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Pre-employment screening
Access Screening vs Zinc: Moving beyond a toolkit to achieve true ROI
Zinc is a sleek, modern platform that excels at creating a strong candidate experience, especially in the automated referencing space. But for high-volume recruitment agencies and global enterprises, the best solution needs to be more than just a toolkit - it needs to be a strategic partner with guaranteed ROI and unmatched feature depth. We'll show you why Access Screening, with its 140+ check library and full ecosystem integration, is the robust solution that delivers a superior, long-term return.
Access Screening vs Zinc: core comparison
| Feature / Metric | Access Screening | Zinc | Strategic advantage for Access |
| Core USP | Proven ROI & Ecosystem Integration: Guaranteed 50% time-to-hire savings, integrated with the Access RecOS suite (Attract. Manage. Pay.). | Candidate Experience & Referencing Toolkit: Built on candidate-centric design, strong automated referencing, and blockchain technology for data ownership. | Access provides strategic value by streamlining the entire recruitment lifecycle, not just the check itself. |
| Check Depth | Over 140 checks from trusted partners. Unmatched breadth for complex, global, or multi-sector needs. | Strong coverage, focusing on a core set of off-the-shelf checks (including DBS, PEPs, Global Criminal, HMRC Employment Verification). | Access offers unparalleled depth (140+ checks), eliminating the need for multiple niche screening tools. |
| Integrations | Open API (JSON API) for integration with any system. Deep, native integration with Access Recruitment CRM, Onboarded, and Payroll. | Integrates with 15+ ATS & HRIS (including Greenhouse, SAP SuccessFactors). API available. | Access's native integration with its own ecosystem provides ultimate vendor consolidation and zero-friction data flow for recruitment firms. |
| Global Reach | Comprehensive International checks available within the 140+ check library. 24/7 Support (implied consistency). | Excellent Global Coverage (190+ countries), certified IDVT (UK Government Trust Framework). | Zinc focuses heavily on global coverage, but Access matches this with superior 24/7 consistency and check options. |
| Target Market | Enterprise & Recruitment Agencies seeking scalability, maximum feature depth, and cost-predictability. | Primarily targets Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in specific sectors (Fintech, Healthcare) looking for a slick, fast referencing tool. | Access offers enterprise-grade stability and features designed for the highest-volume, most complex hiring needs. |
See how to ensure trust with reliable background checks
The ROI breakthrough: Trading features for financial impact
While Zinc boasts a fast turnaround time (3 days), Access Screening provides a clear, measurable impact on your bottom line and efficiency, transforming your entire HR operation.
| Access Screening ROI Metric | The Value to Your Business |
| Time to Hire Reduction | Up to 50% Faster |
| Admin Time Savings | Up to 40% Less Admin |
The cost of a toolkit
Zinc's pricing starts at competitive rates (£30 one-time checks/£125 monthly plans), but user reviews mention "Billing Issues" and finding the product "Expensive." This suggests their tiered model may become costly as your hiring scales.
Access Screening's ROI is built on an enterprise model that guarantees your investment directly translates into cost reduction and time savings across the board.
Customer Feedback: Consistency vs. Specialisation
Zinc: High Praise, Narrow Focus
- Pros: Customers love Zinc's focus on automated referencing ("We can click a button and everything is done for us," "seamless process"). They achieve a high G2 rating (4.7/5).
- The Caution: Zinc's low Gartner Peer Insights rating (2.7/5) and reports of "Slow Checks" and "Billing Issues" suggest a potential inconsistency in their enterprise-grade delivery that could hinder large-scale operations.
Access Screening: Proven Stability and Breadth
- Customer testimonial (focusing on efficiency & consistency):
It's revolutionised the way we do screening. It's made it so much more efficient and because all of us on the HR team have got access to the system, the continuity and the consistency is much better.
Emma Kornblum, HR & Resourcing Partner, Outlook Care
- The Access Group advantage:
Choosing Access means partnering with a large, stable technology group that supports your entire business ecosystem, ensuring a reliable, enterprise-ready platform from day one.
Who is your best long-term partner?
Zinc is an excellent, specialised toolkit for companies prioritising candidate experience and automated referencing.
However, if your goal is large-scale operational efficiency, true vendor consolidation, and a platform that guarantees a 50% reduction in time-to-hire with a massive 140+ check library, Access Screening is the superior solution. Choose a platform built for enterprise scale and proven ROI.
Ready to See How Much Time and Money You Can Save?
Book a demo to explore Access Screening's 140+ check library and customised workflows.
See what Access screening software can do
Resources
5 Steps to digitising your candidate compliance strategy
A helpful guide to evolving your onboarding process and delivering a reliable compliance strategy through automation.
Candidate Screening Solutions in the UK
In this guide, we explore the importance of screening, the specific checks required by different industries, and how automated screening software can streamline the process.
Candidate onboarding checklist for UK temp agencies
This checklist gives you exactly that sector-specific guidance, automation tips, and practical steps to help you move at speed without slipping on compliance.