Olivia vs Clio: What Feels Most Conversational for Hospitality Hiring?

Hiring frontline hospitality workers fast is a constant challenge. Two tools are making noise in the space: Paradox’s Olivia (text-based chat) and Cantaloupe AI’s Clio (voice-based interviews). Both speed up hiring, but they take very different approaches.

Olivia: Text Chat That Moves Candidates Fast

Olivia automates candidate screening, scheduling, and FAQs over SMS, WhatsApp, and web chat.

Why operators like it:

• High Conversion Rates: Text removes friction from applications, driving faster completions.
• Instant Scheduling: 82% of interviews are booked within 30 minutes.
• 24/7 Availability: Candidates can apply and schedule any time, without waiting for a recruiter.

Olivia is ideal for high-volume operators that need speed, accessibility, and scale.

Clio: Voice Interviews That Capture More Than Words

Launched in January 2025, Clio lets applicants answer interview questions by voice — directly from their phone — in under 3 minutes.

Why operators are switching:

• Richer Insight: Voice picks up tone, pace, and personality that text alone can’t capture.
• Better Fit, Lower Turnover: Early adopters report reduced first-90-day attrition.
• Multilingual: Supports multiple languages, widening your talent pool.

Clio works best for operators who value culture fit, personality, and retention as much as speed.

Voice vs. Text: Key Differences

FeatureOlivia (Text)Clio (Voice)Candidate ComfortQuick, familiar SMS or chatNatural conversation, no camera setupInsights CapturedWritten answers onlyTone, emotion, pace, personality cuesBest ForHigh-volume, rapid screeningFit-focused, people-first hiring

What to Consider Before Choosing

1. Hiring Volume: Do you process hundreds of applicants weekly? Text may handle scale more efficiently.
2. Quality vs. Quantity: Is finding the right personality more important than raw speed? Voice might be worth it.
3. Candidate Demographics: Are your applicants more comfortable texting or talking?

Bottom Line

If you want sheer volume and automation, Olivia delivers. If you want depth and human connection at scale, Clio brings that extra layer. The best choice comes down to what matters most for your team — speed or fit.