Compare/Alternatives

Universal Background alternatives

4 tools our write-ups put next to Universal Background, with starting price, free tier, MCP and API side by side.

Universal Background from Sales-quoted

Closest alternatives

See the Universal Background listing

The short answer

Checkr : API-first screens if developers will drive every order. From $29.99/report
First Advantage : Global CRA if you need a larger international network. From Sales-quoted
HireRight : Enterprise screening if brand recognition is the RFP filter. From Sales-quoted
InfoMart : Another US CRA with a documented REST API. From Sales-quoted

Why people look past Universal Background

There is no public per-check menu. Buying starts with sales, aimed at healthcare and transport employers.

What we noted

No public per-check prices
Buying starts with a sales conversation
Built for enterprise, not DIY small biz

Not the right fit for

Small shops that want a printed $ per check
Buyers who need instant self-serve checkout

Worth keeping in mind: White-glove client teams plus criminal results in under two days on the vendor's own figures.

Universal Background alternatives compared

Tool	Free tier	From	MCP	API	Head to head
Universal Background (the one you are on)	–No	Sales-quoted	–No	–No
Checkr API-first screens if developers will drive every order.	–No	$29.99/report	✓Yes	✓Yes	Head to head
First Advantage Global CRA if you need a larger international network.	–No	Sales-quoted	–No	✓Yes	Head to head
HireRight Enterprise screening if brand recognition is the RFP filter.	–No	Sales-quoted	–No	✓Yes	Head to head
InfoMart Another US CRA with a documented REST API.	–No	Sales-quoted	–No	✓Yes	Head to head

What each one does differently

Checkr

$29.99/report MCP API

Why it comes up: API-first 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 Universal Background vs Checkr

First Advantage

Sales-quoted API

Why it comes up: Global CRA if you need a larger international network.

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 Universal Background vs First Advantage

HireRight

Sales-quoted API

Why it comes up: Enterprise screening if brand recognition is the RFP filter.

Stands out: Integrates with 70 solutions across more than 45 HCM and ATS providers, plus the HireRight Connect REST API.

Watch out: No published per-check price. Cost depends on industry, check types, volume and regulatory needs, so budget only after a scoped package.

Best for

Enterprises with regulated or high-volume hiring
Teams that screen inside their ATS or HCM
Employers screening candidates in many countries

Read the HireRight write-up Universal Background vs HireRight

InfoMart

Sales-quoted API

Why it comes up: Another US CRA with a documented REST API.

Stands out: PBSA-accredited CRA with a public REST API and same-day-ish 1.06-day average turnaround.

Watch out: There is no public per-check menu. Under 10 checks a year still goes through onboarding, not a storefront cart.

Best for

HR teams that want ATS/HRIS API orders
Small companies that still want full CRA coverage
Enterprises needing custom hierarchy and packages

Read the InfoMart write-up Universal Background vs InfoMart

Common questions

What is the best Universal Background alternative?

It depends on what sent you looking. We compare 4 alternatives to Universal Background: Checkr, First Advantage, HireRight and InfoMart. Each one's "Why it comes up" line says what it does differently, and the table above shows all 4 on price, free tier, MCP and API.

What is the cheapest Universal Background alternative?

Of the published starting prices here, Checkr is lowest at $29.99/report. Starting price is the entry plan, not the seat count you will end up on, so read the plan table on each listing.

Which Universal Background alternatives have an MCP server?

Checkr ships a first party MCP server, so you can drive it from Claude or ChatGPT without building against the API yourself.

Keep looking

Back to the Universal Background write-up Every Background check tool we list Search the whole directory

Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 4 Nov 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?