Formatix AI and Distill both turn messy candidate CVs into branded, client-ready documents for recruitment agencies. The overlap is real, so the choice comes down to workflow, output formats, anonymisation needs, and how each handles candidate data.
TL;DR comparison table
| Feature | Formatix AI | Distill |
|---|---|---|
| Primary function | AI CV formatting to branded templates | CV formatting + anonymisation |
| Intake method | Web upload, split-view editor | Email-first, web upload, or API |
| Output formats | DOCX, PPTX, XLSX | DOCX, PDF |
| Anonymisation | Not a core feature | Core feature — name, contact, photo, dates |
| Data retention | No permanent storage, EU/UK hosted | Zero retention — files deleted after processing |
| Pricing model | Monthly credits: free 10, £20–£200/month | Pay per CV, unlimited users |
| User seats | Per-plan | Unlimited on every plan |
| Turnaround claim | ~30 seconds | ~30 seconds |
What Formatix AI actually does
Formatix AI is an AI-powered CV formatting platform aimed at recruitment agencies. Recruiters upload CVs (PDF, DOCX, or images), pick a branded template, and the AI reformats the document in about 30 seconds. A split-view editor lets you review and adjust the result before downloading.
Its standout capability is output flexibility: formatted CVs export as DOCX, PPTX, or XLSX. If your clients expect candidate profiles as PowerPoint slides — common in executive search and some European markets — that's a genuine differentiator. Formatix reports usage by 200+ agencies across 40+ languages, and claims GDPR compliance with EU/UK hosting and no permanent data storage.
Pricing is credit-based: 10 free credits on sign-up, then plans from £20/month (20 credits) through £50/month (55 credits, marketed as most popular) up to £200/month (260 credits).
What Distill actually does
Distill combines CV formatting with candidate anonymisation in one pass. Forward a CV by email, upload it, or send it via API — Distill returns a clean, branded document formatted to ATS specs, with names, contact details, photos, and other identifying data stripped if you want them stripped.
Distill doesn't do PPTX or XLSX output. It focuses on the agency submittal workflow: DOCX and PDF, tuned to parse cleanly in systems like Bullhorn, Vincere, and JobAdder. Every plan includes unlimited users, and pricing is per CV processed rather than per seat or per credit bundle.
The other structural difference is data handling. Distill operates zero retention — files are deleted immediately after processing, which matters for agencies treating candidate data liability seriously under UK/EU GDPR.
Pricing breakdown
Formatix uses monthly credit bundles from £20 to £200. That model suits steady, predictable volumes; unused credits are the cost of quiet months.
Distill charges per CV processed with unlimited users included. For agencies with fluctuating volumes — or many recruiters who each process a few CVs — pay-per-CV with no seat maths tends to come out simpler.
Which agency fits which tool
Formatix AI fits agencies that:
- Deliver candidate profiles as PowerPoint or Excel to clients.
- Work across many languages.
- Prefer an in-app editor to review each CV before download.
Distill fits agencies that:
- Need anonymisation and formatting in the same pass, for blind submittals.
- Live in email — forward a CV, get the finished document back.
- Want zero data retention rather than "no permanent storage".
- Have many recruiters and don't want seat or credit accounting.
FAQ
Q: Does Formatix anonymise CVs? A: Anonymisation isn't its core feature. Formatix is a formatting tool first. Distill treats anonymisation as a first-class function alongside formatting.
Q: Which is cheaper? A: It depends on volume shape. Formatix's £20/month entry plan covers 20 credits; Distill charges per CV with unlimited seats. Model both against your real monthly volume.
Q: Can either integrate with my ATS? A: Formatix says its output is optimised for Bullhorn, Workday, Greenhouse and others. Distill outputs ATS-safe documents and offers an API, but neither replaces a native ATS plugin.
Q: What about candidate data? A: Formatix states EU/UK hosting with no permanent storage. Distill deletes files immediately after processing — zero retention by design.
If your bottleneck is formatting and anonymising CVs before client submission, try Distill free. If your clients want PPTX profiles, Formatix deserves a look.