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Head-to-head · Employee Referral Software

Open Referral vs CleverConnect Employee Referrals

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Open Referral #4 in Employee Referral Software 8.5/10 Paid ✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Open Referral
CleverConnect Employee Referrals #5 in Employee Referral Software 8.4/10 Pricing on request ✓ 2 of 2 features Visit CleverConnect

Open Referral leads on 0 checks, CleverConnect Employee Referrals on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreOpen Referral · 8.5/10

Open Referral scores higher on our rubric for employee referral software: 8.5 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #5.

On referral submission, CleverConnect Employee Referrals gives you Multiple where Open Referral offers Web form. On reward management, CleverConnect Employee Referrals gives you Both where Open Referral offers Automated. On mobile access, CleverConnect Employee Referrals gives you Both where Open Referral offers Web.

Open Referral is the better fit for teams seeking affordable automated referrals. CleverConnect Employee Referrals is the better fit for employers wanting mobile referral engagement.

  • Open Referral fits best

    Teams seeking affordable automated referrals

  • CleverConnect Employee Referrals fits best

    Employers wanting mobile referral engagement

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Open Referral 8.5/10 Visit ↗ CleverConnect Employee Referrals 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.5 8.4
Ranking #4 in Employee Referral Software #5 in Employee Referral Software
Best for Teams seeking affordable automated referrals Employers wanting mobile referral engagement
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price €99/mo Pricing on request
Free plan — Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web Web
Support Email, Live chat Tickets, Docs
Compliance GDPR GDPR
Integrations 64+ integrations 100+ integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Open Referral 2/2 · CleverConnect Employee Referrals 2/2
Referral tracking ✓ ✓
ATS integrations ✓ ✓
Specs
Referral submission Web form Multiple
Employee sharing Multiple Multiple
Reward management Automated Both
Analytics and reporting Standard reports Standard reports
Mobile access Web Both
Our review
Pros
  • Automates eligibility checks, bonus calculations, and payroll exports
  • Syncs candidate status with ATS platforms including Lever and Greenhouse
  • Tracks referral volume, conversion, and cost-per-hire metrics
  • Mobile and desktop access with automated email and push notifications
  • Configurable rewards, rewards shop, points and leaderboards
  • Referral tracking, KPI dashboards, employer-brand sharing and ATS/HRIS integrations
Cons
  • Browser-based access is limited to the web platform
  • No free plan is available
  • Advanced controls require the €399-per-month Scale plan
  • Pricing is available through contact with sales
  • The module is part of a broader talent acquisition platform
  • Gamification and rewards may exceed the needs of simpler programs
Our verdict

Open Referral is a B2B SaaS platform for recruiters and HR teams managing employee referral programs. It covers personalized job-sharing links, one-click referral submission, candidate tracking, ATS synchronization, eligibility rules,…

Read the review →

CleverConnect Employee Referrals digitizes employee referral programs for recruitment and HR teams. Employees can submit referrals through mobile or desktop access, while recruiters can manage communications, track progress and measure…

Read the review →
  1. Open ReferralEmployee Referral Software 8.5Paid
  2. CleverConnect Employee ReferralsEmployee Referral Software 8.4Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Open Referral — where it wins

    • Automates eligibility checks, bonus calculations, and payroll exports
    • Syncs candidate status with ATS platforms including Lever and Greenhouse
    • Tracks referral volume, conversion, and cost-per-hire metrics

    Where it doesn't

    • Browser-based access is limited to the web platform
    • No free plan is available
    • Advanced controls require the €399-per-month Scale plan

  • CleverConnect Employee Referrals — where it wins

    • Mobile and desktop access with automated email and push notifications
    • Configurable rewards, rewards shop, points and leaderboards
    • Referral tracking, KPI dashboards, employer-brand sharing and ATS/HRIS integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing is available through contact with sales
    • The module is part of a broader talent acquisition platform
    • Gamification and rewards may exceed the needs of simpler programs

More comparisons

All employee referral software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update