# The 11 Best Background Check Services

> The best background check service for most employers is Checkr, followed by GoodHire for small businesses and HireRight for global enterprises.

- URL: https://topelevens.com/background-check-services
- Last verified: 2026-06-13
- Methodology: https://topelevens.com/methodology
- JSON: https://topelevens.com/api/lists/background-check-services · CSV: https://topelevens.com/api/lists/background-check-services/csv

## Ranking

### #1 Checkr · 9.2/9.4
- Best for: Technology companies and gig economy platforms that require high-volume, API-driven screening with a fast, mobile-first candidate experience.
- San Francisco, USA · founded 2014 · $$ ($29 to $79+ per check)
- Checkr ranks first due to its superior technology platform, which offers the fastest average turnaround times and the most extensive set of ATS integrations in the industry.
- Pro: Its candidate portal is the best in the market, reducing friction and abandonment rates by offering a fully mobile-native experience for consent and data entry.
- Con: Customer support for smaller accounts can be slow, with some users reporting response times exceeding 48 hours for non-critical issues.
- Risk signals (none, checked 2026-06-13): No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-13.

### #2 GoodHire · 9/9.4
- Best for: Small to mid-sized businesses that need an easy-to-use platform with transparent pricing and strong, built-in compliance workflows.
- Redwood City, USA · founded 2013 · $$ ($29 to $84+ per check)
- GoodHire earns the second spot for its exceptional user experience and focus on SMB compliance, making the complex screening process simple for non-expert users.
- Pro: The platform's built-in compliance tools, which automate the generation of adverse action notices, save HR managers hours of administrative work.
- Con: While it has an API, its list of pre-built ATS integrations is less extensive than Checkr's, requiring custom development for some platforms.
- Risk signals (none, checked 2026-06-13): No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-13.

### #3 HireRight · 8.8/9.4
- Best for: Large, global enterprises with complex, international screening needs across highly regulated industries like finance and transportation.
- Nashville, USA · founded 1995 · $$$ (Quote-based)
- HireRight is the top choice for global enterprises because of its unmatched international reach, covering over 200 countries, and its deep expertise in industry-specific compliance.
- Pro: Its drug testing and health screening services are seamlessly integrated, providing a single platform for all pre-employment needs in sectors like healthcare and logistics.
- Con: The platform interface feels dated compared to newer competitors, and turnaround times for international checks can sometimes extend beyond 10 business days.
- Risk signals (none, checked 2026-06-13): No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-13.

### #4 Sterling · 8.6/9.4
- Best for: Companies in healthcare, financial services, and retail that require specialized, vertical-specific screening packages and identity verification services.
- New York, USA · founded 1975 · $$$ (Quote-based)
- Sterling excels by offering deep, industry-specific screening solutions, including advanced identity verification and monitoring services that other providers lack.
- Pro: Sterling's proprietary CourtDirect technology provides direct access to 70% of U.S. county court records, often speeding up criminal searches.
- Con: The account setup and configuration process can be lengthy, sometimes taking over a week, and the platform has a steeper learning curve than more modern alternatives.
- Risk signals (none, checked 2026-06-13): No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-13.

### #5 Accurate · 8.3/9.4
- Best for: Mid-market and enterprise companies looking for a customizable and scalable platform with strong customer support and a robust API.
- Irvine, USA · founded 1997 · $$$ (Quote-based)
- Accurate secures its position with a highly flexible platform that can be tailored to complex workflows, backed by consistently high ratings for its U.S.-based customer service.
- Pro: Their client service teams receive praise for being responsive and knowledgeable, often providing a dedicated account manager for mid-sized clients.
- Con: Some users report that the user interface for ordering and reviewing reports is less intuitive than competitors like Checkr or GoodHire.
- Risk signals (none, checked 2026-06-13): No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-13.

### #6 First Advantage · 8.1/9.4
- Best for: Fortune 1000 companies, particularly in transportation and logistics, that need a full suite of screening, verification, and fleet compliance services.
- Atlanta, USA · founded 2003 · $$$ (Quote-based)
- First Advantage distinguishes itself with its deep focus on the transportation industry, offering specialized DOT compliance and driver monitoring services that are critical for fleet operators.
- Pro: Their driver qualification file management service is a key differentiator, helping trucking companies stay compliant with complex Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations.
- Con: The platform is powerful but complex, and some customers report that report statuses can be unclear, requiring calls to support for clarification.
- Risk signals (none, checked 2026-06-13): No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-13.

### #7 Certn · 8/9.4
- Best for: Fast-growing companies in North America and Europe looking for quick, reliable screening with a modern interface and flexible API.
- Victoria, Canada · founded 2016 · $$ (Quote-based, starts ~$25)
- Certn earns its place with a focus on speed, leveraging data aggregation and a clean user interface to deliver some of the fastest results for criminal and credit checks.
- Pro: Their use of preliminary results from database searches, which are then verified, gives hiring managers a quick signal in under 15 minutes for many candidates.
- Con: While fast, their international verification services are less mature than those of global giants like HireRight, with coverage gaps in some regions.
- Risk signals (none, checked 2026-06-13): No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-13.

### #8 Backgrounds Online · 7.8/9.4
- Best for: Non-profits, churches, and small businesses that value personalized customer service and straightforward, no-frills background screening.
- Sacramento, USA · founded 1997 · $ ($19 to $69+ per check)
- Backgrounds Online stands out for its exceptional, U.S.-based customer support and transparent, a la carte pricing, making it a trusted choice for smaller organizations.
- Pro: Clients consistently praise their ability to speak directly with a knowledgeable screener to resolve issues, a level of service rare in the industry.
- Con: The platform lacks the advanced features and ATS integrations of larger competitors, requiring more manual work for companies with high hiring volume.
- Risk signals (none, checked 2026-06-13): No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-13.

### #9 Verifirst · 7.6/9.4
- Best for: Property management companies and financial institutions that require integrated tenant and pre-employment screening.
- Westerville, USA · founded 2004 · $$ (Quote-based)
- Verifirst is ranked for its unique specialization in serving the property management industry, offering a single platform for both prospective tenants and employees.
- Pro: Their integrations with property management software like Yardi and RealPage are a significant workflow advantage for clients in that sector.
- Con: For clients outside of property management or finance, their service offerings and platform features are less compelling than more generalized providers.
- Risk signals (none, checked 2026-06-13): No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-13.

### #10 InfoMart · 7.4/9.4
- Best for: Organizations seeking a long-standing, reputable provider with a strong focus on data security and a wide array of service offerings.
- Marietta, USA · founded 1989 · $$ (Quote-based)
- InfoMart makes the list because of its long history of reliability, woman-owned business status, and early adoption of advanced security protocols for protecting candidate data.
- Pro: As one of the first providers to be NAPBS (now PBSA) accredited, their commitment to compliant practices is deeply embedded in their operations.
- Con: Their core technology platform, while functional, has not kept pace with the user experience design of newer, venture-backed competitors.
- Risk signals (none, checked 2026-06-13): No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-13.

### #11 [WILDCARD] ShareAble for Hires · 7.1/9.4
- Best for: Very small businesses, landlords, or individuals who need to run a small number of checks per year without a subscription or setup process.
- Chicago, USA · founded 2016 · $ ($25 to $60 per check)
- This TransUnion service is our wildcard pick because it serves a completely different use case: on-demand, candidate-pushed screening with no employer setup, perfect for infrequent hiring.
- Pro: The process is incredibly simple for employers: you send an invite, the applicant pays and runs their own check, and then shares the results directly from TransUnion.
- Con: It is not a solution for volume hiring, as it lacks a central dashboard, ATS integrations, and any verification services beyond credit and criminal data from TransUnion's files.
- Risk signals (none, checked 2026-06-13): No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-13.

## FAQ

**How long does a background check for employment take?**

It depends on the depth of the search, but most basic criminal checks complete within 24 to 72 hours. Verifications for employment or education can take longer, from 3 to 5 business days, especially if the source institutions are slow to respond.

**What shows up on a pre-employment background check?**

A typical check includes criminal records (felonies, misdemeanors), sex offender registry status, and identity verification. More detailed checks can add driving records (MVR), credit reports, employment history, education verification, and professional license confirmation.

**Can an employer run a background check without my permission?**

No, under the FCRA, an employer must obtain your written consent before running a background check for employment purposes. They must also inform you if they intend to take adverse action (like not hiring you) based on the report's findings.

**What is the difference between a professional service and an instant online people search site?**

Professional services are FCRA-compliant, meaning their data can be legally used for hiring decisions. Instant people search sites are not FCRA-compliant; their data is aggregated from public sources without verification and cannot legally be used for employment, tenant, or credit screening.