Is there a free alternative to GoodHire?

No — background checks run on paid database and courthouse-record access, nobody in this category is free. GoodHire's $29.99 entry tier is the cheapest published price here, but it's instant-database-only and not enough to hang a hiring decision on; treat $54.99 as the real floor.

Why would I use Checkr instead of GoodHire if it's the same company?

Volume and integration. GoodHire is built for a credit card and occasional hiring; Checkr is built for API-integrated ATS workflows and negotiated per-check pricing once you're screening regularly. Comparing them as competitors is really just picking a front door.

Best-of guide

Best GoodHire Alternatives

GoodHire is our SMB background-check pick: published package prices, no minimums, FCRA guardrails built in. It's US-only and, worth knowing upfront, owned by Checkr, so some 'alternatives' here are really just a different front door. Here's how the real options differ.

01
Checkr
The default US background check pick, fast and deeply integrated
Same company underneath (Checkr owns GoodHire), switch here once you're hiring at volume and want API integration with negotiated pricing
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
02
Certn
The budget-friendly, international-first background check option
Better if any of your hiring is international, GoodHire is US-only, Certn covers roughly 195 countries
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
03
HireRight
Enterprise screening muscle that most SMBs will find is aimed past them
Only worth it if you're hiring across multiple countries under one enterprise contract, otherwise it's aimed past a small business
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

Is there a free alternative to GoodHire?: No — background checks run on paid database and courthouse-record access, nobody in this category is free. GoodHire's $29.99 entry tier is the cheapest published price here, but it's instant-database-only and not enough to hang a hiring decision on; treat $54.99 as the real floor.
Why would I use Checkr instead of GoodHire if it's the same company?: Volume and integration. GoodHire is built for a credit card and occasional hiring; Checkr is built for API-integrated ATS workflows and negotiated per-check pricing once you're screening regularly. Comparing them as competitors is really just picking a front door.