Best Background Check Sites & Services of 2025

Why Background Checks are Essential for Small Businesses

Background checks help small businesses make informed decisions when hiring new employees, screening contractors, or evaluating potential clients. They provide a way to verify criminal records, employment history, education, and other key information, mitigating the risks associated with hiring unqualified or potentially dangerous individuals. Here's why background checks are essential for small businesses:

• Safety and Security: Ensuring that employees or business partners do not have a history of criminal activity helps reduce risks and fosters a safer working environment.
• Compliance: Many industries have regulations that require background checks, such as those in healthcare, finance, and childcare. Failing to comply with these regulations can result in legal consequences.
• Reputation Management: A thorough background check helps protect your business reputation by preventing hiring individuals with questionable backgrounds or unethical practices.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Background Check Service

When selecting a background check service for your small business, it’s important to keep the following factors in mind:

1. Types of Reports Offered: Different services offer different types of background checks, including criminal records, employment verification, credit checks, and social media screenings. Make sure the service you choose provides the reports that meet your business needs.
2. Compliance with Laws: Ensure the service complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and other relevant laws. This is particularly important for businesses operating in regulated industries.
3. Ease of Use: The platform should be user-friendly and provide quick access to reports. As a small business owner, you may not have a dedicated HR team, so the system should be simple to navigate.
4. Customer Service: A reliable customer service team can help you resolve any issues quickly. Look for a service that offers excellent support through phone, email, or chat.
5. Pricing: Some services charge per check, while others offer subscription models. Evaluate pricing to determine which service fits within your business budget.

Top Background Check Sites & Services for 2025

In 2025, these are the best background check for small business services available, each offering unique features and benefits.

1. GoodHire: Best for Small Business Needs

GoodHire is a top contender for the best background check for small business services due to its comprehensive screening options, ease of use, and affordable pricing. It offers criminal background checks, employment history verification, education verification, and drug screening. GoodHire integrates seamlessly with existing HR tools, making it perfect for businesses that need an easy and efficient way to conduct checks.

Why Choose GoodHire:

• Customizable Reports: Tailor your background checks to meet your specific business requirements.
• Compliance-Ready: GoodHire is FCRA-compliant and ensures all checks are conducted within legal boundaries.
• Affordable Pricing: At just $29.99 per check, GoodHire is an affordable option for small businesses.

2. Checkr: Best for Tech-Savvy Businesses

Checkr is another excellent option for small businesses, particularly those in tech-forward industries. Offering criminal record checks, driving records, and social media screenings, Checkr is known for its fast turnaround times and ability to integrate with applicant tracking systems (ATS) via API. It also offers a subscription service for businesses that need multiple checks.

Why Choose Checkr:

• Quick Results: Checkr provides fast background checks, which is crucial for businesses looking to hire quickly.
• API Integration: Seamlessly integrates with ATS platforms to streamline the hiring process.
• Scalable: Great for businesses that anticipate growing quickly and need flexible background check options.

3. Sterling: Best for Regulated Industries

Sterling offers a range of background check services tailored to regulated industries such as healthcare, finance, and childcare. It provides criminal history checks, drug testing, and employment verification. Sterling is known for its fast processing and industry-specific solutions, making it ideal for small businesses that operate within heavily regulated sectors.

Why Choose Sterling:

• Global Screening: Sterling offers international background checks, which is essential for businesses that operate globally.
• Industry-Specific Solutions: Offers specialized services for businesses in regulated sectors.
• Fast Turnaround: Sterling delivers quick background checks, minimizing delays in the hiring process.

4. TruthFinder: Best for Deep Web Information

If you’re looking for more detailed background checks that include deep web and social media screenings, TruthFinder is a strong choice. With reports that go beyond the basics, TruthFinder provides in-depth information, including personal details, contact history, and social media presence. This makes it a great option for businesses looking to conduct thorough investigations into potential hires.

Why Choose TruthFinder:

• Comprehensive Checks: Includes deep web data and social media screening.
• Unlimited Checks: TruthFinder offers an unlimited number of checks for a low monthly subscription fee of $28.
• Fast Results: Get comprehensive background checks in a short amount of time.

5. IntelliCorp: Best for Affordable Checks

For small businesses looking for an affordable option, IntelliCorp is an excellent choice. It offers criminal records, driving history, and employment verification starting at just $24.95 per check. IntelliCorp’s services are FCRA-compliant, and it provides customizable background checks that fit your specific needs.

Why Choose IntelliCorp:

• Affordable Pricing: IntelliCorp is one of the most cost-effective background check services for small businesses.
• FCRA-Compliant: Ensures all checks meet legal standards.
• Industry-Specific Services: Offers tailored solutions for various industries.

Conclusion

Choosing the best background check for small business is crucial for ensuring the safety and integrity of your workplace. Whether you need a basic criminal background check or a more comprehensive report that includes driving records and social media screenings, services like GoodHire, Checkr, Sterling, TruthFinder, and IntelliCorp offer a variety of features to meet your business needs. By carefully evaluating each service based on your specific requirements—such as compliance, ease of use, and pricing—you can make an informed decision that will help you protect your business and your employees in 2025.