time to hire/cost per hire for referrals vs. other sources, and ROI.
Segment data by department, location, referrer, job, and other filters to uncover optimization opportunities.
Incentive Management
Easy incentive management saves admins effort on bonus payouts. Automate reward rules based on factors like job filled, probation period complete, and more.
Integrate with your HRIS or payroll platform for seamless reward distribution tied to successful referrals.
Branded Referral Portals
Customizable referral sites or portals with your branding allow employees to access referral submissions, status updates, rewards, and more in one place.
Collaboration Tools
Collaboration features like team referral challenges, leaderboards, and social sharing foster engagement. Enable employees to easily spread the word about openings in their network.
Mobile Capabilities
Mobile optimization through dedicated apps or mobile-responsive design empowers referrals on the go. Employees can refer friends from anywhere, instead of just through a desktop dashboard.
CRM / ATS Integration
Seamless integration with your existing HR tech stack avoids redundancies and streamlines the process. Look for turnkey integration with leading CRM, HRIS, and ATS platforms.
13 Best Employee Referral Software Platforms
Now that we’ve covered the key capabilities to look for, let’s explore some of the top platforms:
1. ReferralHub
ReferralHub by Recruitee is designed from the ground up to optimize and scale employee referrals.
With a dedicated mobile app, gamification through team challenges, executive-level analytics, seamless ATS integration, and more, ReferralHub drives referrals while enhancing candidate experience.
Notable features include:
- Automated triggers and workflows
- Real-time status updates
- Robust analytics dashboard
- Custom referral sites / portals
- iOS and Android mobile apps
- Integration with Recruitee ATS
Leading brands like Oracle, Amazon, and Heineken leverage ReferralHub to tap into employee networks and build referral culture.
2. Teamable
Teamable takes an employee-first approach focused on simplicity and transparency. The intuitive interface makes it effortless for staff to refer opportunities.
Notable features include:
- One click referrals
- Automated notifications and reminders
- Public leaderboard to drive engagement
- Referral button for web and email sharing
- Track referrals from submission to hire
- Seamless integration with Teamable Recruit
Top brands like InVision, Spotify, and Amazon use Teamable to empower referrals across the employee lifecycle.
3. vLuma
vLuma is an enterprise-level referral platform built for large, distributed workforces. Role-based permissions, robust analytics, and automation provide executives with deep visibility into referral metrics and strategy.
Notable features include:
- Advanced analytics dashboard
- Automated referral workflows
- Customizable permission levels
- Bulk upload of employees / jobs
- Email templates and triggers
- Powerful CRM integrations
Industry leaders like Schneider Electric, DHL, and AXA rely on vLuma to optimize high-volume employee referral programs.
4. RolePoint
RolePoint is an AI-powered referral engine designed to scale referrals across the employee lifecycle. Employees are 3x more likely to engage with RolePoint’s intuitive interface.
Notable features include:
- AI matching and recommendations
- Automated notifications and nudges
- Track referral journey online
- Dedicated employee mobile app
- Integrations with Greenhouse, Workday, and more
- Social tools for collaboration
Innovators like Chime, Gusto, and Citizen use RolePoint to unlock referrals on demand and build talent communities.
5. Boon
Boon stands out with its flexible implementation options – integrate with your existing ATS or use as a standalone portal. Their mobile-optimized interface makes on-the-go referrals simple.
Notable features include:
- Drag and drop referral widget
- Real-time activity feed
- Automated notifications
- Referral leaderboards
- Custom domains and branding
- Mobile apps and responsive design
Leading brands like Lyft, Sequoia, and Instacart use Boon to engage employees and increase referral volume.
6. SmashFly
SmashFly is an enterprise recruitment marketing platform where employee referrals are just one piece of their comprehensive suite.
Notable features include:
- Automated referral workflows
- Customizable microsites
- Robust analytics dashboard
- Email templates for automation
- Seamless integration and APIs
- Dedicated admin and employee portals
Major corporations like GE, Schneider Electric, and Bridgestone leverage SmashFly to consolidate their HR tech stack.
7. Avature
Avature is another full-scale enterprise HR platform. Their referral software leverages AI and automation to scale programs while providing executive-level insights.
Notable features include:
- Intelligent matching and recs
- Automated referral workflows
- Custom referral sites and portals
- Configurable permissions
- Real-time referral metrics
- Seamless ATS integrations
Global leaders like Unilever, Starbucks, and American Express rely on Avature’s analytics-driven talent acquisition suite.
8. Canvas
Canvas is a talent CRM focused on collaboration and connectivity between employees, candidates, and recruiters. Their extensive automation and integration capabilities enhance referral management.
Notable features include:
- Powerful search with 115+ filters
- Automated candidate assignments
- Robust activity history and notes
- Customizable workflows
- Branded talent communities
- Integration with top ATS and HRIS
Enterprise brands like Netflix, eBay, and Nike leverage Canvas to unify their talent acquisition technology.
9. Phenom
Phenom is an AI-powered talent experience platform (TXM). Their employee referral portal is just one piece of their comprehensive approach to talent acquisition.
Notable features include:
- Intelligent recommendations
- Configurable referral workflows
- Custom microsites and landing pages
- Real-time referral analytics
- Robust integrations with leading HCMs
- Chatbots and campaign automation
Global brands like Toyota, UPS, and Intel use Phenom to personalize talent experiences at scale.
10. iCIMS
iCIMS referral software is seamlessly unified with their applicant tracking system. Referrals are managed entirely within the familiar iCIMS interface.
Notable features include:
- Single dashboard experience
- Automated notifications and workflows
- Custom sites and landing pages
- Real-time referral metrics
- Robust API for integrations
- Talent community and pool management
Leaders like Adidas, Siemens, and Lululemon leverage iCIMS’ unified talent acquisition suite.
11. Lever
Lever takes a collaborative approach where referrals are managed fluidly alongside candidates from other sources in their ATS interface.
Notable features include:
- Clean, easy-to-use interface
- Custom sites, forms, and emails
- Configurable workflows
- Robust profile-based collaboration
- Real-time activity tracking
- Seamless integration with Lever ATS
Innovators like Netflix, Reddit, and Lyft use Lever to unify their talent pipelines.
12. Entelo
Entelo leverages AI to automate sourcing, screening, and tracking referrals. Their nudge engine keeps employees engaged throughout the process.
Notable features include:
- AI-driven recommendations
- Integrated ATS workflows
- Customized campaigns, sites, and forms
- Configurable nudges and reminders
- Real-time referral metrics
- Robust API for unlimited integrations
Leaders like Target, Autodesk, and Glassdoor rely on Entelo’s talent intelligence platform.
13. Talentry
Talentry is a European talent acquisition platform focused on candidate engagement. Gamification, automation, and seamless integration amp up referral volume.
Notable features include:
- Game mechanics and leaderboard
- Configurable workflows
- Customized referral portals
- Automated notifications
- Talent pool management
- Integration with their Recruiting Suite
Global brands like L’Oréal, Allianz, and Carrefour leverage Talentry to engage referrals in over 50 countries.
How to Select the Right Employee Referral Partner
With so many options on the market, choosing the right referral software takes some due diligence. Keep these tips in mind as you evaluate providers:
Consider your budget – Prices vary widely based on features. For small businesses, an entry-level platform like Boon may suffice. Large enterprises may require capabilities like AI, talent pools, and global scalability that come with higher price tags.
Prioritize must-have features – Develop a list of requirements before demoing solutions. This will help quickly narrow down vendors that don’t meet critical needs.
Evaluate integration capabilities – Look for turnkey integrations or open APIs to connect with your existing HR tech stack. Avoid manual workarounds or migration headaches.
Understand ease of use – Software that requires extensive training or complicated workflows will hinder adoption. Opt for intuitive interfaces to get employees referring quickly.
Leverage free trials – Take advantage of free trials or demos to get hands-on with the platform from both a front-end and admin perspective.
Consider scalability – Even if you’re a small team now, consider long term growth plans. Choose software that can scale smoothly with your headcount and hiring needs.
Get Started Boosting Employee Referrals
In today’s competitive hiring landscape, you need to leverage your networks to find quality talent faster. An effective employee referral program powered by purpose-built software delivers outsized benefits in higher quality hires, lower costs, improved retention, and beyond.
Now that you understand the value referral software provides and the range of solutions available, it’s time to start activating your workforce. Most platforms offer free trials – take advantage of these to see how seamless referrals can become.
With the exponential reach of your employee network, you have an unprecedented opportunity to build referral culture and transform recruiting. Join leading companies who tap into shared connections to find top candidates that excel in their roles and further the organization’s mission.
