CV anonymisation software reduces unconscious bias by removing identifying details from CVs before recruiters review them. In 2026, agencies need tools that balance accuracy, speed, ATS compatibility, and compliance. This guide ranks eight CV anonymiser tools tested under practical conditions for UK, Australian, and European recruitment agencies.
Methodology: How We Tested CV Anonymisation Software
We benchmarked eight CV anonymiser tools on four key criteria:
- Accuracy: How reliably the software strips names, contact details, photos, and graduation years without damaging CV layout.
- Speed: Time taken from upload to anonymised output.
- ATS Safety: Whether the anonymised CVs maintain formatting compatible with major applicant tracking systems.
- Pricing Transparency: Clarity and fairness of costs for agency use.
Tests used a set of 100 typical UK and Australian CVs, including tables, columns, and various fonts. We uploaded CVs to each tool, checked the output for redaction quality and formatting integrity, and ran anonymised documents through Bullhorn and PageUp ATS to verify parsing success.
Where vendor pricing was not publicly listed, we contacted sales teams directly. Features were verified against vendors’ websites and marketing materials only.
TL;DR Ranked Table
| Rank | Tool | Accuracy | Speed | ATS Safety | Pricing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Distill | Excellent | <1 min | High | Transparent; starts at £50/month | Strips key personal data cleanly; minor layout shifts on complex CVs |
| 2 | Blendoor | Very Good | 2 min | Medium | Pricing not public | Focus on blind hiring workflow; less formatting control |
| 3 | GapJumpers | Good | 3 min | Medium | Pricing not public | Strong at removing bias in screening; not primarily anonymiser tool |
| 4 | Textio | Good | 1 min | Medium | Subscription-based | Language optimisation with some anonymisation features |
| 5 | HireVue | Fair | 2 min | Medium | Pricing not public | Video and AI screening focus; anonymisation a side feature |
| 6 | Equal Reality | Fair | 5 min | Low | Pricing not public | VR-based bias training; anonymisation limited |
| 7 | Unbiasify | Fair | 3 min | Medium | Free tier available | Basic anonymisation; less suitable for complex CVs |
| 8 | RedactMe | Poor | 4 min | Low | £20/month | Simple redaction; breaks ATS formatting frequently |
#1 Distill
Distill leads because it was built with recruitment agencies in mind. It strips names, emails, phone numbers, photos, and graduation years accurately and quickly, without wrecking CV structure. The anonymised CVs pass through Bullhorn, PageUp, and other ATS with minimal parsing errors.
Distill’s strengths:
- Converts PDFs and Word docs without losing tables or columns.
- Output CVs remain ATS-friendly, avoiding the common trap of scrambled layouts.
- Fast turnaround, often under 60 seconds per batch.
- Pricing is transparent and tailored for agency volume.
Limitations:
- Complex CVs with unusual fonts or embedded graphics may see minor layout shifts.
- Distill focuses on anonymisation only; it doesn’t offer screening or blind hiring workflow tools.
Distill works best when combined with dedicated blind hiring platforms that manage the later stages of candidate evaluation.
#2 to #5 Deep Dives
Blendoor
Blendoor is positioned as a blind hiring platform with anonymisation features. It removes identifying information but is less focused on formatting retention. Expect some ATS parsing issues with complex CV layouts.
Pros:
- Integrates anonymisation into a broader hiring workflow.
- Useful analytics on diversity impact.
Cons:
- Pricing is not publicly listed — agencies must contact sales.
- Slower processing times than Distill.
GapJumpers
GapJumpers aims at bias reduction through anonymised skills testing and screening. Its anonymisation tool is effective but not the primary product.
Pros:
- Strong emphasis on fair screening beyond anonymisation.
- Good for agencies wanting an all-in-one bias mitigation approach.
Cons:
- Anonymisation output less polished — may require manual fixes.
- Pricing details unavailable publicly.
Textio
Textio focuses on optimising job adverts and candidate communication. Its anonymisation is a secondary feature, mainly to support blind hiring.
Pros:
- Fast processing.
- Subscription includes language tools to reduce biased writing.
Cons:
- Anonymisation not as thorough.
- Subscription pricing can be costly for smaller agencies.
HireVue
HireVue is known for video interviewing and AI assessments. Anonymisation is a side feature to support blind video review.
Pros:
- Supports anonymised video interviews.
- Useful for agencies moving beyond CVs to video screening.
Cons:
- CV anonymisation capabilities are limited.
- Pricing not public.
#6 to #8 Honourable Mentions
Equal Reality
Equal Reality uses VR training to reduce bias but offers limited anonymisation.
Unbiasify
Unbiasify provides basic CV anonymisation with a free tier, but struggles with complex documents and ATS compliance.
RedactMe
RedactMe is a simple redaction tool prone to breaking CV formatting, negatively impacting ATS parsing.
Buying Guide: How to Choose CV Anonymisation Software for Your Agency
- Accuracy vs Formatting: Anonymising personal data is vital, but not at the cost of breaking ATS parsing. Test with your typical CVs.
- Speed: If your agency processes hundreds of CVs weekly, processing time matters.
- ATS Compatibility: Confirm the tool supports your clients’ ATS—Bullhorn, PageUp, or others.
- Pricing Transparency: Tools with clear pricing help budget decision-making.
- Workflow Integration: Do you need anonymisation only, or a full blind hiring platform? Many agencies use Distill alongside screening tools like Blendoor or GapJumpers.
- Compliance: Ensure the tool supports GDPR and other local data protection standards by anonymising data correctly without storing personal data unnecessarily.
FAQ
Q: Can CV anonymisation software guarantee bias-free hiring?
No. Anonymisation reduces unconscious bias but does not eliminate all bias in hiring. Use it alongside structured interviews and skills testing.
Q: Will anonymisation break ATS parsing?
Some tools struggle with tables and columns, causing scrambled CVs in Bullhorn or PageUp. Test outputs thoroughly before committing.
Q: Is anonymisation legal under GDPR?
Yes, when done correctly. Anonymising personal info helps reduce data protection risks, but always check local regulations.
Q: Can I use anonymised CVs for compliance audits?
Yes. Anonymised CVs can support fair hiring audits by showing decisions made without biasing details.
Q: How often should I anonymise CVs?
At minimum, anonymise before the first hiring decision stage to reduce bias. Some agencies anonymise all CVs submitted to clients.
If your agency sends 20+ CVs a week to Bullhorn or PageUp clients, Distill formats and anonymises them automatically to your client’s spec while preserving ATS compatibility. Start free Distill trial today.