The background check provider you choose has a real impact on how quickly, accurately, and confidently you can make hiring decisions.
Three companies have built strong reputations with US employers: iprospectcheck, Certn, and Checkr.
We’ll compare what each offers and walk you through the key factors to consider when making your choice.
Key Takeaways
- iprospectcheck is best overall for employment background checks because of its fast turnaround times, extensive focus on compliance, and excellent, USA-based, human customer support.
- Certn provides AI-driven background checks and is best for companies hiring across the US and Canada with remote teams, but you may experience longer turnaround times and limited direct customer support access.
- Checkr offers automated background checks and is best for companies with high-volume hiring needs in the gig economy, but they may offer limited compliance support.
iprospectcheck vs Certn vs Checkr: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | iprospectcheck | Certn | Checkr |
| Best for | Companies of all sizes and industries that need strong compliance guidance and want fast turnaround times and 100% USA-based human customer service | Companies operating primarily in Canada and the US that desire the use of AI and automation in background checks | Large enterprises with high-volume gig-economy hiring needs |
| Turnaround Time | 1 day for most reports, though more complex checks could take longer | Indicates fast turnaround times, but numerous reviewers report waiting for weeks or even months | Claims 1-5 business days turnaround time, but the reviews report it can take longer |
| Industry focus | Employers in all industries, especially those operating in regulated sectors | Focuses on enterprise-level companies | Large companies with high-volume hiring needs, especially within the gig economy |
| Countries Available | US-based clients with access to reports and verifications from over 200 countries | US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, but only lists reports from the US and Canada on its pricing page | Offers reports in 200+ countries |
| Customer Support | 100% human and US-based through phone, contact form, text, and email | Primarily AI-based with limited human access. Phone support directs callers to leave messages with no guaranteed callback | Automated/ticket-based, AI chatbots with no direct phone or email contact |
| Compliance Support | Strong, extensive, and industry-specific | Basic | Basic |
| Cost | Affordable, transparent pricing, along with custom quotes for high-volume needs (50 or more reports per year) | Piece-meal pricing that could add up to more than competitors for a comprehensive screen | Competitive pricing available on its website and by quote |
| Volume & Depth | Companies of all sizes and hiring volumes with in-depth, comprehensive reports | Focuses on high-volume hiring but doesn’t appear to provide in-depth reports | Focuses on high-volume hiring needs, especially for companies in the gig economy, rather than focusing on report depth |
| API Integration | Yes, offers API integrations with most HRIS/ATS | Yes, offers an API doc | Yes, offers API integrations with most HRIS/ATS |
| User Experience | Excellent reviews from users for fast turnaround times, customer service, and compliance guidance | Very poor reviews from users because of long turnaround times, poor/unreachable customer service, and a buggy interface | Customers complain about poor user experience with forms losing data during completion, and no ability to review before submitting |
iprospectcheck: Best Overall Background Check Company
A privately-owned and operated business that was founded in 2009 by Matthew and Andrea Rodgers, iprospectcheck is based in California and provides background checks and clinical services for employers in all 50 states and US territories.
They also offer employer-grade personal background checks for individuals.
iprospectcheck has a strong reputation for its compliance with regulations and laws for companies operating in regulated industries.
It’s also known for offering fast turnaround times and excellent, USA-based customer service.
Reviewers note that they appreciate iprospectcheck’s personal touch from its account managers and that they can always receive help from a human rather than an AI bot.
Pricing
iprospectcheck’s package pricing information is readily available on its website and includes:
- Basic package – $24.95 per report
- Standard package – $49.95 per report
- Standard + Motor vehicle records (MVR) package – $55.95 per report
- Premium package – $79.95 per report
- Healthcare package – $89.95 per report
Employers can also choose from a broad menu of add-on searches at affordable prices to create tailored background checks.
If you’re a company with high-volume hiring, you can take advantage of iprospectcheck’s volume discounts by requesting a custom quote based on your needs.
Pros
- Focuses on legal compliance in every industry, including regulated sectors
- Provides fast turnaround times (typically within 1 to 3 business days)
- 100% US-based
- Excellent US-based customer service by humans rather than AI bots
- Stays up-to-date on relevant laws at the local, state, and federal levels
- Offers numerous API integrations for most HRIS and ATS
- SwiftHire Mobile allows candidates to submit information anytime, speeding up the process
Cons
- Doesn’t provide fingerprinting services
- Solely serves clients in the US and US territories
Best For
iprospectcheck is best for companies in any industry, including regulated sectors, that want enhanced compliance, quick turnaround times, and excellent human customer service rather than AI bots.
Certn: Best for Companies Operating in both the US and Canada
Certn was founded in 2016 by Andrew McLeod and Owen Madrick as a Canadian background check provider.
In 2023, the company received an $80B investment to expand globally, but it appears to primarily offer reports for companies in Canada and the US.
The company focuses on using AI and automation to deliver background checks online, primarily for enterprises.
While Certn claims to offer fast turnaround times on its website, numerous reviewers on Trustpilot complain that they waited weeks or more to receive their reports.
Other reviewers report experiencing constant bugs in the interface and difficulty reaching anyone at customer service.
Pricing
Certn provides pricing information on its website, including:
- US-based criminal check – $17.99
- US single-county criminal check – $28.50
- US unlimited county criminal check – $49.99
- Basic Canadian criminal check – $17.99
- Enhanced Canadian criminal check – $21.50
- OneID Identity verification (using biometric authentication) – $3.50
- Social media checks – $42.99
- Credit report – $9.50
- Employment verification – price varies
- Education verification – price varies
- Income verification – starting at $9.99
- Digital reference checks – $3.50
- Phone reference checks – $28.99
- Motor vehicle records check – $25.99
While Certn doesn’t list any package options on its website, enterprise-level businesses can speak with an expert for a custom quote.
Pros
- Offers international reports (US and Canada)
- Pre-built integrations with over 100 popular ATS and HRIS platforms
- Biometric facial recognition and 3-step identity verification for remote teams
- Offers a mobile app where candidates can securely store and share their verified credentials across jobs
Cons
- Numerous complaints about waiting for reports for weeks or more
- Reviewers report constant bugs in the software
- Pay-per-service pricing can become expensive compared to bundled packages
- Emphasis on AI could result in errors in reports
- Offers little information about legal compliance
Best For
Best for businesses with cross-border hiring needs in the US and Canada seeking AI-driven background checks with strong identity verification features.
Checkr: Best for High-Volume Hiring
Founded in 2014 by a pair of engineers who had worked for a gig economy startup, Checkr is based in San Francisco, California.
The company remains true to its founders’ roots by focusing on companies with high-volume hiring needs, especially those that operate within the gig economy.
Users on Capterra generally report that the company’s interface is easy to use and integrates with most HRIS/ATS systems.
While the company typically offers relatively fast turnaround times of 1 to 5 days, some reviewers report that the turnaround times can sometimes be unreliable.
Also, many reviews on Trustpilot cite serious accuracy and customer service issues.
Customers frequently report incorrect criminal records, false driving violations, and employment verification failures that cost them jobs.
Reviewers also complain about unhelpful AI chatbots and dispute resolution taking weeks or months.
Checkr’s focus on automation means that companies in regulated industries might require more help with ensuring they maintain legal compliance beyond relying on their provider.
Pricing
Checkr provides the following package pricing information on its website:
- Basic package – $29.99 per report
- Essential package – $54.99 per report
- Complete package – $89.99 per report
The company also offers numerous add-on searches for varying prices listed on its pricing page.
Pros
- Good for companies with high-volume hiring needs through automation
- Easy-to-use interface
- Extensive API integrations
- Generally fast turnaround times of 1-5 days in most cases
Cons
- Limited human-based customer support with reliance on automated responses and a ticketing system
- Reports might be overbroad and require additional information/context
- Only basic compliance support
- Customers frequently report inaccurate background checks with false records
Best For
Checkr is best for companies with high-volume hiring needs that operate within the gig economy and that don’t have strong compliance needs.
What Should You Consider When Choosing a Provider?
When choosing a provider, consider the following factors:
1. Legal Compliance
Laws change all the time.
Your provider must be compliant with the FCRA and all relevant laws that affect background checks.
You should look for a background check company that constantly stays up-to-date with legal changes as they occur within your industry, federally, and in your state and local jurisdictions.
2. Background Check Accuracy and Completeness
Your background check reports must be accurate, up-to-date, and legally compliant to avoid legal liability and other risks.
Evaluate how a provider verifies information and how it handles disputes when they arise.
A good provider should have methods for accessing records at the local, state, and federal levels and a system to cross-reference information to ensure accuracy.
For example, if a local court doesn’t have records available online, your provider should have researchers who can conduct manual searches when necessary.
3. Fast Turnaround Times
When you’re hiring, you should look for a reliable provider that also offers fast turnaround times to reduce your time to hire and remain competitive.
Report accuracy directly impacts turnaround time, since fixing errors can substantially delay the process.
4. Technology and Integration
Look for a provider that offers extensive API integrations that will work with your existing ATS or HRIS for seamless workflows.
This will allow your HR professionals to receive reports directly within a candidate’s profile so that they can review and respond to the information faster.
A provider that offers a mobile app to candidates that allows them to upload documents when needed can also make the hiring process smoother.
5. Relevant Reports Offered
Your provider should offer the reports that you need to make informed hiring decisions.
This might include criminal history, identity verification, professional license verification, education verification, MVR records checks, drug testing, and more.
6. Customer Support and Experience
Choose a provider with US-based support, dedicated account managers, and customer service you can actually reach.
Your candidates are forming opinions about your company throughout the screening process, so a provider that creates frustration or confusion can damage your reputation before someone even joins your team.
7. Industry Expertise and Reputation
Your background check provider should have extensive experience in your industry and in-depth knowledge of any applicable regulations that apply.
Check the provider’s industry experience and track record through testimonials and reviews from its former and current clients.
8. Data Security
A good background check provider should have strong data security measures in place to protect your candidates’ personally identifiable information (PII) and your company from hackers.
Data breaches can expose you to extensive liability and potentially huge losses.
Make sure the provider uses the strongest possible data protection and encryption technology to keep your company and your candidates safe.
Know Before You Hire
iprospectcheck: Your Trusted Background Check Partner
The quality of your background checks depends on the provider you choose.
At iprospectcheck, we are fully legally compliant, offer fast turnaround times, and are wholly based in the US.
We stay up-to-date on all relevant laws and regulations, including those for companies operating in regulated industries.
Contact us today to learn more about our background checks and clinical services or obtain a free quote: (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.
FAQs
How much does a good background check cost?
The cost of a good background check varies, depending on your provider, package, industry, and any add-on searches you need.
At iprospectcheck, we offer fair, affordable, and transparent pricing. You can also call us for a custom quote.
Do I need candidate consent before running a background check?
Yes. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires employers to both disclose that they conduct background checks and obtain the candidate’s written consent before initiating them.
If you conduct a background check before obtaining consent, you can face substantial civil penalties and legal liability.
What happens if a background check reveals incorrect information?
If you rely on inaccurate information in a background check to make an adverse hiring decision, it could place your company at legal risk.
When you receive a background check report with information that concerns you, you must complete the adverse action process before making a final decision not to hire the candidate.
This process includes providing a copy of the report, together with a pre-adverse action notice to the candidate, and a summary of their rights under FCRA.
The candidate can then respond within a reasonable time (usually, five business days) with evidence that the information is inaccurate.
You can then make a final decision based on the evidence.
Candidates can contact the background check provider to challenge inaccurate information and have it removed.
To prevent surprises during the hiring process, candidates can run personal background checks first to fix any errors and know what employers will find.
