6 Best Background Check Companies (2025)

Knowing the truth about a person’s past is vital for making informed decisions, whether it’s for business or personal reasons. The Best background check companies give you the tools to verify backgrounds with confidence. I have worked with a wide range of background check companies and can say that accuracy and reliability are key when choosing the right service. Staying up-to-date with emerging trends like data-driven insights can enhance the process even further. If you fall into the hands of a wrong background investigation company, you may end up in trouble. Such companies may need to properly verify the legitimacy of the information obtained, thus leading to misconceptions and falsifying information.

Over the course of analyzing more than 25 platforms and dedicating 215+ hours to hands-on testing, I assembled this exclusive guide to the best background check companies. These tools were handpicked for their safety, transparency, and up-to-date recommendations. I once used a professional-grade paid tool that revealed records within minutes—but its pricing model required careful budgeting. This well-researched list delivers an honest, credible, and insightful comparison of features and pricing. Read more…

Editor's Choice

Spokeo

Spokeo is a popular online platform used for background investigations, people searches, and verifying personal details. It provides access to public records, social media data, and other information.

Try Spokeo for Free

Best Background Check Companies: Top Picks!

Here is a list of Best Background Verification Companies, I have compiled:

Tool name	Reports include	Data Sources	Free Trial	Link
👍 Spokeo	Education, Employment, Criminal, etc.	Public records, Social media, Public databases	One-time Detailed Search Report for $0.95	Learn More
👍 Intelius	Court/Crime History, Education, Bankruptcy	Public records, Federal law archives	5-day trial at $0.95 for unlimited reports	Learn More
Social Catfish	Crime, Address, Phone Search	Social media, Public records	3-Day Trial at $5.73	Learn More
Checkr	Employment, Criminal, Drug Testing	Employment, Criminal records, International databases	No, but customizable packages available	Learn More
Peopletrail	Reference Checks, Criminal, Social Media	Criminal records, Social media, Reference checks	No	Learn More

1) Spokeo

Spokeo is a powerful tool I particularly appreciate when it comes to gathering detailed background information. I was able to access critical data like family history, criminal records, and past addresses effortlessly. For anyone looking for a comprehensive background check service, this tool stands out. During my evaluation, I found that its easy-to-use interface and wide-reaching search capabilities make it ideal for professionals who need fast, reliable results.

It might be helpful to use Spokeo for both personal and professional background verifications. However, it’s important to note that while Spokeo provides a wealth of information, the sheer volume of results can sometimes be overwhelming, requiring users to carefully sift through the data for clarity.

#1 Top Pick

Spokeo

5.0

Criminal Records Search: Yes

Real-Time Data Aggregation: Yes

Reports Include: Education Verification, Employment Verification, Professional Reference Checks, etc.

Free Trial: 7-Day Trial at $0.95

Visit Spokeo

Features:

• Personal details: Spokeo provides a comprehensive report that reveals key personal details, including birth information, educational background, hobbies, marital status, and family connections. This information is accessible within minutes, offering valuable insights for background checks. While using Spokeo, I noticed the tool pulls in detailed family connections, which can be crucial for tracking relationships in complex cases.
• Wealth info: Spokeo goes beyond basic background checks by uncovering wealth-related data, such as bank balances, investments, salary details, and properties owned. It even provides insights into lifestyle choices and spending patterns. I suggest using this feature with caution, as some of the wealth details can be estimated, but still give a clear sense of the person’s financial standing.
• Social media: The tool scans various social media platforms and dating sites to authenticate a person’s identity. It cross-references usernames from music, gaming, and other online accounts to identify possible aliases. You will notice that Spokeo’s algorithm works especially well for verifying individuals with an online presence across multiple platforms.
• Criminal offenses: Spokeo checks over 600 million data points to identify criminal offenses, including felonies, DUIs, and sexual offenses. It provides valuable details on past legal cases and potential charges, offering peace of mind in high-stakes background checks. I have found this feature particularly helpful when researching individuals for professional or rental purposes, as it provides a solid picture of criminal history.
• Location history: Spokeo offers detailed information about a person’s present and past locations, including addresses and neighborhoods. When I used it to find a distant relative in Nevada, the tool accurately displayed her previous and current address. I recommend using this feature to track down people who have moved frequently or have unclear location history. It’s reliable and precise for pinpointing former residences.

Pricing:

Spokeo offers a free basic search option to its users. For paid plans and pricing options, please refer to the below table:

Visit Spokeo >>

7-Day Trial at $0.95

2) Intelius

Intelius is a background investigation tool that uses publicly available resources to conduct background checks on people. It can reveal background information about work status, education, divorce settlements, offenses, etc. Intelius accesses thousands of publicly available sources to verify the accuracy of the data collected.

I can recollect using this tool to learn more about the guy my daughter was dating a few years ago. Intelius produced a detailed report that revealed drug offenses against that guy. After verifying these details from my daughter, I found that the Intelius background check report was pretty accurate. Intelius saved my daughter from falling into the hands of a drug addict.

Features:

• Court/crime history: Intelius provides a comprehensive look into a person’s personal background within minutes. The report includes vital information such as birth dates, educational history, hobbies, interests, and even marital status. I found this particularly helpful for gathering insights before a business meeting. You can refine your search by focusing on specific details, such as family and relatives, for more targeted results.
• Relationship records: Intelius offers insight into a person’s financial situation, including assets, investments, property ownership, and salary details. You can also learn about the individual’s lifestyle, such as their spending patterns. When using Intelius, I recommend focusing on property ownership and investments to get a clearer picture of someone’s financial background.
• Social network connections: One of the most unique features of Intelius is its ability to scan multiple social media platforms, dating sites, and other online profiles. It cross-references usernames across different accounts to detect potential aliases. I found this feature especially useful when trying to verify an individual’s identity across less mainstream platforms.
• Education background: Intelius searches through a wide array of public records to uncover any criminal offenses associated with an individual. The database includes over 600 million data points, helping users check for DUIs, felonies, misdemeanors, and other criminal charges. While using this feature, I noticed that cross-checking with multiple data points provides the most accurate results for a thorough background check.
• Bankruptcy and debt check: Intelius can trace a person’s current location and history of addresses, neighborhoods, and residents. In my experience, I used it to track down a relative who had moved years ago. It was spot-on in locating her previous and current address, making it an excellent tool for family research and reunions.

Pricing:

Intelius offers a free search with only $1.99 to access unlimited reports for 5 days. For more information on free trial and paid plans, please refer to the below table:

Visit Intelius >>

5-Day Trial at $0.95

3) Social Catfish

Social Catfish is an excellent tool for anyone looking to uncover detailed background information about individuals. It’s especially valuable when you want to ensure you’re interacting with genuine profiles online. This service provides key details like a person’s email, location address, phone number, and even social media accounts. In my experience, Social Catfish has been an invaluable asset, especially when trying to verify the authenticity of profiles on dating platforms.

I have found that it gives an almost perfect report, which includes criminal records, online connections, and social media profiles, helping users easily identify any discrepancies. If you’re looking for reliable information, this tool is definitely one of the best background check companies available. To learn more, read our Social Catfish review.

Features:

• Search for address/location: Social Catfish allows you to search for all the addresses linked to a person, providing you with location details and neighborhood information that may be connected to those addresses. This feature can be especially useful for tracing someone’s past whereabouts. I’ve found this tool particularly helpful when trying to confirm an individual’s residence history.
• Fake profile identification: The tool uses advanced image recognition to detect if your photos have been uploaded to other platforms without your permission. I’ve used it to uncover fake profiles on major sites like Tinder and eHarmony, which saved me from being scammed. You will notice that this feature is particularly effective on dating platforms where image-based deception is common.
• Phone Search: Social Catfish allows you to find the owner of an unknown phone number using a reverse phone search. This can uncover the name, carrier, and location of the caller, as well as social profiles and legal information. I used this feature when receiving persistent scam calls and it helped me block the number quickly.
• Crime history: This feature searches for criminal records associated with a person, including DUIs, sex offenses, arrests, and more. Social Catfish provides detailed reports that can help you verify someone’s background. While using this feature one thing I noticed is that it’s especially helpful in situations where safety and trust are a concern, such as meeting new people online.
• Investigating usernames: You can search for usernames across multiple social networks and dating platforms to uncover all associated profiles. This is great for verifying someone’s identity across different platforms. I’ve personally used this when trying to confirm whether a dating profile was real, and it helped me find additional information on a person’s online presence.

Pricing:

I have provided the different subscription options for Social Catfish in the table below:

Visit Social Catfish

3-Day Trial for $5.73

4) Checkr

Checkr is a top-rated background investigation company that was founded in 2014. It is widely used by human resource professionals to verify a candidate’s identity and background. Whether you are screening for educational qualifications, past work experience, court records, or even substance abuse, Checkr offers an intuitive and efficient solution.

One of the key features of Checkr is how it handles Personally Identifiable Information (PII). It collects the necessary data from candidates and conducts thorough screenings, displaying detailed reports for review on a user-friendly dashboard. During my research, I found that Checkr uses AI to speed up the process, making it one of the best tools for HR professionals. The tool’s fast turnaround time was particularly impressive, and I could rely on its efficiency in conducting thorough checks.

Features:

• Employment verification: Checkr simplifies employment verification by cross-checking candidates’ work history. It helps streamline the hiring process by confirming prior job roles, dates of employment, and job titles. This feature is especially helpful when verifying multiple applicants quickly. I recommend always double-checking the details in the report to ensure accuracy, as small discrepancies can sometimes occur.
• Criminal background check: Checkr’s criminal background check is thorough, examining over 90 million public records. It scans state registries, federal misdemeanor convictions, and sex offender lists across all U.S. territories. The depth of this feature helps identify any potential red flags for employers. While testing, I noticed this feature is particularly fast, delivering results in a fraction of the time compared to similar services.
• Drug testing: Checkr offers comprehensive drug testing, including urine, blood, breath, and hair tests. This feature ensures your team maintains a healthy, drug-free workplace. It screens for various substances, providing accurate results to support workplace safety. I found that Checkr’s multi-panel testing helps organizations remain compliant with industry standards, especially when managing large teams.
• International background check: Running international background checks on Checkr is seamless, covering over 200 countries. This feature is ideal for remote teams or international hires, as it adapts to local regulations. You can rely on the platform for globally consistent results. During my use, I was impressed with how easily it handled the complexity of international checks, saving me time on compliance research.
• Education verification: Checkr’s education verification tool helps employers confirm candidates’ academic qualifications. It cross-checks diplomas, degrees, and certification records to ensure accuracy. This is critical when hiring for positions requiring specific educational backgrounds. I used this feature to verify a candidate’s graduate degree and found the report to be very thorough, making the process much quicker than manually contacting institutions.

Pricing:

Checkr gives you the option to customize your plan as per your requirements and budget. Apart from that, it also offers certain readymade plans, details of which are provided below: 

Link: https://checkr.com/

5) Peopletrail

Peopletrail is the ideal tool for verifying candidates’ qualifications and criminal records. I particularly liked how easy it is to navigate through the dashboard and review the detailed reports. During my research, I found that the tool helps me avoid potential hiring mistakes by offering accurate and timely information. This is one of the most reliable tools I have reviewed, and its thorough checks ensure that I am making the best hiring choices for my business. I would recommend it to anyone looking to secure their recruitment process.

Peopletrail is well-known for its rigorous screening process, which goes beyond just confirming facts. It carefully cross-checks information to avoid errors and ensures that all checks comply with legal regulations. This thorough approach has earned the company an impressive 99.5% client retention rate, which speaks to its reliability and client-focused service. In fact, Peopletrail stands out in the background check industry due to its personalized approach, providing detailed and accurate reports that help businesses make informed hiring decisions.

Features:

• Fingerprint checks: Peopletrail offers fingerprint checks that are processed within 24 hours, providing fast and reliable results. This service is particularly useful in the financial sector, where security is critical. While using this feature, I noticed that the tool offers mail-in fingerprint cards for on-site needs, ensuring flexibility for businesses without local fingerprinting facilities. For faster processing, I recommend providing clear, high-quality prints to avoid delays.
• Criminal background check: The criminal background check feature is highly efficient for verifying employees or potential hires. During my own tests, I was able to quickly uncover a past case involving an employee that had been unresolved for over six years. This information was vital for making informed decisions. If you’re using this tool for a sensitive investigation, I suggest running an in-depth review of all available court records to get the most comprehensive picture.
• DOT background screening: DOT background screening is essential for ensuring that employees meet Department of Transportation standards. This service checks driving history, FMCSA drug and alcohol testing, and DOT employment history, all of which are crucial for compliance. I recently used this feature to vet a truck driver for our fleet, and it significantly reduced the risk of hiring someone with a past violation. I recommend regularly running DOT checks to stay updated with regulatory changes that may affect employee eligibility.
• Financial background checks: Peopletrail provides thorough financial background checks, offering organizations a deep dive into potential candidates’ financial history. This feature helps to prevent fraud by verifying the applicant’s financial stability and history. In a recent experience, I used it to vet a high-level manager, ensuring they had no financial discrepancies. If you’re working in a high-risk industry, I suggest combining financial checks with criminal background screenings for the best results.
• Social media investigations: Social media investigations by Peopletrail allow you to uncover more about a candidate’s character by analyzing their public online presence. The tool looks into posts, shares, and comments made by the person across platforms, providing insight into their personal views and behavior. When testing this, I found it especially helpful for understanding how potential hires interact with the public. If you’re using this for hiring decisions, I recommend cross-referencing the social media findings with other professional background data to ensure a balanced assessment.

Pricing:

Here are some of the plans and their pricing details for Peopletrail:

Link: https://peopletrail.com/

6) FadV

FadV offers powerful background screening solutions that help employers access detailed data to make safer hiring decisions. During my research, I found that it provides an intuitive platform for verifying identity and preventing workplace fraud. With FadV, employers can ensure that they’re not only hiring qualified individuals but also preventing any potential risks related to drug abuse, criminal activity, or other misconduct.

I particularly appreciate how FadV focuses on enhancing security through its advanced detection methods, such as fingerprint scans and substance abuse tests. In my experience, it is a highly reliable tool for businesses aiming to build a trustworthy workforce.

Features:

• Background checks: FadV streamlines pre-employment background checks, offering a comprehensive view of candidates’ skills and educational history. As an HR executive, I have relied on it for conducting thorough C-level pre-employment screenings. It’s a reliable tool for fostering transparency and helping companies make informed hiring decisions.
• Fingerprint checks: It incorporates cutting-edge electronic fingerprint scanning technology to perform accurate and efficient fingerprint checks. This feature complies with industry standards, reducing risk while simplifying the scanning process. One thing I noticed is how quickly the system captures and processes prints, ensuring fast turnaround times without compromising accuracy.
• Identity fraud checks: FadV utilizes advanced AI and machine learning algorithms to detect and prevent identity fraud in applicants. Their RightD solution is multi-layered and dynamic, ensuring a high level of protection against fraud. While using this feature, I found that its predictive capabilities significantly reduced false positives, streamlining the review process.
• Criminal records monitoring: The tool excels in criminal records monitoring by accessing over 400 million court records to verify an individual’s criminal history. This service is crucial for background checks on both new and existing employees. From my experience, using FadV’s comprehensive search tools ensures no relevant records are missed, reducing potential risks.
• Investigative due diligence: FadV provides pre-investment due diligence checks, especially beneficial for evaluating fund managers in various sectors. I’ve used it to investigate employees with access to sensitive information or intellectual property. You will notice that FadV’s ability to track potential threats in private equity and real estate is unmatched, helping safeguard your investments.

Pricing:

Please get in touch with the sales department to receive the quotes on pricing.

Link: https://fadv.com/

Types of Background Checks for Different Industries

There are different types of background checks conducted by different industries:

• Identity verification: It is carried out to prevent identity theft and verifies the name, address, SSN, date of birth, and present work status.
• Criminal background checks: This check verifies any criminal activities linked to the person, such as fraud, felonies, sex offenses, murders, and terrorism activities.
• Drug screening: The drug screening process involves hair testing, breath checks, and urine tests. This type of screening process is carried out to check whether a person is addicted to narcotics and harmful substances.
• Professional license and certification check: This is conducted to ensure that a person has the necessary educational certificates and professional licenses for a job to apply for.
• Pre-employment background screening: This type of background screening procedure is carried out to create a safe working environment. It includes professional and personal background checks, resume verification, SSN verification, criminal records, medical tests, and more.

How Did We Choose Best Background Check Companies?

At Guru99, we conduct extensive research to provide accurate, unbiased product reviews grounded in real-world testing. For this evaluation, our team dedicated over 215+ hours analyzing more than 25 background check tools to compile a reliable list of top-performing software. We prioritize companies that deliver secure, fast, and dependable services tailored to meet the hiring needs of various industries. Ensuring safety, legal compliance, and efficiency remains central to our process. Each selected tool aligns with industry standards and supports user trust through consistent performance and transparency. We focus on the following factors while reviewing a tool based on:

• Compliance Standards: We chose based on strict adherence to FCRA regulations and consistent legal accuracy in reports.
• Turnaround Time: Our team selected services offering rapid delivery of results without compromise on report completeness or reliability.
• Depth of Data: We made sure to shortlist tools offering access to criminal, financial, and employment records for all users.
• User Interface: Experts in our team selected platforms that simplify tasks with ultra-responsive, hassle-free setup for clients.
• Customer Support: We chose based on services providing reliable, helpful, and consistently available human support when needed most.
• Customization Options: We prioritized solutions that adapt to your needs and allow you to tailor checks with ease.

Emerging Trends in Background Investigation

Several new technologies, such as ML and AI, have improved the working procedures of background investigation companies. They have automated the data analysis process for greater accuracy, making it easier to identify red flags. A background investigation company’s performance depends on two significant factors: speed and thoroughness.

Quick turnaround time makes it easier for corporate houses to judge the quality of candidates for specific positions. However, they must not overlook the importance of accuracy. While prioritizing speed, if you receive false credentials, incomplete information, and legal liabilities, employers may face productivity issues by hiring inappropriate candidates for certain roles.

A reliable cyber background investigation company will always strike the right balance between speed and accuracy. New background investigation trends, such as Homomorphic Encryption, Differential Privacy, and Secure Multiparty Computation, are more inclined towards data privacy, encryption, and storage. Social media screening is another emerging background investigation trend. Since social media platforms have gained tremendous popularity among the modern generation, this screening process can help identify potential red flags.

Verdict

I have spent a significant amount of time comparing background check services to ensure you get reliable, secure, and user-friendly results. If you are deciding which platform to choose, check out my top picks for tools that assure trust, safety, and verification:

• Spokeo: Spokeo is a robust and user-friendly platform that pulls data from a wide variety of public sources. It is ideal for reconnecting or confirming personal details with comprehensive accuracy.
• Intelius: Intelius is a powerful and secure tool that offers customizable reports with detailed insights into criminal records, contact information, and address history. It provides excellent value for frequent checks.
• Social Catfish A top choice for identity verification and online fraud detection, Social Catfish delivers impressive visual reports and reliable reverse image searches, especially effective in resolving issues related to fake profiles and scams.

FAQs

Editor's Choice

Spokeo

Spokeo is a popular online platform used for background investigations, people searches, and verifying personal details. It provides access to public records, social media data, and other information.

Try Spokeo for Free