Best Background Search Services Online

Last updated December 14, 2024Written by human, not by AI

A background search is a procedure used by an individual or company to confirm that a person is who they say they are. You can also use this service to check and confirm the accuracy of someone's criminal record, education, employment history, public records, social media profiles, and other past activities. These searches are carried out using a variety of techniques, including a thorough database search and personal references.

A cursory examination of the background search vendor landscape reveals an abundance of options. We have done some of the legwork for you to provide a more comprehensive review of the services, and in this article, we recommend the best background check services where you can get all the information you need, as well as what types of unique features each company offers and, of course, how much they charge. So, keep reading to discover the best background check services to meet your needs.

Index

#1PeopleFinders

PeopleFinders

Pros

  • Easy to use website
  • Doesn't require a membership
  • Allows for multiple search parameters
  • Excellent mobile apps

Cons

  • Annoying $2.95 cancellation fee
  • No social media lookup
  • Missing support options

PeopleFinders has been providing accurate data to customers for over three decades and has access to over 6,000 data sources. There are numerous reasons to conduct a people search, and many people require a current address or phone number. Some people want to trace their ancestors. Others may wish to reconnect with a loved one from their past. PeopleFinders can help you find people, look up phone numbers, and learn more about someone's background by searching criminal records, bankruptcies, foreclosures, court records, and more.

PeopleFinders' enterprise division offers scalable data-as-a-service (DaaS) solutions for businesses. Batch, data append, API and other online services are examples. They work with law firms, real estate agents, collection agencies, investigators, and other professionals. One disadvantage of PeopleFinders is that its reports don't include information about the subject's social media accounts or work history. Furthermore, the reports aren't as well organized, and the information isn't presented chronologically. PeopleFinfers, on the other hand, doesn't require any kind of membership, but if you need to run multiple background checks, it's worth paying for a subscription – rather than purchasing each report individually, you can save significantly by paying for monthly access.

When it comes to pricing, PeopleFinders provides several options. A single individual search report costs $1.95, while a background report costs $9.95. A PeopleFinders monthly subscription costs $24.95, which grants you unlimited access to search reports that include available data such as contact information and known associates, while the Premium membership, which costs $29.95 only, includes all the information that the lower plan doesn't. You can gain access to all of the site's property records, assets, business records, criminal records, bankruptcies, judgments, and more for a small fee of $5.

Specifications

Comparison

Background check types

Personal Information:Extremely Accurate
Professional & Civil Records:Extremely Accurate
Social Connections:Extremely Accurate
Chronological results:
Customizable Search Plans:
Subscription:
Countries:US only

Memberships

PeopleFinders Membership
Searches, reports, and available data
Price:
$ 24.95
Period:
1 Month
PeopleFinders Premium Membership
More detailed info and limited-time specials
Price:
$ 29.95
Period:
1 Month

#2Spokeo

Spokeo

Pros

  • Cheap membership plans
  • Offers some features for free
  • Gives city location and relative information upfront
  • Can cancel subscription anytime

Cons

  • Some misinformation
  • Monthly fee to conduct thorough people searches
  • Flat-rate charge for all individual court records

Spokeo is a background check and data organization service where the miracle of information gathering is utilized to bring people together. Members get access to a comprehensive portfolio that includes criminal records, a family tree, and even property values. You can search by name, phone number, address, or email to look up information about people you know, including yourself, friends, family, peers, and former classmates. Get updates on the reports you buy for the life of your Spokeo account; if you don't find all of the results you're looking for right away, just wait — as the data refreshes, so can your report.

Spokeo differs from other sites of its kind in two ways: first, it provides an alternative search method that resembles a phone book, allowing you to alphabetically browse through the family names of millions of Americans. Second, Spokeo's smartphone app allows subscribers to identify unknown call numbers by cross-referencing them in a database. This way, even if it's the first time they try to contact you, you'll already know who's on the other end of the line. Not only that but identified numbers can also be blocked in advance.

Spokeo charges a flat fee for all individual court records, so you'll need to sign up for a paid membership to gain full access to their more than 12 billion public records, profile monitoring, and updates notifications. However, their membership plans are inexpensive, costing only $4.95, $7.95, or $13.95 per month, their service is excellent, some features are provided for free, and it's also one of the few services that provide city location and relative information upfront, so it's well worth the money. Furthermore, Spokeo offers a 7-day free trial, which is a great way to explore the site and its services.

Specifications

Comparison

Background check types

Personal Information:Extremely Accurate
Professional & Civil Records:Extremely Accurate
Social Connections:Extremely Accurate
Chronological results:
Customizable Search Plans:
Subscription:
Countries:US only

Memberships

1 Month Membership
Criminal records, family tree, and property values
Price:
$ 13.95
Period:
1 Month
3 Month Membership
Criminal records, family tree, and property values
Price:
$41.85 $ 23.85 ($7.95/month)
Period:
3 Months
6 Month Membership
Criminal records, family tree, and property values
Price:
$83.70 $ 29.75 ($4.96/month)
Period:
6 Months
A Comparison of Background Check Services
PeopleFindersSpokeo
Chronological results
Customizable Search Plans
Subscription
Background check types
Personal InformationExtremely AccurateExtremely Accurate
Professional & Civil RecordsExtremely AccurateExtremely Accurate
Social ConnectionsExtremely AccurateExtremely Accurate
CountriesUS onlyUS only

There Are Many Reasons for Using a Background Search Service 

Online background search services are ideal for determining whether you can trust your new neighbor or simply look for lost family members and friends. There are multiple reasons to conduct one, and the best background check companies can deliver results quickly. Self-searching the internet may be effective for people you already know a little bit about, but it may not be as effective for a potential date. If you want an extensive and well-organized report, you will need to use a paid background search service.

There are various reasons to use these services, but with hundreds of options available today, it can be difficult to find the right one. There are numerous options for background search services, ranging from high-end to dirt-cheap, and you want to make sure you are getting your money's worth without being taken advantage of. We hope that the information provided above will assist you in your next search and that your choice of the best background check services will be ideal for you.