Hiring teams, especially small and midsize businesses, lose hours each week juggling calendars for first-round calls. One-way video interview software solves that by letting candidates record answers on their own time while you review on yours. This guide explains how the technology works, what features really matter, and compares the best platforms on the market today.
What is one‑way video interview software?
One‑way (a.k.a. asynchronous interviews) video interview software lets recruiters send a set of pre‑recorded or written questions that candidates answer on video when it suits them. Recruiters then watch—or skim AI‑generated highlights—at any time, eliminating scheduling conflicts and speeding up early‑stage screening.
Key difference from live video interviews: there’s no real‑time back‑and‑forth. Candidates record once; reviewers can watch multiple times, share clips, and rate responses collaboratively.
Key benefits of one way interviews
- Cuts scheduling overhead by up to 70 % (internal benchmark across users).
- Standardises early screening—every candidate gets identical questions and prep time.
- Reduces bias with anonymised review modes or structured scorecards.
- Improves candidate experience; people record on their schedule—mobile completion rates now exceed 95% on leading tools.
- Frees up hiring managers to review condensed AI summaries instead of full videos.
How one‑way interview platforms work
- Build your question set (text, audio or video).
- Invite candidates via email, SMS or ATS trigger.
- Candidates record on desktop or mobile—no log‑ins needed with modern tools.
- Automatic transcription & analysis (on AI‑enabled platforms).
- Review & rate: recruiters skim highlight reels, share with hiring managers, and advance or reject.
Must‑have one way video interview features for 2025
Here are the features your video interview software needs to have.
Quick comparison of leading one-way interview platforms
Truffle — Best AI Matching
- Why it stands out: Converts full videos into highlight reels and "match scores" in minutes.
- Pricing: From $99/mo; 5‑interview free tier.
- Ideal for: Lean teams screening high‑volume frontline roles.
Hireflix — Best for Unlimited Interviews
Flat‑rate pricing (Small $150/mo, Medium $300/mo) with no caps on videos or seats.- Lightweight UI; API‑first for easy integrations.
Spark Hire — Best Mid‑Market Option
- Starts at $299/mo for up to 200 employees.
- Adds predictive talent assessments, reference checks, and an optional ATS module.
Willo — Best for SMBs That Scale
- Growth plan $249/mo, Scale $399/mo; discounts for non‑profits.
- Willo Intelligence beta brings transcript search and sentiment hints.
myInterview — Best Personality Insights on a Budget
- Forever‑free starter covers 10 async interviews/month.
- Growth at $59/mo unlocks 30 interviews and Smart Shortlisting AI.
VidCruiter — Best Enterprise Customisation
- From $5 K per year; modular suite (video interviewing, reference checks, scheduling).
- SOC 2, GDPR, and FedRAMP‑ready compliance options.
HireVue — Best Enterprise AI Suite
- Essential package starts at $35K/year; Premium adds coding and game‑based assessments.
- FedRAMP‑authorised and ISO 27001 certified for stringent security needs.
Best practices for recruiters & candidates using one way interview software
For recruiters
- Keep question count to 5–7; defects climb after 10 prompts.
- Give candidates at least 48 hours and one retake option.
- Use structured scorecards tied to role competencies.
Learn more about structuring a one-way video interview.
For candidates
- Test camera, mic, and lighting before recording.
- Practice concise answers (90 seconds or less).
- Show enthusiasm—tone and body language matter.
One way video interview tools pricing & free trials
Most vendors offer at least a free trial or demo playground. SMB‑optimised tools (myInterview, Truffle, Willo) let you sign up and test within minutes, while enterprise suites (HireVue, VidCruiter) still require a sales call. Here is the best resource to learn more about video interview pricing.
The complete one-way video interview software FAQ
Get your most burning one-way video interview questions answered below.
1. What is one‑way video interview software?
One‑way (asynchronous) video interview software lets recruiters send pre‑set questions that candidates answer on their own time via recorded video. Reviewers watch responses whenever it’s convenient, eliminating scheduling conflicts and speeding up early‑stage screening.
2. How does asynchronous video interviewing save time in the hiring process?
Hireflix and Truffle users report cutting 70 % of calendar coordination and reducing overall time‑to‑hire by up to 30 % because recruiters can review videos back‑to‑back instead of hosting live calls.
3. Is one‑way video interviewing fair to candidates?
Yes—when paired with structured prompts, identical timing rules, and objective scoring rubrics, one‑way interviews reduce scheduling bias and give every applicant the same opportunity to prepare and record their best answer.
4. What features should I look for in one‑way video interview platforms?
Prioritise ATS integrations, mobile‑first UX, AI‑powered summaries, GDPR‑ready security, and customisable workflows that match your hiring process.
5. How much does one‑way video interview software cost?
Pricing ranges from $1 per interview (Jobma credits) to $150 – $300 /mo SMB plans (Hireflix, Willo) and $5 K – $75 K+ per year for enterprise suites like HireVue and VidCruiter.
6. Can one‑way video interview tools integrate with my ATS?
Most leading platforms offer native connectors for Greenhouse, Workday, Lever, and iCIMS or provide robust REST APIs and Zapier apps for custom workflows.
7. How do candidates record their answers? Do they need an app?
Candidates click a secure link on desktop or mobile; modern platforms run in the browser with no downloads or log‑ins required. 95 %+ of candidates now complete interviews on their phones.
8. Are one‑way video interviews secure and GDPR‑compliant?
Top vendors support SOC 2, ISO 27001, and GDPR with encrypted storage, data‑retention controls, and EU hosting options. Always verify compliance features during procurement.
9. How does AI scoring work in video interviewing software?
AI models analyse speech, keywords, and sentiment to generate match scores and highlight reels, helping recruiters focus on high‑potential candidates faster. Ethical vendors provide transparency and allow manual overrides.
10. What roles are best suited to asynchronous video interviews?
Frontline, customer‑facing, and high‑volume roles—such as sales associates, support agents, and retail staff—benefit most, but many companies also use one‑way interviews for engineering, finance, and graduate programmes.
11. How can I improve candidate experience during one‑way interviews?
Keep question sets short (5‑7 prompts), allow retakes, offer practice questions, and send clear instructions with estimated completion time.
Final thoughts on way video interview software
One‑way video interview tools have matured from simple record‑and‑review apps into AI‑powered screening engines. Match the platform to your hiring volume, budget, and compliance needs, then pilot with a single role to measure impact.
Ready to shorten your shortlist?
Book a free demo with two contrasting vendors—e.g., an SMB‑friendly option (Truffle, Willo) versus a mid‑market suite (Spark Hire)—and compare analytics, integrations, and candidate experience side by side.
