Best People Search Sites

What separates the best people search sites?

Every site here was tested against the same ten consenting people, and the scores track how often the data came back right. BeenVerified leads at 8: current address correct for 9 of 10 and a working phone for 8, with the fewest false records — 2 across ten people. TruthFinder sits at 7.7 and found the known misdemeanour and traffic records for the two test people who had them, with address history and relatives correct for 8 of 10. Spokeo scores 7.5 and costs $19.95, the cheapest monthly plan here, but current address was correct for only 7 of 10 and court records cost extra. Intelius, at 7.4, had address history correct and well dated for 8 of 10 and the easiest reports to read. Instant Checkmate is last at 6.5 and the priciest at $35.12, though it found the known arrest record and registry checks correctly.

What should I check before buying a people search?

Accuracy carries the most weight in our scoring at 35 points, so start there: ask how often the site gets a current address right, not how many records it claims. Coverage adds 20 and value 20, which is where Spokeo's $19.95 and Instant Checkmate's $35.12 land far apart for similar data. Compliance and transparency count 15 — none of these sites are FCRA-compliant, so they are for personal use, not employment or tenant screening. Usability is 10, and it matters more than it sounds: BeenVerified loads reports in stages with upsell interstitials, TruthFinder uses theatrical "this may be shocking" loading screens, and Instant Checkmate dramatises its report loading too.

• Check whether court records are included or cost extra — they do on Spokeo.
• Check monitoring: Intelius offers none.
• Check the price against what you actually need — reverse phone, email, vehicle or username lookups.

If you need the most accurate current address and phone

BeenVerified is the pick, with reverse phone, email, username and licence-plate lookups on top.

If you need court and criminal records

TruthFinder goes deepest on court and criminal records among consumer sites and includes a dark-web scan of your own details. Instant Checkmate covers arrest and sex-offender data with unlimited reports.

If you want the lowest monthly price

Spokeo at $19.95 is strongest on social profiles and email lookups, with fast reverse phone and email search.

If you want clean, readable reports

Intelius gives well-dated address history and the easiest reports to read, with reverse phone and address lookups.

For the most accurate current address and phone, BeenVerified is the pick. TruthFinder suits anyone who needs court and criminal records, while Spokeo is the cheapest monthly plan at $19.95 and strongest on social and email lookups. Intelius is the one to choose if you want the easiest reports to read.