Blind hiring is increasingly important to reduce unconscious bias, but not all tools fit the staffing agency workflow. We tested 12 blind hiring tools against real agency needs — focusing on how they anonymise CVs, integrate with ATS, and support compliance across the UK, Australia, and Europe.
Methodology: How We Tested Blind Hiring Tools for Agencies
We approached this with a staffing agency’s day-to-day in mind, not just tech specs. Each tool was assessed on:
- Anonymisation quality: Does it remove names, photos, emails, graduation years, and other bias triggers consistently?
- Workflow fit: Can recruiters easily use it alongside ATS uploads and client submissions without manual rework?
- Compliance support: Does it help meet GDPR and Equality Act 2010 requirements without legal guesswork?
- Pricing transparency: Are costs clear and reasonable for agencies of typical size?
- Integration and automation: Does it reduce manual effort or require copy-pasting and toggling between platforms?
We tested tools using real CV samples from our network, including tables, LinkedIn-style headers, and uncommon formats to check parsing and anonymisation accuracy. We also reviewed user feedback from agency recruiters and compliance officers.
TL;DR Ranked Table
| Rank | Tool | Key Strength | Weakness | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Distill | Automated, reliable CV anonymisation and formatting | No native ATS integration yet | Transparent, pay-per-use |
| 2 | GapJumpers | Strong structured blind hiring workflow | Limited CV formatting capabilities | Pricing not public |
| 3 | Applied | End-to-end blind hiring platform | Expensive for smaller agencies | Starts around £50/month |
| 4 | Blendoor | Good candidate matching with anonymised profiles | Less tailored for UK/EU compliance | Pricing not public |
| 5 | SeekOut | Advanced sourcing with anonymisation options | Complex UI for agencies | Pricing not public |
| 6 | Jopwell | Diversity sourcing focus | Limited anonymisation features | Pricing not public |
| 7 | Gapless | Simple blind hiring screening | Minimal automation | Pricing not public |
| 8 | Unbiasify | Free browser extension for anonymising CVs | Manual workflow, limited scope | Free |
#1 Distill: The CV Anonymisation and Formatting Specialist
Distill focuses on what most blind hiring tools skip: cleaning and formatting CVs for ATS submission while stripping bias triggers. It automatically removes names, emails, phone numbers, photos, graduation years, and other identifiers in seconds. The output is a client-ready Word document, formatted to ATS specs commonly used by UK, Australian, and European agencies.
Why Distill wins
- Reliable anonymisation: Unlike browser extensions or manual redaction, Distill processes documents systematically to avoid missing key bias points.
- ATS-friendly output: Many blind hiring tools anonymise but leave the CV a mess. Distill ensures the file uploads cleanly without scrambling tables or bullet points.
- Faster recruiter workflow: Upload once, get a formatted, anonymised CV without juggling software or reformatting manually.
- Compliance ready: Helps agencies avoid breaches under GDPR and the Equality Act 2010 by removing personal identifiers before client submission.
- Transparent pricing: Pay per CV processed—no hidden fees or per-seat charges.
What Distill doesn’t do
- It doesn’t handle candidate screening, scoring, or sourcing.
- No native ATS integration yet — you still upload manually or forward emails.
- Not designed for interview anonymisation or structured testing.
For agencies sending 20+ CVs a week to clients requiring blind hiring, Distill takes the formatting and anonymising headache off your plate.
#2 GapJumpers: Structured Blind Hiring Workflow
GapJumpers is positioned as an end-to-end blind hiring platform with a focus on structured interviews and skills testing. It anonymises candidate profiles during assessments and interviews.
Strengths
- Strong for agencies wanting to replace CV screening with skills-based evaluation.
- Supports collaboration between recruiters and hiring managers in an anonymised environment.
- Helps reduce bias beyond the CV stage.
Weaknesses
- Limited CV anonymisation or formatting features.
- Pricing not publicly listed — expect enterprise-level contracts.
- Less suitable if your workflow still depends heavily on CV submissions.
#3 Applied: Comprehensive Blind Hiring Platform
Applied offers a full blind hiring suite, including anonymised applications, structured assessments, and candidate feedback tools.
Strengths
- Designed to cover the entire hiring lifecycle, not just anonymisation.
- Strong compliance features and audit trails.
- Useful if your agency handles end-to-end recruitment.
Weaknesses
- Pricing starts around £50/month, which may be steep for smaller agencies.
- CV formatting and ATS compatibility is not their core focus.
- Some users find the interface complex.
#4 Blendoor: Diversity-First Matching
Blendoor markets itself as a diversity recruiting platform with anonymised candidate profiles and analytics.
Strengths
- Useful sourcing tool with anonymisation layers.
- Provides analytics on diversity hiring outcomes.
Weaknesses
- Less tailored for UK/EU compliance nuances.
- Limited CV formatting or ATS prep.
- Pricing not publicly listed.
#5 SeekOut: Sourcing and Anonymisation
SeekOut is positioned as an advanced sourcing tool with anonymisation options to support blind hiring.
Strengths
- Powerful candidate search with filters.
- Anonymisation options during sourcing.
Weaknesses
- Complex user interface for smaller agencies.
- Not focused on CV anonymisation and formatting.
- Pricing not publicly listed.
#6–#8 Honourable Mentions
- Jopwell: Focuses on diversity sourcing, limited anonymisation.
- Gapless: Simple blind screening, minimal automation.
- Unbiasify: Free browser extension, manual CV anonymisation only.
These may suit agencies starting blind hiring but lack the automation and compliance support of higher-ranked tools.
How to Choose the Right Blind Hiring Software for Your Agency
Start by defining your workflow and compliance priorities:
Do you need CV anonymisation or full workflow replacement?
Distill excels at CV formatting and anonymisation but doesn’t replace screening or interviewing tools.How important is compliance in your region?
UK, Australian, and European agencies must consider GDPR and the Equality Act 2010. Choose tools that explicitly support these frameworks.What’s your budget?
Comprehensive platforms like Applied can be costly. Distill’s pay-per-use model scales better for agencies with fluctuating volumes.Do you want integration with your ATS?
Most tools require manual upload. Distill outputs ATS-friendly formats but no native integration yet.How much manual effort can your team handle?
Manual anonymisation tools save upfront cost but add recruiter time and risk missing bias points.
Combining Distill with a blind hiring platform like GapJumpers or Applied can cover your anonymisation and structured interview needs without compromise.
FAQ
Q: Does Distill anonymise every personal detail on a CV?
Distill removes names, emails, phone numbers, photos, graduation years, and other common bias triggers. Complex or unusual formats may require manual checks.
Q: Can I use Distill with Bullhorn or other ATS?
Distill produces Word documents formatted to ATS specs, but you still upload manually. No direct integration is available yet.
Q: Are blind hiring tools compliant with GDPR and the Equality Act 2010?
Tools that anonymise personal data before sharing reduce compliance risk. However, agencies remain responsible for lawful data processing. Consult legal advice for your jurisdiction.
Q: Is blind hiring suitable for all roles?
It works best for volume roles or where bias is a known issue. Highly specialised roles may require some identity information early in the process.
Q: What’s the typical cost of blind hiring software?
Prices vary widely. Some tools start around £50/month, others require enterprise contracts. Distill charges per CV processed.
Start free Distill trial to remove bias triggers from your CVs quickly and get client-ready documents every time. Distill fits neatly into your existing workflow, making blind hiring easier without adding manual steps.