Compare/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.

Starting price

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 4 Nov 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 4 Nov 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 4 Nov 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?