Refery vs Paraform
Choose the search that fits the hire.
Refery is a Paraform alternative for VC-backed Seed to Series B companies hiring Engineering, AI, and GTM talent. Both work with recruiting specialists. Refery combines that search work with referrals from founders, operators, and investors, with one Refery contact coordinating the brief, screening, and shortlist.
At a glance
What each company offers
| Question | Refery | Paraform |
|---|---|---|
| Where candidates come from | Specialist independent recruiters and founder, operator, and investor referrals. | Expert recruiters supported by custom AI agents. |
| Search support | One Refery contact, screening, candidate briefs, and coordination. | A dedicated talent strategist and managed search support. |
| Company focus | VC-backed Seed to Series B companies; Engineering, AI, and GTM. | Public offerings for early-stage, growth-stage, and enterprise hiring. |
| Commercial terms | 15% to 25% of first-year base salary on hire. No retainer, no exclusivity, 90-day guarantee. | Request a current proposal for the role; confirm fees and guarantee directly. |
Paraform’s product description and support model were checked on its official website on September 19, 2026. This comparison is written by Refery.
When to consider Refery
A critical early hire, with context.
You have a critical early-stage hire and want both specialist search reach and first-hand context about candidates. You want the shortlist to explain what each person built, why the role fits, and what still needs checking.
Send the outcome this person must own, the team and product context, location, compensation, and interview constraints. Refery confirms the scope and fee before the search starts.
Ask both providers the same questions
Who will work this role, and what similar work do they understand?
How is candidate interest confirmed before an introduction?
Who screens the candidate and explains the evidence for fit?
How are existing candidates and duplicate introductions handled?
What is the exact fee basis, payment trigger, and guarantee?
Who owns feedback and next steps when a search needs recalibration?
Choose on the evidence and agreement for your role. Network size alone cannot tell you whether the right person will work your search.
Is Refery an alternative to Paraform?
Yes. Refery serves VC-backed Seed to Series B companies hiring Engineering, AI, and GTM talent. Its managed searches combine specialist independent recruiters with founder, operator, and investor referrals. Compare the relevant people, scope, and commercial terms for your specific role.
Does Refery also work with independent recruiters?
Yes. Independent recruiting specialists are part of Refery’s network, alongside operator scouts. Refery selects the relevant partners, screens introductions, and coordinates the hiring process through one point of contact.
Is Refery cheaper than Paraform?
Refery charges 15% to 25% of first-year base salary on a successful hire, with no retainer or exclusivity and a 90-day guarantee. Ask Paraform for its current proposal, then compare the fee basis, upfront costs, payment trigger, and guarantee. The cost depends on the terms of your search.
Start a search
Tell us what this hire needs to own.
A job description, a Notion doc, or a paragraph is enough to start the conversation. We’ll discuss the brief, search approach, and terms with you.