Comparison
Checkr vs Sterling
C
Checkr
The default US background check pick, fast and deeply integrated
VERIFIED JUN 18, 2026
S
Sterling
Fifty years of screening depth, now digesting inside First Advantage
VERIFIED JUL 5, 2026
| Pricing model | per-check | custom-quote |
| Starting point | Plans reportedly run from about $29 | Quote-based contracts |
| Best for | US-based small and mid-size employers who want background checks built into their existing hiring software. | Mid-size and larger employers in regulated industries, or anyone whose hires span countries where shallow database checks don't exist. |
| Countries | United States | United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, India |
| Editorial score | 8.4/10 | 7/10 |
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
Sterling
Pros
- International criminal coverage that leads the industry in several markets
- Document-based identity verification integrated into screening, not bolted on, which is the fraud-relevant part
- Deep compliance tooling for regulated industries where screening errors carry legal cost
Cons
- Acquired by First Advantage in late 2024, long-term platform and integration roadmap is an open question
- Quote-only pricing with volume commitments, hostile to occasional screeners
- Overbuilt and overpriced for straightforward US SMB hiring
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