Background Check Providers Compared: Which One Is Fast, Accurate, And Won't Destroy Your Candidate Experience
You made an offer. The candidate accepted. Now you need a background check before they can start.
The wrong background check provider turns this into a nightmare: reports take three weeks, information is inaccurate, candidates get frustrated, and your start date gets pushed out indefinitely.
The right provider delivers accurate reports in 24-72 hours, handles adverse action properly, and doesn't make candidates want to quit before they start.
Here's how the major providers compare.
What Actually Matters In A Background Check Provider
Before comparing platforms, understand what makes a good background check provider:
Speed: Most candidates expect background checks to take 2-5 days, not two weeks. Slow checks delay start dates and lose candidates.
Accuracy: Inaccurate background checks create legal liability and damage your hiring. Wrong information means wrongful rejection or risky hires.
Compliance: FCRA compliance isn't optional. Providers must follow adverse action procedures correctly.
Candidate experience: Confusing portals, excessive requests for information, and poor communication frustrate candidates.
Cost: Background checks range from $30-$150+ per candidate depending on scope.
Support: When reports have issues or questions arise, you need responsive support.
Checkr: The Modern, Fast, Tech-Friendly Option
Checkr is the background check provider favored by tech companies and fast-moving startups.
Pricing: Starts around $35-$50 per check for basic packages. Custom pricing for enterprise.
What it does well:
Speed: Checkr averages 1-2 days for most background checks. Some come back in hours. This is significantly faster than traditional providers.
Modern interface: Clean, intuitive dashboard. Candidates complete checks via mobile-friendly portal. No PDFs or faxing required.
API and integrations: Seamless integration with major ATS platforms—Greenhouse, Lever, Workday, etc. Initiates checks automatically when offers are accepted.
Compliance automation: Checkr handles FCRA adverse action procedures automatically—pre-adverse letters, waiting periods, final adverse letters. Reduces legal risk.
Transparent pricing: Clear pricing on the website. No "contact sales for pricing" BS.
Candidate experience: Simple process, mobile-friendly, clear communication. Candidates don't hate it.
What it doesn't do well:
Can be more expensive than traditional providers: For basic checks, legacy providers might be $5-10 cheaper per check. At scale, that adds up.
Occasional false positives: Like all providers, Checkr sometimes flags records that don't belong to the candidate. They're good at resolving disputes, but it still causes delays.
Limited international checks: Checkr primarily focuses on US checks. International background checks require different providers or add-ons.
Best for: Tech companies, startups, and any employer that values speed, modern UX, and API integration.
Skip if: You're doing high-volume, cost-sensitive hiring where $5 per check matters, or you need extensive international background checks.
HireRight: The Enterprise Standard
HireRight is one of the largest background check providers, serving major corporations globally.
Pricing: Custom enterprise pricing. Expect$40-$100+ per check depending on package.
What it does well:
Comprehensive services: Background checks, drug screening, I-9 verification, health screenings—all in one platform.
Global coverage: HireRight handles international background checks in 200+ countries. If you're hiring globally, this matters.
Compliance expertise: Deep knowledge of FCRA, ban-the-box laws, and international screening regulations.
Enterprise features: Dedicated account management, custom reporting, SLA guarantees.
Name recognition: Candidates have heard of HireRight. That familiarity reduces friction.
What it doesn't do well:
Slow compared to modern providers: Average turnaround 5-7 days, sometimes longer. Not terrible, but not fast.
Clunky interface: The platform feels dated compared to Checkr or GoodHire. It works, but it's not modern or pleasant.
Expensive: HireRight is premium-priced. You're paying for name recognition and enterprise features.
Customer support can be hit or miss: Some clients report excellent account management, others struggle to get responses.
Best for: Large enterprises hiring globally who need comprehensive services and dedicated support.
Skip if: You're a small company, need fast turnaround, or care about modern UX.
GoodHire: The Midmarket Sweet Spot
GoodHire targets mid-size companies that want modern features without enterprise pricing.
Pricing: Starts around $30-$40 per check. Transparent pricing tiers.
What it does well:
Balanced speed and cost: Average 1-3 day turnaround, faster than HireRight, priced lower than Checkr in many cases.
Compliance focus: GoodHire emphasizes FCRA compliance and ban-the-box adherence. Automated adverse action handling reduces legal risk.
Modern but not bleeding-edge: Platform is contemporary, but not as sleek as Checkr. Still significantly better than legacy providers.
Good customer support: Responsive support team with knowledge of compliance issues.
Flexible packages: Easy to customize what's included in background checks. Not forced into one-size-fits-all packages.
What it doesn't do well:
Not as fast as Checkr: 1-3 days is good, but Checkr often delivers in under 24 hours.
Smaller provider: Less name recognition than HireRight or Sterling. Some candidates haven't heard of them.
International coverage is limited: Primarily US-focused. International checks are possible but not their strength.
Best for: Mid-size companies (50-500 employees) that want modern features, good speed, and reasonable pricing.
Skip if: You need the absolute fastest turnaround (Checkr) or extensive global screening (HireRight).
Sterling: The Other Enterprise Option
Sterling competes directly with HireRight for enterprise clients.
Pricing: Custom enterprise pricing, similar to HireRight.
What it does well:
Global reach: Background checks in 240+ countries and territories.
Industry-specific solutions: Healthcare, education, financial services—specialized screening packages for regulated industries.
Integration ecosystem: Connects with 100+ ATS and HCM platforms.
Compliance and risk management: Strong focus on FCRA compliance, adverse action automation, and legal protection.
What it doesn't do well:
Similar drawbacks to HireRight: Slower turnaround than modern providers, dated interface, enterprise pricing.
Sales-heavy process: Getting pricing requires talking to sales. Can't just sign up and start.
Best for: Enterprises in regulated industries (healthcare, finance, education) that need specialized compliance and global screening.
Skip if: You're small/mid-size, want fast turnaround, or prefer transparent pricing.
Accurate Background: The Budget Option
Accurate Background focuses on cost-effective screening for high-volume hiring.
Pricing: Among the cheapest—$25-$35 for basic checks.
What it does well:
Low cost: If you're hiring high-volume hourly workers, Accurate Background offers competitive pricing.
Basic checks done well: Criminal, employment verification, education—the essentials work fine.
Compliance included: FCRA compliance and adverse action handling are standard.
What it doesn't do well:
Slower turnaround: 4-7 days average. Fine for hourly roles, not great for professional hires.
Less modern interface: Platform is functional but not pretty.
Support is basic: You get support, but not premium service.
Best for: High-volume hiring in retail, hospitality, warehousing where cost matters more than speed.
Skip if: You're hiring professional roles where fast turnaround and candidate experience matter.
What About Drug Screening?
Most background check providers offer drug screening as an add-on:
Checkr: Partners with Quest Diagnostics. Integrated ordering but candidate schedules separately.
HireRight: Own network of collection sites. More integrated.
GoodHire: Partners with Quest. Similar to Checkr.
Sterling: Own network + lab partnerships.
If drug screening is critical to your hiring, factor in:
- Network coverage: Can candidates easily find collection sites?
- Turnaround time: How quickly do results come back?
- Integration: Does it happen alongside background checks or separately?
How To Choose The Right Provider
If you need speed and modern UX: Checkr
If you're hiring globally: HireRight or Sterling
If you want balance of speed, cost, and features: GoodHire
If you're cost-sensitive with high-volume hiring: Accurate Background
If you're in regulated industries: Sterling (industry-specific packages)
If you have an existing HRIS/ATS: Check which providers integrate natively. Checkr and GoodHire have the most integrations.
The Compliance Warning
Background check compliance is serious. Violations create legal liability. Make sure your provider:
✅ Provides FCRA-compliant authorization forms
✅ Handles pre-adverse and adverse action notices automatically
✅ Gives candidates opportunity to dispute inaccurate information
✅ Follows ban-the-box laws where applicable
✅ Provides proper record retention
All the providers listed above handle compliance well. Don't use random cheap providers that skip these steps.
The Bottom Line
Background checks are mandatory for most hiring but don't have to be painful.
For most companies: Start with Checkr (speed + UX) or GoodHire (balanced).
For enterprises: HireRight or Sterling (global reach + enterprise features).
For high-volume, cost-sensitive: Accurate Background.
And whatever you do: don't skip background checks or use non-compliant providers to save money. The legal risk isn't worth it.
Sources:
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