Agencies want more than Backdoor Hires for blind hiring and candidate-data anonymisation. Some need deeper ATS compatibility, others want more workflow control or clearer pricing. Understanding the options helps you pick the right tool for your agency’s needs.
TL;DR: Backdoor Hires focuses on blind hiring with anonymised candidate data but has limits in ATS integration and pricing transparency. Alternatives offer varying strengths in workflow customisation, compliance features, and open-source options. Distill fits by automating CV formatting and anonymisation for UK, Australian, and European recruitment agencies, complementing blind hiring tools rather than replacing them.
Why agencies look beyond Backdoor Hires
Backdoor Hires is positioned as a blind hiring tool that removes identifiable candidate information to reduce bias. However, several factors prompt agencies to explore alternatives:
- Limited ATS integration: Backdoor Hires supports some ATS but lacks deep, native integrations with popular UK and EU systems. This creates manual steps or inconsistent CV parsing.
- Pricing opacity: Their website does not list pricing, making budgeting difficult for agencies managing multiple tools.
- Feature gaps: Agencies may want more granular control over what candidate information is anonymised or to combine blind hiring with CV formatting and compliance checks.
- Workflow fit: Some users find Backdoor Hires’ workflow rigid, especially when handling high volumes or complex compliance requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
- Complementary needs: Many agencies use dedicated CV formatting and anonymisation tools alongside blind hiring platforms to streamline submissions.
Exploring other options can provide better fit, clearer pricing, or features that match your agency’s scale and compliance burden.
Comparison table (7 tools)
| Tool Name | Focus Area | ATS Integration | Blind Hiring Features | Pricing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backdoor Hires | Blind hiring + anonymisation | Limited native ATS support | Candidate data masking | Not publicly listed | Strong blind hiring focus |
| Distill | CV formatting + anonymisation | Compatible with major ATS | Strips name, email, phone, photo, grad year | Transparent, starts free trial | Complements blind hiring tools |
| Applied | Blind hiring + structured hiring | ATS connectors available | Blind screening, bias reduction | Pricing on request | Workflow focused on structured hiring |
| GapJumpers | Blind hiring + skill testing | Limited ATS integration | Removes bias in screening | Pricing on request | Includes skill assessments |
| Blendoor | Blind hiring + diversity analytics | Some ATS support | Anonymised candidate profiles | Pricing on request | Adds diversity metrics |
| OpenGrads | Blind hiring + early talent | ATS plugins available | Anonymised CVs for graduate hiring | Pricing not public | Focused on graduate recruitment |
| CoderPad | Technical skill testing + blind hiring | Integrates with ATS | Blind coding tests | Subscription-based | Niche for tech recruitment |
| Open-source tool (AnonCV) | Basic anonymisation | None | Name and contact anonymisation only | Free | DIY option, limited features |
Distill (where it fits)
Distill is not a blind hiring tool in itself but specialises in CV formatting and anonymisation tailored to recruitment agencies in the UK, Australia, and Europe. It removes or masks personal data fields like name, email, phone number, photo, and graduation year before you submit CVs to clients or ATS.
Where Distill shines is in preparing CVs to ATS specifications and compliance requirements. It complements blind hiring platforms by handling the CV clean-up step that those tools often do not cover deeply. Distill’s quick turnaround helps agencies avoid parsing errors caused by tables, images, or unusual fonts.
Use Distill if:
- You need to anonymise candidate details before sharing CVs.
- Your ATS often scrambles CVs due to formatting.
- You want a simple, transparent tool that plugs into your existing workflow.
- You operate in multiple jurisdictions with varied compliance needs.
Distill works alongside blind hiring platforms rather than replacing them.
5 commercial alternatives — strengths and gaps
Applied
Applied is positioned as a structured hiring platform with blind hiring components. It integrates with some ATS and offers tools to reduce bias in screening. Its strength lies in workflow customisation and data-driven decisions.
Strengths:
- Structured blind screening workflows.
- Data tracking for hiring bias.
- ATS connectors for smoother integration.
Gaps:
- Pricing is on request, which can delay procurement.
- Less focus on CV formatting or anonymisation.
- May require more training to implement fully.
GapJumpers
GapJumpers focuses on blind hiring with a skill-testing approach. It anonymises candidate data and adds structured assessments to reduce bias.
Strengths:
- Skill-based blind screening.
- Candidate data masking.
- Simple workflow for screening.
Gaps:
- Limited ATS integration.
- Pricing not public.
- Less suitable for agencies needing deep CV formatting.
Blendoor
Blendoor adds diversity analytics on top of anonymised candidate profiles. It targets agencies and employers wanting to monitor diversity metrics alongside blind hiring.
Strengths:
- Blind candidate profiles.
- Diversity and inclusion tracking.
- Some ATS support.
Gaps:
- Pricing not listed publicly.
- Focus is broader diversity analytics, which may be overkill for some agencies.
- Integration depth varies.
OpenGrads
OpenGrads is tailored to graduate recruitment with anonymised CVs and ATS plugins.
Strengths:
- Focus on early talent and graduates.
- ATS plugins for smoother workflow.
- Anonymised CV handling.
Gaps:
- Not designed for general recruitment agency use.
- Pricing unclear.
- Limited blind hiring beyond graduate focus.
CoderPad
CoderPad specialises in technical recruitment with blind coding assessments.
Strengths:
- Blind technical skills testing.
- ATS integration options.
- Real-time coding environment.
Gaps:
- Niche for tech roles only.
- Pricing subscription-based, not public.
- Does not handle CV formatting or general anonymisation.
Free / open-source alternative
AnonCV is an open-source tool that anonymises candidate CVs by removing names and contact details. It is free and can be customised but lacks integration or workflow features.
Strengths:
- No cost.
- Basic anonymisation.
- Customisable if you have developer resources.
Gaps:
- No ATS integration.
- Minimal support or updates.
- No workflow or blind hiring features beyond anonymisation.
How to choose
When evaluating backdoor-hires alternatives, consider:
- What problem are you solving? If you want blind hiring with skill testing, tools like GapJumpers or Applied may suit. For CV formatting and anonymisation, Distill fills that gap.
- ATS compatibility: Check if the tool integrates smoothly with your ATS to avoid manual steps.
- Pricing transparency: Tools with clear pricing help avoid surprises.
- Compliance needs: Ensure the tool handles data privacy and anonymisation to your jurisdiction’s standards.
- Workflow fit: Consider how the tool slots into your existing processes and volume.
- Complementary use: Many agencies combine tools — one for blind hiring and one for CV formatting/anonymisation.
Balance features against cost and team capacity to pick what fits your agency best.
FAQ
Q: Can Distill replace Backdoor Hires?
No. Distill focuses on CV formatting and anonymisation before submission. Backdoor Hires focuses on blind hiring workflows and candidate masking during screening. They work well together.
Q: Are these tools compliant with GDPR and the Equality Act 2010?
Most tools design for compliance but consult legal advice for specifics. Anonymising candidate data helps reduce bias and privacy risk but does not guarantee full compliance.
Q: Is pricing always clear?
Not always. Many blind hiring platforms require direct quotes. Distill provides transparent pricing with a free trial.
Q: Can I use multiple tools together?
Yes. Agencies often use a blind hiring platform for screening and Distill for CV formatting and anonymisation before client submission.
Q: Are there free options?
Yes, open-source tools like AnonCV exist but require technical effort and lack integration.
If you’re sending 20+ CVs a week to clients who expect anonymised, ATS-friendly submissions, Distill formats them to spec automatically, saving manual effort and reducing parsing errors. Try Distill free to see how it fits your workflow.