Recruitment agencies often find Sniff useful but limited. They look beyond it to cover gaps in CV formatting, blind hiring, ATS compatibility, and team workflow. This article lays out key alternatives to Sniff, highlighting where each tool fits and where they fall short.
TL;DR
Sniff focuses on blind hiring workflows and candidate screening but lacks deep CV formatting and anonymisation features. Distill specialises in CV formatting and anonymisation for UK, Australian, and European agencies, making it a natural complement. Other alternatives vary: some excel at sourcing, others at screening or compliance tracking. No single tool covers everything, so most agencies combine two or more.
Why agencies look beyond Sniff
Sniff is positioned as a blind hiring and candidate screening platform. It automates candidate anonymisation during recruitment to reduce unconscious bias, which appeals to agencies prioritising diversity and inclusion. However, agencies often run into these limitations:
- CV formatting and ATS safety: Sniff does not reformat CVs to client-specific ATS specs. Tables, images, or unusual layouts can break parsers.
- Limited anonymisation scope: Sniff focuses on removing or masking candidate names and photos but may not cover contact details or graduation years as thoroughly as some agencies require.
- Workflow integration: Agencies handling large volumes want tools that integrate directly with their ATS or can batch process CVs. Sniff’s workflow supports anonymisation but not bulk formatting or compliance checks.
- Pricing and flexibility: Some agencies find Sniff’s pricing and user limits restrictive, especially smaller teams needing occasional anonymisation or broader CV hygiene.
Because of this, agencies often seek complementary or alternative tools that address CV formatting, compliance, or sourcing alongside blind hiring.
Comparison table: 7 tools as Sniff alternatives
| Tool | Pricing | Blind Hiring Focus | CV Formatting & ATS Safety | Sourcing & Screening | Team Workflow Features | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distill | Starts from £99/month; free trial | Partial — anonymises name, email, phone, graduation year | Strong — reformats CVs to client-specific ATS specs | No sourcing, minimal screening | Batch processing, API for ATS upload | Best for formatting + anonymisation |
| Applied | Pricing not publicly listed | Strong — built around blind hiring workflows | Basic formatting | Screening, assessments | Team collaboration, scoring | Focus on structured hiring |
| Beamery | Pricing not publicly listed | Limited | Moderate | Strong sourcing, CRM features | Pipeline management | Primarily sourcing + engagement |
| Greenhouse | Pricing not publicly listed | Moderate | Good ATS integration | Screening, interview scheduling | Detailed team workflows | Popular ATS with blind hiring add-ons |
| HireVue | Pricing not publicly listed | Moderate | Minimal formatting | Video interviewing, AI screening | Workflow automation | Focus on video screening |
| OpenReel | Pricing not publicly listed | None | None | Video capture for screening | Workflow tools for candidates | Video tool, not CV focused |
| TalentLyft | From €99/month | Basic | Moderate | Sourcing, screening | Collaborative hiring workflows | Mid-market sourcing + ATS |
Distill: where it fits
Distill is not a blind hiring platform. Instead, it focuses on CV formatting and anonymisation tailored to UK, Australian, and European recruitment markets. It:
- Strips names, emails, phones, photos, and graduation years before submission.
- Reformats CVs to ATS specs, removing problematic tables, images, and unusual layouts.
- Batch processes large volumes, saving time for recruiters who manually reformat CVs.
- Integrates via API or simple upload, fitting into existing ATS workflows.
Distill complements blind hiring platforms like Sniff by handling the CV hygiene and ATS compliance side of the process. Agencies using Sniff for anonymisation often add Distill to ensure their CVs parse cleanly and meet client requirements.
Five commercial alternatives — strengths and gaps
Applied
Strengths:
- Strong blind hiring workflows, including anonymised scoring.
- Structured hiring that reduces bias at every stage.
- Team collaboration features for consistent evaluation.
Gaps:
- Limited CV reformatting; users still handle ATS issues separately.
- Pricing not public, likely higher-end.
- No native CV anonymisation beyond blind scoring.
Beamery
Strengths:
- Comprehensive sourcing and candidate relationship management.
- Good for agencies focusing on talent pools and engagement.
- Integrates with major ATS systems.
Gaps:
- Limited blind hiring features.
- CV formatting not a core focus.
- Higher price point and complexity.
Greenhouse
Strengths:
- Well-known ATS with blind hiring add-ons.
- Strong interview scheduling and screening.
- Good integration options.
Gaps:
- No automatic CV anonymisation.
- Formatting relies on client setup.
- Pricing not publicly listed.
HireVue
Strengths:
- Video interviewing and AI-driven screening.
- Can reduce bias via standardised video assessments.
- Workflow automation.
Gaps:
- No CV formatting or anonymisation.
- Expensive, focused on video-heavy recruitment.
TalentLyft
Strengths:
- Mid-market pricing and features.
- Combines sourcing, screening, and ATS functions.
- Basic blind hiring options.
Gaps:
- CV formatting and anonymisation limited.
- Blind hiring tools less developed than Sniff or Applied.
Free / open-source alternative
Agencies looking for a no-cost option for anonymisation might consider manual redaction tools or open-source scripts to remove names and contact details from CVs. These require more effort and technical skill and don’t reformat CVs for ATS compatibility.
For blind hiring workflows, some ATS platforms offer basic anonymisation toggles, but these are often limited in scope and customisation.
How to choose
Your choice depends on your agency’s priorities:
- If blind hiring is your core concern: Sniff or Applied offer structured workflows and anonymisation designed to reduce bias.
- If CV formatting and ATS parsing issues slow you down: Distill ensures clean, compliant CVs that parse reliably.
- If sourcing and CRM are key: Beamery or TalentLyft deliver candidate engagement workflows.
- If video screening is vital: HireVue or OpenReel specialise in video assessments.
Most agencies combine two or more tools. For example, Distill with Sniff covers CV formatting plus blind hiring anonymisation. Always test tools with your existing ATS and client requirements.
FAQ
Can Sniff handle CV formatting for ATS?
No. Sniff focuses on anonymising candidate information but does not reformat CVs to meet ATS parsing requirements.
Does Distill replace Sniff?
No. Distill complements Sniff by handling CV formatting and anonymisation beyond just names and photos.
Are there free blind hiring tools?
Some ATS platforms offer basic anonymisation features, but these are limited compared to dedicated tools like Sniff or Applied.
Which tool is best for European GDPR compliance?
Distill is designed with UK, Australian, and European compliance in mind, stripping sensitive data before submission. Sniff also supports blind hiring but check each tool’s documentation.
How to test if a tool fits my workflow?
Run a pilot with real CVs and client specs. Check parsing success rates, anonymisation quality, and team feedback before committing.
If you're submitting 20+ CVs a week to clients who require anonymisation and ATS-safe formatting, Distill automates the process so your team spends less time fixing broken CVs and more time recruiting. Start free Distill trial.