Payroll Watchdog

Checkr

The default US background check pick, fast and deeply integrated

8.4/10
Editorial
score
VERIFIED JUN 18, 2026
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Checkr is the background check provider a lot of US hiring software already talks to, it shows up as a built-in or one-click option inside a long list of ATS and HR platforms. That integration depth is really the whole pitch: automated workflows, status syncing back into your hiring system, and turnaround times that are consistently fast for standard criminal and employment checks.

Entry pricing runs around $29.99 per check, roughly double Certn's starting price, and Checkr is US-focused rather than built around international coverage. For a small business hiring domestically through a modern ATS, that tradeoff, higher price for speed and integration, tends to be worth it. For international hiring it isn't the right tool.

On the payroll fraud side specifically, Checkr's relevance is upstream: it's stopping someone with a fabricated identity or concealed criminal history from getting onto payroll in the first place, rather than catching fraud after the fact.

The safe default for US-only hiring if integration and speed matter more to you than price.

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.

Basic+From $29.99/mo + per-check fees
core criminal + identity checks
Higher tiersUp to $79.99/mo + per-check fees
adds employment/education verification, MVR, etc.

Features

  • Criminal background checks (county, state, federal)
  • Employment and education verification
  • Motor vehicle record (MVR) checks
  • Continuous/ongoing check options
  • Deep integrations with major ATS and HR platforms
  • Automated adverse action workflows for compliance
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
Best for

US-based small and mid-size employers who want background checks built into their existing hiring software.

Not for

Companies hiring internationally or price-sensitive teams running very high check volumes.

Screenshots

Checkr dashboard showing a completed criminal background check with adjudication status

Supported countries

United States

Integrations

GreenhouseLeverWorkdayBambooHRiCIMSREST API

Checkr alternatives

Tools worth comparing before you commit.