The Best HireVue Alternatives for 2025: Chat vs. Video
HireVue is the 800-pound gorilla of the digital interviewing space. They pioneered the video interview. But for many companies—especially mid-market businesses and agile startups—HireVue has become too expensive, too complex, and too impersonal. If you're looking for HireVue alternatives that prioritize candidate experience and speed over legacy enterprise features, you're in the right place.
Last updated: December 2025 • 12 min read
Quick Comparison: HireVue Alternatives at a Glance
| Platform | Format | Best For | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. ISA (Theia Jobs)Top Pick | Chat | Teams needing unlimited screening without per-interview fees | From $39/job |
| 2. Spark Hire | Video | SMBs wanting simple video interviews | From $149/month |
| 3. myInterview | Video + AI | Teams wanting collaborative video review with AI assistance | Per-seat pricing |
| 4. Paradox (Olivia) | Chat | Large enterprises hiring hourly workers at massive scale | Enterprise pricing |
| 5. VidCruiter | Video | Organizations with complex, structured interview processes | Custom pricing |
| 6. Interviewer.AI | Video + AI | SMBs wanting AI video screening at lower cost than HireVue | From $99/month |
| 7. Knockri | Video (transcript-scored) | Organizations prioritizing DEI and bias reduction | Per-candidate |
Why Companies Look for HireVue Alternatives
While HireVue serves the Fortune 500 well, it leaves many other companies—and candidates—frustrated.
- Pricing Complexity: HireVue typically operates on an enterprise model with volume caps, high implementation fees, and long-term contracts. Pricing is rarely transparent, requiring lengthy sales cycles just to get a quote.
- Candidate Anxiety: Video interviews are stressful. "Camera shyness" is real. Adoption data shows that forced video assessments lead to high abandonment rates, causing you to lose passive talent who simply don't want to record themselves.
- Implementation Drag: Setting up legacy enterprise platforms can take weeks or months. Modern teams need to start hiring today.
1. ISA (Theia Jobs) — Best for Unlimited High-Volume Screening
Chat-first AI interviews with unlimited volume and instant shortlists.
Format: Chat • Pricing: From $39/job
Pros
- Unlimited interviews included
- Chat-first = higher completion rates
- Under-24-hour shortlists
- 130+ languages
- Simple pricing, no hidden fees
- Same-day implementation
Cons
- No video option (yet)
- Voice interviews coming soon
Verdict: The best HireVue alternative if you want unlimited screening at a fraction of the cost. Chat-first approach drives higher completion than video.
2. Spark Hire — Best Budget-Friendly Video Option
One-way and live video interviews with collaborative review features.
Format: Video • Pricing: From $149/month
Pros
- Affordable flat-rate pricing
- Easy to use interface
- Collaborative hiring features
- Good customer support
Cons
- No AI screening/scoring
- Manual review required
- Video can deter some candidates
Verdict: Good budget option for video interviews, but lacks AI automation—you'll still manually review every recording.
3. myInterview — Best for Team Collaboration
Video interviews with AI insights and team-based evaluation.
Format: Video + AI • Pricing: Per-seat pricing
Pros
- Strong collaboration features
- AI-powered insights
- Customizable workflows
- Good ATS integrations
Cons
- Per-seat pricing adds up
- Video format limitations
- Less automated than chat alternatives
Verdict: Solid choice if your team reviews interviews together. AI assists but doesn't fully automate screening.
4. Paradox (Olivia) — Best for Hourly/High-Volume Hiring
Conversational AI assistant focused on hourly workforce automation.
Format: Chat • Pricing: Enterprise pricing
Pros
- Excellent conversational AI
- Strong scheduling automation
- Career site integration
- High-volume focus
Cons
- Enterprise pricing excludes SMBs
- Primarily hourly-focused
- Long implementation cycles
Verdict: If you're a large enterprise hiring thousands of hourly workers, Paradox is powerful. Otherwise, likely overkill.
5. VidCruiter — Best for Complex Workflows
Highly configurable video interview platform with structured hiring support.
Format: Video • Pricing: Custom pricing
Pros
- Highly customizable
- Strong structured interview support
- Good compliance features
- Multiple interview formats
Cons
- Can be complex to configure
- Custom pricing requires sales call
- Learning curve for admins
Verdict: Good for organizations needing highly structured, compliant video interviews. May be overkill for simpler needs.
6. Interviewer.AI — Best Entry-Level AI Video
AI-powered video interviews with explainable scoring.
Format: Video + AI • Pricing: From $99/month
Pros
- Affordable entry point
- AI scoring with explanations
- Easy to get started
- Good for basic automation
Cons
- Credit-based limits
- Less sophisticated than enterprise options
- Video format limitations
Verdict: Accessible entry point for AI video screening, but credit limits may constrain high-volume hiring.
7. Knockri — Best for Bias Reduction Focus
Competency-based AI assessment with transcript-focused scoring.
Format: Video (transcript-scored) • Pricing: Per-candidate
Pros
- Strong bias-reduction focus
- Transcript-based scoring (ignores video)
- Competency framework alignment
- Good for structured hiring
Cons
- Still requires video recording
- Per-candidate pricing
- May need calibration work
Verdict: Unique approach to bias reduction by scoring transcripts not video. Good for DEI-focused organizations.
How to Choose: Video vs. Chat Interviews
When selecting a HireVue competitor, the biggest decision is the medium: Video or Chat?
The Case for Video (HireVue, Spark Hire)
- Pros: You get to see body language and presentation skills (useful for sales roles).
- Cons: High friction. Requires good lighting/internet. Heavily biased by appearance.
The Case for Chat (Theia)
- Low Anxiety: Candidates can think before they type.
- Mobile-First: Can be done anywhere, anytime.
- Blind Screening: Reduces unconscious bias based on race, gender, or appearance. The AI evaluates the content of the answer, not the candidate's background.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best alternative to HireVue?
The best HireVue alternative depends on your needs. For high-volume screening with unlimited interviews and chat-first experience, ISA (Theia Jobs) is the top choice. For enterprise video with games-based assessments, consider enterprise options. For budget-friendly video, Spark Hire or myInterview work well.
Why do companies switch from HireVue?
Common reasons include: high per-candidate costs at volume, candidate complaints about video interview anxiety, long implementation timelines, and desire for chat-based screening which has higher completion rates.
Is there a free alternative to HireVue?
Most professional AI interview platforms require payment, but several offer free trials. ISA offers a free trial to test the platform before committing.
How much does HireVue cost?
HireVue does not publicly publish pricing. It is custom-quoted based on company size and interview volume. Generally, it's priced for the enterprise budget, often starting in the mid-five figures annually with implementation costs. If you need transparent pricing, consider alternatives like ISA that publish their rates upfront.
Ready to Try the #1 HireVue Alternative?
ISA delivers unlimited AI interviews, chat-first candidate experience, and shortlists in under 24 hours—without enterprise complexity or per-interview fees.
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