In the current competitive labor market, thorough background screenings ensure that new hires are truly qualified.
However, the quality of these checks can vary significantly. It’s crucial to select a provider that is reliable, accurate, and legally compliant.
To help you decide, we’ve conducted extensive research and compiled a list of the top background screening services for employers in 2025.
Our Top Picks
1. iprospectcheck
Founded in 2009 and based in California, iprospectcheck began as a vision of Andrea and Matt Rodgers to start a full-service employment background screening service that offers accurate, comprehensive, reliable, up-to-date, and legally compliant background checks for employers across industries. In addition to employment screening, iprospectcheck also offers personal background checks for individuals who want to review their own records.
The company has significantly grown since its founding and services employers in all industries and every U.S. state.
While it is a smaller firm than some of its competitors, it is more nimble and customer-focused.
This allows iprospectcheck to excel in its mission to provide service focused, reliable employment background checks and screening services to employers of all sizes with the fastest turnaround times.
iprospectcheck is the only company on this list that is family owned and operated.
Provider Features
Pricing? For the basic background check package, iprospectcheck’s pricing is $24.95 each. Standard packages cost $49.95 each, and premium packages cost $79.95 each. Companies needing more than 50 background checks per year can take advantage of iprospectcheck’s volume discount.
Best for? At iprospectcheck, businesses of all sizes can benefit from the company’s extensive employment background check and clinical services. However, iprospectcheck positions itself as a mid-level market provider.
Full-service? Yes, iprospectcheck is a full-service employment background check and clinical services provider.
Highly Customizable Searches and Packages? Yes, iprospectcheck enables employers to create customized searches and packages by providing a large menu of add-on searches. This helps employers avoid paying for unnecessary searches and ensure they only receive the desired information.
FCRA/State and Local Regulations compliant? Yes. The company stays up-to-date with changes in local, state, and federal laws, including the FCRA, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, state laws, and ban-the-box ordinances around the country. When companies partner with iprospectcheck, they can feel confident that the information they receive is legally compliant.
Turnaround times? The turnaround times for background checks from iprospectcheck range from a few hours to a couple of days, depending on the information requested.
Industries serviced? All industries are serviced by iprospectcheck’s comprehensive employment screening solutions. However, iprospectcheck specializes in employment background checks for the staffing, healthcare, transportation, and finance industries.
ATS Integration Capabilities? Yes, iprospectcheck integrates with numerous HRIS systems, including JobVite, Oracle PeopleSoft, Kronos, Newton, IBM Kenexa, Bullhorn, NeoGov, SAP SuccessFactors, Taleo, icims, UltiPro, Ceridian, and others.
Criminal Background Check? Yes, iprospectcheck performs local, state, and national criminal background checks for employers.
Employment Verification? Yes.
Education Verification? Yes.
Drug Testing? Yes, iprospectcheck conducts employment drug tests, including pre-employment, reasonable suspicion, DOT, and post-accident drug screens.
Clinical Services? Yes, iprospectcheck offers a full suite of clinical services for employers, including DOT and non-DOT employment physicals, breath alcohol tests, employment drug screens, vaccinations, and more.
DOT Programs? Yes, iprospectcheck provides DOT programs, including DOT physicals, DOT drug tests, and DOT Safety Performance Histories along with comprehensive background checks.
Positive Candidate Experience? Yes, iprospectcheck delivers a positive candidate experience with its SwiftHire app, which allows candidates to upload the required information, have questions answered, view results, and stay informed throughout the background screening process from their smartphones.
BBB rating? Yes, iprospectcheck is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has a BBB rating of A+.
Customer Support? Employers can receive fast customer support by phone, email, or text when they work with iprospectcheck. When customers call iprospectcheck for help, they speak to a real person instead of a phone tree or ai bot.
Service Team Based in the US? Yes, iprospectcheck’s service team is 100% US-based, and the company never off-shores its services.
Average Customer Review? At iprospectcheck, the company is proud to have received numerous five-star reviews.
Dedicated Client Management Teams? Yes, employers that partner with iprospectcheck for employment background checks benefit from dedicated client management teams.
Know Before You Hire
2. First Advantage
First Advantage is a global background screening provider based in Georgia. It was founded in 2003 and provides employment background checks for businesses across the globe.
While the company provides background screening solutions for companies of all sizes, it focuses on providing services to enterprise-level and multinational corporations.
On Feb. 29, 2024, First Advantage announced it will acquire Sterling Check Corp., another company on the top five list.
Provider Features
Pricing starts at? First Advantage offers four packages, including Basic, Standard, Choice, and Premium. The Basic package starts at $29 per search. The standard package costs $44 per search. The Choice package costs $65 per search, and the Premium package costs $75 per search. Education verification, employment verification, and driver’s license checks are available for additional fees of $12, $15, and $6, respectively.
Best for? First Advantage is best for enterprise-level and global corporations. It does provide services to small and medium-sized businesses, however.
Full-service? Yes. First Advantage is a full-service employment background screening provider.
Highly Customizable Searches and Packages? Yes and no. While First Advantage emphasizes it offers customizable searches, customers can order one of four available packages. They can add on driver’s license checks, education verification, and employment verification for an additional fee. Other providers offer a wider selection of add-on searches by comparison.
FCRA/State and Local Regulations compliant? Yes. First Advantage is FCRA-compliant.
Turnaround times? First Advantage offers turnaround times ranging from one to four days, depending on the package purchased.
Industries serviced? First Advantage services multiple industries, including banking, business services, the gig economy, healthcare, higher education, and others.
ATS Integration Capabilities? Yes. First Advantages offers integration capabilities with leading applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Criminal Background Check? Yes. First Advantage offers national and state criminal database searches as well as county and federal courthouse searches. However, county criminal searches are not available in the Basic package.
Employment Verification? Yes. First Advantage conducts employment verification as an add-on search for an additional fee.
Education Verification? Yes. First Advantage conducts education verification as an add-on search for an additional fee.
Drug Testing? Yes. First Advantage offers a range of drug-testing solutions for employers.
Clinical Services? Yes. First Advantage offers clinical services, including drug screening and the coordination of physicals and vaccinations.
DOT Programs? Yes. First Advantage has DOT programs, including DOT background checks, DOT drug tests, and the coordination of DOT physicals.
Positive Candidate Experience? First Advantage claims to provide a positive candidate experience with its mobile app.
BBB rating? Yes. First Advantage is a BBB-accredited business and has an A rating.
Customer Support? First Advantage provides a telephone number for sales. Existing customers have a customer center with a list of frequently asked questions they can review. They can also log in to read articles. It appears customer support might be difficult to reach.
Service Team Based in the US? No. First Advantage’s service team is located across the globe.
Average Customer Review? On the BBB website, First Advantage’s average customer rating is 1.06 out of 5.
Dedicated Client Management Teams? No. First Advantage does not provide a dedicated client management team for individual employers.
3. Checkr
Checkr is based in San Francisco, California. It was founded in 2014 by two engineers who had previously worked at a gig economy startup.
The company prides itself on its automated background screening process and advanced technology. It offers an API platform for its customers that integrates with more than 100 applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Provider Features
Pricing starts at? Checkr offers three packages, including Basic+, Essential, and Professional. The cost of Checkr’s Basic+ background check is $29.99 per search. The Essential package costs $54.99 per search, and the Professional package costs $79.99 per check.
Best for? Checkr offers solutions for small businesses and enterprise-level companies. However, it appears to be best for large companies.
Full-service? Yes. Checkr is a full-service background screening provider.
Highly Customizable Searches and Packages? Checkr provides several add-on searches that customers can choose to customize their packages for additional fees per add-on selected.
FCRA/State and Local Regulations compliant? Yes. Checkr is compliant with the FCRA and state and local laws.
Turnaround times? Checkr’s turnaround times average from three to five business days.
Industries serviced? Checkr services multiple industries, including technology, staffing, retail, hospitality, healthcare, and others.
ATS Integration Capabilities? Yes. Checkr integrates with more than 100 ATS.
Criminal Background Check? Yes. Checkr offers several criminal background checks for employment, including national county, federal, state, global, and sex offender registry checks.
Employment Verification? Yes and no. With Checkr, employment verification is not provided as a part of its Basic+ or Essential packages. You can add a current employment verification to your package for an additional fee of $12.50 per check. For previous employment verification, it is available as an add-on starting at $15.00 per check.
Education Verification? Yes and no. Checkr doesn’t include education verification in its Basic+ or Standard packages. You can add it on as an additional search for a fee of $12.50 per check.
Drug Testing? Yes. Checkr offers on-site drug testing services.
Clinical Services? Yes. Checkr offers drug testing and pre-employment physical services.
DOT Programs? Yes. Checkr offers DOT programs, including DOT background checks, DOT drug screens, and DOT physicals.
Positive Candidate Experience? Yes. Checkr offers a mobile-friendly candidate portal to keep candidates updated throughout the background screening process. The portal provides transparency and allows candidates to see background check results.
BBB rating? Yes. Checkr is a BBB-accredited business and has a rating of A+.
Customer Support? Checkr offers customer support through a live chat with an agent during business hours. It also allows customers to submit a request form to receive support by email.
Service Team Based in the US? No. Checkr has employees across the globe.
Average Customer Review? On the BBB website, the average customer review of Checkr is 1.24 out of 5.
Dedicated Client Management Teams? Yes. Checkr provides dedicated client management teams.
4. HireRight
HireRight is a global employment background screening provider and is based in Nashville, Tennessee. The company was founded in 1995 and has grown substantially due to numerous mergers over the years.
Provider Features
Pricing starts at? HireRight offers several packages. Its Basic package starts at $39.95 per check. Its Advantage package starts at $69.95 per check, and its Advantage Plus package starts at $79.95 per check.
Best for? HireRight is best for large, multi-national corporations.
Full-service? Yes. HireRight is a full-service employment screening provider.
Highly Customizable Searches and Packages? Yes. HireRight’s background checks are highly customizable. The company offers hundreds of additional services you can choose to create a tailored background check for your company.
FCRA/State and Local Regulations compliant? Yes. HireRight complies with the FCRA and state and local laws.
Turnaround times? While HireRight’s background check turnaround times vary based on the type of report, they average from two to four business days.
Industries serviced? HireRight serves all industries.
ATS Integration Capabilities? Yes. HireRight integrates with more than 70 leading industry ATS.
Criminal Background Check? Yes. HireRight offers multiple types of criminal background checks for employment, including federal, national, state, and county criminal records checks. It also offers criminal record checks in Canada, the UK, and globally.
Employment Verification? Yes. HireRight offers employment verification in both the U.S. and globally.
Education Verification? Yes. HireRight offers education verification in both the U.S. and globally.
Drug Testing? Yes. HireRight offers drug testing services.
Clinical Services? Yes. HireRight offers drug testing and health services for employers.
DOT Programs? Yes. HireRight offers DOT background checks, DOT drug tests, and Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse checks for transportation companies.
Positive Candidate Experience? HireRight doesn’t appear to provide a candidate portal and instead emphasizes the employer’s side of the process.
BBB rating? HireRight is not BBB accredited. However, it has a BBB rating of A+.
Customer Support? HireRight offers customer support by phone. Customers can also log in to chat directly with an agent.
Service Team Based in the US? No. HireRight’s teams are located globally.
Average Customer Review? On the BBB website, the average customer review of HireRight is 1.05 out of 5.
Dedicated Client Management Teams? No. HireRight does not provide dedicated client management teams for employers.
5. Sterling
Sterling is one of the oldest employment background screening providers and was founded in 1975. The company provides background checks globally and completes more than 103,000 per year.
Sterling is primarily geared toward large companies with multiple locations that need many background checks each year.
On Feb. 29, 2024, First Advantage announced it will acquire Sterling this year.
Provider Features
Pricing starts at? Sterling states the cost of its background checks vary and can range from a little less than $50 per check to several hundred dollars, depending on what is requested.
Best for? Sterling is best for enterprise-level companies.
Full-service? Yes. Sterling is a full-service background screening company.
Highly Customizable Searches and Packages? Yes. Sterling offers customized searches and packages based on your industry and location.
FCRA/State and Local Regulations compliant? Yes. Sterling is FCRA-compliant.
Turnaround times? Sterling’s turnaround times for background checks vary based on what is requested. In general, they range from one to five business days.
Industries serviced? Sterling services multiple industries, including construction, education, energy, finance, and others.
ATS Integration Capabilities? Yes. Sterling offers an API that easily integrates with a company’s existing ATS and other programs.
Criminal Background Check? Yes. Sterling offers criminal background checks for employment, including county and state criminal background checks, national criminal background checks, federal criminal background checks, and global criminal background checks.
Employment Verification? Yes. Sterling offers employment verification.
Education Verification? Yes. Sterling offers education verification.
Drug Testing? Yes. Sterling offers drug and alcohol testing services.
Clinical Services? Yes. Sterling offers health screening services.
DOT Programs? Yes. Sterling offers DOT programs, including DOT background checks, DOT drug tests, and DOT physicals.
Positive Candidate Experience? Yes. Sterling offers a streamlined candidate hub to deliver a positive candidate experience.
BBB rating? Sterling is not an accredited company with the Better Business Bureau. However, it has a BBB rating of A+.
Customer Support? Sterling provides customer support with an online form that customers can fill out and submit. They also offer email and telephone support.
Service Team Based in the US? No. Sterling’s team is global.
Average Customer Review? Sterling’s average customer review on TrustPilot is 4.4 out of 5.
Dedicated Client Management Teams? Yes. Sterling offers dedicated client management teams.
Know Before You Hire
What to Look for in a Background Check Provider
When you’re searching for an employment background check provider, you should look for the following key characteristics:
1. Legal Compliance
When you conduct background checks, you must comply with the FCRA, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, state laws, and local regulations where you operate.
If you violate the laws governing background checks, you could face substantial penalties and potential litigation.
The best background check providers comply with all laws and work to stay up-to-date with changes to the law as they occur.
2. Fast Turnaround Times
When you’re hiring in a competitive market, it’s critical to reduce your time-to-hire to attract and retain key talent.
A background check provider should offer fast turnaround times to prevent candidates from losing interest and looking elsewhere.
3. Tailored Background Screening Solutions
A good background check provider should offer multiple packages and numerous add-on services to create tailored background screens to meet your needs.
At iprospectcheck, we help you create a customized solution to meet your needs and allow you to avoid paying for unnecessary reports.
4. Affordable Pricing
Your background screens should be affordable.
At iprospectcheck, we offer packages at several price points and volume discounts for customers needing more than 50 background checks per year.
5. Delivers a Positive Candidate Experience
The background check process should be a positive experience for candidates.
A good provider should help you keep your candidates informed throughout the screening process and provide transparency.
With the SwiftHire Mobile App, iprospectcheck provides your candidates the ability to get answers to their questions, upload documents, and see their results from their mobile devices.
6. Nimbleness and Organization
Another characteristic to look for is a background check company’s nimbleness and organization.
Many acquisitions have occurred or are occurring in the background check industry, including First Advantage’s acquisition of Sterling Check and Chekr’s acquisition of GoodHire, another background check company not on this list.
After acquisitions occur, companies typically undergo a period of disorganization during which things can fall through the cracks.
These companies are also beholden to stakeholder interests vs. customer interests.
It’s better to choose a company like iprospectcheck that doesn’t have shareholders because it prioritizes its customers.
Trust iprospectcheck for Reliable, Compliant Background Checks
It’s critical to choose the right background check provider for your pre-employment screenings.
At iprospectcheck, we serve employers in every industry in all 50 states and always comply with the FCRA and other screening laws. We also offer a full suite of clinical services, including employment drug tests.
To learn more about our background check services and receive a free quote, call us today: (888) 509-1979
DISCLAIMER: The resources provided here are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Consult your counsel if you have legal questions related to your specific practices and compliance with applicable laws.
