Best Background Check Sites — every ranking, by use case and budget
We paid for every service here and searched people who agreed to be searched. Scores are locked before any affiliate link is added. Read the permitted-use line before you buy: using a people-search site to screen a tenant or employee violates the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
GoodHire
Very Good
8.6
BeenVerified
Good
8.0
By use case indexed
In-depth background check sites reviews
Checkr
The FCRA-compliant screening platform used by Uber and thousands of employers — consent, disputes and adverse-action steps built in, from $29.99 a report
Read Checkr ReviewGoodHire
Checkr's small-business brand: the same FCRA-compliant checks with a simpler dashboard for companies hiring a few people a year
Read GoodHire ReviewBeenVerified
The most accurate people search in our test — current address and phone for nine of ten — with reverse phone, email, vehicle and username lookups
Read BeenVerified ReviewTruthFinder
The deepest court and criminal-record search among consumer sites, with dark-web and social-media sections — and a long, dramatic loading screen
Read TruthFinder ReviewSpokeo
The cheapest unlimited people search, strongest on social profiles and email lookups, weaker on records
Read Spokeo ReviewIntelius
A long-established people search with clean reports and good address history; owned by the same group as Instant Checkmate
Read Intelius ReviewInstant Checkmate
Sister site to Intelius with a criminal-records emphasis, arrest and sex-offender data — and the highest price in the ranking
Read Instant Checkmate ReviewGuides that send readers to these rankings
How to Remove Yourself From People-Search Sites
Opt-out links for the sites we ranked, what to expect, and the paid services that keep doing it.
People-Search Sites vs FCRA Background Checks: Which One Is Legal for Your Purpose?
The Fair Credit Reporting Act line in plain English, what each site in our ranking may be used for, and the penalties for getting it wrong.