Which background check services are self-serve, with no sales call?

GoodHire and Certn — both publish prices and let you order a single check online. That's rarer than it should be in this market; most vendors want an annual contract before they'll even quote you.

Can I run just one background check?

Yes. GoodHire and Certn both handle one-off checks with no minimums, which is the right shape for a business that hires a few people a year. Volume pricing exists when you get there; don't commit to it before you have the hiring volume.

What do small businesses get wrong about background checks?

The FCRA process, usually — the disclosure, consent, and adverse-action steps wrapped around the check, not the check itself. Getting that sequence wrong is a lawsuit generator, which is why FCRA guardrails weigh heavily in this ranking. A compliant workflow matters more than a marginally cheaper report.

Best-of guide

Best Background Check Software for Small Business

One thing to know before comparing names: this market consolidated hard. Checkr owns GoodHire, and First Advantage bought Sterling in late 2024, so some of the 'alternatives' you'll see compared against each other are actually the same company. For a small business the honest shortlist is below, ranked by how well each fits occasional, non-enterprise hiring.

01
Editor's Pick
GoodHire
Checkr's SMB storefront, with the transparent pricing Checkr won't show you
Published package prices, no minimums, FCRA guardrails built in, the default for occasional screening
Three self-serve packages: Basic+ $29.99, Essential $54.99, Complete $89.99 per check. No minimums or monthly fees. County court pass-through fees can add $5–$25+ per search in some jurisdictions. Volume discounts kick in if you screen regularly.8.0/10
02
Checkr
The default US background check pick, fast and deeply integrated
Fastest, most integrated option for US hiring at volume (and GoodHire's parent company)
Plans reportedly run from about $29.99 to $79.99 per month depending on tier, with per-check costs on top depending on package depth (criminal, employment, MVR, etc). Entry per-check pricing starts around $29.99.8.4/10
03
Certn
The budget-friendly, international-first background check option
Best for international hiring or if you want to skip the sales call
Entry-level checks start around $13.99 per check on a pay-as-you-go basis, no sales call required. Full background packages with international components run higher, budget $20-$50+ per check depending on scope.8.1/10
04
Persona
Configurable identity verification that doesn't assume you're a bank
Worth a look if you need identity + background verification combined
Startup and small business track: 500 free verifications a month, then roughly $1 per verification after that. The published Essential plan starts around $250/month flat for core products. Growth plan (adds the full KYB and fraud tool suite) is custom-quoted.8.0/10
05
HireRight
Enterprise screening muscle that most SMBs will find is aimed past them
Only if you're hiring across borders under one contract, otherwise it's aimed past you
Contact the vendor for current pricing on the core platform — contracts are quoted on volume and scope. Its self-serve brand backgroundchecks.com runs instant criminal packages from roughly $37–$77 per check. Enterprise per-check costs commonly land between $40 and $150+ depending on countries and verifications included.7.2/10

Questions buyers actually ask

Which background check services are self-serve, with no sales call?: GoodHire and Certn — both publish prices and let you order a single check online. That's rarer than it should be in this market; most vendors want an annual contract before they'll even quote you.
Can I run just one background check?: Yes. GoodHire and Certn both handle one-off checks with no minimums, which is the right shape for a business that hires a few people a year. Volume pricing exists when you get there; don't commit to it before you have the hiring volume.
What do small businesses get wrong about background checks?: The FCRA process, usually — the disclosure, consent, and adverse-action steps wrapped around the check, not the check itself. Getting that sequence wrong is a lawsuit generator, which is why FCRA guardrails weigh heavily in this ranking. A compliant workflow matters more than a marginally cheaper report.