10 Best Background Screening for Employers of 2026

1. 1

   Checkr

   Employment screening platform with self-serve packages from $29.99 per report and a quote-based Enterprise tier.

   9.1overall

   Employment screening platform with self-serve packages from $29.99 per report and a quote-based Enterprise tier.

   Best forEmployers that want the most widely used platform with published prices

   Adoption data

   140,000Checkr states that over 140,000 customers of all industries and sizes use its platform.

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

   Checkr earns the top spot on adoption and transparency together. It states that over 140,000 customers use its platform, the largest customer figure any vendor here publishes, and its pricing page lists three employment packages with the checks inside each. Basic at $29.99 per report is database driven: SSN trace, sex offender registry, global watchlist and national criminal search. Essential at $59.99 is the tier most employers should compare against rivals, because it adds identity verification and unlimited county criminal searches. Complete at $94.99 adds state and federal criminal searches. The same page prices add-ons, including motor vehicle records at $9.50, identity verification at $4.99, drug tests from $10 and employment verification from $12.50 for the current employer. Court and database access fees come on top, passed through at cost. High-volume employers move to an Enterprise quote for automated adjudication, custom workflows and 200+ ATS integrations.

   Strengths

   • +Highest stated customer count on this list at over 140,000
   • +Every self-serve package and most add-ons carry a public price
   • +Court and database access fees are passed through at cost with no markup

   Limitations

   • −County court searches start at the $59.99 Essential tier
   • −Pass-through fees are billed on top of package prices
   • −ATS integrations and adjudication rules sit in the quote-only Enterprise tier

   SummaryCheckr is the best background screening service for most employers because it combines over 140,000 customers with a public price for every self-serve package. Budget for the $59.99 Essential tier if your roles need county court searches.

2. 2

   GoodHire

   Background check service for employers with preset packages under 50 checks a year and custom quotes above that.

   8.7overall

   Background check service for employers with preset packages under 50 checks a year and custom quotes above that.

   Best forSmall employers running fewer than 50 checks a year

   Adoption data

   100,000GoodHire says more than 100,000 employers of all sizes 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 built for the employer who runs a handful of checks and wants to order today. Its pricing page splits buyers by volume: under 50 checks a year you choose from preset packages, and above 50 you request a custom quote with access to 100+ screening options. The presets mirror a three-step ladder. Basic from $29.99 per check covers SSN trace, sex offender registry, global watchlist and national criminal search. Essential from $59.99 adds identity verification and unlimited county criminal searches, and Complete from $94.99 adds unlimited state criminal and federal criminal searches. GoodHire says more than 100,000 employers of all sizes have used it, and its homepage states that 90 percent of nationwide criminal checks are delivered in under a minute. Integrations with ATS and HRIS tools are listed. The trade-offs are the 50-check ceiling on preset pricing and third-party fees added on top of the package price.

   Strengths

   • +More than 100,000 employers have used it, per GoodHire
   • +Prices for all three preset packages are public
   • +GoodHire says 90 percent of nationwide criminal checks are delivered in under a minute

   Limitations

   • −Employers above 50 checks a year need a custom quote
   • −Basic has no county court searches
   • −Third-party fees are extra

   SummaryGoodHire is the best pick for small employers because its preset packages from $29.99 per check need no contract below 50 checks a year. Larger programs should request its custom quote.

3. 3

   Certn

   Screening platform with a $13.99 US Core Criminal Check, Canadian police checks and international checks.

   8.4overall

   Screening platform with a $13.99 US Core Criminal Check, Canadian police checks and international checks.

   Best forCost-conscious employers and teams hiring in the US and Canada

   Adoption data

   20,000Certn says over 20,000 companies around the world use its screening.

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

   Certn has the lowest published entry price among the vendors we compared. Its US pricing page, which states prices in US dollars, lists the US Core Criminal Check at $13.99. That package includes SSN trace, national criminal database, sex offender registry, global watchlist and sanctions, and county criminal searches that run only where the database flags a need, at $9.99 each. US Complete at $49.99 searches counties across seven years of addresses, and US Complete+ at $79.99 adds OneID biometric identity verification plus one education and one employment verification. Standalone add-ons include OneID at $3.50, credit reports at $9.50 and social media checks at $42.99. Certn also sells Canadian criminal record checks from $17.99 and international checks covering 200+ countries and territories. It reports over 20,000 company customers worldwide, a smaller base than the two leaders, and verification prices vary by request.

   Strengths

   • +Lowest published entry price on this list at $13.99
   • +County searches across 7 years of addresses from $49.99
   • +OneID identity verification priced at $3.50

   Limitations

   • −Contingent county searches on US Core add $9.99 each
   • −Employment and education verification prices vary and are not listed
   • −Smaller stated customer base than Checkr or GoodHire

   SummaryCertn is the best value pick because its US Core Criminal Check costs $13.99 and its seven-year county package costs $49.99. Add $9.99 per county when Core needs a court search.

4. 4

   First Advantage

   Global screening, identity and verification provider for large employers, sold by quote.

   8.2overall

   Global screening, identity and verification provider for large employers, sold by quote.

   Best forLarge and global employers that need ATS integration

   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 the enterprise standard on adoption data. Its homepage reports more than 80,000 customers worldwide and says 66 percent of the Fortune 100 use it, and it absorbed Sterling, which is why Sterling does not appear as a separate entry here. The service covers criminal and identity checks, drug and occupational health screening, verifications and onboarding workflows. It is one of the few providers to publish a speed figure, stating that about 90 percent of US criminal screens close in one day. Global employers get searches in more than 200 countries and territories, and integrations with more than 100 ATS and HCM partners keep ordering inside the hiring system. The drawback for smaller buyers is pricing: First Advantage sells by quote and publishes no per-report prices, so we score value conservatively and mark its price as pending.

   Strengths

   • +66 percent of the Fortune 100 are customers, per First Advantage
   • +Publishes a one-day closing rate for US criminal screens
   • +Broadest ATS and HCM partner count on this list

   Limitations

   • −No public price list
   • −Built for enterprise programs rather than one-off checks
   • −Value is scored conservatively without published prices

   SummaryFirst Advantage is the best choice for large employers because it reports 80,000+ customers, including 66 percent of the Fortune 100. Small employers will find self-serve vendors faster to buy from.

5. 5

   HireRight

   Global background screening provider with 70+ ATS integrations, sold by quote.

   8.0overall

   Global background screening provider with 70+ ATS integrations, sold by quote.

   Best forMultinational employers screening across many countries

   Adoption data

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

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

   HireRight competes with First Advantage for global enterprise programs and backs that with volume data: its homepage says it screens more than 85 million people a year and that about half of the Fortune 100 trust it. It covers 200+ countries and territories and lists 70+ ATS and HCM integrations, alongside Form I-9 and E-Verify employment eligibility services. HireRight says it has offered screening for more than 30 years, and it publishes a yearly Global Benchmark Report; the 2026 edition draws on more than 1,900 HR, risk and talent acquisition professionals. That makes it a strong fit for multinationals that want one provider across regions. For a small employer the gaps are practical: there is no public price list and no published turnaround average on the homepage, so you cannot compare cost before a sales call. We mark its pricing pending and score value conservatively.

   Strengths

   • +85M+ people screened a year, per HireRight
   • +About half of the Fortune 100 are customers, per HireRight
   • +Benchmark report surveys more than 1,900 HR and talent professionals

   Limitations

   • −No public price list
   • −No published turnaround average on its homepage
   • −Value is scored conservatively without published prices

   SummaryHireRight is the best fit for multinationals because it screens 85M+ people a year across 200+ countries and territories. Request itemized quotes to compare it with First Advantage.

6. 6

   Verified First

   Privately owned screening provider with published packages from $29.99 and no minimums.

   7.8overall

   Privately owned screening provider with published packages from $29.99 and no minimums.

   Best forSmall and mid-sized employers that want HR platform integrations without a contract

   Verified First publishes three packages and undercuts the leaders at the middle tier. Basic at $29.99 covers a nationwide criminal search, national sex offender registry, Social Security address trace and global security watch list. Essential at $54.99 adds unlimited county criminal searches, five dollars below the comparable Checkr and GoodHire tier, and Premium at $79.99 adds employment and education verification. An Enterprise tier offers custom packages and volume discounts. The company stresses that it is privately owned, accredited by the PBSA and SOC 2 compliant, and it says clients can start with no long-term contracts, annual commitments or minimum screening requirements. Integrations with HR platforms, including Salesforce, are a focus, and the service list covers Form I-9 and E-Verify, drug screening and MVR and DOT reports. It cites a 98 percent client satisfaction rating but publishes no customer count, so adoption is scored conservatively.

   Strengths

   • +Unlimited county searches at $54.99, below Checkr and GoodHire Essential
   • +No long-term contracts, annual commitments or minimums
   • +PBSA accredited and SOC 2 compliant, per Verified First

   Limitations

   • −No published customer count
   • −Verification add-on prices are not listed on the pricing page
   • −Smaller national footprint than the enterprise leaders

   SummaryVerified First is the best pick for employers that want unlimited county searches for less, at $54.99 per report with no minimums. It publishes no customer count, so its adoption score is lower.

7. 7

   Accurate Background

   Global screening provider serving enterprise and small business buyers, sold by quote.

   7.6overall

   Global screening provider serving enterprise and small business buyers, sold by quote.

   Best forMid-market and enterprise employers that want 24/7 support

   Adoption data

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

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

   Accurate Background is a large independent provider that sits between the self-serve vendors and the two biggest enterprise players. Its about page reports more than 16,000 customers worldwide, over 60 million searches a year and 98.5 percent client retention, and says it has served employers for over 25 years. The service catalog covers criminal and global searches, identity verification, sanctions, social media searches, verifications, drug and health screening, Form I-9 and E-Verify, and ongoing monitoring. Accurate says it offers both enterprise packages and small business solutions, and that its support team answers around the clock. The limitation for comparison shoppers is that prices are by quote only, and the about page gives no turnaround figure. We mark its price pending and score value conservatively, which places it below the self-serve vendors despite strong adoption numbers.

   Strengths

   • +16,000+ customers worldwide, per Accurate
   • +60M+ annual searches, per Accurate
   • +98.5 percent client retention, per Accurate

   Limitations

   • −No public price list
   • −No published turnaround figure on the about page
   • −Value is scored conservatively without published prices

   SummaryAccurate Background is a good fit for mid-market employers because it reports 16,000+ customers and 98.5 percent client retention. Ask for an itemized quote, since no prices are published.

8. 8

   Verified Credentials

   PBSA-accredited screening provider with four published packages from $19.95 per report.

   7.6overall

   PBSA-accredited screening provider with four published packages from $19.95 per report.

   Best forSmall businesses that want published average turnaround times

   Verified Credentials is the most transparent mid-sized provider on turnaround and scope. Its small-business pricing page lists four packages and a table of what each searches. Verified Express at $19.95 is database only and suits rechecks or low-risk roles. Verified Standard at $34.95 adds a county criminal search for the current name and location, Verified Enhanced at $49.95 covers all locations, and Verified Unlimited at $69.95 covers all names and every county in the address history, excluding Puerto Rico. Each package uses a seven-year criminal history scope, and the page states average turnaround: 24 hours for Express and Standard and one to three days for the two larger packages. It even spells out each package's limitations, such as missed prior addresses on Standard. Verified Credentials is PBSA accredited and an original founding member. It does not publish a customer count, so adoption is scored low.

   Strengths

   • +Second-lowest published entry price on this list
   • +Average turnaround published per package: 24 hours or 1 to 3 days
   • +Package page lists each tier's limitations

   Limitations

   • −No published customer count
   • −Standard covers only the current name and location
   • −Express has no county or federal court searches

   SummaryVerified Credentials is the best choice for small businesses that want a county search for under $35, because Verified Standard costs $34.95. Pick Enhanced at $49.95 for candidates who have moved.

9. 9

   iProspectCheck

   US screening provider with five published packages and stated business-day turnaround.

   7.4overall

   US screening provider with five published packages and stated business-day turnaround.

   Best forEmployers running 25 to 50 checks a year who want healthcare or MVR packages

   iProspectCheck publishes the widest set of self-serve packages here, aimed at employers running 25 to 50 checks a year. Basic at $24.95 per report includes identity verification with SSN trace, alias and address history, plus national criminal, national sex offender and global terrorist watch list searches, with a stated turnaround of one business day. Standard at $49.95 adds seven-year county and federal criminal searches in one to three business days, and Standard+MVR at $55.95 adds a motor vehicle record. Premium at $79.95 adds education and employment verification, and Healthcare at $89.95 adds healthcare sanctions, both quoted at two to four business days. The page is specific about extra costs: court access charges, specimen collection, The Work Number and similar fees are passed through, and aliases are billed as separate searches. It publishes no customer count, so its adoption score is the lowest of the self-serve vendors.

   Strengths

   • +County and federal searches included at $49.95
   • +Dedicated MVR and healthcare packages with public prices
   • +US-based phone and email support on every package

   Limitations

   • −No published customer count
   • −Aliases are charged as separate searches
   • −Pass-through costs such as court fees and The Work Number are extra

   SummaryiProspectCheck is the best pick for healthcare and driving roles on a budget, with an MVR package at $55.95 and a sanctions package at $89.95. Its lack of adoption data keeps it lower in the ranking.

10. 10

    Cisive

    Screening provider for regulated industries, with the PreCheck healthcare and Driver iQ transportation brands.

    6.8overall

    Screening provider for regulated industries, with the PreCheck healthcare and Driver iQ transportation brands.

    Best forHealthcare and transportation employers in regulated hiring

    Cisive focuses on regulated hiring. It runs PreCheck for healthcare employers and Driver iQ for transportation companies, and it sells electronic Form I-9 software alongside screening. Its homepage publishes three performance claims: 78 percent of criminal searches closed within one hour, 99.9994 percent background check accuracy and a 31.8 percent average reduction in time to fill. Those are among the few speed numbers any provider here publishes, though Cisive does not explain how they are measured. The company cites more than 40 years of industry knowledge for compliance-heavy sectors. What it does not publish is a customer count or any price, which limits a data-first comparison. We mark pricing pending and score adoption and value conservatively, so Cisive ranks last overall even though its industry brands make it worth a call for hospitals and carriers.

    Strengths

    • +Publishes a speed figure: 78 percent of criminal searches close within an hour
    • +Dedicated healthcare and transportation brands
    • +Reports 99.9994 percent background check accuracy

    Limitations

    • −No public price list
    • −No published customer count
    • −Accuracy and speed figures are vendor claims without a stated method

    SummaryCisive is worth a quote for healthcare and transportation employers because it runs the PreCheck and Driver iQ brands and says 78 percent of criminal searches close within an hour. It publishes no prices or customer count.

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