Olivia Chatbot Isn’t the Only Option – Here’s What to Consider

If you've been exploring recruitment automation tools, chances are you’ve heard of Olivia, the AI assistant from Paradox. She’s sleek, fast, and used by big brands like McDonald’s to handle massive hiring volumes.

But here’s the truth: Olivia isn’t the only chatbot in town. And depending on your business, market, and hiring model, she might not even be your best option.

Enter txtHR by graylink. Built for fast-paced, high-volume hiring teams. Designed for organisations looking for local adaptability, WhatsApp-native communication, and a fully integrated talent platform that goes beyond just chatbot. 

txtHR is more than just a recruitment chatbot. It’s your recruitment sidekick that integrates deeply into your workflow, not just skims the surface.

Let’s break it down.

1. Olivia: Great Tech, But Not the Whole Solution

There’s no doubt that Olivia is an impressive chatbot. Paradox has raised tons of investment, and their tech handles screening and scheduling like a pro. But there are trade-offs:

• It’s a standalone chatbot. You still need an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to process candidates. This means extra tools, extra integrations, and often extra headaches.
• It’s not built for WhatsApp-first hiring. In emerging markets like South Africa, where WhatsApp is king, relying on web chat or SMS means you’re not reaching candidates where they actually are.
• It comes at a premium price. For companies looking for scalable but cost-effective solutions, Olivia might not hit the sweet spot.

txtHR is different. It’s more than just a chatbot.

txtHR is a fully integrated recruitment management platform that automates your entire hiring journey, from candidate registration to onboarding.

There’s no need for third-party ATS tools or complex integrations. With txtHR, the chatbot is already embedded in the system, giving you:

• Unified candidate data
• Seamless workflows
• Fewer tools to manage
• Faster time-to-hire

For companies that want one platform that just works, txtHR delivers.

2. WhatsApp-First: Meet Candidates Where They Are

Many chatbots including Paradox’s Olivia often rely on SMS or web chat. This might work in some markets, but not all. 

Why does that matter? Because most of today’s job seekers, especially those in emerging markets or non-desk roles, aren’t checking email or refreshing job portals. They’re on their phones. On WhatsApp.

This isn’t just a channel preference, it’s a strategic advantage:

• Candidates are already on WhatsApp, especially non-desk workers and job seekers in emerging markets.
• Engagement rates skyrocket when you meet candidates in the apps they already use.
• Response times and completion rates improve dramatically when there’s no need to download anything new or learn a new interface.

3. Unique Use Cases: Employee Referrals Through Chat

Most recruiting chatbots, including Olivia, XOR, and Humanly.io,  excel at things like answering candidate FAQs and booking interviews. This is useful, but limited.

txtHR takes it a step further. Take txtHR Refer, for example, a referral system that runs entirely through chat.

It’s a fresh take on referrals that leverages chat convenience and simplicity. Employees can refer candidates via WhatsApp in seconds. The bot handles all the heavy-lifting: collecting their details, updating their status, and even reminding referrers about open jobs.

This kind of feature isn’t just rare. It’s uniquely valuable. 

txtHR turns referrals into a frictionless, high-impact hiring source. Transforming your chatbot into a recruiting multiplier, not just a support agent.

4. Affordable, Scalable, and Locally Supported

Paradox is a U.S.-based company with a global footprint. Their reach is impressive but it doesn’t always translate into local understanding or responsive support, especially in Africa or other growth markets.

txtHR delivers enterprise-grade functionality at a more accessible price point, with localised support and customisations tailored to your region. This is especially valuable if you're hiring in Africa, Asia, or other growth markets, where candidate behaviours, devices, and expectations differ from U.S. norms.

5. Affordability Meets Scalability

Chatbots are supposed to reduce cost, not add to it.

Paradox’s Olivia has premium branding and comes with the kind of price tag you’d expect from a heavily funded US tech firm. While that may suit some multinational giants, txtHR offers a more affordable solution that still delivers world-class functionality, without compromising on AI sophistication or user experience.

For companies looking to scale efficiently without bloating costs, txtHR offers the right mix of automation and affordability.

Because txtHR is part of a broader platform and doesn’t rely on high per-seat licensing models, it often comes in at a more affordable price point than U.S.-centric competitors. And because it scales seamlessly, it can serve both small HR teams and large enterprise hiring operations alike.

Why txtHR Should Be on Your Shortlist

There’s no denying Olivia is a strong player. But txtHR isn’t just another chatbot. It’s a full recruitment assistant, built into a unified talent acquisition system, designed for high-volume hiring in mobile-first markets.

If you're looking for:

• A single platform that combines chatbot and ATS
• Deep WhatsApp integration
• End-to-end recruitment automation (not just screening)
• Affordable pricing and local expertise
• Unique features like candidate referral automation

Then it’s time to look beyond the buzz and consider a smarter, more localised choice.

txtHR isn’t just an alternative to Olivia,  it’s the better fit for many employers.

It’s built for real-world candidates. It works in the messaging channels they actually use. And it gives your team one system to manage it all.

No silos. No disjointed workflows. Just better hiring, made simple.

Book your txtHR demo today and see the difference yourself.