GoodHire vs Sterling

Side-by-side from the Top 11 ranking of The 11 Best Background Check Services. Last verified June 13, 2026.

The short answer

GoodHire ranks higher on Top 11 (#2 vs #4) for Employers screening candidates. Best for SMBs due to its simple interface and transparent, online-purchase pricing.

At a glance

GoodHireSterling
Top 11 rank#2 / The 11 Best Background Check Services#4 / The 11 Best Background Check Services
Score (out of 9.4)98.6
Best forSMBs needing ease-of-useVertical-specific screening
Pricing$$ ($29 to $84+ per check)$$$ (Quote-based)
HQRedwood City, USANew York, USA
Founded20131975

GoodHire

Best for SMBs due to its simple interface and transparent, online-purchase pricing.

www.goodhire.com

See full entry in The 11 Best Background Check Services

Sterling

Best for its specialized solutions in healthcare, finance, and retail.

www.sterlingcheck.com

See full entry in The 11 Best Background Check Services

Methodology and scoring weights live at /methodology. No vendor pays for placement — see about.