Comparison

Certn vs Checkr

Our take

Checkr wins on US speed and integration depth. Certn wins on price and international coverage. If you're hiring domestically through a modern ATS and want the fastest turnaround, pay the premium for Checkr. If you're hiring internationally or just want to order a check without a sales call, go with Certn.

Certn

The budget-friendly, international-first background check option

VERIFIED JUN 18, 2026

Checkr

The default US background check pick, fast and deeply integrated

VERIFIED JUN 18, 2026

Pricing model	per-check	per-check
Starting point	Entry-level checks start around $13	Plans reportedly run from about $29
Best for	Small businesses hiring internationally or on a tight budget that want to order checks without a sales process.	US-based small and mid-size employers who want background checks built into their existing hiring software.
Countries	United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, India, Philippines	United States
Editorial score	8.1/10	8.4/10

Certn

Pros

Lowest entry price point of the major background check platforms covered here
Genuine international reach if you hire contractors or remote staff outside the US
No sales call required to get started, order a check and go

Cons

Domestic US depth and turnaround can lag Checkr on high-volume US-only hiring
Smaller integration ecosystem than the bigger US-focused competitors
Pay-as-you-go pricing gets expensive fast if you're running high volume without negotiating a plan

Checkr

Pros

Fastest, most reliable turnaround of the mainstream US background check providers
Integrates directly into most popular hiring stacks, minimal manual work
Built-in compliance workflows for adverse action notices

Cons

Roughly double Certn's entry price for a comparable basic check
US-focused, not the right choice if you're vetting contractors or hires abroad
Package/pricing structure can be confusing to compare against competitors up front

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