2023 backgroundchecks.com Review: Pricing & Features
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This article is part of a larger series on Hiring.
Those looking for easily available background check services online can use backgroundchecks.com. It offers a wide range of background screening services—from basic checks, like criminal records, to more specific ones, like drug tests and credit reports. On top of that, businesses can get robust support throughout the screening process. Its basic plan starts at $33.15/check.
In our evaluation of the best background check services, the company received a rating of 4.11 out of 5. It earned perfect scores in its reporting and compliance features because it allows candidates to dispute any report mistakes.
Overall Score:
4.11 / 5
Pros
- A+ rating on BBB
- Offers instant results
- Easy to use
- Offers custom screening bundles
Cons
- Pricier than its competitors
- Has third-party fees
- Has a setup fee
- No refund policy on empty reports
Deciding Factors
- Speed of results
- Wide variety of background check and custom screening packages
- Custom and tiered pricing for volume screenings
- Large database of criminal conviction records
Who We Recommend It For
- Businesses that hire temporary or seasonal employees: When hiring temporary employees, time is of the essence. Thus, it would help to have a screening tool that gives results within 24 hours. The basic packages offered by backgroundchecks.com provide instant results and include SSN validation, criminal check, and sex offender registry search.
- Businesses that need custom screenings: It offers companies custom screening packages. By answering a few questions, backgroundchecks.com tailors the types of background screening to the client’s needs. It also provides the turnaround time of the reports.
- Organizations that conduct volume screenings: It offers customized pricing for bulk screenings—the more orders you place, the bigger discounts you get.
Who backgroundchecks.com Would Not Be a Good Fit For
- Organizations that want a more affordable option: For organizations that want a cheaper background check service and quick results, ShareAble for Hires has cheaper and more straightforward pricing plans.
- Businesses that hire internationally: Unfortunately, backgroundchecks.com does not offer international screenings. If your company hires remote employees or has candidates from other countries, Checkr is a better option, as it provides this service.
- Businesses that need on-site drug testing: Those looking for on-site drug testing services won’t find it with backgroundchecks.com. If this is important for you, you might find Trusted Employees an ideal choice because it has this option.
All three alternatives in this section are popular background check services that ranked well in our evaluation. Find out more about them in our guide to the best background check companies.
backgroundchecks.com Top Alternatives
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
Starts at $29.99/check | Starts at $29.95/screening | Starts at $25/check |
Best for: Businesses that have international applicants | Best for: Businesses that need on-site drug testings | Best for: Businesses looking for a more affordable screening service |
We gave backgroundchecks.com a 3.25 rating out of 5 in pricing because its basic plan is pricier than those of the other screening companies we evaluated. It also did not include the price or inform users how much the discount is for bulk background checks. Furthermore, it charges a one-time setup fee of $19.95 and other extra fees for third-party information, such as county court fees and employer clearinghouse fees.
Instant Criminal | Instant Criminal + Local County | Instant Criminal + Multiple Counties | |
|---|---|---|---|
Starts at | $33.15/check | $49.95/check | $69.95/check |
Criminal Record | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Sex Offender Registry | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
SSN Validation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
County Search Level | ✕ | 1 county | Multiple counties |
Speed of Results | Instant | 1–3 days* | 1–3 days* |
*Instant Criminal + Local County and Multiple Counties are more thorough background checks. Because the provider also has to go through records from all US county courts, most of which require an in-person visit to the courthouse, the results may take longer.
Custom Search Packages
If the background check you want to use isn’t in the packages backgroundchecks.com offers, it allows users to build their own package of checks, searches, and verifications at a discounted price. This option is ideal for businesses with bulk hiring that only need specific screenings.
Not sure what you need? Get some expert tips on how to hire the right employees.
This provider received a 4.75 score out of 5 in this criterion because it offers industry-specific, custom search packages and individual reports, aside from the basic screening services. It also has an instant result option and multicounty searches.
backgroundchecks.com gives users control over what information to share. (Source: backgroundchecks.com)
Industry-specific Search Packages
It combines different relevant screenings for each industry—i.e., staffing, retail, transportation, construction, manufacturing, and volunteer organization—and bundles them together. Businesses click on the industry they belong to and are given the screenings they can use, avoiding the need to manually select each background check service.
Federal Civil Court Records Search
This service is for organizations that require a high degree of confidence from their applicants. It includes checking federal records to see if the DEA, FBI, or ATF have prosecuted the applicant.
Verification of Credentials
This service includes checking the applicant’s employment history, professional licenses, and credentials. Organizations can verify whether the applicant presented the proper credentials through this process.
Its comprehensive learning resource and robust compliance tools gave backgroundchecks.com a perfect score in this criterion. Below are some of the tools it uses to ensure the screening process complies with FRCA (Fair Credit Reporting Act) and other federal, state, and local legislative requirements.
- Customizable pre-adverse and adverse notices, which allow users to change the notification timelines
- Learning resource that guides employers on how to conduct compliant screenings and verifications
- Self-service portals where applicants can input their own information
- Disclosure forms, pre-adverse and adverse action tools, and authorization forms
- Compliance and regulation updates
The provider also got a perfect score in its reporting capability because of its compliance with the FCRA guidelines, ensuring job seekers that their consumer privacy and reputation are protected. Besides that, employers and candidates can access the reports online anywhere. On the other hand, employers are required to verify their accounts first before they receive a report.
The website has an extensive and comprehensive FAQs resource that answers all questions regarding compliance, legal requirements, and how to use the website. These contributed to the 4-star rating it received in this criterion.
It also has a “Help Me Choose” option, which helps businesses find the right screening service by answering a few questions. It has live support via phone and chat, making it easier for users to resolve issues during the screening process.
The “Help Me Choose” feature helps users find the right solution for their needs.
We have checked popular third-party websites like G2 and Capterra, but we cannot find any reviews for backgroundchecks.com. However, we found 7 reviews on Consumers Advocate, where it got an overall 3.4 out of 5 rating.
How We Evaluated backgroundchecks.com
We used six criteria to evaluate the best background check companies. Background check functionality, compliance, and reporting capabilities are the primary factors we looked for in the service. Pricing, ease of use, and user popularity are the secondary features we used to evaluate the providers.
Check each tab for the detailed breakdown of each criterion:
15%
Pricing
25%
Background Check Functionality
20%
Compliance Features
15%
Reporting
15%
Ease of Use
10%
Popularity
15% of Overall Score
Providers that cost less than $30 got a higher rating in this area. We also gave extra scores to those that do not need a set-up fee and have transparent pricing.
25% of Overall Score
We gave a high score to providers with fast result turnaround and offered specialized screening services, such as drug tests and MRV. We also gave extra scores to those that provide communication tools for applicants and employers.
20% of Overall Score
Compliance with FCRA means the screenings are fair and accurate. Providers should allow the applicants to dispute any inaccuracies in the report. There should also be adverse and pre-adverse notices for the applicants.
15% of Overall Score
In our evaluation, providers allowing employers and applicants access to the screening results scored high. They also earned extra points for FCRA-compliant reports.
15% of Overall Score
This criterion gave high scores to providers with a mobile version, integrated with HR software, and can easily be tracked by applicants and employers.
10% of Overall Score
Providers with over 100 reviews on popular third-party review websites like Capterra and G2 got a higher score.
*Percentages of overall score
Bottom Line
SMBs and large enterprises can use backgroundchecks.com for industry-specific and custom search packages. Users can choose the search package or individual screening report based on their needs. Overall, it is a good option for those who want a background check company that offers flexible services and results with a fast turnaround time.
