Why is Background check important? What all details can you find in it? Which are the 10 Best Background Check Site? Find answers to these and more important questions here.
But first, let us understand the need for a background check.
Have you ever met someone new and wished you knew more about them? Wouldn’t a background check be useful?
Although it may seem to be a difficult task, doing a timely background check may save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
Background checks can provide you with a general idea about someone you’re currently dealing with.
According to HR Screening, nearly one out of every three American adults has a criminal record of some kind.
So, if you ever feel the need to do a background check on someone else or yourself, keep reading.
Why Is Background Check Important?
Pre-employment background checks are used to gather information about a candidate’s background to determine whether they pose a risk to your company and confirm their education and job history.
These components all play a part in the onboarding process, whether it’s a criminal background check, work history verification, or reference checks.
Depending on the job a candidate is looking for, a background check may include numerous components.
They are usually divided into three sections:
- Checks for criminal records
- Verification of credentials and employment background checks
- Ad hoc services, such as drug testing and searching driving records
Work with a background check company or service to have a background check set up. It will help you in developing a comprehensive program that will help your business.
Speaking of that, here are the top 10 best background check services Of 2022:
Best Background Check Sites
Here are our 10 best options based on:
- TruthFinder — Best for In-Depth Search
- Instant Checkmate — Best Social Media Background Checks
- Intelius — Best For Beginners
- Spokeo — Best For Reverse Phone Lookup
- US Search — Best For Trouble-Free Checks
- First Advantage — Best Overall
- GoodHire — Best For Detailed Results
- Apartments — Best For Landlords
- Rentberry — Best Value
- Checkr — Best For Employers
1. TruthFinder — Best for In-Depth Search:
TruthFinder, one of the most reputable background check services in the United States, has assisted thousands of families in reuniting with their loved ones.
It’s a one-stop-shop for running in-depth background checks and digging up criminal records.
TruthFinder is a comprehensive background check service that allows you to look for information in depth.
It can sift through massive amounts of data to find information that standard search engines cannot.
It is quite easy to use. Simply enter a person’s name, and TruthFinder will provide you with any available information from their vast database.
This data might include the person’s phone number, email address, criminal history, and much more.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- One of the most reliable background-checking sites on the internet.
- Excellent customer service
- Provides a complete report with details such as potential relatives, birth and death records, contact information, and so on.
- Easy-to-understand price plans and a user-friendly website
- Filters and search options abound.
Cons
- There is no free trial available. Membership is compulsory
- The website does not provide a direct link to the price plans for visitors.
- There are only monthly subscription options.
- Prices may seem higher.
Pricing:
- $29 per month
Features:
- Extensive background check report
- Criminal record
- Past offender status
- Dark web scan
- Public records search
- Marriage and divorce records
- Reverse phone lookups
2. Instant Checkmate — Best Social Media Background Checks:
Instant Checkmate is a fantastic background check site with a lot of features.
The company claims to be a public records search service that provides instant background check results for anyone.
It was founded in 2010. You may look up anybody in the United States and get a detailed report on their criminal history, court-related information, arrest records, known aliases, and other information.
Instant Checkmate simplifies your research and provides you with a detailed report on anyone you wish to check up on.
Furthermore, Instant Checkmate encrypts your connection to protect your privacy and confidentiality.
You may also get photographs and social media links of the individual you’re searching for in addition to the report.
As a result, any information on a person is simply a click away from using Instant Checkmate.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- To protect your privacy, Instant Checkmate uses an encrypted connection.
- For a monthly membership price, you can conduct an unlimited number of searches.
- The tool is designed to provide you with information on criminal records, government data, and arrest warrants.
- The 5-day trial is comparatively cheaper.
Cons
- Membership is required to access unlimited search and reports.
- Results may be somewhat inaccurate. So, these should act as a base of analysis only.
- Filters and search options are limited.
- Reports are slow to load.
Pricing:
- $35 per month
Features:
- People search
- Criminal records
- Social media profiles
- Marriage and divorce history
- Reverse phone lookup
- Reverse email
- Inmate search
3. Intelius — Best For Beginners:
Intelius is yet another excellent background check service that can help you in getting a detailed report on job verification, someone you’re dating, or even your suspicious neighbor.
Intelius provides you with useful data gathered from reputable and specialized organizations and hubs.
Intelius, which was founded in 2003, has evolved into a place where you can quickly learn about someone and reconnect with relatives or friends.
The background check service gives users access to criminal records, public property data, and other important details.
The company has access to over 20 billion public data, so you’re bound to find some useful information on anybody you can think of.
Read Intelius Review.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Subscription is less expensive than many of its competitors.
- The report also includes contact information, education, and employment history.
- In no time, you’ll get up-to-date and accurate background check results.
- The search report is thorough and includes useful information.
- Over 20 billion public documents are available on the site.
- For the searcher, the site ensures proper security and confidentiality.
Cons
- Price plans are not easily accessible on the website
- Mixed customer reviews
- Confusing 5-day free trial offer
Pricing:
- $29.63 per month
Features:
- Detailed report
- Employment background
- Social media accounts
- Education history
- Birth and death records
- Marriage and divorce history
- Court and arrest records
- Reverse phone lookup
4. Spokeo — Best For Reverse Phone Lookup
Spokeo bills itself as constantly delivering an easy-to-understand, accurate background check at reasonable prices, with access to over 12 billion records.
The fact that they’ve been highlighted in Forbes should reassure you even more.
You can find someone’s phone numbers, social media profiles, location/address information, criminal records, property records, and more using their name, phone number, email, or physical address.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Wide range of records
- Excellent customer service
- Alerts of report updates
- Secure payment methods
Cons
- Criminal records could be better.
Pricing:
- $19.95 per month
Features:
- Background search
- People search
- Criminal records
- Reverse email search
- Reverse phone lookup
- Social media search
5. US Search — Best For Trouble-Free Checks
With billions of public records, US Search has been helping individuals reconnect with old friends and loved ones for over 25 years.
You can search for someone’s personal details, criminal history, property, divorce, and marriage records, among other things.
However, compared to more well-known competitors, US Search’s legal reports may not be the best.
Still, this is a fantastic option if you just want to do a basic search on someone.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- A one-time individual search report costs $2.45.
- Reputable
Cons
- Limited reports
Pricing:
- One-time people report: $2.45
- Full background report: $39.95
Features:
- Extensive report
- Contact details
- Criminal records
- Personal address
- Birth records
- Marriage and divorce records
- Reverse phone lookup
- Reverse address lookup
6. First Advantage — Best Overall:
First Advantage is the best overall background check site since it provides quick results and offers worldwide background checks.
If more information is required of a candidate, the company contacts them manually, so you don’t have to.
First Advantage provides background checks for small businesses and multinational organizations in over 200 countries.
It’s the best background check site since most results are returned in under 24 hours, with some being instant.
First Advantage provides drug testing and may even obtain FBI fingerprint-based background checks.
Read First Advantage Review
Pros and Cons
Pros
- The majority of background check results are ready in less than 24 hours.
- Some results are instant.
- Provides worldwide background checks
Cons
- Candidates complain about repeated information requests.
- Even if the applicant has gaps in employment, they must account for them on the application.
- Common names and aliases cause considerable delays in results.
Pricing:
- Select: Starts at $20 per month
- Choice: Starts at $56 per month
- Plus: Starts at $90 per month
- Premium: Starts at $105 per month
Features:
- Criminal records from both state and national databases
- Name and address verification
- Full credit report from TransUnion
- Verification of Social Security number and date of birth
- Search for adverse media in 700 U.S. newspapers, magazines, and journals.
- Fraud alerts
- Education verification
- Social media search
7. GoodHire — Best For Detailed Results:
While hiring a competent candidate would cost more, GoodHire has one of the most extensive background checks we looked at.
It offers the usual criminal background check, but you can also add data like credit history, education and job verification, and healthcare sanctions to your report.
GoodHire offers the most comprehensive reporting of any background check service, including federal, state, and worldwide court records, as well as add-on reports, including healthcare sanctions, professional licensing verification, and reference checks.
It was founded in 2013 and only worked with employers and job seekers.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Identity verification is instantaneous.
- Option to buy healthcare sanction reports
- Monthly monitoring is available with the Ongoing Alerts add-on.
Cons
- For complexity and time, certain states and counties require extra fees.
- Individual add-ons cannot be purchased without first purchasing a background check.
- You must pay extra to have access to more detailed reports.
Pricing:
- Basic: Starts at $29.99 per month
- Standard: Starts at $54.99 per month
- Premium: Starts at $79.99 per month
Features:
- County criminal court search
- Drug screening
- Domestic watch list search
- Verification of education
- The credit report for employment
- Verification of employment
- Federal criminal court search
- Identity verification
- Global watch list search
- Healthcare sanctions search
- International criminal records search
8. Apartments — Best For Landlords:
Because the cost of the background check is included in the renter’s application fee, and renters may make online rent payments that are immediately put into their landlord’s account, we chose Apartments.com as the best background check site for landlords.
Apartments.com is one of the most convenient background check services for landlords since everything is done online and at no cost to the landlord.
A $29 application fee is charged to potential tenants, which covers the cost of their credit report and background check.
They may also share their screening results with up to ten potential landlords for free for a period of 30 days.
Apartments.com employs TransUnion for credit reporting and background checks, resulting in a ResidentScore that takes into account a potential tenant’s payment history, eviction history, and full credit history.
Because the credit report is a soft pull, it will have no effect on a possible tenant’s credit score.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Tenants pay for background checks, which are free for landlords.
- Tenants have the option of setting up automatic rent payments.
- 40 million potential renters on Apartments.com
Cons
- Apartments.com, according to some Cozy users, is less user-friendly and has bare-bones tenant applications.
- Apartments.com does not allow commercial properties to be managed.
Pricing:
- $29 per application that included a screening report.
Features:
- Comprehensive credit reports
- Employment history
- Address history
- Criminal and eviction reports
- Identity verification
9. Rentberry — Best Value:
Rentberry was chosen as the best value background check site because it provides both a credit report and a background check for a minimal fee paid by the tenant; landlords are not charged.
The entire report is immediately available online, allowing ideal tenants to move in quickly.
Rentberry background checks are only offered in the United States, although landlords can list homes anywhere in the world.
This is the best value background check service since it costs nothing for a landlord to use, and they can list properties for rent for free, making it an appealing option for both new and experienced landlords.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Free for landlords
- There is no need for any papers since everything is done online.
- Results are available immediately.
Cons
- If the tenant moves before the court date, evictions will never appear on a credit report.
- Even if they are not chosen, prospective renters must pay for the report.
- Collections on a credit report aren’t very detailed.
Pricing:
- $19.99 per application that included a screening report.
Features:
- Comprehensive report
- Criminal history
- Civil and driving records
- Free for landlords
10. Checkr — Best For Employers:
Checkr is the best background check service for companies since it is simple to use. It has received excellent reviews from both candidates and employers.
Invite up to 25 candidates at once and use easy reports to make quick recruiting decisions.
Checkr was founded in 2014, and it now has operations in Denver and San Francisco.
Because you can bulk-invite prospects and reduce court jargon all in one easy-to-use interface, it’s the best background check service for employers.
Checkr employs over 400 people only to do background checks for companies. It also offers some of the most positive reviews of any of the background check sites we reviewed.
PAM technology helps distribute terminology throughout the county and state systems, so human resource representatives don’t have to spend as much time understanding results.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Send out an email to all candidates inviting them to complete a background check application.
- The Positive Adjudication Matrix (PAM) eliminates inconsistencies in the language used in court documents.
- User interface that is simple to use
Cons
- Due to delays in county court searches, certain background checks might take up to three weeks.
- Depending on the county, fees may vary.
- Results may take longer if a candidate uses an alias or has a common name.
Pricing:
- $29 per application that included a screening report.
Features:
- Check criminal records on a national, county, federal, and state level.
- Checking personal and professional references
- Employment verification
- Verification of education at the national and international levels
- Screening of drivers
- Search for civil records in the county and at the federal level.
- Global watchlist search
- Address history
- Social Security number trace
Comparison
SITE | Best For | Price | Features | Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|
TruthFinder | In-depth search | $29 per month | Past offender status, Dark web scan, etc. | 3.3/5 |
Instant Checkmate | Social media background checks | $35 per month | Social media profiles, Marriage and divorce history, etc. | 3.9/5 |
Intelius | Beginners | $29.63 per month | Social media accounts, Education history, etc. | 2.9/5 |
Spokeo | Reverse phone lookup | $19.95 per month | People search, Criminal records, etc. | 1.3/5 |
US Search | Trouble-free checks | $2.45 for single report | Birth records, Marriage and divorce records, etc. | 3/5 |
Final Thoughts
Background check websites help in the selection of the best candidates and tenants by detecting high-risk criminal histories and credit histories.
It can also check personal and professional references, as well as verify previous employment and education.
The majority of background check results arrive within days, but the most extensive reports, especially those involving international records, might take weeks.
These background checks will also cost extra, but they will save you money in the long run.
Because it’s quick, hands-off, and includes international checks, we suggest First Advantage for your background check needs.
FAQs
What Is the Most Reliable Website for Background Checks?
While there is no way to compare the accuracy of different background check sites, it is important to pick a reliable source. This usually takes the form of FCRA compliance.
We think that First Advantage is the most reliable website for background checks, although the rest of the services mentioned in this list are also quite reliable.
What Shows up on a Background Check?
The employer decides what information they need to make a hiring decision. They may request information such as driving records, employment records, education records, criminal records, and credit histories.
Do Candidates Have to Sign a Background Check Waiver?
In most states, a waiver is required to access background check information about a candidate.
Certain states may have laws specifying what must be included in the waiver.
Some states even make it illegal to do background checks unless you’re in a position of trust, so it’s important to obtain legal advice to guarantee compliance in your area.
Amit Gupta is the founder of National Planning Cycles, a company that helps startups, individuals, and small businesses with their financial planning. He has a vast amount of experience in the finance sector, having managed Google Play accounts for some of the world’s most successful unicorns. Amit is an expert in his field, and he uses his knowledge to help others achieve their individual goals.