Sterling vs First Advantage
Side-by-side from the Top 11 ranking of The 11 Best Background Check Services. Last verified June 13, 2026.
The short answer
Sterling ranks higher on Top 11 (#4 vs #6) for Employers screening candidates. Best for its specialized solutions in healthcare, finance, and retail.
At a glance
| Sterling | First Advantage | |
|---|---|---|
| Top 11 rank | #4 / The 11 Best Background Check Services | #6 / The 11 Best Background Check Services |
| Score (out of 9.4) | 8.6 | 8.1 |
| Best for | Vertical-specific screening | Enterprise fleet & logistics |
| Pricing | $$$ (Quote-based) | $$$ (Quote-based) |
| HQ | New York, USA | Atlanta, USA |
| Founded | 1975 | 2003 |
First Advantage
Best for transportation and logistics with specialized DOT compliance management.
fadv.comMethodology and scoring weights live at /methodology. No vendor pays for placement — see about.