10 Best Background Check Services of 2026

1. 1

   Checkr

   A pay-as-you-go employment background check platform with three published packages, add-ons and an enterprise tier.

   9.1overall

   A pay-as-you-go employment background check platform with three published packages, add-ons and an enterprise tier.

   Best forEmployers of any size that want published per-report prices

   Adoption data

   140,000Checkr says more than 140,000 customers across industries use its platform.

   Checkr, About Checkr (2026): “Used by over 140,000 customers across all industries and sizes”

   Checkr publishes the full price ladder for employment screening, which few large providers do. Basic at $29.99 per report runs an SSN trace, sex offender registry, global watchlist and national criminal database search. Essential at $59.99 adds identity verification and unlimited county criminal searches, which is the level most employers need for a court-verified result, and Complete at $94.99 adds unlimited state and federal criminal searches. Add-ons are priced on the same page: motor vehicle records at $9.50, identity verification at $4.99, drug screening from $10 and employment verification from $12.50 for the current employer up to $50 for ten years. Court and database access fees are passed through at cost. Checkr says more than 140,000 customers use it and that 97 percent say its turnaround beats their previous vendor, a customer survey claim rather than a published average time. Larger employers move to an Enterprise quote for adjudication rules and 200+ ATS integrations.

   Strengths

   • +All three employment packages show a per-report price
   • +Court and database access fees are passed through at cost with no markup
   • +Employment verification is priced by lookback, from $12.50 for the current employer

   Limitations

   • −Basic does not include county criminal searches
   • −Pass-through fees are not included in package prices
   • −Automated adjudication and ATS integrations are listed under the quote-only Enterprise tier

   SummaryCheckr is the best background check service for most employers because it pairs 140,000+ customers with published prices from $29.99 per report. Pick Essential at $59.99 if you need county court searches.

2. 2

   GoodHire

   An employment screening service with three self-serve packages for low-volume employers and custom packages above 50 checks a year.

   8.7overall

   An employment screening service with three self-serve packages for low-volume employers and custom packages above 50 checks a year.

   Best forSmall employers running fewer than 50 checks a year

   Adoption data

   100,000GoodHire says more than 100,000 employers have used its background checks.

   GoodHire, GoodHire homepage (2026): “More than 100,000 employers of all sizes have trusted GoodHire for better background checks.”

   GoodHire is aimed at employers that run a modest number of checks and want to start the same day. Its pricing page splits buyers at 50 checks a year: below that, three packages are bought self-serve; above it, the company builds preset packages from more than 100 screening options and quotes a price. Basic starts at $29.99 per check with an SSN trace, sex offender registry, global watchlist and national criminal search. Essential at $59.99 adds identity verification and unlimited county criminal searches, and Complete at $94.99 adds unlimited state and federal criminal searches. Third-party fees are extra. GoodHire says more than 100,000 employers have used it and that 74 percent of surveyed customers report faster turnaround than with their previous provider. The package structure and prices mirror Checkr's, so the choice between the two comes down to account experience and support rather than price.

   Strengths

   • +Self-serve sign-up with published prices for low-volume employers
   • +Packages can be designed by job role or client
   • +Pre-integrated with common ATS and HRIS tools, per GoodHire

   Limitations

   • −Third-party fees are added on top of package prices
   • −Prices for employers above 50 checks a year are by quote
   • −Package contents and prices match Checkr's tiers, so it offers little price difference

   SummaryGoodHire is the best pick for small employers running under 50 checks a year because it sells three packages self-serve from $29.99 per check. Higher-volume buyers get a custom quote.

3. 3

   Certn

   A screening platform with low-cost US criminal packages, Canadian record checks and international checks in 200+ countries.

   8.4overall

   A screening platform with low-cost US criminal packages, Canadian record checks and international checks in 200+ countries.

   Best forBudget-conscious employers and teams hiring across the US and Canada

   Adoption data

   20,000Certn says more than 20,000 companies worldwide use its screening.

   Certn, Certn US homepage (2026): “Trusted by over 20,000 companies, globally.”

   Certn has the lowest published starting price among the providers we compared. Its US Core Criminal Check costs $13.99 and bundles an SSN trace, national criminal database, sex offender registry, global watchlist and sanctions search, with county criminal searches run automatically where needed at $9.99 each. US Complete at $49.99 searches counties across seven years of addresses, and US Complete+ at $79.99 adds the OneID biometric identity check plus education and most recent employment verification. The US pricing page states that prices are in US dollars, and a la carte items include OneID at $3.50, credit reports at $9.50, social media checks at $42.99 and reference checks at $29.99. Certn also sells Canadian criminal record checks and international checks in more than 200 countries and territories. It says more than 20,000 companies use it, fewer than the largest US providers, and pass-through fees can raise the final cost.

   Strengths

   • +Lowest published entry price on this list at $13.99
   • +Pricing page states that prices are in US dollars
   • +Canadian criminal record checks sold alongside US packages

   Limitations

   • −County searches on US Core add $9.99 each where applicable
   • −Third-party pass-through access fees may apply
   • −Smaller customer base than Checkr or First Advantage

   SummaryCertn is the cheapest verified option because its US Core Criminal Check costs $13.99. Budget for $9.99 per county search when one is triggered.

4. 4

   First Advantage

   A global background screening and identity verification provider, now including Sterling, sold by quote to small, mid-market and enterprise employers.

   8.3overall

   A global background screening and identity verification provider, now including Sterling, sold by quote to small, mid-market and enterprise employers.

   Best forLarge and global employers with high screening volumes

   Adoption data

   80,000First Advantage reports more than 80,000 customers worldwide.

   First Advantage, First Advantage homepage (2026): “80,000+ Customers worldwide”

   First Advantage is one of the two largest names in employment screening, and the Sterling brand now operates as part of it. The company reports more than 80,000 customers worldwide, 200 million screens a year and two thirds of the Fortune 100 as clients. Its turnaround disclosure is specific: 90 percent of US criminal screens close in one day. Coverage spans more than 200 countries and territories, and it lists more than 100 ATS and HCM integration partners plus an API for building screening into hiring workflows. Solutions are grouped by business size, from small businesses through mid-market companies with 1,000 to 5,000 employees to global enterprises, and it adds identity verification aimed at candidate fraud. The trade-off is price transparency: there is no public per-report price, so buyers need a demo and quote. We scored value conservatively for that reason, not because the service is known to cost more.

   Strengths

   • +States that 90% of US criminal screens close in one day
   • +66% of the Fortune 100 are customers, per First Advantage
   • +Sterling's screening business is part of First Advantage

   Limitations

   • −No per-report prices are published
   • −Sales-led onboarding through a demo request
   • −Package details depend on the quote

   SummaryFirst Advantage is the best choice for large and global employers because it reports 80,000+ customers and closes 90% of US criminal screens in one day. Smaller buyers will find published-price services easier to compare.

5. 5

   HireRight

   A global background screening provider covering criminal, verification, drug, driving and compliance services, sold by quote.

   8.1overall

   A global background screening provider covering criminal, verification, drug, driving and compliance services, sold by quote.

   Best forEnterprises that need global screening and deep ATS integration

   Adoption data

   85 millionHireRight says it screens more than 85 million people a year.

   HireRight, HireRight homepage (2026): “85M+ People Screened Annually”

   HireRight is a long-established enterprise screening provider, with more than 30 years in the business by its own account. It reports screening more than 85 million people a year and says about half of the Fortune 100 trust it. Its service catalog spans criminal, financial and identity checks, employment and education verification, due diligence, drug and health screening, driving records and compliance support, with coverage in more than 200 countries and territories. More than 70 ATS and HCM integrations let enterprise teams order checks from their existing systems. Pricing is not published and there is no public turnaround figure on its homepage, so buyers comparing turnaround disclosures will need to ask during the sales process. It suits large and multinational employers better than small businesses that want to order a single check today.

   Strengths

   • +About half of the Fortune 100 use HireRight, per the company
   • +Screening history of more than 30 years
   • +Single global platform for multi-country hiring

   Limitations

   • −No published per-report prices
   • −No turnaround figure published on its homepage
   • −Sales contact required to start

   SummaryHireRight suits enterprises that need global screening, with 85M+ people screened a year and 70+ ATS and HCM integrations. Expect a sales-led quote rather than a list price.

6. 6

   Accurate Background

   A global screening provider with an ordering platform, candidate portal, API and court automation, sold by quote.

   7.6overall

   A global screening provider with an ordering platform, candidate portal, API and court automation, sold by quote.

   Best forMid-size and large employers wanting a global provider with an API

   Adoption data

   16,000Accurate Background reports more than 16,000 customers worldwide.

   Accurate Background, About Accurate (2026): “16000 + Customers worldwide”

   Accurate Background is a global screening provider that reports more than 16,000 customers, over 60 million searches a year and 98.5 percent client retention. Its catalog covers criminal checks, credit checks, driving history, drug and health screening, Form I-9 and E-Verify, global searches, identity verification, sanctions, social media searches, verifications and ongoing monitoring. Technology options include a background check API for web and mobile apps, ATS integrations, Automated Court Access, a candidate portal and a client ordering platform aimed at employers with more than 1,000 people. It lists support in 30 languages across six continents. Accurate does not publish per-report prices or a turnaround figure on its main pages, so buyers comparing on price or turnaround need to request both. We scored its value conservatively because no list price can be checked.

   Strengths

   • +60M+ searches run each year, per Accurate
   • +98.5% client retention, per Accurate
   • +Support in 30 languages across 6 continents

   Limitations

   • −No per-report prices published
   • −No turnaround figure published on its homepage
   • −Sales-led setup

   SummaryAccurate Background suits mid-size and large employers that want an API and global reach, backed by 16,000+ customers. Prices are by quote only.

7. 7

   Verified Credentials

   A US-based screening company with four published packages and a stated average turnaround for each.

   7.6overall

   A US-based screening company with four published packages and a stated average turnaround for each.

   Best forEmployers that want published prices and stated turnaround times

   Verified Credentials publishes four packages with the scope and average turnaround of each, which makes it one of the easiest services to compare on turnaround disclosure. Verified Express at $19.95 is a database-only search meant for rechecks or low-risk roles. Verified Standard at $34.95 searches the current name and location, with both Express and Standard averaging 24 hours. Verified Enhanced at $49.95 covers all locations and Verified Unlimited at $69.95 covers all names and county searches based on address history, both averaging 1 to 3 days. All packages search seven years of criminal history. County validation of database hits on the lower tiers is charged per county, and other fees can apply. The company says it has operated for over 40 years, runs entirely from the US and completes 84 percent of searches in under a day. It does not publish a customer count, so we scored adoption conservatively.

   Strengths

   • +Average turnaround is published for each package
   • +84% of searches complete in under one day, per Verified Credentials
   • +100% US-based operations and live phone support

   Limitations

   • −County record validation on Express and Standard costs extra per county
   • −No customer count published
   • −Unlimited covers all names but excludes Puerto Rico

   SummaryVerified Credentials is the best pick for buyers comparing turnaround, because every package shows its average time, from 24 hours at $19.95. It publishes no customer count.

8. 8

   iProspectCheck

   A US employment screening company with five published packages, each with a stated turnaround in business days.

   7.4overall

   A US employment screening company with five published packages, each with a stated turnaround in business days.

   Best forSmall businesses that want published packages and US-based phone support

   iProspectCheck is a smaller US screening company that prints a price and a turnaround for every package. Basic costs $24.95 with a one business day turnaround, Standard $49.95 at one to three business days, Standard plus MVR $55.95, Premium $79.95 and Healthcare $89.95 at two to four business days. Every package includes phone and email support from a US-based team. All criminal searches cover seven years, and package prices include one legal name, with aliases charged as separate searches. Court access charges, drug test collection, clinic charges and verification costs such as the National Student Clearinghouse and The Work Number are passed through on top. Beyond background checks it coordinates DOT and non-DOT drug testing and runs an electronic I-9 and E-Verify portal. The company says it has served employers since 2009 and reports a 24-hour average turnaround, but it publishes no customer count, so adoption is scored low.

   Strengths

   • +Turnaround in business days is printed next to each package price
   • +Phone and email support from a US-based team on every package
   • +Reports 24-hour average turnaround across completed reports

   Limitations

   • −Aliases are charged as separate searches
   • −Court access, collection and verification fees are passed through
   • −No customer count published

   SummaryiProspectCheck is a strong low-cost pick because its $24.95 Basic package has a stated one business day turnaround. Add pass-through fees and alias searches to the budget.

9. 9

   Cisive

   A compliance-focused screening provider with specialist brands for healthcare (PreCheck) and transportation (Driver iQ), sold by quote.

   6.9overall

   A compliance-focused screening provider with specialist brands for healthcare (PreCheck) and transportation (Driver iQ), sold by quote.

   Best forHealthcare, transportation and financial services employers

   Cisive positions itself as a compliance-first screening provider for regulated industries. Its healthcare brand PreCheck and transportation brand Driver iQ sit alongside general background checks, drug testing and occupational health screening, ongoing screening, electronic I-9 and executive intelligence checks. Cisive publishes a concrete turnaround claim, 78 percent of criminal searches closed within one hour, plus a 31.8 percent average time-to-fill reduction for customers. Those are vendor figures without a published method. Separate client logins exist for products such as SanctionCheck, LicenseManager Pro and immunization tracking, which shows how far its healthcare tooling goes but also means several portals. Prices are not published and the company does not publish a customer count, so we scored value and adoption conservatively. It fits hospitals, carriers and banks with sector-specific compliance needs better than general small businesses.

   Strengths

   • +States that 78% of criminal searches close within 1 hour
   • +Industry-specific products for healthcare and drivers
   • +Reports 31.8% average time-to-fill reduction for customers

   Limitations

   • −No published prices
   • −No customer count published
   • −Product lines are split across several logins

   SummaryCisive suits regulated employers in healthcare and transportation, and states that 78% of criminal searches close within an hour. Pricing is by quote only.

10. 10

    Universal Background Screening

    A Phoenix-based screening company offering background checks, drug testing, physical exams and I-9 services, sold by quote.

    6.3overall

    A Phoenix-based screening company offering background checks, drug testing, physical exams and I-9 services, sold by quote.

    Best forMid-size employers that want an assigned account representative

    Universal Background Screening is a long-running US provider that combines background checks with drug testing, employment physical exams and Form I-9 and E-Verify services. Court research covers county, federal and statewide searches, alongside its own criminal database products, driving records, credit reports, employee rescreening and international screening. It states that its turnaround averages under two days and that 99.8 percent of respondents to its customer survey were satisfied with service. Clients get an account representative, 24/7 web ordering and online invoicing, and ATS or HRIS integration is available through an HR-XML interface, with fax ordering still offered. The company is a founding member of the Professional Background Screening Association. It does not publish prices or a customer count, so we scored value and adoption conservatively.

    Strengths

    • +States an average turnaround under 2 days
    • +99.8% of surveyed clients satisfied with service, per Universal
    • +Founding member of the Professional Background Screening Association

    Limitations

    • −No published prices
    • −No customer count published
    • −Fewer self-serve features than newer platforms

    SummaryUniversal Background Screening suits employers that want a named account representative and a stated turnaround under 2 days. Prices are by quote.

Questions or corrections: editorial@statlyst.com · Disclosure