Tool profile
Tengai: cost, fit and limits
Tengai is an automated interview product made by Tengai AB of Stockholm in which an AI avatar called Tengai interviews candidates about qualifications, behavior and personality. It produces a ranked shortlist with competency data, and the recruiter, not the AI, decides who moves forward.
What to know first
Tengai replaces the first screening round with a roughly 20-minute conversation between a candidate and an avatar. The interview mixes 10 behavioral statements, 10 personality questions and some role-specific questions based on a Big-5 question set. Candidates receive personal feedback and can reuse the interview for later jobs. Tengai states that it does not use facial recognition. Pricing, hosting and retention terms are not published on the pages we read.
Tengai at a glance
| Maker | Tengai AB, Sweden |
|---|---|
| Free plan | No |
| Entry price | Quote only |
| API access | No |
| Category | Best AI Video Interviewing Software in 2026, rank 10 of 11 |
| Website | tengai.io |
Who Tengai is best for
High-volume Nordic employers
The avatar runs hundreds of interviews at once, and interviews are available in English and Swedish, which fits Swedish-language hiring.
Teams focused on structured, bias-aware screening
A fixed question set, mechanical ranking on competency requirements and a stated ban on facial recognition give reviewers a repeatable first filter.
Candidates who want feedback
Each candidate receives personal insights after the interview and keeps access in the Talent Hub for one year, for reuse on new positions.
Tengai plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Tengai Unbiased | Not shown on the pages we read | The AI avatar interview and ranked shortlist. Contact Tengai for pricing and subscription terms, since none appear publicly. |
| Role-specific screening | Not shown on the pages we read | Recruiters choose personality categories, must-have requirements and role questions, then invite candidates by ATS integration or pasted email addresses. |
| Candidate Talent Hub | Free for candidates | Candidates sign in to keep their interview for one year, view feedback and reuse the interview for new positions. |
Checked November 2026.
What Tengai does
- Avatar-led structured interview
- The AI avatar asks the same structured sequence to every candidate. The page says AI is used only in the dialogue between candidate and avatar, never in decisions.
- Big-5 based question set
- Interviews rest on a validated question set grounded in the Five-Factor model, with behavioral statements and personality questions plus role-specific ones. The page says psychometric experts validated this approach.
- Ranked scientific shortlist
- Once the first interview is complete, recruiters see scored candidates ranked mechanically on competency requirements, and can follow interviews in real time. Recruiters can set must-have requirements before inviting candidates, which shapes the order of the list.
- Automated candidate communication
- Email and SMS handle invitations, scheduling and feedback, and applicants can be invited through an ATS integration or by pasting email addresses. Messages cover interview scheduling and feedback, which removes manual email work for recruiters.
- No facial recognition
- The page says the AI does not use facial recognition and does not access personal data before, during or after the interview. This is a design choice that limits what data the system ever holds.
How Tengai handles your data
Tengai's privacy page says candidates can delete their responses while signed in to the Talent Hub, and that for customer-run interviews Tengai generally has no knowledge of how long a customer keeps data. The how-it-works page says interview data is stored in a graph database, that Tengai complies with GDPR and that candidates keep access for one year. Hosting location, subprocessors and AI training were not stated on the pages we read, and the company has no listed certification.
Where Tengai falls short in practice
- Two interview languages. The FAQ says Tengai speaks English with an American accent and Swedish. Employers hiring in German, French or Dutch need another product. The page is not consistent on this, so ask for a written list.
- No public commercial terms. No price, plan, hosting region, certification or retention period appears on the pages we read, so security and finance reviews need a direct conversation. The privacy page says Tengai generally does not know how long customers keep data.
- Avatar format divides candidates. A 20-minute talk with an avatar suits some roles and applicants but not others, so employers should test candidate acceptance before a large rollout. Some candidates may prefer a human voice or a written form, so offer an alternative.
Works with
Alternatives to Tengai
Tengai: common questions
How long is a Tengai interview?
The how-it-works page says the interview takes about 20 minutes. It includes 10 behavioral statements, 10 personality questions and some role-specific questions. Candidates can take it at any time on mobile or desktop without downloading anything. The avatar is available around the clock, so candidates can finish when it suits them.
Does Tengai use facial recognition?
The how-it-works page states that the AI does not use facial recognition and does not access candidates' personal data before, during or after the interview. The home page adds that AI is used only in the dialogue and never makes a decision.
Which languages does Tengai interview in?
One page mentions selectable languages, but its FAQ says Tengai speaks English with an American accent and Swedish. Confirm the exact language list with the vendor before running interviews in any other language. One page suggests a wider language list, so ask which one applies to your contract.
How long can a candidate keep a Tengai interview?
The how-it-works page says candidates can access their interview in the Tengai Talent Hub for one year and reuse it for new positions. The privacy page says candidates can also delete their responses while logged in. Employers keep their own copies according to their own retention rules, which Tengai says it generally has no knowledge of.
Does Tengai integrate with applicant tracking systems?
The home page says Tengai integrates with your ATS, and the how-it-works page says applicants can be invited automatically through such an integration. No specific ATS products are named on the pages we read, so ask for the list. Candidates can also be added by pasting their email addresses into the system.