Comparison
Checkr vs Sterling
Checkr
The default US background check pick, fast and deeply integrated
VERIFIED JUN 18, 2026
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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