Who needs background check tools
Every employer that hires in regulated industries, handles money or vulnerable populations, or wants to verify credentials at scale. Most companies run at least identity and criminal checks.
When to buy
Buy at the point you make your first regulated hire, and re-evaluate when volume rises enough that turnaround time and per-check price matter.
The best background check tools, ranked
| # | Tool | Best for | Score /40 | Free tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Checkr | Tech-forward companies and gig platforms that want automated, integrated screening | 35 | No |
| 2 | Sterling | Enterprises with multi-country hiring and regulated-industry requirements | 31 | No |
| 3 | GoodHire | Small businesses running a handful of checks per month | 31 | No |
| 4 | HireRight | Multinational enterprises and transport/healthcare employers | 30 | No |
Checkr
Checkr modernised background checks with an API, a candidate-friendly mobile flow, and integrations into nearly every ATS and HRIS. It is the default for startups and marketplaces, and has expanded into continuous monitoring and international checks.
Pricing: Pay-per-check from about $30 (basic) to $80+ (professional) per candidate; volume pricing available.
- Fast turnaround and clear candidate status
- Broadest ATS/HRIS integration coverage
- Transparent published package pricing
- International coverage less deep than Sterling/HireRight
- Support experience varies at low volumes
- Adverse-action workflow requires HR attention
Sterling
Sterling runs background checks, drug testing, and identity verification in 240+ countries and territories, with deep integrations into enterprise ATSs. First Advantage acquired it in 2024, creating one of the largest screening providers.
Pricing: Quote-based; per-check pricing negotiated on volume.
- Global coverage and compliance expertise
- Identity verification and drug-testing network
- Enterprise ATS integrations
- Enterprise contracting and minimums
- Candidate experience less polished than Checkr
- Pricing not published
GoodHire
GoodHire packages FCRA-compliant checks for small businesses with transparent pricing, a simple portal, and built-in adverse-action tooling. Checkr acquired it in 2022; it remains the SMB-friendly brand.
Pricing: Published packages from about $30 to $80+ per check with no subscription.
- Transparent pricing, no contract
- Guided compliance for first-time users
- Fast basic checks
- Fewer integrations than Checkr proper
- Limited international coverage
- Volume buyers should go direct to Checkr
HireRight
HireRight provides employment, criminal, education, drug, and driving-record screening worldwide, with strong presence in transportation and healthcare. It competes directly with Sterling and First Advantage for global programs.
Pricing: Quote-based enterprise contracts.
- Global reach and regulated-industry depth
- Driving and DOT compliance programs
- Established enterprise integrations
- Turnaround and support can lag at volume
- Interface dated
- Minimum commitments
What to look for
- Check types and geographic coverage you actually need
- Turnaround time and candidate status visibility
- FCRA-compliant adverse-action workflow
- Candidate mobile experience and consent capture
- ATS integration to trigger checks at the offer stage
- Continuous monitoring for ongoing compliance
What background check tools cost
Pay-per-check: basic packages around $30–$80 per candidate, comprehensive packages $100–$300+. Volume contracts reduce unit prices.
Common buying mistakes
- Running checks before a conditional offer (illegal in many jurisdictions)
- Skipping the adverse-action process when a check comes back with findings
- Choosing by price and losing candidates to two-week turnaround times
Our pick by company type
| Company type | Pick | Alternative | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Startups (under 50 employees) | Checkr | GoodHire | API-first, integrates with every startup ATS, transparent pricing. |
| Scale-ups (50–500 employees) | Checkr | Sterling | Still the right choice until you hire in many countries. |
| Enterprise (500+ employees) | Sterling | HireRight | Global coverage, drug testing, and continuous monitoring. |
| Staffing & recruiting agencies | Checkr | Sterling | Fast, integrated checks keep placements on schedule. |
| High-volume & hourly hiring | Checkr | Sterling | Fast turnaround keeps start dates. |
| Solo recruiters & small teams | GoodHire | Checkr | Pay per check, no subscription. |
Frequently asked questions
How long does a background check take?
Identity and national criminal database checks return in minutes; county criminal searches take one to three business days; employment and education verifications can take three to seven days depending on the responsiveness of past employers and schools.
What is the best background check company for employers?
Checkr leads for API-first integration and speed; Sterling and HireRight serve enterprise and global programs; GoodHire and Certn suit small and mid-sized businesses.