Hiring teams in growth stage companies face an avalanche of résumés and the mandate to fill seats faster. Choosing the right candidate screening software is the single highest-leverage decision we can make, yet the HR tech marketplace is crowded and confusing. We analysed more than forty platforms, interviewed peers, and reviewed third-party research. The ten tools below rise to the top for small to mid-sized organisations that value speed, structured evaluation, and a fair candidate experience.
Each mini-review covers what the product is famous for, the headline features, and why it fits a small business to mid-market hiring stack. Use this list as a candidate shortlist builder, then book demos with your team so you can test live workflows and validate ROI.
Video‑first interview platforms
See the person behind the résumé without clogging calendars when you use video interviewing solutions.
HireVue
Overview
Enterprise‑grade video interviewing plus AI assessments. HireVue pioneered asynchronous video back in 2012 and today layers game‑based cognitive tests and predictive analytics on top. It excels in high‑volume, multi‑location recruiting.
Key features
- One‑way and live video interviews
- Game‑style cognitive and coding challenges
- Predictive analytics that surface top applicants
- Automated scheduling and rich dashboards
Why mid‑sized teams like it
Distributed hiring managers can screen thousands of applicants without calendar chaos, although the price tag suits companies with consistent volume.
Spark Hire
Overview
User‑friendly one‑way video interview software. Spark Hire focuses on doing one thing well, recording candidate answers that reviewers can watch together.
Key features
- Clean candidate interface, record on any device
- Replay, comment, and rate in a shared workspace
- Live interview option for later stages
- Flat‑rate pricing and plug‑and‑play ATS integrations
Why mid‑sized teams like it
You can replace phone screens in a week and keep budgets predictable. Every candidate answers identical prompts, which improves consistency.
Truffle
Overview
Truffle is one-way video interview software built specifically for small HR teams and founders at lean businesses. Truffle helps you quickly build ranked shortlists using AI candidate summaries and match analysis—turning high-volume Easy Apply applications into manager-ready insights in minutes, not hours.
Key features
- Audio or video responses completed on any device at candidate convenience
- AI candidate summaries and match analysis for communication skills, role fit, and cultural alignment
- Structured evaluation methods that help you quickly build ranked shortlists consistently
- Transparent pricing starting at $99-129/month with 10-minute setup, not $35K+ enterprise solutions
Why small recruiting teams choose Truffle
Solo recruiters and founders reduce screening time from hours to minutes per candidate while seeing the actual person behind Easy Apply applications—without hiring additional recruiting staff or complex enterprise implementations.
Assessment and skills testing platforms
Validate real skills and potential before the interview invite with candidate assessment software.
TestGorilla
Overview
TestGorilla offers a large library of validated skills tests, from coding to language proficiency and situational judgement.
Key features
- Hundreds of ready‑made tests plus custom combos
- Proctoring tools, plagiarism checks, webcam monitoring
- Percentile dashboards that rank talent at a glance
- API and ATS integrations for automated invites
Why mid‑sized teams like it
Signal‑to‑noise improves immediately, especially for technical and customer‑facing roles, and pricing scales with usage not headcount.
Criteria
Overview
Scientifically validated aptitude, personality, and risk assessments with optional structured video interviews.
Key features
- Cognitive and behavioural batteries backed by I‑O research
- Fit scores that correlate with on‑the‑job success
- Integrated video interview module
- Deep HRIS and ATS integrations
Why mid‑sized teams like it
One login covers both assessments and interviews, making holistic screening practical without a PhD in psychometrics.
All‑in‑one recruiting suites
Centralise sourcing, screening, and collaboration in a single dashboard.
Breezy HR
Overview
BreezyHR offers automation‑first hiring CRM that scores, messages, and moves candidates for you.
Key features
- Drag‑and‑drop pipeline with automated triggers
- Scorecards and instant résumé parsing
- SMS and email campaigns to boost response rates
- Built‑in background checks and assessment links
Why mid‑sized teams like it
A tiny HR team can run an enterprise‑grade process without extra headcount or steep learning curves.
Volume and conversational AI tools
Automate first contact at scale while keeping candidates engaged.
Paradox (Olivia)
Overview
Paradox AI is a conversational AI assistant that screens and schedules via chat twenty‑four seven.
Key features
- Chatbot asks eligibility questions and books interviews
- Works on careers pages, WhatsApp, and SMS
- Multilingual, integrates with your ATS for records
- Sends reminders and FAQs to boost show rates
Why mid‑sized teams like it
Recruiters reclaim their calendars and candidates receive instant replies rather than waiting hours for a confirmation email.
Screening tech as a growth lever
A modern screening stack frees recruiters to focus on relationship building, not résumé roulette. The platforms above can compress hiring cycles, improve fairness, and lift retention, outcomes that move revenue not just HR metrics.
