Why it comes up: API-heavy screens if developers will drive every order.
Stands out: Self-serve packages plus MCP at mcp.checkr.com so hiring agents can read reports.
Watch out: Court and database access fees are billed on top, at cost. Essential and Complete cost more. International checks are priced by country.
Best for
- US employers running criminal packages at hire
- Teams that want candidate self-entry and ATS hooks
- Platforms ordering checks through the Checkr API
4.5 on Capterra from 303 reviews
Read the Checkr write-up · Bchex vs Checkr
Why it comes up: Another US CRA if you want a different package mix.
Stands out: Minority-owned global screener that also offers a background check API with a developer sandbox.
Watch out: There is no public per-check price. Packages are quoted, and the client ordering platform is aimed at employers with 1,000-plus staff.
Best for
- Employers screening across several countries
- High-volume hiring in healthcare, staffing and transport
- Teams connecting checks to an ATS
Read the Accurate Background write-up · Bchex vs Accurate Background
Why it comes up: Global screening if Bchex's US-first menu is too thin.
Stands out: Background and identity checks across more than 200 countries and territories, with ATS integrations and REST APIs.
Watch out: No published per-check price. Former Sterling customers are moving onto First Advantage, so confirm which platform your contract runs on.
Best for
- Global employers screening at scale
- Teams that also need I-9 and E-Verify
- Former Sterling customers
Read the First Advantage write-up · Bchex vs First Advantage
Why it comes up: SMB packages if you want another printed per-check shop.
Stands out: SMBs can actually see a rate card: Basic $29.99, Essential $59.99, Complete $94.99 per check, with a self-serve path under 50 checks a year instead of a mandatory sales call.
Watch out: Those prices are for fewer than 50 checks a year. Volume is a custom quote. County, state, and federal searches, drug tests, MVR, and education/employment verifications stack on. Third-party pass-through fees apply. Do not budget $29.99 as the all-in cost of a hire.
Best for
- US SMBs that run occasional background checks
- Staffing and hourly desks that want FCRA-compliant ordering from the ATS
- Companies that also need drug tests and MVR on the same vendor
4.8 on Capterra from 116 reviews
Read the GoodHire write-up · Bchex vs GoodHire
