Cheapest Background Search Services Online

Last updated December 16, 2024Written by human, not by AI

A background report can help you learn a lot about someone for a variety of reasons. Employment history, previous or current addresses, criminal history, and other information can also be accessed by background check services. These services typically cost between $19.95 and $59.95 per use, or more, depending on the number of checks required and the depth of the check. In some cases, background search companies will allow you to purchase background reports on a monthly subscription basis, which will save you money if you need to conduct several background searches per month.

Do you want to know which company offers the cheapest online background reports? Continue reading to find out everything you need to know about these websites, including their top features, advantages and disadvantages, and, of course, pricing. At 9Ranks, we provide side-by-side comparisons to help you understand the services offered on each site and select the most affordable option.

Index

#1PeopleFinders

PeopleFinders

Pros

  • Affordable subscription prices
  • Doesn't require a membership
  • Excellent mobile apps
  • Spam alert on phone

Cons

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

PeopleFinders is the place to go if you want to stretch your dollar when looking for someone's contact information or whereabouts. The website has an extremely user-friendly and simple-to-navigate interface that displays search options and important information in an intuitive and elegant manner. To find someone, simply enter their first and last name, as well as their city and state of residence, into the search boxes on the front page. If you want to narrow your search, enter the person's middle name and age range, then wait for a thorough and accurate PeopleFinders report.

PeopleFinders includes the same type of information that almost any other background check service would. There's one major exception: unlike other background check services, PeopleFinders doesn't provide information about a person's social media accounts. This is a minor disadvantage because social media is an excellent, less intrusive way to reconnect with old friends, classmates, or distant relatives. Another disadvantage is the $2.95 cancellation fee you must pay if you wish to discontinue using its services. If you fail to cancel or decide to continue using the service, you'll be charged on a monthly basis for an ongoing membership.

PeopleFinders has several pricing options, all of which are considered reasonable: a search report for a single individual costs $1.95, while a background report costs $9.95. You can also access the site's unlimited reports for $24.95, which includes access to search reports that include available data such as contact information and known associates. The Premium membership, which costs only $29.95, includes all of the information that the lower plan doesn't. You can gain access to 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
  • Can cancel subscription anytime
  • Detailed social media search experiences

Cons

  • Lacks report clarification
  • Charges a monthly fee to conduct people searches
  • Some misinformation

Spokeo is a legit service that aggregates publicly available information from public records and associates it with a specific person. Spokeo can be used to discover information about anyone in the United States, such as addresses, phone numbers, and even criminal records. This site has established itself as one of the best people search sites, and the company's searches currently pull data from over 12 billion records gathered from public records and other publicly available data, users are presented with simple, straightforward profiles.

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.

You can sign up for one month for $14.95 or three months for around $19.95. You will still have limited access to some information, such as criminal and court records, after signing up. Remember that you'll be billed monthly at the start of each cycle unless you cancel your subscription; however, you can cancel your membership at any time. Spokeo also provides a free 7-day trial and membership plans that are extremely affordable in comparison to other sites. Their service is excellent, they provide many features for free, and they are one of the few services that provide city location and relative information upfront. The flat-rate charge for all individual court records, in our opinion, is the only reason Spokeo isn't ranked higher on this list.

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

How Can a Background Search Help You?

Online background check services are ideal for determining whether you can trust your new neighbor or simply looking for family members and friends with whom you have lost contact. There is a slew of reasons to conduct one, and the cheapest background check companies can provide you with results in minutes. If you want an extensive and well-organized report, you will need to use a paid background check service.

Background investigation websites have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. In this article, we will introduce you to the cheapest background check websites. When looking at features, make sure to think about whether the features you want are either free or, at the very least, part of a plan. Furthermore, check to see if the company will charge for an individual background check or if it is included for free.