Best Free Video Interview Platforms (2024)
Detailed reviews of the best free video interview software platforms, with insights into their key features, UI, integrations, pros & cons, pricing, and best use cases.
Best Free Video Interview Software
Free video interview platforms offer an affordable and practical way for organizations to conduct virtual interviews with job candidates. This technology is especially beneficial for small businesses and startups aiming to improve their hiring processes without breaking the bank.
In this guide, we'll introduce you to our recommended free video interview software options that deliver a satisfying experience for both recruiters and candidates for less than $30 per month—some are even completely free.
Whether you're in search of your first video interview software or looking to replace your existing (and disappointing) tool, these options can help you enhance your recruitment practices.
To find the best free video interview software, we attended vendor demos, tested each solution, studied user reviews, and sought input from industry experts. Drawing on all of these resources, we pinpointed four key factors that distinguish the top options: easy opt-in, user-friendliness, multiple-question support, and customization.
- Easy opt-in: The chosen platforms offer a hassle-free onboarding experience. They don't burden users with credit card requests or endless phone calls. A simple process, like providing your work email or LinkedIn profile, is all it takes to get started.
- User-friendliness: Good free video interview software should cater to both recruiting teams and interviewees, ensuring a positive experience for both parties. We assessed this factor by setting up and conducting a video interview, then joining the interview as candidates to see things for ourselves. We also noted down if a platform supports multiple languages for diverse hiring practices.
- Multiple question support: The top solution includes various question types beyond video, such as audio, text, file upload, multiple choice, and single choice. This ensures recruiters don't need to juggle multiple platforms to assess candidates, while candidates encounter a straightforward pre-assessment process.
- Simple yet useful customization: Though extensive customization may not be expected from free video interview software, basic and practical customization options are still essential. We evaluated features like the ability for recruiters to personalize job posts, interview questions, and candidate communication (invitations and rejection emails or messages).
For more insights into our vetting process, refer to this article on our HR Tech evaluation standards.
Hireflix
Willo
SparkHire
Recright
Zoom
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Hireflix
Hireflix doesn't have a forever-free plan, but they offer a lengthy free trial with all the good stuff: unlimited jobs, users, and themes, customizable candidate communication, and automatic video transcriptions. These features are all rare finds in the one-way video interviewing software market.
PROS
- Easy sign-up with just an email address required.
- Unlimited jobs, team members, and interview themes.
- Clear onboarding instructions. Responsive customer support.
- User-friendly interface and easy navigation.
- Robust branding options with customizable elements.
- Pre-built templates for emails, SMS, and Whatsapp messages, with the ability to create custom templates.
- Multilingual support for over 20 languages.
- Customizable automatic candidate notification flow.
- Quick search functionality for candidates and positions.
- No app download is required.
- Allows interviewees to test their tech before the actual interview.
- Downloadable interview videos with automatic transcriptions, rating, and commenting features.
- Hireflix is simple and frictionless. Candidates can take the interview from any country, at any time, and from any device or browser. No application, log-in, or registration is required.
- According to users, Hireflix is super easy to implement, can be deployed immediately, requires no technical knowledge, and provides excellent customer support.
- Hireflix provides a multi-language candidate experience. It supports more than twenty languages including English, Spanish, French, Polish, German and more.
- Excellent set of features for one-way video interviewing (think time, answer time, retakes, multi-branding, transcriptions, customizable notifications, shareable links, an open API, native integrations with the top ATS's, and more.)
- One of the longest free trials for a product in its category.
CONS
- Limited to one-way video interviews.
- It only supports video question types; no other formats are available.
- No post-interview feedback option.
- No free-forever plan; trial limited to 300 candidate invites.
- Lack of online interview instructions for candidates.
- If you are looking for AI or ML or live (two-way) video interviews, Hireflix will not be helpful for you since they focus exclusively in one-way video interviewing.
Getting started with Hireflix’s trial was a breeze — you create your account with your name, company name, your email, and that’s good to go. The trial comes with a lot of flexibility right off the bat: unlimited jobs, team members, and interview themes. Plus, they support over 20 languages, catering to a diverse user base.
What stood out most to us was the branding options. We could customize brand colors, logos, and intro/outro videos. This touch of personalization is perfect for recruiting agencies and other teams handling multiple brands.
The pre-built templates for email, SMS, and WhatsApp were handy. We could easily utilize them or create our own templates (except for WhatsApp, where we had to contact the Hireflix team).
Here's a differentiating feature: whenever a new position was created, Hireflix would automatically communicate with candidates. From invitations to reminders and post-interview communications, they had all the bases covered.
The search bar made finding candidates and positions easy, and the support was top-notch. Besides the pre-built help documentation, the live chat support was managed by real people who were quick to lend a helping hand.
As evaluators, we could rate, comment, and review candidate answers at different speeds and access automatic transcriptions and downloadable videos.
However, Hireflix only supports video questions. We couldn't use other question formats like file uploads, text, audio, or multiple choice. There are no online interview instructions for candidates or the option to gather post-interview candidate feedback.
It’s also worth mentioning that Hireflix only offers one-way video interviews, and the above robust features are only free for 30 days, not forever.
FIFA, SeaWorld, Franklin Covey, World Vision International and UC Berkeley.
Hireflix offers a 1-month free trial and three pricing plans. All plans include one-way interviews, inviting candidates at scale, and reviewing responses as a team, unlimited users, unlimited active jobs, integrations, and support. When billed annually:
- Small: Priced at $75/month, this plan is ideal for businesses with less than 50 employees.
- Medium: This plan costs $150 per month and is geared towards mid-sized companies with 50-250 employees.
- Custom: Hireflix offers a custom quote for corporates, recruitment agencies, and other use cases.
Best For
While the capability of Hireflix's free trial is excellent, with a duration of only 30 days, it is best suited for teams looking to explore whether one-way video interviewing is right for them. Whether you are hiring in English-speaking countries or internationally, for in-house positions or as a recruiting agency, the trial can provide valuable insights.
I used HireFlix daily. I relied on it for initial candidate screening and communication. It allowed me to quickly review resumes and applications and find the best fit for the potential employee. I used HireFlix to schedule and conduct the first video interview. This saved time for those with whom I would schedule a person-to-person interview but who didn’t show up. The amount of time this program saves me and my colleagues is worth its weight in gold.
The recruitment process with qualified candidates and the video interviewing process all work well together. Collaborating with other team members makes the entire hiring process easier and less time-consuming. We can all communicate within the program, allowing us to make the best hiring decisions for the company. I feel it is user-friendly and has ensured an efficient hiring process. It has become a valuable tool used in the office.
The ability to streamline the recruitment process was a key point for us with this program. Streamlining the many candidates applying for the position saves numerous hours of reading through resumes. The algorithms matching candidates made resume screening more effective. The program was easy to use as a team and facilitated smoother communication between the interviewers and applicants. I have used HireFlix for four years and truly feel it saved much time.
Although there aren’t many cons to this program, sometimes it can be complex in organizing the interviews. Having a new team member learn the program was a little more time-consuming than I found to be ideal. It required more training than other programs and was complex.
The AI candidate screening, the integration between screening and video interview, and the communication capabilities between team members were amazing. I prefer HireFlix over the few programs I am familiar with because it has saved the company time and money.
When researching the decision to purchase this program, it would be key to consider its functionality. Customer support and training are also key points to consider.
HireFlix has improved by evolving through the technological world to continue meeting the needs of its users. The AI screening has set itself above other programs. This time saver allows the company to save money on manual workloads. The integration between team members has also improved, allowing better office communication.
HireFlix would be ideal for larger companies that manage high-volume recruiting. It is geared toward HR teams and managers in larger companies.
HireFlix may not be a great fit for a company in a special niche or a smaller company.
Willo
Willo specializes in asynchronous video interviews with a free tier that can be up and running right away. The UI looks lovely and works nicely, while features like customization and collaboration are simple yet effective. Plus, they’re known for regularly introducing new features based on customer input.
PROS
- Easy setup with a work email.
- User-friendly and visually appealing interface.
- Robust asynchronous video interviewing features, including branding, media support, customizable communication, and templates.
- Supports 13 languages for recruiters and candidates.
- No app downloads are required.
- Ability to share specific candidate answers.
- Candidate rating and feedback options.
- Flexible video playback for evaluators.
- Downloadable candidate answers.
- Regular feature updates.
- Tech support and troubleshooting are available via help doc and live chat.
- Asynchronous video interviews (one of the main benefits of video interviewing) that save your recruiting team time while allowing them to see candidates for who they are beyond a resume
- Extremely simple to get started, powerful enough for larger companies
- Transparent and affordable pricing, including a free tier
- Willo calculates the time your recruiting team saves each month so you know you’re getting value
CONS
- Limited to one user, one active job, and 10 monthly responses.
- No automated follow-ups for non-responsive candidates.
- Job end date options are restricted to no end date or within one month.
- All integrations and Digital Identity Check are paid features.
- No live video interviewing capabilities.
- Restricted user and note capabilities (paid plans only).
- Interview media automatically removed after six months.
- Doesn’t have the breadth of features that products have who have been in this space for 10+ years
- They don’t have a mobile app, but do have a mobile-optimized experience
- Native ATS integrations are limited to <10 ATS’s at this point
- They do not have real time 1:1 video interviews
Willo's free tier offers one of the most user-friendly interfaces and visually appealing designs. The platform can now support recruiters and candidates in 13 languages. We also found the branding features basic yet praiseworthy: you can customize the job post's header, footer, button, and logo with your brand colors.
Willo’s questions can be in video, audio, text, and file forms. And we love the current shape of the platform’s customization. Compared to Recright’s free plan, Willo users can personalize emails sent to candidates with variables, text formatting, and styles. They can even utilize pre-existing templates or create their own.
Candidates using Willo are not required to download any apps and can quickly test their tech and practice before real interviews. At the end of the interview, they can provide feedback and share their availability, simplifying scheduling for recruiters.
Regarding collaboration, while adding users and leaving notes on candidates’ answers are only for paid plans, free users can generate shareable links and even share specific questions — a feature that sets Willo apart from its competitors. The video playback options, ranging from 0.5x to 2x speed, are also on the house.
However, as a free user, you are capped at one job and ten monthly interviews without access to the Identity Check feature and integrations. You can only set the job to last forever or no more than one month. Lastly, Willo's lifecycle policy automatically removes interview media after six months, but thankfully, candidates' answers can be downloaded for safekeeping.
Danone, NHS Scotland, 7 Eleven, Samsung, University of Pennsylvania
Willo has a free tier where you can interview up to 10 people per month. This is great for small companies that want to try video interviewing, or larger companies that want to get a deeper feel for the product before moving to a paid tier.
Otherwise, the product is priced based on the number of users your team has.
- 0-5 users is $336/yr
- 5-20 users is $1,800/yr
- Their enterprise tier is $3,300/yr up to 1,000 employees
- If your company is over 1,000 employees, you’ll have to get a custom quote
We appreciate Willo has transparent pricing that is also accessible to SMBs. In addition to the annual pricing quoted above, they do have month to month plans (annual plans get a 50% discount).
Best For
Willo's free tier suits small teams seeking to fill one position at a time. It caters to office-based, remote, or diverse hiring with its multilingual capabilities. Larger businesses can try the free plan to evaluate its one-way interview capabilities. Still, they should not expect it to be their sole solution to screen candidates at scale unless they opt for the software’s paid plans.
We utilize Willo for mass recruitment vacancies and for positions where we seek a first-personality vibe, effectively reducing the time our recruiters spend on CV review processes.
- User Experience
- Customizable questions and formats
- Capability to share candidate profiles with our Hiring Managers
- Integration with system-built question examples
We purchased Willo to enhance our recruitment process and improve the overall candidate experience. We have been using it for 2 years.
There is currently no option to integrate Willo with our existing ATS.
Outstanding customer support, a user-friendly platform, numerous customizable features, and GDPR compliant.
- GDPR compliance
- System administration
- User experience;
- Candidate experience;
- Range of services provided
- Impact on recruiters' job
Reduce the time spent by recruiters on mass recruitment projects and quickly form initial impressions about the candidates.
It is beneficial for companies dealing with a large volume of CVs and recruitment projects, particularly those requiring an immediate understanding of candidates' creativity and their ability to articulate their vision.
For IT companies, where technical assessments play a crucial role in understanding a candidate's adaptability for specific IT vacancies.
SparkHire
Spark Hire is a trusted video interviewing platform that allows all new customers to try all of their paid features for free for up to 14 days. They even make the trial a more enjoyable experience by offering a dedicated account manager that supports you throughout the entire process.
PROS
- 14-day free trial with account manager support.
- Native one-way video interviews, live video interviews, and scheduling tools.
- Supports multiple question types: text, video, and resume upload.
- Pre-built one-way video question bank.
- Multi-time zones 24/7 support (US, UK, Australia, the Philippines).
- Mobile-optimized. No app download is required.
- Candidates can rate and give feedback on the interview experience.
- Provides a mock test for candidates to get familiar with the platform.
- 45+ integrations and adding their own ATS.
- Tag colleagues for collaboration.
- Ratings are confidential to avoid influence or bias.
- Advanced share link with expiration option for feedback.
- Data analysis dashboard and features are top-tier.
- Efficiency-focused elements, like one-way video interviews, are great for busy TA teams.
- Collaboration is enabled by features that offer pipeline transparency to multiple stakeholders.
CONS
- Requires a work email, work phone, and a 1-hour demo for the free trial.
- No pre-built candidate communication templates.
- Platform language support is English only.
- Auto video transcription feature is currently unavailable but is on the roadmap.
- No free trial version.
- Some users require more customization than what is offered.
- No caption or translation features in video limits access for some candidates
Spark Hire's 14-day free trial comes with account manager support, which we found very helpful in getting us started and understanding the platform better.
During the trial, you get to explore both one-way and live interviews, along with a native scheduling tool. Multiple question types? The software does check off this box. You can add text, video, and resume uploading questions. They even have a pre-built one-way video question bank you can use.
Another thing we like about Spark Hire is their multi-time zone 24/7 support. Customer representatives are available in the US, UK, Australia, and the Philippines. This makes you feel assured that assistance is there when needed. Plus, the platform is mobile-optimized, so there is no need to download an app to access interviews.
Next plus: a mock test allows candidates to familiarize themselves with the platform beforehand. But what impresses us more is that, in addition to rating their experience, candidates can provide more detailed feedback in written form once their interviews are over, not just a thumbs up or down.
Spark Hire's integrations are in good shape, with 45+ options available, and they're even working on adding their own ATS. Tagging colleagues for collaboration is fairly straightforward. It’s also lovely that the platform keeps interview ratings confidential until everyone has given their feedback to ensure there’s no influence or bias, which is a feature that few competitors offer.
However, to access the free trial you must provide a work email, phone number, and attend a 1-hour demo with their team — we were expecting something simpler. Additionally, the platform currently only supports English, and auto video transcription is not available yet, although they have plans to add it in the future.
And let’s not forget that Spark Hire only offers a free trial. There’s no free-forever plan.
- USPS
- Ikea
- Volkswagen
Spark Hire has four plans:
- Lite costs $149 per month for unlimited interviews for 1 job at a time with 3 users.
- Pro costs $299 per month with unlimited interviews for 5 jobs at a time with 5 users.
- Growth costs $499 per month with unlimited interviews for 10 jobs at a time with 6+ users.
- Enterprise plan has more functionality for custom pricing.
The platform also offers a 20% discount for annual subscriptions on Lite, Pro, and Growth plans.
Best For
Spark Hire's free trial is best for those seeking to experience all the capabilities of Spark Hire, including live and pre-recorded video interviews, a native scheduler, and seamless ATS integration. It lets you see how it fits your specific interviewing needs before making any commitments.
I used Sparkhire for roles commonly hired by us or for roles with large volume requests. For example, if I needed to find seven React developers within a three-week timespan, I would use Sparkhire to help me quickly screen candidates to either move forward to the next process or screen them out. For roles with consistent hiring needs, Sparkhire made it easy to hire more candidates faster. It also helped with entry-level roles where many applicants applied, as this allowed me to quickly screen the candidates. Thus, the tool was most helpful for me during the recruiter screening step.
It made recruiter screenings much easier and faster. I could review candidates in less time. Candidates could complete their interviews by a specific deadline, so I didn't need to align my schedule with theirs to conduct the recruiter screening.
We used Sparkhire to help make interviewing smoother and easier for our small but efficient recruiting team. It streamlined the process by saving a lot of time during the recruiter screening process with the one-way candidate interviews. This allowed us to funnel more candidates into our process and quickly screen them in or out, as most roles had a quick turnaround time of about 20-30 days. It helped me free up my time to move candidates through the interview process, source more candidates, focus on new hire onboarding, etc. I used this for about 3-4 months.
I didn't appreciate the lack of identity anonymity since they were video interviews; we had to train hiring managers about hiring biases. I couldn't ask follow-up questions or give feedback in real time to the candidate. The hiring team's access to the interviews was limited.
Sparkhire is excellent for high-volume or entry-level roles with a quick turnaround time. However, it dampens the candidate experience since candidates and recruiters aren't able to ask follow-up questions.
They should consider how often they have high-volume or entry-level roles where interacting with candidates may not be the best use of their recruiters' time. They should also consider how often they encounter roles with a quick turnaround time, as this tool would help speed up the process.
It's adapted to the rise of remote working roles, making the use of such a tool as Sparkhire useful.
Sparkhire would be good for a recruiting consulting firm or any consulting firm that often wins contracts with a certain number of roles needing to be filled.
Sparkhire would not be good for niche organizations like a design agency where it's best to chat with candidates about their portfolios, past projects, and workflows.
Recright
Recright's free trial offers a seamless experience. You can access job postings, customizable workflow, video interview creation, and candidate invites. To improve the user experience, the platform supports multiple languages and devices, allowing candidates to leave anonymous feedback.
PROS
- Recright's free trial requires no credit card information for access.
- The platform offers easy navigation, with helpful instructions through help docs, videos, and onboarding emails.
- Introduce feature enables users to introduce candidates to colleagues or customers.
- Candidates can rate their experience at the end of each recruitment process.
- Job posts allow customizable head banner images, language, logo, and question types (short/long text, multi/single selection).
- Built-in test ensures proper network connection and hardware functionality before candidates join the interview.
- Supports 26 languages for candidates and 10+ languages for recruiters.
- Recright video interviewing tool is easy to use for both recruiters and candidates.
- Helps recruiters save time and enhance the recruiting process by recording questions one time and sharing them with candidates instead of meeting all candidates one-on-one.
- Provides information on which candidates make sense to meet for a personal interview.
- Ability to have multiple users, allowing recruiters to share video information with hiring managers and other team members.
- Transparent pricing structure. A 14-day free trial is also available.
- Great customer support.
CONS
- The email to activate your account is in Finnish; some sections on the platform are in Finnish despite the English language selection.
- No recent pieces of training since April 2022.
- No pause button in the video recorder.
- Inability to resend invitations to non-responsive candidates.
- Additional cost for branding features, live video interviews, scheduler, and integrations.
- Limited customization options for message forms (no text toolbar).
- Native ATS doesn't connect directly with job boards, requiring separate integrations at an extra cost.
- Some technical issues have been reported, but they are typically resolved quickly by the support team.
- No pause button in the Recright video recorder.
- Not possible to resend an invitation to candidates who have not opened or answered the first invitation.
- Live video interviewing and interview scheduling are offered as add-ons.
- Message forms when sending invites to candidates are not very customizable.
- Third-party and ATS integrations cost extra. The integration with Visma is not working as fluently as it should.
Recright doesn’t have a free-forever plan, but their free trial (no credit card required) is worth a try.
Recright’s instructions provided through help docs, videos, and onboarding emails made navigation easy. We also found the "Introduce" helpful: we can invite one or multiple recipients to assess one or multiple candidates within a few minutes. The only drawback is its email customization capabilities. You either have to send each email to each candidate for email personalization (as there are no variables to use) or send bulk emails without mentioning their names. You can’t style or format your text either.
Customization options are available but pretty basic. You can adjust the head banner image, language, logo, and question types. But for more advanced customization, you'll need to purchase the Enterprise plan.
Recright caters to candidates in 26 languages and recruiters in 10+ languages. And we were relieved to see that they hold certifications like ISO/IEC 27001:2013 and comply with WCAG and GDPR standards, ensuring data security and accessibility.
However, the activation email and some platform sections were in Finnish, even though we selected English as the UI’s language. We also found that they haven’t provided online training since April 2022. And it's a bit surprising that there's no pause button in the video recorder, which can be a limitation during interviews. Lastly, it costs extra for features like live video interviews, scheduler, and integrations.
Uber, Netflix, Volvo, ABB, KPMG.
After the free trial, Recright has three pricing plans.
- Easy: Starting at €265/month for teams with 10 - 20 positions per year
- Pro: Starting at €475/month for teams with 30 - 50 positions per year
- Enterprise: Custom pricing for teams with over 60 positions per year
- Features like Live Video interviews, Timed Interviews, Interviews Scheduling, or Custom integrations are available at 39.75€/month/feature.
Best For
Recright’s current feature sets and pricing structure makes it an excellent option for SMBs seeking a collaborative hiring solution to pre-screen candidates via video interviews. The free trial is a good chance to see how the software works before making further decisions.
Recright was used for the initial interview stage, giving candidates a fair opportunity to respond to customized questions based on the role. We would then shortlist the candidates and move the selected ones to face-to-face interviews. This greatly reduced the time spent interviewing candidates.
It also automated much of the administrative work, as Recright handled scheduling and sent relevant correspondence to candidates on our behalf. We used it for recruitment campaigns that attracted a high volume of candidates, such as entry-level and teller roles.
- I like the interface and how easy it is to use; it’s very customer-friendly.
- The cost savings are significant, especially for administrative tasks and hiring managers.
- I appreciate that we can efficiently process a large number of candidates and fairly shortlist them, speeding up the hiring process and reducing costs.
The organization I worked for was in the banking sector, and we received a large number of applicants each time roles were advertised. Managing the administrative side of recruitment and shortlisting candidates took a lot of resources and time for hiring managers. We needed a solution that would enhance the candidate experience while reducing the time spent on shortlisting.
Recright was selected because it provides an interview-based recording process that helps hiring managers shortlist candidates while reducing the administrative burden. I used the tool for about three years.
- Initially, it lacked customization options.
- There were only standard templates, although they have since enhanced this feature.
- It took a while to integrate into our systems, being a bank, but this has improved with more integrations now available.
Recright provided exactly what we needed for handling the large volume of recruitments we do across various roles. We needed a tool that could be easily customized for different roles and locations, and one that could be used by all hiring managers and panel members to reduce the time they spent in the recruitment process.
Recright is ideal for larger organizations that recruit heavily. It is costly, so you need to ensure your budget can accommodate it, but it offers significant cost savings if you conduct over 50 recruitment campaigns a year.
The biggest improvement has been the enhancement of customization options. Initially, it had limited choices, but they have since added more features, allowing applicants to feel like the process is tailored directly from your company.
This tool is great for large organizations with over 50 recruitment campaigns and a high volume of applicants. You also need the capital, as it is more expensive than some other solutions.
Recright is not suitable for smaller businesses that don’t recruit often or don’t receive a large volume of candidates.
Zoom
Zoom is a popular, easy-to-use, and free video conferencing platform that can be accessed on browsers, desktops as well as mobile devices.
PROS
- Free for meetings up to 40 minutes, 100 participants, unlimited one-on-one meetings.
- Very user-friendly.
- Compatible with various apps, including Asana, Slack, AI Notetaker, and Calendars.
- Essential features like whiteboard, recording, screen and doc sharing, virtual background, live chat, and joining Zoom meetings without an account.
CONS
- Not designed as a recruitment interviewing tool, lacks essential features for video interviewing (e.g., one-way video interviews).
- Potential interruptions and inconvenience if the call exceeds the time limit, requiring candidates to rejoin.
- App download needed for Zoom meetings on mobile devices.
Zoom has become a go-to option for family calls, online lessons, conferences, and live interviews, especially during the pandemic. Chances are, most interviewees are already familiar and comfortable with it, making scheduling and conducting interviews a breeze.
One of the best parts about Zoom is its compatibility with various collaboration tools like Asana, Slack, and AI Notetaker, making teamwork much more manageable. Plus, you can access essential features like a whiteboard, recording, screen-sharing, virtual backgrounds, and live chat — all for free. Another nifty perk is that people can join meetings as participants without an account.
With the free version of Zoom, you can have up to 100 participants in your interview, which is usually more than enough. But do keep in mind there's a 40-minute time limit. So, if you need more time for those in-depth interviews, it could be a bit of a drawback.
While Zoom is excellent for general video conferencing, it's important to know that it's not specifically designed as a dedicated recruitment interviewing tool. So, some essential features like one-way video interviews, collaborative assessments, and candidate ratings are missing. Also, candidates must download the app on their mobile devices to join meetings, which might cause a little inconvenience.
- 20th Century Fox
- Uber
- Zendesk
Zoom is free for meetings up to 40 minutes with up to 100 participants with unlimited one-on-one meetings. Premium plans start at $150 per license year up to $300 per license per year.
Best For
Zoom is a popular and user-friendly interview choice, especially when looking for a quick and free solution.
We use zoom daily. It's used to schedule meetings, it's integrated with google calendars so it's easy to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Zoom is used for both one-on-one meetings as well as group company meetings. Zoom is also used when we have meetings with our external stakeholders.
- It's integration with Google Calendars makes it easy to schedule meetings
- The new notes feature makes in meeting collaboration very easy
- The recording feature makes it simple for us to go back and review meeting information
We use Zoom so that we can collaborate with our globally diverse team. Since we have team members from around the world it's difficult to communicate some things asynchronously so there is a need to have some form of live group communication. We have been using Zoom for almost 4 years now and it has been an excellent video meeting platform so far since it's easy to use.
- There are times when the Camera feature of Zoom doesn't share well
- Having both Camera on and screen sharing can take a toll on the system's processing power
- The chat feature is limited
Zoom is better than its competitors because it offers a smoother video experience, more tools around collaboration and the ability to schedule meetings in advance
People should think about about how long they want to meet, what type of systems will the participants be using and also the level of control they want to have during the meeting
Zoom has significantly improved with the inclusion of its new AI and collaboration features, which cut the need for other third-party software that would usually be paired with Zoom.
Zoom is good for organizations that have many video meetings
Zoom isn't good for organizations that don't do a lot of video meetings
Skype
We can't talk about free video conferencing tools without mentioning Skype. It is a well-known veteran in this space, used for years by millions of people.
PROS
- Popular and user-friendly.
- Supports various communication types: Group/1:1 chatting, audio, and video calling.
- Free video meetings for up to 24 hours with 100 participants.
- Features screen sharing, doc sharing, live subtitles, recording, and background effects.
CONS
- Background noises are easily picked up.
- Limited integrations.
- Participants on mobile devices need to download the app.
- Accounts need activity every 180 days to avoid deactivation.
Skype has been a reliable video conferencing tool for nearly two decades. It offers real-time interviews that can last up to 24 hours, providing more flexibility compared to Zoom's 40-minute limit while still accommodating up to 100 participants. Additionally, Skype supports various communication types, including group and one-on-one chatting, audio, and video calling.
The user-friendly interface allows easy navigation, and we love that features like screen sharing, document sharing, live subtitles, recording, and background effects are available to all users.
However, like Zoom, Skype is a video conferencing tool and doesn’t possess recruiting-specific capabilities. Additionally, compared to Zoom, it falls short with fewer integration options.
Another aspect to be mindful of is that Skype can pick up background noises easily during interviews, which may cause distractions. Participants joining calls from mobile devices will need to download the Skype app, which could be a slight inconvenience for some users.
Lastly, keep your Skype account active by performing actions, like calling or texting, every 180 days to avoid deactivation.
- Chipotle
- Case Western Reserve University
- Capital One
Best For
Skype is best for individuals and teams on a budget who need a basic solution for live interviewing candidates without incurring costs. It also caters to anyone seeking free calling options, including video, audio, or phone calls.
We used skype almost daily and it was used to conduct regular sync up meetings. Skype was also used when we needed to communicate with our tutors and also when tutors needed a quick meeting link so that they could connect with a customer. The platform was used for both internal communication and also assisted in communicating with our customers. Skype was also used in our internal review meetings as well as external launch events.
- The international calling feature makes it easy to communicate with people overseas
- It's easy to reach out to contact once they've been added
- The user interface is very smooth
We tried many different video meeting platforms in order to bring our team together. Since we have team members across 3 different continents, not all meeting software was available for every region. We used the platform for about a year since it was convenient to collaborate and also make international phone calls. Personally, I have been using it for about 6-7 years now.
- The video meeting experience is not very good
- The screen share experience is not very good
- The platform overall doesn't have a good onboarding process
Skype is different from its competitors since it's easier to integrate with Microsoft teams than other softwares.
You should think about the software that would accompany it and how well those software integrate. Also, you should consider who will be the people attending these meetings and if skype is allowed in their country.
Skype has made very little product changes since we have used it
Skype is good for organizations with globally diverse teams and organizations that are already using Microsoft teams
Skype would not be the best for organizations that don't use complimentary software to skype example slack, google docs, google sheets, etc..
Pros of Free Video Interview Platforms
In addition to being budget-friendly, free video interview platforms offer numerous compelling and practical advantages for recruiters:
- Budget-friendliness: Free video interview platforms provide a budget-friendly solution for recruiters looking to optimize their hiring process without significant expenses. While they may have limitations compared to paid plans, they offer an excellent starting point.
- Efficient screening: These tools enable recruiters to quickly and effectively screen candidates from anywhere. This eliminates the need for in-person meetings or lengthy phone screenings, saving time and resources while reaching a broader talent pool.
- Flexibility and convenience: Free video interviews allow both recruiters and candidates to schedule interviews at their convenience. This flexibility accommodates the schedules of all parties involved.
- Enhanced candidate assessment: Video interviews provide valuable insights beyond what can be gleaned from resumes alone. Recruiters can assess candidates' communication skills, behaviors, and overall suitability for the position more comprehensively.
- Increased collaboration: The ability to easily share interview recordings with team members fosters more effective hiring discussions. This collaborative feature streamlines the decision-making process, leading to better hiring outcomes.
Cons of Free Video Interview Software
Free video interview software platforms can have hidden costs and limitations that may not be immediately evident.
- Intangible costs: Free software may come with limited features, which means your employees must handle some tasks manually. This can result in important tasks being pushed aside, and the time and effort spent on these manual processes may ultimately cost more than investing in paid software that can efficiently manage those tasks.
- Limitations: Free plans from most vendors typically offer either pre-recorded interviews or live meetings, rarely both. Free asynchronous video interview software may limit the number of users, videos, or open positions, which may not be sufficient for every recruitment team. Similarly, free live conference software might not be designed specifically for hiring purposes and may only provide very basic interview functionalities.
- Beware of free trials: Be cautious if you come across free trials requiring payment information upfront. Make sure to cancel on time to avoid unexpected subscription fees. However, you can let your guard down with the options we listed in this guide, as they are genuinely free or offer trials without the need for credit card details.
Key Features of the Best Free Video Interview Software
You can’t expect a free video interview platform to offer all the advanced features a premium one does, but nevertheless, there are several key elements that can improve your hiring process.
- User management: Collaborative hiring becomes efficient with multiple users, role assignments, and permissions control. Some free plans offer limited users and role control, while others might provide full access during trials.
- GDPR compliance: Leading free platforms prioritize candidate data protection, although more advanced security is typically available in higher-tier plans.
- Candidate invitation options: You can invite candidates via email, SMS, and public links right from the software's dashboard.
- Support for candidates: Top free platforms offer candidates support before and during the interview. This includes online instructions, technical assistance, and live chat options.
- Mobile-friendliness: Most free video interview software allows candidates to complete video interviews on their mobile devices without requiring app downloads.
- Customizable invitation and rejection emails: While advanced templates might be reserved for paid subscriptions, most free plans offer simple personalization or advanced customization during trial periods.
- Branding and intro/outro: Interviews can be branded with your company's logo and colors. Some platforms even enable you to include an introductory or closing video message from your CEO to enhance candidate engagement.
- Candidate's recording attempts: This feature allows candidates to have one or multiple recording attempts per question during the pre-recorded interview process.
- Answer length restriction: Most platforms allow you to set maximum answer lengths for candidates' responses.
- Playback and auto-subtitle: Free users can utilize playback features to assess candidate answers and even use auto-subtitles for enhanced evaluation.
- Rate and comment: The ability to rate and provide comments on video answers is available within free user plans as well.
What Should Candidates Expect from Free Video Interview Platforms?
Armed with the best free video interview software, you provide your candidates with:
- Enhanced opportunities: Better opportunities to showcase their personality and communication skills beyond their resumes.
- Time savings: Less time spent on screening and interviewing means candidates can focus more on their overall job search.
- Fairness: Standardized interviews reduce hiring bias, ensuring a level playing field for all applicants.
- Reduced pressure: Multiple retries on video responses mean less pressure to get everything perfect on the first try.
Here are some examples of using the free video interview tool the right way:
- Setting clear interview expectations through welcome videos.
- Having hiring managers ask questions.
- Making small gestures like sending interview tips.
- Asking for candidates' feedback on their interview experience.
Questions to Ask During Demos with Free Video Interview Software Vendors
Consider asking these questions during demos with free video interview software to make an informed decision:
- What features do your free video interview platforms offer?
- Can you show me how the software works? How to set it up? What is the candidate's journey?
- What types of interviews and interview questions does the software support?
- How much can I customize the interview experience?
- Is there a limit on the number of participants or interviews I can conduct?
- What is the video and audio quality like?
- Is the software browser-based or does it require an app download?
- Does the software integrate with these tools of ours? Is the integration free?
- What level of customer support is provided for us and the interviewees?
- How secure is the platform in terms of data privacy and encryption?
- Are there any usage restrictions or limitations for the free version?
- How are the interview recordings stored, and for how long?
Free Video Interview Software FAQs
What Is Free Video Interview Software?
Free video interview software is an online tool that enables companies to conduct virtual interviews with job candidates at no cost. They provide a convenient and budget-friendly solution, eliminating the need for travel and saving time on coordination. However, they often lack the advanced features found in paid video interview software.
What Are the Different Types of Free Video Interview Software?
There are two types of free video interviewing software: Live video interviewing and asynchronous video interviewing.
- Live video interviewing: This type allows real-time, face-to-face interactions between interviewers and candidates. It's like a regular in-person interview but done online.
- Asynchronous video interviewing (pre-recorded video interviews): Here, candidates answer pre-set one-way video interview questions on their own time. They record their responses; later, a recruiter reviews the recorded interviews.
What is RIVS?
RIVS, or Recorded Interview Virtual Screening, is a video interviewing format that lets employers conduct virtual interviews with candidates. Candidates record responses to pre-set questions, allowing employers to review interviews later. It streamlines hiring, saving time and resources, especially for high applicant volumes and remote hiring needs.
Which Features Are Commonly Missing in Free Video Interview Software?
Free video interview platforms often come with limitations or restricted access to certain features, such as:
- User limits: Free versions typically allow only one user. If you need more users, you'll likely need to upgrade to a paid plan.
- Job limits: Most of the time, you can have one active job at a time with a free plan. Alternatively, the vendors will let you have multiple active jobs at once but that will only last during the trial time.
- Participant limits: Free plans of pre-recorded video interview platforms frequently restrict the number of participants to around 10 responses per job.
- Question types: Free plans may limit question formats to text and video. More diverse options like written and single/multiple-choice questions, if available, are only during trial periods.
- Live video interviewing: There are often two cases here. Scenario one: Some platforms offer both live and pre-recorded interviews, but the free plan may only allow you to use the pre-recorded tool. And two: Free video conferencing software like Zoom or Skype, while offering free live meetings, is not tailored specifically for recruitment.
- Integrations: Free video interview software typically allows integration with calendar apps at no cost. However, connecting it with other HR tools such as ATSs, candidate assessment tools, or recruiting software usually requires a subscription upgrade.
Which Video Interview Software Has the Longest Free Trial?
- Hireflix takes the lead, providing a generous one-month free trial accessible directly on its website.
- The runner-up is Willo, offering a 15-day trial to explore all features of their one-way video interview software for free.
- Spark Hire and Recright both offer 14-day trials. However, with Spark Hire, you get the trial after completing a 1-hour demo with their account manager.
Do I Need to Provide Credit Card Details for Free Trials?
For all the video interview software options we listed in this buyer guide: no, you don’t. We choose options that don't ask for your credit card to keep your privacy and avoid unexpected charges. Just your work email and maybe your phone number is enough.
Is Support Available during Free Trials?
Yes! All the video interview apps we cover here offer support during trials and for free plans (if any), for employers and interviewees, too. You can contact their support team via email, phone, or online help center. Some even have a dedicated account manager to help you get started.
Moving Beyond Free Video Interview Software
Keep in mind that these free solutions are often a temporary fix for your hiring needs. As your company grows, you may wish to explore more robust and feature-rich alternatives.
When that time arrives, you may benefit more from our review of the best video interview platforms, where we share insights into each option’s pros and cons, pricing, and best use cases. All to make it easier for you to form a smart and informed purchase decision.
Have questions or need further assistance with your video interview software selections? Book a free 1:1 with us. Our HR experts behind this guide would be pumped to help you out.
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