1. Zinc
Zinc Work Ltd · London · Background verification & KYC · 4.1/5
Automated pre-employment checks covering criminal records, right to work, references and education.
On request
Quote-based
Background verification & KYC · Alternatives
Best RefNow alternatives in India (2026)
RefNow is a background verification & kyc product from RefNow Ltd, priced at On request. We compared 20 alternatives on published price, free plan, platforms and made-in-India support: 2 have a free plan, 8 are built in India, and 2 start cheaper or free.
Quick answer
The closest alternatives to RefNow are Zinc (On request), Pietos (On request), CrimeCheck (On request), Verified First (On request) and BeFiSc (On request). Ferretly is the top-ranked option with a free plan.
Why businesses look for a RefNow alternative
There is no free plan
RefNow has no free tier. 2 alternatives do, which lets you test with real data before you pay.
Indian support and GST
RefNow is built in United Kingdom. 8 alternatives are made in India, where GST, TDS and UPI are usually handled natively and support runs on IST.
RefNow alternatives compared
Ranked by how closely each product matches RefNow's category, pricing model, platforms and business size, then by rating. Prices exclude GST.
| # | Software | Starting price | Free plan | Platforms | Made in India | Rating | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | RefNow (current) | On request | No | Web | No | 3.9/5 | — |
| 1 | Zinc | On request | No | Web | No | 4.1/5 | |
| 2 |  Pietos | On request | No | Web | Yes | 4.2/5 | |
| 3 |  CrimeCheck | On request | No | Web | Yes | 4.1/5 | |
| 4 |  Verified First | On request | No | Web | No | 3.9/5 | |
| 5 |  BeFiSc | On request | No | Web | Yes | 4.4/5 | |
| 6 |  GoodHire | From $29.99 per check (Basic) | No | Web | No | 4.1/5 | |
| 7 |  FRS Labs | On request | No | Web | Yes | 4.3/5 | |
| 8 |  Xref | $70/month USD billed annually (Starter) | No | Web | No | 4/5 | |
| 9 |  Ferretly | On request | Yes | Web | No | 4.2/5 | |
| 10 |  Trulioo | On request | No | Web | No | 4/5 | |
| 11 |  Accurate Background | On request | No | Web | No | 3.9/5 | |
| 12 |  Shufti | Free plan | Yes | Web | No | 4.5/5 | |
| 13 |  Certn | Pay per check; OneID from $4.99, credit report $12.99 | No | Web | No | 4.1/5 | |
| 14 |  ComplyCube | $99/month (Starter) converted to usage credits | No | Web | No | 4/5 | |
| 15 |  Ondato | Usage-based pricing in EUR per verification | No | Web | No | 4.1/5 | |
| 16 |  Digio | On request | No | Web | Yes | 4.4/5 | |
| 17 |  AuthBridge | On request | No | Web | Yes | 4.2/5 | |
| 18 |  Digitap | On request | No | Web | Yes | 4.1/5 | |
| 19 |  Mithi SkyConnect | On request | No | Web | Yes | 4.1/5 | |
| 20 |  Sumsub | On request | No | Web | No | 3.9/5 |
Top 10 RefNow alternatives in detail
2. Pietos
Pietos Solutions Private Limited · Delhi · Background verification & KYC · 4.2/5
Employee background verification covering education, employment, address, court records and EPFO.
On request
Quote-based
Compared with RefNow
- Built in India (Delhi)
3. CrimeCheck
CrimeCheck (an IDfy company) · Bengaluru · Background verification & KYC · 4.1/5
Criminal and legal history checks drawing on 400M+ Indian court, FIR and tribunal records.
On request
Quote-based
Compared with RefNow
- Built in India (Bengaluru)
4. Verified First
Verified First · Meridian · Background verification & KYC · 3.9/5
Background screening, drug testing and MVR checks integrated with 150+ HR and ATS platforms.
On request
Quote-based
5. BeFiSc
BeFiSc · Noida · Background verification & KYC · 4.4/5
KYC, KYB, fraud and background verification APIs for onboarding and underwriting users in India.
On request
Quote-based
Compared with RefNow
- Built in India (Noida)
6. GoodHire
GoodHire (a Checkr company) · San Francisco · Background verification & KYC · 4.1/5
FCRA-compliant employment background checks for US employers, priced per check without contracts.
From $29.99 per check (Basic)
Free trial
7. FRS Labs
FRSLABS Research Systems Pvt Ltd · Bengaluru · Background verification & KYC · 4.3/5
Identity verification, fraud prevention and privacy management APIs used by Indian banks and insurers.
On request
Quote-based
Compared with RefNow
- Built in India (Bengaluru)
8. Xref
Xref · Sydney · Background verification & KYC · 4/5
Automated reference checking, background checks and employee pulse and exit surveys.
$70/month USD billed annually (Starter)
Free trial
9. Ferretly
Ferretly International, LLC · Easton · Background verification & KYC · 4.2/5
Social media background screening service that flags risky online behaviour for safer hiring decisions
On request
Free plan available
Compared with RefNow
- Has a free plan — RefNow does not
10. Trulioo
Trulioo · Vancouver · Background verification & KYC · 4/5
Global identity and business verification network for KYC, KYB and AML checks in 195+ countries.
On request
Quote-based
RefNow alternatives by what you need
Cheaper than RefNow
Free RefNow alternatives
Indian alternatives to RefNow
How to choose a RefNow alternative
- Decide between employee BGV (turnaround time, coverage) and customer KYC (APIs, uptime, RBI compliance).
- Check consent and data-retention practices against the DPDP Act.
- Compare per-check pricing; bundles differ widely.
RefNow alternatives — FAQs
What is the best alternative to RefNow in 2026?+
The closest matches to RefNow on App Advisor are Zinc (On request), Pietos (On request), CrimeCheck (On request). They are ranked by how closely their category, pricing model, platforms and target business size match RefNow, then by rating. The best choice depends on your team size and budget.
Is there a free alternative to RefNow?+
Yes. 2 of the 20 alternatives listed have a free plan or are free: Ferretly (On request), Shufti (Free plan). Free plans usually cap users, records or transactions, so check the limits against your monthly volume.
Is there an Indian alternative to RefNow?+
Yes. 8 alternatives are built in India, including Pietos (On request), CrimeCheck (On request), BeFiSc (On request). Indian products usually handle GST, TDS and UPI natively and bill in rupees.
RefNow vs Zinc: which is better?+
Zinc is the closest match to RefNow in our catalogue. Compare them side by side before you book a demo.
How were these RefNow alternatives chosen?+
Every product listed sits in background verification & kyc or a category RefNow also covers, and RefNow Ltd's own products are excluded. Prices, free plans and platforms come from each vendor's official website. App Advisor does not sell any of this software.
Free shortlist
Not sure which RefNow alternative fits?
Tell us your team size and budget and we'll send a shortlist of three.
Related alternatives
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