Top 14 Best Background Checks

Background checks can be used by employers, landlords, and individuals to learn more about an individual’s history, including criminal record, driving history, or credit. To help you find the best background check service for 2024, we’ve compiled reviews from leading review publications to create this comprehensive resource. With this guide, you can easily compare the best background check sites for your employment screening and personal needs based on a collection of third-party reviews.

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What Are The Best Background Check Services?

Employers that conduct pre-employment background checks as part of their hiring process can choose to handle the screenings in-house or partner with a consumer reporting agency (CRA). To help you find the right background check service provider for your company’s employment screening needs and budget, we’ve rounded up our picks for top background screening companies of 2024. 

The Best Background Checks For Employers

Employers that choose to partner with a CRA to conduct pre-employment background checks typically save time and money compared to performing background checks directly, thanks to a more streamlined process, API technology, customizable workflows, and analytics tools. Plus, CRAs generally have more accurate reporting. But when working with a CRA, employers do need to stay compliant with federal, state, and local fair hiring laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). So it’s important to partner with a trusted FCRA-compliant background check service provider.

Here’s a closer look at some of the best background checks for employers:

1. GoodHire, A Checkr Company

Checkr acquired GoodHire and together, they are among the best background check websites with FCRA-compliant screening options to help scale your business and an excellent experience for both customers and candidates alike. Found at the top of this “best background check service” list, GoodHire offers 100+ background screenings for companies of all sizes, as well as international background checks and industry-specific options. 

With GoodHire, you can easily customize your screening packages with additional searches and there’s no monthly minimums or subscription fees so you can order as few or many as you need. Compliance, communication, and convenience make GoodHire one of the best background checks sites for employers. Integrations with popular applicant tracking solutions streamline your hiring process, while automated workflows help simplify compliance. Plus, there’s no charge for sending pre-adverse and adverse action notices through its built-in workflow. 

• Key features: Built-in compliance tools, easy-to-use interface, customizability

• Pricing: Pre-set packages start at $29.99 per check, with the option to customize with add-ons. You can also get a quote for volume pricing.

2. HireRight

HireRight provides FCRA-compliant pre-employment background checks for companies, from small businesses to global organizations. It specializes in checks across a wide range of industries, including education, energy and utilities, manufacturing, and technology. Industry-specific packages are available which can be tailored as needed. In addition, the company operates a self-service background check solution for small and medium-sized businesses looking for a more affordable option. 

HireRight offers many types of background screenings, including criminal history searches, drug testing, DOT employment verification, and healthcare sanctions checks. In addition, HireRight offers tools to manage compliance and analytics to help companies create more efficient hiring processes. The company offers an API integration to streamline workflows as well as a user-friendly candidate portal on their mobile app. 

• Key features: Global capabilities, industry-specific packages, mobile app 
• Pricing: Self-service small business packages through sister company, Backgroundchecks.com start at $36.47; larger businesses contact HireRight for a quote

3. VICTIG

Founded 2006, VICTIG is accredited by the PBSA and offers FCRA-compliant pre-employment background checks across all 50 states. The company serves a wide range of industries, including staffing, healthcare, technology, hospitality, and nonprofit. It offers criminal background checks, motor vehicle reports, education and employment confirmation, health sanction checks, and employment credit reports. 

The company’s Quick App software tool enables employers to start the background check process with just a name and email address. Then, candidates are sent a link to provide digital consent and enter their personal information. VICTIG’s technology integrates with many commonly used Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and HR platforms. 

• Key features: Nationwide availability, ATS integration, mobile app
• Pricing: Pricing is not available online 

4. Sterling

Sterling has been in business since 1975 and offers FCRA-compliant pre-employment background checks for job candidates and volunteers. In addition to general screenings, such as motor vehicle reports and criminal background checks, the company offers other services like credit reports and ongoing monitoring for medical licenses.

Sterling conducts background check services globally and offers solutions for multiple industries, including construction, education, financial services, energy and utilities, and transportation, among others. The company’s API offers a wide range of integrations with popular HR tech solutions and is scalable to grow with your business. Employers can customize their background check workflow through progressive ordering to save on costs and create more efficiencies. 

In February 2024, First Advantage announced a purchase agreement to acquire Sterling. When the transaction closes, the two background check companies will begin operating as First Advantage though their combined service offerings remain unknown.

• Key features: Global capabilities, compliance tools, API integration
• Pricing: One-month membership for $23.99 or three-month membership for $19.19 per month; both options include up to 100 searches per month

5. First Advantage

First Advantage offers a wide range of background checks for employees, volunteers, and tenants that may comply with federal FCRA regulations. It serves a variety of industries, including insurance, financial services, professional services, transportation, oil and gas, and others. The company offers scalable screening solutions for employers of all sizes. 

In addition to standard pre-employment background checks, First Advantage also offers checks for contractors, freelancers, and vendors. They promise an “applicant first experience” with a mobile app, plus data analytics and diagnostic dashboards to help employers create a more efficient background check process. 

• Key features: Scalable solutions, global capabilities, tenant checks
• Pricing: Packages start at $29 per check and varies based on the screenings you include; larger businesses contact HireRight for a quote

6. Cisive

Cisive has been in business for more than 40 years, providing background checks across several industries, including healthcare, transportation, financial services, and technology. Employers can choose from a wide range of background checks options like Social Security number verification, employment and education verification, criminal history, and more. Electronic I-9 verification and global screenings services are also available. 

In addition, Cisive offers PreCheck, a healthcare-specific background screening and monitoring service. They also offer DriveriQ, a service designed for the transportation industry, which provides background checks, plus retention and roster management. 

• Key features: Global capabilities, industry-specific products, Form 1-9 verification
• Pricing: Pricing is not available online

7. Zinc

Zinc is a UK-based background check provider that provides a wide range of global background checks. Screenings include criminal record checks, adverse media checks, employment credit checks, global sanctions and watchlist checks, education verification, professional reference checks, and global right to work verification.

The company’s customizable platform integrates with popular HR tools and is user-friendly for both employers and candidates. Zinc works with businesses of all sizes, from startups to global enterprises, but specializes in checks for those in the United Kingdom. 

• Key features: Global capabilities, customizable platform, ATS integration
• Pricing: Pricing is not available online

The Best Background Checks For Individuals 

Background checks are not always used for employment. Individuals can choose to run background checks on people for a variety of reasons, including searching for a potential date, new roommate, or long-lost friends and relatives. 

Since these types of consumer background checks are not typically FCRA-compliant, it’s important to note that they cannot be used for purposes such as employment or tenant screenings. Here are the best background checks for individual use:

1. Checkr

Checkr is a highly-ranked, FCRA-compliant background check company for employers, but also offers personal background checks. Though this self-background check cannot be used for employment purposes, it can give users a chance to preview what employers and landlords might see.  This can help individuals anticipate questions, review the report for errors or inaccuracies, and save time instead of searching public records on your own.

The easy-to-order report can be requested in just three steps using basic personally identifying information. The search includes a Social Security Number trace, national criminal record search, global watchlist search, and sex offender registry search. Results are available to view in the online candidate portal. 

• Key features: Online candidate portal, simple pricing, supports fair hiring initiatives
• Pricing: $29.99/report

2. Instant Checkmate

Instant Checkmate is not FCRA-compliant for employment purposes, but offers individuals the ability to search public records and databases. Originally created in 2010 to help people engaged in online dating feel more comfortable meeting up in person, Instant Checkmate is an automated, consumer-facing service that provides access to public records data on a subscription basis.

The people search tool can return contact information, location data, criminal records, death records, and phone numbers and may even return other personal data such as social media accounts, email addresses, aliases, or date of birth. Instant Checkmate’s reverse phone number and email lookup can help users identify unknown callers and email addresses. 

• Key features: People search, inmate search, reverse phone and email lookup
• Pricing: Pricing starts at $35.47 a month for the people search option, while phone reports start at $5.99 a month

3. Truthfinder

Truthfinder is a consumer background search service that can be used by individuals to search millions of public records and social networks. Truthfinder looks into a range of personal information, including criminal records, employment history, property records, and possible relatives. It also offers a reverse phone number search. If you choose to search your own records and come across inaccurate information, you can update or delete anything that’s not correct. 

Similar to other people search sites, TruthFinder is not FCRA-compliant, but may be considered a good option to check criminal records for consumers. It enables users to scan hundreds of millions of US-only public records in order to find results.

• Key features: People search, phone number lookup, ability to correct personal data
• Pricing: From about $5 to approximately $30 per month, depending on package

4. US Search

US Search was launched over 25 years ago to make public records available for locating long lost friends or family members. Users can search by name, phone number, or address to learn about an individual’s employment history, social profile, property ownership history, evictions, and more. 

Since US Search is not FCRA-compliant, the site cannot be used for employment or tenant purposes. The company offers a US Search Pro tool, marketed as a legal research tool for legal professionals. This service offers results similar to a background check, such as criminal and traffic records, bankruptcies, civil cases, and more. 

• Key features: People search, phone number lookup, address search
• Pricing: Consumer pricing not listed; Pro packages start at $59 per month

5. Intelius

Intelius is a consumer search site that searches for people, addresses, phone numbers, and criminal records. Intelius uses a data search engine to aggregate results from many different public record databases. While it cannot be used for employment or tenant purposes because it’s not FCRA-compliant, Intelius can help you search for people you know or review your own background report. 

Users can search using a person’s name, phone number, or address to get started and the information provided may include addresses, criminal and traffic Records, phone numbers, social media profiles, and more. Add-ons are available for extra fees, including downloadable reports and identity protection. 

• Key features: People search, reverse phone number lookup, mobile app
• Pricing: Multiple unlimited search offerings, including people search starting at $24.86 for one month; downloadable report files for a one-time fee of $3.99

6. PeopleFinders

PeopleFinders is an online people search tool that compiles data from various public sources to help find long-lost friends and relatives, research potential employees or neighbors, and more. Users can find a person by name, phone number, or address and returns information found in public records such as criminal records, court records, and civil matters like bankruptcies and foreclosures. It also features a reverse phone number lookup feature that can help identify the name and address of the caller along with their public and criminal records. 

PeopleFinders offers a mobile app in addition to its web platform for convenient searching on-the-go. While the basic search is free, more detailed reports like background checks and real-time updates require a paid subscription. It’s not FCRA-compliant so cannot be used for employment or tenant background checks.

• Key features: People search, reverse phone search, mobile app 
• Pricing: Membership is $24.95 or $29.95 per month, depending on the plan

7. Verified Credentials

QualifiedFirst® is Verified Credentials’ personal background check solution. While Verified Credentials has a separate offering for employers, QualifiedFirst is intended for individuals to “see what employers see” on their background checks. With QualifiedFirst, people can check their own reports in order to make sure that their information is correct and up-to-date. 

The site can be used to enter and manage your own personal information, including qualifications, certifications, and licenses. It also allows users to order searches, such as county criminal records and sex offender searches, as well as driving records, employment, and education histories, depending on the plan. 

• Key features: Self-check, customizable plans, ability to correct personal data 
• Pricing: Packages start at $32.00, $46.50, and $85.50, with the option to add additional searches

What Is The Best Free Background Check?

If you’re an employer (or landlord) on a budget, it may be possible to conduct a free background check on your own by requesting records directly from law enforcement agencies or contacting educational institutions. But the process is often time-consuming and tedious and you’ll likely need to pay for copies of certain types of records, like motor vehicle reports, plus the cost of staff overhead to perform the screenings. And if you don’t remain compliant with federal, state, and local laws, you could put your organization at risk for potential penalties or lawsuits.  

Individuals, however, tend to have a bit more flexibility when performing background checks and may be able conduct limited checks for free. For example, some states allow you to search certain types of criminal records online, like court, arrest, and inmate records. You may also be able to check up on professional licenses, depending on local regulations. Certain sites like whitepages.com, also offer limited free information during a basic people search, including name, age, and location. But if you want a more detailed report, you can generally expect to pay a fee. 

What Is The Best Background Check For Landlords?

Landlords often conduct tenant screenings to learn more about a rental applicant’s history. But when conducting background checks, landlords are required to follow the federal guidelines of the FRCA (and other local regulations). Whether you’re a landlord with only a few properties or a large property management company, it’s a good idea to work with an FCRA-compliant background check provider. 

Landlords can choose from several different rental background check companies, depending on needs and budget. RentPrep, for example, offers several different packages that provide insight into a person’s credit history and criminal record, plus add ons like income verification and a search for liens and judgements. If you’re looking for more detailed information about a rental applicant’s finances, SmartMove–a service from TransUnion, one of the three major credit bureaus–may meet your needs. 

What Is The Best Background Check For Nannies?

When hiring a nanny, many parents conduct background checks to gain insight into a caregiver’s background, such as criminal history, sex offender status, and driving record. Parents may also choose to check a prospective nanny’s past employment history and professional references. Local laws for caregivers that work with vulnerable populations, like children, vary from state to state.

Parents can choose to work with a caregiver service, like Care.com, who pre-screens the nannies on their site or a background check provider that specializes in household employee checks like Nanny Parent Connection. If a family is working with a third-party background check provider or a company employs nannies in their workforce, you must comply with the FCRA when conducting nanny background checks.

What Is The Best Background Check For Small Businesses?

Whether you’re hiring a few candidates or scaling your operations, background checks can help your small business find qualified candidates, make informed hiring decisions, and mitigate risk. 

Small businesses owners looking to implement a turnkey employment background check process may benefit from working with a trusted CRA, like GoodHire. 

GoodHire is considered one of the best background checks for small businesses because we offer several packages to get you started, and you can easily customize them with add-on screenings for specific roles. Our user-friendly online platform and automated workflows help streamline your background check process, while built-in tools also support your small business’ compliance with federal, state, and local legal requirements every step of the way. Plus, our fast turnaround times and accurate results give you peace of mind to grow your business.

What Is The Best Background Check For Churches?

Like many nonprofits, churches often choose to conduct background checks to make informed decisions when hiring employees or adding volunteers to their organizations. Background screenings are necessary—and often required—to protect your congregation and ensure continued funding. Church background checks often include screenings like criminal history, employment and education verification, and drug testing.

The best background check for churches should balance comprehensiveness, cost-effectiveness, and legal compliance while prioritizing the safety of the congregation, especially vulnerable populations like children. Churches often benefit from partnering with a background check provider that is FCRA-compliant and offers a wide range of screening options. GoodHire, for example, provides customizable screening options with a modern platform that enables compliance, while delivering fast, accurate results.

Order Background Checks Today

The top background screening companies can help you speed and your screening process. When evaluating and choosing a background check vendor in 2024, it’s important to do your due diligence. Check the Better Business Bureau and PBSA for recommendations and accreditation status, and read real user reviews on sites like Capterra and G2 Crowd.

GoodHire, a Checkr company, delivers simple end-to-end employment background checks, offering 100+ screening options to meet the needs of your company’s recruiting. Whether you’re a large company managing screening for multiple locations, or a small business needing to run a background check occasionally, we’ve got you covered. Plus, you can enjoy peace of mind with built-in compliance features, faster turnaround times, and more accurate results. Get started with GoodHire.

*Website images and pricing mentioned in this article are accurate as of date of publication.

 

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