
I recently interviewed at Shopify Coderpad. Their online assesment questions were numerous and quite challenging, so I needed an AI interview assistant to help me improve my success rate in technical interviews.
At first, I read “8 Best Free AI Mock Interview Assistant Tools” for reference, but I found that, due to cost constraints, the AI models used by these tools couldn’t provide high-quality answers. So, I narrowed it down to two technical interview AI assistants: CTRLpotato.
However, I encountered some minor issues while testing CTRLpotato: This product isn't exactly 100% stealth, so I’d definitely be running the risk of getting caught using AI in a real interview. Plus, the answers it spits out aren't great—I’d say it’s fine for mock interviews, but it’s a bit of a struggle to rely on it for a live one.
Consequently, I ultimately chose Linkjob as CTRLpotato alternative, a fully invisible interview assistant for technical interviews, behavioral interviews, and mock interviews.


I’ve put together a table listing the main features of CTRLpotato and CTRLpotato Alternative, along with the points I focused on and the aspects you might find interesting.
Features | Linkjob AI | CTRLpotato |
|---|---|---|
Platform Type | Software-based (Desktop app) | Software-based (Desktop app) |
Undetectability | Supported | Not always supported |
Automatic Question Recognization | Supported | Supported |
All Interview Format (behavioral, coding, etc.) | Supported | Supported |
Personalized Support | Supported | Too vague |
Live Interview Copilot | Supported | Supported |
Language | More than 52 | 10+ |
Online interview platforms primarily monitor candidates in the following ways:
Screen Sharing: Interviewers/proctors can view everything you share via Zoom, Google Meet, or the platform’s built-in tools—without exception.
Recording the Entire Interview: A video replay of the live session will be provided later to check for any unusual activity.
Code Paste Detection: This flags instances of extensive or frequent pasting within the code editor—which is considered a potential form of cheating.
Tab Switching/Loss of Window Focus: The system detects when you leave the interview tab or click outside the browser window, but it cannot see what you have switched to.

Both CTRLpotato and Linkjob are desktop AI interview assistants, so aside from displaying a transparent, always-on-top window on my screen, they are virtually unnoticeable.
However, some interview software, such as CTRLpotato, does not support viewing answers directly on a computer (I tried to find an official explanation for this, but couldn’t). I have to prepare an additional device to view the answers.
Things aren’t as simple as they make them out to be. First, there’s the matter of choosing the right device: a phone screen is too small and the display isn’t clear enough, while a computer or tablet screen is too large and has to be placed to the side. In an actual interview, both scenarios look very unnatural.
Furthermore, some coding test platforms, such as CoderByte, can now directly detect whether a candidate is using two devices. If you use two devices, you will immediately be flagged for cheating. I prefer AI interview assistants like Linkjob that can run completely discreetly on a single device.
If you're curious about how the platforms you use for interviews detect cheating, you can read this series of articles: HackerRank: How to Cheat, How to Cheat in a Microsoft Teams Interview, and How to Cheat on Codility.

Furthermore, according to CTRLpotato’s subscription plans, if I need to use two devices for a job interview, I have to subscribe to a more advanced plan, which I find very strange. CTRLpotato’s shortcomings require consumers to pay extra.
Both CTRLpotato and Linkjob can automatically recognize and answer questions, and both allow users to upload screenshots of the problem. Linkjob has an advantage when dealing with lengthy programming problems, as it supports uploading more screenshots—up to six at a time.
However, when it comes to speech recognition, both AI interview assistants have a few minor issues: CTRLpotato sometimes misses questions, requiring me to fill in the gaps manually. Linkjob occasionally combines two sentences into one or splits one sentence into two. Overall, though, Linkjob is a bit smoother to use.
CTRLpotato and Linkjob outperform most AI interview assistants on the market during coding interviews. They utilize cutting-edge AI models (which will be detailed when discussing subscription pricing later) and allow me to choose any programming language I prefer (Python, Java, C++), enabling them to generate answers quickly and effectively. I tested them with challenging problems from Leetcode, and they performed exceptionally well.
For behavioral interviews, both CTRLpotato and Linkjob support uploading my resume, claiming they can tailor answers to better match my personal background. However, CTRLpotato doesn’t handle follow-up questions well—it often provides answers that contradict previous responses and sometimes even forgets my specific details.
CTRLpotato is only usable during live interviews, whereas Linkjob also offers a mock interview feature. And this feature is exceptionally well-designed
First, Linkjob asks targeted questions based on the position I’m applying for and my resume, unlike some interview tools that ask overly general questions. I’ve even encountered questions in real interviews that Linkjob had asked me during its mock interviews.
Second, Linkjob asks follow-up questions in a structured and logical manner, which closely resembles a real interview. To be honest, the first time Linkjob asked me a follow-up question, I felt just as nervous as I would during an interview with a real interviewer.
First off, I have to vent about one thing: CTRLpotato’s so-called “free trial” actually means you have to pay for a subscription first. If you use the service fewer than ten times, you can contact customer support for a refund.
Honestly, I really hate this kind of wordplay. I thought a “free trial” meant I could start using the service for free right after signing up, and if I liked it, I’d then pay for a subscription. I didn’t expect to have to provide my credit card number at the time of registration.
CTRLpotato’s specific subscription plans are as follows:

Linkjob uses a time-based subscription model: Monthly subscription: $100 per month; Quarterly subscription: $70 per month; Annual subscription: $30 per month. You can try any feature for free before subscribing—simply sign up with your email address.
Below is a detailed overview of Linkjob’s various subscription plans:

Both Linkjob and CTRLpotato support coding interviews and behavioral interviews. Both also feature automatic speech recognition and the ability to upload screenshots of interview questions. However, the answers provided by Linkjob are more tailored to my specific situation, and it performs better in terms of automatic recognition and screenshot functionality.
I use Ctrlpotato and Linkjob AI on Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile devices. Both platforms work in the desktop. I never worry about undetectability, which makes using them easy. However, some interview platforms, such as CoderByte, can detect CTRLpotato's dual-device mode.
Linkjob AI focuses on tech and finance roles. I get tailored guidance and instant feedback. Ctrlpotato covers general interviews, but Linkjob AI adapts to my industry needs and helps me answer tough questions.
You can get a refund for CTRLpotato within the first ten uses. Linkjob AI offers a free version and trial. I always recommend testing before paying.
I prefer Linkjob AI for mock interviews. The AI asks follow-up questions and gives instant feedback. Ctrlpotato does not include a mock interview feature
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