Head to head

Checkr vs Verified First

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

Checkr

$29.99/report

US background checks billed per report, with a public API and hosted MCP. Workforce Basic starts at $29.99 per report before pass-through fees.

Where Checkr fits

  • US employers running criminal packages at hire
  • Teams that want candidate self-entry and ATS hooks
  • Platforms ordering checks through the Checkr API
  • Ops teams that want MCP over their own reports

Verified First

$29.99/check

Background, drug, and I-9 screening. Basic is $29.99 per check; no monthly minimums.

Where Verified First fits

  • SMBs that want pay-per-check screening
  • TA teams that need I-9 with background
  • Companies connecting screening to an ATS
  • Buyers who will not accept a monthly minimum

At a glance

DetailCheckrVerified First
Starting price$29.99/report$29.99/check
Free tier–No–No
MCP server✓Yes–No
Public API✓Yes✓Yes
Listed underBackground checkBackground check
Capterra4.5 from 303 reviews4.7 from 19 reviews

Where they pull apart

Checkr

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.

Not the right fit for

  • Landlords (use Checkr Tenant, not Workforce)
  • Companies that need one global price for every country

Verified First

Stands out: A public $29.99 Basic package and a long ATS list, with I-9 in the same vendor, aimed at teams that refuse a CRA minimum.

Watch out: Basic is nationwide criminal plus watchlists, not county-unlimited or employment/education verify. Those sit on Essential and Premium.

Not the right fit for

  • DOT/occ-health programmes
  • Enterprises standardised on Sterling
  • Teams that need a free trial of a live FCRA check

Pros and cons

Checkr

  • Self-serve Workforce packages from $29.99/report
  • No monthly platform fee on standard orders
  • Public API plus hosted customer MCP
  • Pass-through court fees sit on top of package price
  • International pricing varies by country
  • Enterprise ATS depth is quote-only

Verified First

  • Public $29.99 Basic with no minimums
  • I-9 in the same product family
  • Positioned for ATS-connected SMB hiring
  • Basic is not county-unlimited or verify-heavy
  • No trial
  • Integration list is claimed but not itemised publicly

What each one costs

Checkr

$29.99/report

Pay per report with no monthly platform fee on standard orders. Workforce Basic is $29.99, Essential $59.99 and Complete $94.99 per report; Enterprise is sales-quoted. Court and database access fees are passed through at cost on top. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 18 Sep 2026

Verified First

$29.99/check

From $29.99/check on the published self-serve plan. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 16 Sep 2026

Common questions

Is Checkr cheaper than Verified First?
Checkr starts lower, at $29.99/report against $29.99/check for Verified First. That is the entry plan on each side, so the real number depends on seats and the tier you land on.
Can you try Checkr or Verified First for free?
Neither carries a free tier on our listing.
Does Checkr or Verified First have an MCP server?
Checkr ships a first party MCP server, so an AI assistant can work the product directly.

Not the pair you wanted?

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Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 18 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?