CompareFairlyBest Background Check Services for Employers 2026
Our pick : Checkr (78/100) · Cheapest : VeriFirst · Best value : GoodHire
In short
This comparison of 9 auto insurance providers, evaluated on 11 criteria including FCRA Compliance, Criminal Records Coverage, Federal Records Access, Sex Offender Registry Check, Price per Check, and Ease of Use, sees Checkr leading with a score of 78/100, largely due to its perfect scores in Criminal Records Coverage and Ease of Use. Sterling ranks second with 75/100, excelling in Customer Support, while VeriFirst is identified as the most affordable option. It's important to note that data for 4 out of the 9 options was sourced directly, with the remaining values being estimates and flagged accordingly. The facts in this summary are computed from the table below; only the wording is generated.
Comparison table
| Criterion | Checkr | Sterling | Accurate | GoodHire | HireRight | Backgroundchecks.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FCRA Compliance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Criminal Records Coverage | Comprehensive | Comprehensive | Comprehensive | Standard | Comprehensive | Standard |
| Federal Records Access | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sex Offender Registry Check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Price per Check (USD) | 30.0 | 35.0 | 38.0 | 25.0 | 40.0 | 28.0 |
| Ease of Use | Easy | Moderate | Moderate | Easy | Moderate | Moderate |
| Turnaround Time (heures) | 24 | 48 | 30 | 12 | 36 | 48 |
| Employment Verification | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Education Verification | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Drug Testing Options | Basic Panel | Extended Panel | Basic Panel | None | None | None |
| Customer Support | Standard | Premium | Premium | Basic | Standard | Basic |
Frequently asked questions
What are the best background check services for employers in 2026?
In 2026, Checkr leads our comparison of background check services for employers with a score of 78/100, followed closely by Sterling. Our rankings are based on objective data and are not influenced by any paid placements.
How do background check services compare on FCRA compliance?
FCRA compliance is a critical factor in our comparison. Services are evaluated on their adherence to the Fair Credit Reporting Act to ensure legal and ethical screening practices.
Which background check services offer the most comprehensive criminal records coverage?
We assess the breadth and depth of criminal records coverage, including state and federal records, as well as sex offender registry checks, to determine which services provide the most thorough insights.
What is the average price per check for top employer background screening tools?
The price per check varies among services. Our comparison details the cost-effectiveness of each provider, considering factors like the scope of the background check and ease of use for employers.
Methodology and transparency
Ranking: options are sorted on measured, sourced criteria. No position is ever sold, and no advertiser pays to appear here.
Scope: this comparison is not exhaustive. It presents the options our sources document, not every offer on the market.
Earnings: some outbound links may be affiliate links that earn us a commission. This never affects the ranking, the scores or the data.
Data: every value is linked to its source and refreshed automatically; the collection date is shown.