Head to head

Bchex vs First Advantage

Same facts, side by side: starting price, free tier, MCP, API and what each one is actually built for.

Bchex

$26/check

Employment background checks with no subscription. Basic is $26/check, Standard $37, Advanced $50. County fees can add on.

Where Bchex fits

  • Schools, nonprofits, and US employers screening hires
  • Teams that want to pay per check, not a seat
  • HR orgs on iCIMS, Greenhouse, Workday, or Bullhorn
  • Volunteer programs that need a simple package

First Advantage

Sales-quoted

Global background checks, identity verification and I-9 services. Pricing is quote-based. First Advantage now owns Sterling.

Where First Advantage fits

  • Global employers screening at scale
  • Teams that also need I-9 and E-Verify
  • Former Sterling customers
  • Buyers wanting identity checks and criminal checks together

At a glance

DetailBchexFirst Advantage
Starting price$26/checkSales-quoted
Free tier–No–No
MCP server–No–No
Public API–No✓Yes
Listed underBackground checkBackground check

Where they pull apart

Bchex

Stands out: Published per-check prices, no monthly minimum, and a match-any-competitor price promise.

Watch out: County and statewide searches can add government surcharges. Volume discounts start at 50-plus checks a year.

Not the right fit for

  • Companies that need a deep international CRA
  • Buyers who want self-serve API docs

First Advantage

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.

Not the right fit for

  • Small firms wanting a published per-check price
  • Individuals ordering a personal check

Pros and cons

Bchex

  • Basic $26/check, no subscription
  • Standard $37, Advanced $50
  • ATS hooks for iCIMS and Greenhouse
  • County surcharges can raise the bill
  • Volume deals need 50-plus checks a year
  • International depth is not the pitch

First Advantage

  • Coverage in 200+ countries and territories
  • Identity checks and I-9 in one vendor
  • ATS integrations and REST APIs
  • No published per-check price
  • Enterprise sales cycle
  • Sterling migration may change workflows

What each one costs

Bchex

$26/check

Employment Basic is $26/check, Standard $37, Advanced $50. No subscription or setup fee. County and statewide government surcharges can apply. Custom quotes for 50-plus checks a year. Small-business storefront and personal checks are separate menus. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

First Advantage

Sales-quoted

Sales-quoted. No public rate card on the vendor site. Pricing depends on check types, volume and regions. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

Common questions

Can you try Bchex or First Advantage for free?
Neither carries a free tier on our listing.

Not the pair you wanted?

All Bchex alternatives All First Advantage alternatives Every Background check tool

Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 19 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?