Top 20 background check software for candidate screening in 2025
Employee retention is essential to long-term business success.
But do you know what’s equally important? Knowing that the candidates you’re planning to hire are trustworthy, capable, and won’t become a liability.
A CareerBuilders survey showed that nearly 74% of small business owners have experienced bad hires. Among those numbers, 17% reported losing between US$1000-$2000 per bad hire, while 20% stated each hire cost them between US$2500-$5000.
Even more alarming is 11% lost between $5,000–$10,000 per hire gone wrong.
These numbers make one thing clear: knowing your potential hires before they join your team is critical.
That’s where background checks come in. And like many other business processes today, background screening can now be automated, thanks to background check software that simplifies and speeds up the vetting process.
Read below to learn more about automated candidate screening and how it can help your business!
List of best background check software in 2025
- Miltratech Assurehire
- Certn
- Checkr
- Victig
- Atlantic
- Zinc
- First Advantage
- Sterling
- AccuSourceHR
- VerifiedFirst
- HireRight
- Intelifi Emerge
- GoodHire
- Xref
- IntelliCorp
- Spokeo
- Verifile
- ClearStar
- GCheck
- Accurate Background
What is background check software?
A background check software automates the process of verifying a candidate’s history and the information they provide during the hiring process.
If done traditionally, background checks can take anywhere between a few days to weeks for a single candidate. Imagine how much longer it would take to screen tens or even hundreds of employees.
The potential backlog and hiring bottleneck it would cause, not to mention the possibility of losing candidates to competitors, could compel hiring managers to compromise quality for speed and end up with a case of negligent hiring.
By automating this process using background check software, you can lessen the possibility of bad hires and mitigate recruitment bottlenecks. Talk about two birds with one software!
Features of a good background check software
With so many screening platforms and software available in the market, deciding which one to spend your money on can be hard. Knowing what to look for makes this a lot easier.
Here are features you should check out when choosing a background check software:
1. Comprehensiveness. A good screening software offers more than just a couple of types of checks.
Some of the key checks that should always be available are:
- Identity verification
- Criminal record searches
- Employment verification
- Education verification
- Professional license verification
2. Integration capabilities. Ease of integration with your existing systems is crucial to ensuring streamlined operations and ease of use.
3. Ease of use and intuitive interface. User-friendly software with an intuitive interface lets users navigate and learn the software’s capabilities more easily.
4. Data security and compliance. Background checks involve going over potentially sensitive information and require the utmost confidentiality. Naturally, this entails compliance with applicable regulations.
Top 20 most trusted background check software
1. Miltratech Assurehire
Miltratech Assurehire is an SOC2-certified and PBSA-accredited background check software that offers a seamless and mobile-friendly integration.
What makes Assurehire stand out is AssureAlert, its post-hire screening and alert feature. You read that right—AssureHire continues conducting due diligence even after a candidate is hired.
AssureAlert monitors your employee’s motor vehicle and criminal activity records, as well as their professional licensures, and gives you an almost in-real-time report.
Pricing: Undisclosed but can be tailored to a company’s needs.
Compliance/Certification/Accreditation: PBSA, SOC2, EEOC, FCRA, GDPR, HIPAA
2. Certn
Certn is known for producing quick results not only with background checks but also with resolving customer issues.
Boasting multilingual support (French, English, Spanish, and Portuguese), this applicant screening software offers businesses a highly customizable self-serve portal that can seamlessly integrate into their existing applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Pricing: Varies per specific need. For detailed information, check their pricing page.
Compliance/Certification/Accreditation: SOC 3 Type II, ISO 27001, AICPA SOC 2, FCRA, PIPEDA, CCPA, GDPR
3. Checkr
Checkr harnesses the power of AI to ensure the transparency of the results of its background-checking process.
It also features one of, if not the, cleanest and most intuitive UI among the background check software in our list. Everything you need to look at during the background check process (e.g., analytics, background check status, etc.) can be found on the dashboard.
Another thing users commended about Checkr is its Compliance Engine, which ensures all details included in generated reports comply with existing regulations.
Pricing: USD 29.99/report to USD 89.99/report
Compliance/Certification/Accreditation: NAPBS, BBB, PBSA
4. Victig
Victig’s reliable customer support has earned it the trust of users. Should you have any problems with results interpretation, simply dial up their customer support and Victig’s support team will gladly help you.
This background check software also has a decent ATS integration and a simple and easy-to-navigate interface.
It’s worth noting, however, that despite being available in the global market, Victig is mostly used by US companies.
Pricing: Victig offers custom pricing
Compliance/Certification/Accreditation: FCRA, PBSA
5. Atlantic
Atlantic is one of the few in its class to offer human-verified screening.
Every time a non-clean result (i.e., results that deviate from the norm) crops up, it signals the need for human verification to double-check the result. This greatly decreases the chances of a false report that could invite legal consequences.
Pricing: Atlantic’s pricing package depends on the size of your business. Check here for more details.
Compliance/Certification/Accreditation: PBSA, BBB, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP
6. Zinc
Zinc’s background check software provides highly detailed results and does so with a noteworthy turnaround time. It also has an intuitive and mobile-friendly interface with a customizable check layout.
What sets Zinc apart from other similar software is its reusable global right-to-work verification—the first of its kind in the market.
Pricing: Zinc’s pricing packages vary depending on your specific needs.
Compliance/Certification/Accreditation: ISO 27001, GDPR, UK government IDVT Framework
7. First Advantage
First Advantage is a background checker with a global presence and has screened candidates from more than 200 countries to date. It has a loyal clientele of over 30,000 strong and multiple branches in different locations worldwide, each with its own application process.
Despite this, users have no problems integrating their ATS and screening processes thanks to First Advantage’s wide range of integration options and high level of customizability.
Its array of functionalities also includes pretty much everything you’d want for a background check, such as:
- Identity fraud mitigation
- Franchise checks
- Contractor background checks
- Fingerprinting
- Student screening
Pricing: First Advantage’s pricing plans are tailored to your needs.
Compliance/Certification/Accreditation: NIST, ISO-2001, SOC-2
8. Sterling
Sterling has a sterling reputation when it comes to criminal background checks. Combining fingerprinting technology with advanced criminal locator tools, Sterling’s background check software can bring up more criminal records than relying on database searches alone.
Besides its top-tier criminal background-checking capabilities, Sterling offers:
- Availability in 12 languages
- Regular updates on state legislation
- Screening services in over 200 countries
Sterling is trusted by over 50,000 companies globally.
Pricing: Undisclosed
Compliance/Certification/Accreditation: You can check Sterling’s compliance documents here.
9. AccuSourceHR
AccuSourceHR provides a comprehensive suite of background screening services tailored to meet the unique needs of each client.
Their offerings cover a wide range of industries and compliance requirements, helping employers make informed hiring decisions with confidence.
Key services include:
- Drug and alcohol screening
- Occupational medical services
- Motor vehicle reports
- Watch list and compliance database
- Court records
- Education and employment verification
- Identity verification/ Social security number trace
- Credit checks
- International background screening
- And other specialty programs
Pricing: AccuSourceHR has three pricing structures (and has a USD 99 fee for setting up new accounts. You can check out more details here.
Compliance/Certification/Accreditation: FCRA, PBSA
10. VerifiedFirst
VerifiedFirst has a robust integration list and is fully compatible with over 130 ATS, HRIS, and payroll solutions.
If you prefer ordering background checks and accessing their results directly from your HR systems, this background check software is right for you.
Its offered services include:
- Criminal background checks
- Drug screening
- Civil records checks
- Form I-9 verification
- E-verify verification
- Identity verifications
- Driving record checks and more
Pricing: VerifiedFirst’s pricing package can be tailored to your organization’s needs.
Compliance/Certification/Accreditation: FCRA, EEOC, SOC 2 Type II, PBSA
11. HireRight
HireRight is a globally known background check firm with over 40,000 clients, including some Fortune 500 companies.
Few background check software can boast being better than HireRight’s software when it comes to integration capabilities. As of writing, HireRight’s applicant screening solution can be paired with 70 ATS.
In the event that a client’s API isn’t among this number, HireRight is willing to provide a free API key for them.
Further, HireRight offers more than 150 services to its clients. Check them out here.
Pricing: HireRight’s pricing plan depends on the specific services availed.
Compliance/Certification/Accreditation: ISO 27001, BSCC, GDPR, PBSA
12. Intelifi Emerge
Intelifi’s Emerge background check software is known for its intuitive features and user-friendly design.
Emerge is a powerful software that can scour more than 400 million records from 2,400 databases across the US. Further, Intelifi’s Emerge software services can help facilitate secure access to confidential data.
Pricing: Undisclosed
Compliance/Certification/Accreditation: FCRA
13. GoodHire
GoodHire positions itself as the “easiest, most flexible, and most delightful employment background check experience you can find.” With over 100,000 customers, the company’s claim is more than likely true.
Quick turnaround times (less than a minute for 90% of criminal records checks) and an above-industry standard accuracy rate are just a few of GoodHire’s selling points.
GoodHire offers over a hundred candidate screening services including:
- Background check
- Criminal background check
- Driving record checks
- Employment drug tests
- Education verification check
Pricing: Undisclosed but you can request a quote.
Compliance/Certification/Accreditation: FCRA
14. Xref
Xref offers a wide range of background checks for all employment types. Its smart API integrations let businesses streamline the candidate background screening process and securely store the results in the relevant profiles.
Its screening services include:
- Qualification checks
- Police checks
- Right-to-work checks
- Identity verification checks
- Employment checks
- Anti-Money Laundering (AML) checks and more
Pricing: Depends on company size, starting at USD 70-80/month up to USD 485/month
Compliance/Certification/Accreditation: ISO 27001, AWS Cloud Security, AWS SOC, AWS
15. IntelliCorp
IntelliCorp’s background check software features real-time background checks. It covers international employees and education verification, as well as government sanctions and sex offender registry checks.
While accurate and provides reliable results, this software has a limited international background check capability.
Pricing: Starts at USD 21.75/check plus a monthly fee
Compliance/Certification/Accreditation: FCRA, EEOC, BSAAP, BSCC, NAPBS
16. Spokeo
Spokeo is primarily designed to be used as a people search software. However, it also has basic applicant screening features.
These include:
- Reverse phone and email lookup
- Address search and criminal history checks
- Social media account tracking
Moreover, Spokeo’s software has access to more than 12 billion public records, further increasing its background-checking capabilities.
A drawback to this low-cost background check software is its varying degrees of data accuracy. Its searches are also limited to US citizens only and is not FCRA-compliant.
Pricing: Starts at USD 19.95/month
Compliance/Certification/Accreditation: —
17. Verifile
Verifile is another background check platform with a global reach. This software works well with staffing agencies and outsourcing companies that often need to hire offshore.
With its custom integrations, you can connect your existing systems to Verifile’s platform with ease. Additionally, Verifile’s software uses a RESTful API with JSON for more efficient data transfer.
Pricing: Verifile’s pricing is tailored to your organization’s needs.
Compliance/Certification/Accreditation: PBSA
18. ClearStar
ClearStar is a straightforward background check software suitable for businesses of any size.
With multilingual support and enabled integration with UKG Pro and SAP systems, ClearStar’s software can be easily incorporated into any organization’s existing systems.
Employment screening services offered by ClearStar include:
- Criminal record searches
- Sex offender registry searches
- Education verification searches
- Employment verification searches and more
Pricing: ClearStar’s pricing depends on the specific services availed.
Compliance/Certification/Accreditation: ClearStar’s Assured Compliance Program ensures all data collected from background check results are legal and compliant with relevant regulations.
19. GCheck
Regardless of company size, GCheck promises a “seamless blend of technology and service that brings speed, accuracy, and compliance to your fingertips.”
This background check software firm has been in the business for over 15 years and leverages cutting-edge technology to swiftly deliver results without compromising quality.
GCheck’s services include:
- Criminal background checks
- Employment verification
- Education verification
- Drug testing
- MVR and driving record checks
- People searches, and more
Pricing: Three pricing tiers, starting at USD 29.99/check to USD 79.99/check
Compliance/Certification/Accreditation: FCRA, EEOC, GDPR
20. Accurate Background
Accurate Background offers an extensive background check platform capable of seamless integration with existing HR systems.
With its 24/7 customer support and focus on ensuring legal compliance, users have little to worry about when using Accurate Background’s background check software.
Accurate Background’s screening services include:
- SSN trace/address locator
- Education and employment verifications
- Professional License verifications
- International background checks
- Form I-9 Collection / E-Verify, and more
Pricing: Starts at USD 29.99/check up to USD 98-175 /check
Compliance/Certification/Accreditation: —
Vendor caution for background check software
Confidential data passes through and is collected by background check software. Mishandling this sensitive information by entrusting it to less-than-competent background check software vendors could lead to serious legal troubles.
Thus, ensuring that you choose the best possible vendors to handle your candidate screening process is of utmost importance.
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