There are plenty of reasons you might want to use a background check site. Perhaps you want to find out if someone has a criminal and traffic history/records.. Or, maybe you want to look up old friends or unidentified phone numbers. Background sites make all of these activities easier, allowing you to search for names, addresses, phone numbers, and so on.

In creating this list of the best background check sites, we talked to experts in the field and looked at the features that are most important to background check sites – ensuring that only the best sites were included in the list.

#1 TruthFinder – Best all round

TruthFinder is the best background check site overall. The service not only offers a range of different types of background checks, but it can also monitor information on the dark web, something that other background check services don’t offer. On top of that, the service allows users to conduct limitless checks within their subscription, and there are well-designed apps on both Android and iOS.

Although TruthFinder is an excellent service, it’s largely targeted at use within the U.S., so those outside the U.S. may want to keep looking.

Specifications:

• Pricing: Monthly subscription
• Types of checks offered:  Person reports, location reports, phone reports, email reports, public records search
• Customer support: Contact form, phone number
• Mobile apps: Android and iOS apps

#2 Intelius

Intelius has a variety of search term options and pricing plans, which makes it a perfect fit if you know exactly what kind of information you're looking for. While many other background check providers require a flat monthly fee for all services, Intelius allows users to choose a monthly plan specific to the type of search they're most interested in.

For example, someone using the service to look up details about homes in their neighborhood could choose Intelius's unlimited reverse address lookup plan. With it, they can find property history, ownership information, property tax details, property value, and contact information. 

In contrast, someone interested in conducting background checks could choose the site's unlimited people search plan. For the price of the plan, they get criminal and traffic history/records, social media, address history, photos, relatives and associates, lawsuits and civil judgments, traffic violations, and financial history.

These search options, including the criminal and traffic history/records search, public records search, and people search, are all available directly from the site's homepage. But because the pricing structure varies according to search type, knowing how much you'll need to pay for a particular service can become confusing. 

Why we chose Intelius: Intelius regularly updates its search engine to ensure it consistently delivers quick, confidential, and detailed results. It is one of the most thorough background check services available and has access to over 20 billion public records. 

#3 Spokeo

Spokeo is a good background check site on a budget. It offers a relatively simple interface, and it can run checks on things like criminal and traffic history/records, social media profiles, property records, and more. Additionally, the service offers a call screening feature in its mobile apps that may help you better judge whether or not you’re getting scam calls or calls from telemarketers.

Despite those advantages, while the app can come in handy, it really is mostly for call screening rather than conducting background checks. The service also limits the number of searches that you can conduct on a monthly basis, so if you plan on using it for a large number of searches on a daily basis, then Spokeo may not be for you. Still, if you can work within its limits, and don’t mind largely sticking to using the web interface, then Spokeo is the budget background check site available.

Specifications:

• Pricing: Monthly subscription
• Types of checks offered: criminal and traffic history/records, social media profiles, property records, court records
• Customer support: Phone number, email address
• Mobile apps: Android and iOS app

What Is a Background Check Service?

A background check service is a business or platform that offers a way to search someone (or something, like a company) via public or private records, allowing you to discover and verify all types of information.

For example, most background checker platforms are a quick and easy way to look up information or personal details about someone. You can use a background check service to find information about family members, friends, potential dates, etc.

How We Chose the Top Background Check Websites

We used four primary ranking factors to determine the top five websites in our review, including search customization options, ease of use, and price.

Search Customization Options

The best background check websites have advanced search capabilities that make it a cinch to find the information you want. For example, a background checker with advanced search filters should have multiple boxes where you can enter contact details, like a birthday, name, address, or other identifying information that will make it easier to narrow your search.

We also looked for sites with search functions that are straightforward, intuitive, and simple enough for beginners to figure out on the first try.

Ease of Use

Ease of use was another crucial factor in our review of the best background checker websites. If you've ever failed to keep using a website because it was vague, confusing, and impossible to navigate, you're not alone.

In particular, a website offering background checks should be clean, simple, and have clear information or directions for visitors. For example, BeenVerified has a menu with the available features of the website, clear information about what you'll find by using its services, plus a section at the bottom with helpful resources, including guides, articles, and frequently asked questions.

Price

Like any other product or service you purchase either online or from a store, price is an essential consideration for the best background check services. Nobody wants to pay an arm and a leg, whether they're looking for someone's criminal and traffic history/records or employment history or searching for a person they lost contact with years ago.

Most of the detailed background check websites on our list offer a range of options, from one-time charges for the reverse phone lookup feature to auto-pay subscriptions for memberships, which range from $15 to $30 per month. Before you commit to recurring subscriptions, weigh your needs against your budget to help you make the right decision.

Features to Look for in a Good Background Search Site

Let's say you need to run a background search on someone. How should you choose which background checker is the best for your needs? Keep reading to learn all the important features you should look for in a background check site.

Access to Non-Public Information

Anyone can find public records online with information like names, addresses, or someone's phone number. However, the very best background check services are from companies that have access to information that isn't public, including state records, dark web scans, and more.

Credit headers are one such example and provide a valuable source of information. A credit header is simply the top section on a credit report. It doesn't contain sensitive financial records or consumer data, so it's okay to use what you find for your own personal needs. You can also use a credit header to verify information such as a person's name, phone number, and current job.

Access to State Records

While some state websites have free or low-cost sources where you can search for criminal and traffic history/records, arrest records, pending cases, and so on, it can be challenging to find and use these programs. Instead of searching online for hours or trying to use a complex source, you can use a background check website with access to state records. Then, you can run a background search for all the information you need in one spot, rather than using multiple platforms.

In addition, most background check services that go through state records offer in-depth information, like professional licenses, background checks on civil lawsuits, marriage and divorce records, and more.

Social Media Searches

Social media accounts can be a gold mine of information. You can find someone's name, employment history, where they live, family members and friends, and so much more.

If you're going to pay money to find information on someone, look for the best background check services that use social media networks to find data, such as their number of accounts, which platforms they use, etc. If the person you're looking for is an avid social media user, you'll likely find all the information you need by looking at their accounts.

Accreditation

Another vital feature you should look for in a background check company is accreditation, possibly through the National Association of Professional Background Screeners or a similar type of organization.

What Are Background Checks Mostly Used For?

Websites that offer background check services are helpful for a variety of reasons. Whether you're nervous about meeting an online date, trying to get in touch with an old friend, or had a bad experience with your last roommate, checking on someone's background can help you avoid future grief. Here's a rundown of the most frequent reasons people run a background search.

Online Dates

Online dating is fun; there's no denying it. Who doesn't love the thrill of sparking a connection with someone new? However, on a more serious note, online dating can have significant risks. Before you go on any blind dates or meet someone in real life that you only know from the internet, you should run a background check on them first.

For example, you can check their social media pages, find out if they have a criminal and traffic history/records, view their past addresses, etc. Plus, most background check companies offer a quick, simple, and inexpensive people search, which only costs a dollar or two.

Roommates

If you've ever lived with someone you had problems with, you can understand why people use background checkers to verify the trustworthiness of a potential roommate. Nobody wants to live with a mysterious stranger. Therefore, searching online for more information is an excellent way to get peace of mind about your new living situation.

A background check service can help you look through public records, social media, and more. Ultimately, you can discover if your new roomie has a criminal and traffic history/records or any other skeletons in their closet that would make moving in with them a bad idea.

Lost Contacts

Thanks to social media, reconnecting with the people you've lost touch with over the years is easier than ever before. However, not everyone has social media accounts. If you've lost contact with someone ― whether a friend, significant other, family member, or colleague ― using a background check service online is an excellent way to search for them. Of course, the more information you have about someone, the easier it is to narrow down your search results and find the information you want.

Reverse Phone and Email Lookup

One of the most common background searches that people run is a reverse phone and email lookup. If you've had missed calls from phone numbers you don't recognize, the chances are you may have used a reverse lookup feature before, like one from White Pages.

However, the best background check service will offer a complete reverse phone and email lookup that will give you detailed information. For example, you may find the person's name, a registered location, whether a business name is associated with the number, or other information.

Potential Employees

Remember, you'll need to use a background check site that's a legal consumer reporting agency to research or screen potential employees to remain compliant with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. None of the sites listed here is a consumer reporting agency.

Performing pre-employment background checks on every applicant is the norm for employers in this day and age. Employee background checks can uncover all sorts of information about an applicant, such as their criminal and traffic history/records, bankruptcies, prior addresses, marriage or divorce records, and more. For jobs that deal with sensitive information (i.e., healthcare or law enforcement), employers will look even deeper, usually gathering multiple background reports on applicants to ensure that they meet or exceed qualifications.

What Information Is Included in a Personal Background Check?

The amount of information you'll find when searching someone's background depends on the type of search you perform, the company you use, and other variables. However, using online background check services can provide an immense wealth of information about someone, including their:

Criminal and traffic history/records: You can find plenty of information on someone's criminal and traffic history/records, including their arrest report, mug shot, court records, inmate information, and more.

Name and address: Look up someone's name and address to find information about previous residences, mailing addresses, aliases, etc.

Phone numbers: Reverse phone lookups are particularly useful for discovering telemarketers and spammers.

Educational history: Search for where someone went to school, when they graduated, and if they have professional licenses.

Driving record: Look up information about speeding tickets, traffic violations, accidents, etc.

Employment background: Certain sites can provide information about someone's employment background and work history.

Relatives and family members: A general people search can provide information about someone's relatives and family, including parents, siblings, and grandparents.

Social media pages: It's easy to search by someone's username or handle to discover which social media platforms they use and how often they post.

While the best background check services can provide you with a lot of data, there are limits to what you can find, such as consumer reports, medical records, phone records, or credit score information.

How Much Do Background Check Companies Cost?

The cost of background check services depends on specific variables, such as which company you use, the types of services you need, or if you want unlimited reports. As a result, costs vary widely, from 95 cents to hundreds of dollars. However, most of the five sites we reviewed had monthly fees of around $25 to $30 and offered simple “people searches” or phone lookups for about $1 to $5.

How Long Does an Online Background Check Take?

Most of the websites in our review provide search results in seconds or minutes. For example, Intelius offers quick Pass, which means you can skip the “line” and get quick, unlimited searches.

In addition, simple searches are usually quicker than in-depth searches or using multiple sources. Even if your search takes a long time, the wait is worth it if you receive detailed information.

Can You Do a Background Check on Yourself?

Yes, you can definitely search for yourself online using a background checker. In fact, it's something that you should do periodically. Why? It's an excellent way to discover what people see when they search your name online, including any  images that may harm your reputation. You can scour public records, state records, or even the dark web to find as much information about yourself as possible. 

In addition, some background checkers offer a way to search for unclaimed money or property. How cool would it be to find that you have an unclaimed tax refund or an inheritance you never knew about just waiting for you? By running a background check on yourself, you can find all this information and more.

Final Thoughts on Personal Background Check Sites

Whether you're looking up a new date, trying to find a cool roomie, or searching for an old friend, a background checker can help you find the information you need.

We reviewed five of the best background check sites for personal use only (that is, non-FCRA-compliant) on the web, including Intelius, BeenVerified, Spokeo, Instant Checkmate, and TruthFinder. All offer a quick and convenient way to search for information, including criminal and traffic history/records, location history, names and addresses, and more. They provide an excellent way to gain peace of mind as well as the information you need to arm yourself with knowledge and prevent future problems.