If your agency struggles with messy CVs and inconsistent candidate data, choosing the right formatting and screening tools matters. Allsorter and Distill both tackle CV processing, but they solve different problems and fit different agency needs. This guide breaks down how they compare on features, pricing, and ideal users across the UK, Australia, and Europe.
TL;DR comparison table
| Feature | Allsorter | Distill |
|---|---|---|
| Core function | CV reformatting and shortlisting | CV formatting and anonymisation |
| Intake method | Upload or portal | Email-based submission |
| Anonymisation support | Limited / none | Built-in CV anonymisation |
| Data retention | Retains CVs for reprocessing | Zero data retention after processing |
| GDPR compliance focus | Standard SaaS compliance | Designed for compliance and liability reduction |
| ATS compatibility | Integrates with some ATS | Formats CVs to client ATS specs |
| Pricing | Not publicly listed — quote required | Transparent per-seat pricing |
| Seat limits | Custom per contract | Defined tiers with seat caps |
| Markets | Global | UK, Australia, Europe focus |
| Use case | Speed from CV to shortlist | Standardised CVs, anonymisation |
What Allsorter actually does
Allsorter is positioned as a tool to speed up the recruitment workflow by helping recruiters quickly move from CV intake to shortlist. Their website describes Allsorter as a dynamic SaaS platform that uses AI to reformat CVs and streamline internal processes. The emphasis is on efficiency — the fastest way to get your best candidates in front of hiring managers.
Allsorter typically works through an upload or portal system, where recruiters submit CVs to be reformatted into a consistent style. They also offer features around candidate sorting and shortlisting, aiming to reduce time spent sifting through unstructured CVs.
From a compliance standpoint, Allsorter appears to cover standard data security and GDPR requirements expected of a SaaS platform. However, they retain CVs on their servers to support reprocessing and workflow continuity. Pricing is not publicly listed, so agencies must contact Allsorter directly for quotes and seat licensing details.
In short, Allsorter is focused on making recruiters faster at getting candidates to shortlist, with some CV formatting and workflow tools supporting that goal.
What Distill actually does
Distill specialises in formatting and anonymising CVs to agency and client specifications, particularly across UK, Australian, and European markets. The core value is removing manual formatting headaches and reducing compliance risk by stripping personal identifiers.
Distill’s approach is email-first: recruiters forward CVs to a dedicated address, and Distill returns clean, formatted Word documents ready for ATS upload. This suits agencies that rely on email workflows rather than portals.
A key Distill differentiator is zero data retention: once the CV is processed, it is deleted from their servers. This reduces GDPR and data liability concerns for agencies and clients. Distill also anonymises CVs automatically, removing name, email, phone, photos, and graduation years on request, supporting blind hiring initiatives.
Distill supports a wide range of ATS specifications and formats CVs to reduce parsing errors, especially for Bullhorn, JobAdder, and other popular UK/ANZ systems.
Pricing is transparent and tiered by seats, with clear limits and no hidden fees.
Feature-by-feature comparison
Intake and submission workflow
- Allsorter: Upload or portal submission. Recruiters upload CVs directly into the platform. Suitable for agencies standardising internal intake.
- Distill: Email submission. Forward CVs to a dedicated email. Works with existing email workflows and reduces switching costs.
CV formatting and reformatting
- Allsorter: Uses AI to standardise CV layouts and formats. Designed to speed up internal shortlisting.
- Distill: Provides tailored CV formatting to client ATS specs. Fixes common parsing issues (e.g., tables, columns).
Anonymisation support
- Allsorter: No clear anonymisation feature publicly listed.
- Distill: Built-in anonymisation removing personal identifiers automatically or on request.
Data retention and compliance
- Allsorter: Retains CVs to support ongoing processing. Standard SaaS GDPR compliance applies.
- Distill: Zero data retention. CVs deleted immediately after processing. Reduces agency liability and GDPR risks.
ATS compatibility
- Allsorter: Integrates with some ATS systems, but focus is more on internal shortlisting speed.
- Distill: Specialises in formatting CVs to ensure client ATS compatibility, reducing parsing errors.
Pricing model
- Allsorter: Pricing not publicly listed. Agencies must request a quote. Seat limits likely contract-based.
- Distill: Transparent per-seat pricing with defined tiers. No surprises on costs.
Market focus
- Allsorter: Global reach, used by large recruiters worldwide.
- Distill: Focused on UK, Australian, and European recruitment agencies.
Pricing breakdown
Allsorter does not list pricing publicly, which means agencies need to contact sales for tailored quotes. This can slow evaluation and budget planning.
Distill offers clear pricing with tiered seat packages visible on their website. This transparency helps agencies compare costs quickly and scale seats as needed without unexpected fees.
If pricing clarity and predictable budgets matter, Distill holds an advantage here.
Which agency type fits which tool
Allsorter suits:
- Agencies prioritising speed from CV receipt to shortlist.
- Recruiters who want an upload/portal workflow.
- Larger teams that want AI-assisted sorting and shortlisting.
- Global recruiters who may need broader ATS integrations.
Distill suits:
- Agencies needing consistent CV formatting to client ATS specs.
- Teams using email-based CV intake who want minimal workflow disruption.
- Agencies concerned about GDPR and data retention liabilities.
- Firms implementing blind hiring processes requiring anonymised CVs.
- UK, Australian, and European agencies wanting transparent pricing.
Many agencies benefit from using both tools in tandem: Distill for formatting and anonymisation, Allsorter for speeding shortlist workflows.
FAQ
Can Distill replace Allsorter?
No. Distill focuses on formatting and anonymising CVs; Allsorter is more about speeding up shortlisting. They solve adjacent problems and often complement each other.
Does Allsorter anonymise CVs for blind hiring?
Their public materials don’t mention anonymisation features, so likely not. Distill has explicit support for anonymisation.
Which tool works better with Bullhorn or JobAdder?
Distill formats CVs to reduce parsing errors in Bullhorn, JobAdder, and similar ATS. Allsorter’s integration focus is broader but less specialised in ATS formatting.
How does data retention impact compliance?
Retaining CVs increases your agency’s GDPR risk and liability. Distill deletes CVs immediately after processing, reducing this risk. Allsorter retains data for workflow continuity, which is standard for SaaS but requires careful data management internally.
Is there a free trial for either tool?
Distill offers a free trial so agencies can test formatting and anonymisation. Allsorter requires contacting sales for demos or trials.
If you’re sending 20+ CVs a week and want to ensure clean, anonymised, and ATS-ready documents without adding manual work or compliance risk, Distill formats them to client specs automatically. Try Distill free today.