---
title: "Best Background Check Software - 2026 Reviews & Pricing"
description: "Find the best Background Check Software for your organization. Compare top Background Check Software systems with customer reviews, pricing, and free demos."
source_url: "https://www.softwareadvice.com/hr/background-check-comparison/"
page_type: "subcategory"
language: "en"
---

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Background Check Software

Software Advice offers objective insights based on verified user reviews and independent product and market research. When our advisors match you to a software provider, we may earn a referral fee.

# Best Background Check Software of 2026

Updated October 21, 2026

On this page

1.  Popular Comparisons
2.  Buyers Guide
3.  Related Software

Filter products

92 results

### Compare Products

Showing 1 - 25 of 92 products

#### Company Size

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-   51-200
    
-   201-500
    
-   501-1000
    
-   1000+
    

#### Pricing Options

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### Compare Products

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**Recommendations**: Sorts listings by the number of recommendations our advisors have made over the past 30 days. Our advisors assess buyers’ needs for free and only recommend products that meet buyers’ needs. Vendors pay Software Advice for these referrals.  
  
**Reviews**: Sorts listings by the number of user reviews we have published, greatest to least.  
  
**Average Rating**: Sorts listings by overall star rating based on user reviews, highest to lowest.  
  
**Alphabetically (A-Z)**: Sorts listings by product name from A to Z.

### [Paycom](/hr/paycom-profile/)

- Overall rating: 4.4/5
- Reviews: 1,400
- Best for: Small businesses
- Free trial: Not available
- Free demo: Not available

#### Overview

Paycom is a leading provider of human capital management software that helps organizations automate routine decisions and workflows. Through built-in decisioning logic and

[Read more](/hr/paycom-profile/)

##### What users love

- User-friendly and intuitive platform
- Integrated payroll and HR management
- Self-service and centralized data

##### To take in mind

- Inconsistent and slow support experience
- Clunky and unintuitive navigation
- Complex and tedious setup processes

#### Features

##### Best rated features

- Chatbot: 5/5
- Multi-Country: 5/5
- Tax Filing: 5/5
- Electronic Signature: 5/5

##### Worst rated features

- Candidate Search: 1/5
- Third-Party Integrations: 3.6/5
- Background Screening: 4/5

[See all features](/hr/paycom-profile/#key-features)

---

### [Paychex](/hr/paychex-flex-profile/)

- Overall rating: 4.2/5
- Reviews: 1,820
- Best for: Enterprise businesses
- Free trial: Not available
- Free demo: Not available

#### Overview

Paychex is a human capital management solution that helps small, midsize, and large businesses across a broad range of industries manage payroll, HR, benefits, and compliance. The

[Read more](/hr/paychex-flex-profile/)

##### What users love

- Centralized payroll management tools
- User-friendly and intuitive interface
- Easy access to pay details

##### To take in mind

- Inconsistent and slow support response
- Onboarding and profile management issues
- Frequent tax filing errors

#### Features

##### Best rated features

- Third-Party Integration: 5/5
- Electronic Signature: 5/5
- Assessment Management: 5/5
- Activity Tracking: 5/5

[See all features](/hr/paychex-flex-profile/#key-features)

---

### [Checkr](/hr-services/checkr-profile/)

- Overall rating: 4.5/5
- Reviews: 305
- Starting price: $29.99
- Best for: Self Service Portal
- Free trial: Not available
- Free demo: Not available

#### Overview

Checkr helps hiring teams run fast, reliable background checks without slowing down the hiring process. Whether you’re a growing company or an enterprise organization hiring at

[Read more](/hr-services/checkr-profile/)

##### What users love

- Intuitive and simple interface
- Robust HR system integrations
- Flexible and affordable pricing

##### To take in mind

- Delays and unclear processes
- Limited and slow support access

#### Features

##### Best rated features

- Email Reminders: 5/5
- Alerts/Notifications: 4.8/5
- Self Service Portal: 4.7/5
- Online Applications: 4.6/5

[See all features](/hr-services/checkr-profile/#key-features)

---

### [Deel](/hr/deel-profile/)

- Overall rating: 4.9/5
- Reviews: 4,318
- Starting price: $5.00/month
- Best for: Enterprise businesses
- Free trial: Not available
- Free demo: Not available

#### Overview

Deel is the only global-first people platform that enables companies to hire, relocate, pay, manage, equip, and support talent in 150+ countries - all within a single, integrated

[Read more](/hr/deel-profile/)

##### What users love

- Streamlined global payment processes
- Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- Responsive and helpful support team

##### To take in mind

- Limited and costly card functionality
- Cumbersome authentication and verification
- Slow and limited mobile experience

#### Features

##### Best rated features

- Role-Based Permissions: 5/5
- Clock In/Out: 5/5
- Engagement Tracking: 5/5
- Interactive Elements: 5/5

[See all features](/hr/deel-profile/#key-features)

---

### [Employment Hero](/hr/employment-hero-profile/)

- Overall rating: 4.4/5
- Reviews: 239
- Starting price: $10.00/month
- Best for: Value for money
- Free trial: Available
- Free demo: Not available

#### Overview

Employment Hero is a cloud-based human resource management (HRM) system for small and medium businesses on the up. The solution helps manage the entire employee lifecycle, with

[Read more](/hr/employment-hero-profile/)

#### Features

##### Best rated features

- Certification & Licensing: 5/5
- Social Recognition: 5/5
- Sick Leave Tracking: 5/5
- Manager-to-Employee Recognition: 5/5

##### Worst rated features

- Real-Time Notifications: 1/5
- Alerts/Notifications: 1/5

[See all features](/hr/employment-hero-profile/#key-features)

#### Pricing

##### HR Essentials

- Price: $10.00/month

##### HR Engage

- Price: $14.00/month

##### HR Elite

- Price: Custom
- Pricing available upon request

[See full pricing details](/hr/employment-hero-profile/#pricing-and-plans)

---

### [Mitratech AssureHire](/reference-check/assurehire-profile/)

- Overall rating: 4.6/5
- Reviews: 36
- Free trial: Not available
- Free demo: Not available

#### Overview

Mitratech’s AssureHire automation delivers the fastest end-to-end screening experience seamlessly integrated and 100% compliant, complete with continuous post-hiring monitoring for

[Read more](/reference-check/assurehire-profile/)

#### Features

##### Best rated features

- Activity Dashboard: 5/5
- Employee Management: 5/5
- Customizable Reports: 5/5
- Self Service Portal: 5/5

[See all features](/reference-check/assurehire-profile/#key-features)

---

### [EZ Screen](/hr/ez-screen-solutions-profile/)

- Overall rating: 4.8/5
- Reviews: 44
- Free trial: Not available
- Free demo: Not available

#### Overview

EZ Screen is a full-service background check solution that offers self-service technology and a dedicated service team to streamline the employment screening process. With

[Read more](/hr/ez-screen-solutions-profile/)

#### Features

##### Best rated features

- Third-Party Integrations: 5/5
- Activity Dashboard: 5/5
- Reference Checking: 5/5
- Reporting/Analytics: 5/5

##### Worst rated features

- Applicant Tracking: 4/5

[See all features](/hr/ez-screen-solutions-profile/#key-features)

---

### [Emerge](/product/100037-EMERGE-Background-Checks/)

- Overall rating: 4.9/5
- Reviews: 30
- Starting price: $1.00
- Free trial: Available
- Free demo: Not available

#### Overview

Intelifi offers tech-enabled background check services by giving employers access to applicant DMV records, employment history, credit reports, plus more. Services are conducted

[Read more](/product/100037-EMERGE-Background-Checks/)

#### Pricing

##### Basic

- Price: $1.00

[See full pricing details](/product/100037-EMERGE-Background-Checks/#pricing-and-plans)

---

### [Workwolf](/hr/workwolf-profile/)

- Overall rating: 4.9/5
- Reviews: 18
- Free trial: Not available
- Free demo: Not available

#### Overview

Workwolf® is a Recruiting as a Service company for organisations that hire at volume. We replace the traditional agency model with a process our team runs on your behalf, combining

[Read more](/hr/workwolf-profile/)

#### Features

##### Best rated features

- Reference Checking: 5/5
- Resume Storage: 5/5
- Reminders: 5/5
- Communication Management: 5/5

[See all features](/hr/workwolf-profile/#key-features)

---

### [Ferretly ](/hr/ferretly-profile/)

- Overall rating: 4.8/5
- Reviews: 16
- Starting price: $15.00one time
- Free trial: Available
- Free demo: Not available

#### Overview

Ferretly is an AI-enabled social media screening platform that provides human resource professionals insight into candidates by analyzing talent's online persona. The solution

[Read more](/hr/ferretly-profile/)

#### Features

##### Best rated features

- Self Service Portal: 5/5
- Status Tracking: 5/5
- Visual Analytics: 5/5
- API: 5/5

[See all features](/hr/ferretly-profile/#key-features)

#### Pricing

##### Basic

- Price: $15.00one time

[See full pricing details](/hr/ferretly-profile/#pricing-and-plans)

---

### [Veremark](/reference-check/veremark-profile/)

- Overall rating: 4.8/5
- Reviews: 13
- Starting price: $15.00/month
- Free trial: Available
- Free demo: Not available

#### Overview

Veremark is an automated background and reference check solution that offers technology and service components used by HR teams globally. Veremark streamlines the candidate

[Read more](/reference-check/veremark-profile/)

#### Features

##### Best rated features

- Reporting/Analytics: 5/5
- Data Import/Export: 5/5
- Tenant Screening: 5/5
- Reporting & Statistics: 5/5

[See all features](/reference-check/veremark-profile/#key-features)

#### Pricing

##### Basic

- Price: $15.00/month

[See full pricing details](/reference-check/veremark-profile/#pricing-and-plans)

---

### [Turn](/hr/turn-profile/)

- Overall rating: 5/5
- Reviews: 1
- Free trial: Available
- Free demo: Not available

#### Overview

Turn is designed to help businesses conduct background checks for positions, such as nanny, drivers, servers, healthcare workers, warehouse management professionals, and more. It

[Read more](/hr/turn-profile/)

#### Features

##### Best rated features

- Employment Screening: 5/5

[See all features](/hr/turn-profile/#key-features)

#### Pricing

##### Basic

- Price: Custom
- Pricing available upon request

[See full pricing details](/hr/turn-profile/#pricing-and-plans)

---

### [PeopleStrategy](/hr/peoplestrategy-profile/)

- Overall rating: 4/5
- Reviews: 7
- Starting price: $18.00
- Free trial: Not available
- Free demo: Not available

#### Overview

A full-service broker, PeopleStrategy offers expert benefits consulting, intuitive HR software and comprehensive administrative services to provide employers with a single source

[Read more](/hr/peoplestrategy-profile/)

#### Features

##### Best rated features

- Employee Database: 4.3/5
- Payroll Management: 4.3/5
- Self Service Portal: 4/5
- Reporting/Analytics: 4/5

##### Worst rated features

- Onboarding: 3/5
- Time & Attendance: 4/5
- Reporting/Analytics: 4/5
- Self Service Portal: 4/5

[See all features](/hr/peoplestrategy-profile/#key-features)

---

### [Manatal](/hr/manatal-profile/)

- Overall rating: 4.6/5
- Reviews: 142
- Starting price: $19.00/month
- Best for: Ease of use
- Free trial: Available
- Free demo: Not available

#### Overview

Manatal is a cloud-based recruitment solution designed for recruiting agencies and in-house HR departments across industries that helps streamline recruitment processes from

[Read more](/hr/manatal-profile/)

#### Features

##### Best rated features

- Customizable Forms: 5/5
- Resume Posting: 5/5
- Job Board: 5/5
- Talent Acquisition: 5/5

##### Worst rated features

- For Staffing Agencies: 1/5

[See all features](/hr/manatal-profile/#key-features)

#### Pricing

##### Professional plan

- Price: $19.00/month
- Up to 15 Jobs

##### Enterprise

- Price: $39.00/month
- Unlimited Jobs

##### Enterprise Plus

- Price: $59.00/month
- Unlimited Jobs

[See full pricing details](/hr/manatal-profile/#pricing-and-plans)

---

### [Justworks](/hr/justworks-peo-profile/)

- Overall rating: 4.6/5
- Reviews: 741
- Starting price: $8.00/month
- Best for: Small businesses
- Free trial: Not available
- Free demo: Not available

#### Overview

Justworks makes it easier to start, run, and grow a business. With Justworks, entrepreneurs and their teams get access to big-company benefits, automated payroll, compliance

[Read more](/hr/justworks-peo-profile/)

##### What users love

- Intuitive and accessible platform design
- Responsive and helpful support team
- Streamlined employee administration tools

##### To take in mind

- Inconsistent time tracking experience
- Mobile app connectivity and usability issues
- Limited break and check-in features

#### Features

##### Best rated features

- Mobile Access: 5/5
- Online Benefits Enrollment: 5/5
- Employee Portal: 5/5
- Wage Garnishment: 5/5

##### Worst rated features

- Sick Leave Tracking: 2/5
- Employee Benefits Administration: 3/5

[See all features](/hr/justworks-peo-profile/#key-features)

---

### [Sterling](/construction/sterling-profile/)

- Overall rating: 4/5
- Reviews: 31
- Starting price: $1.00
- Free trial: Not available
- Free demo: Not available

#### Overview

Sterling Talent Solutions provides tech-enabled human resource services related to background screening and candidate onboarding. Designed for financial services, retail,

[Read more](/construction/sterling-profile/)

#### Features

##### Best rated features

- Employment Eligibility Verification: 5/5
- Self Service Portal: 4.7/5
- Reporting/Analytics: 4.5/5
- Batch Processing: 4/5

##### Worst rated features

- Compliance Management: 1/5
- API: 1/5
- Third-Party Integrations: 2/5
- Alerts/Notifications: 3/5

[See all features](/construction/sterling-profile/#key-features)

---

### [HiPeople](/hr/hipeople-profile/)

- Overall rating: 4.8/5
- Reviews: 1,563
- Starting price: $0.00one time
- Best for: Reference Request Automation
- Free trial: Available
- Free demo: Not available

#### Overview

HiPeople is an AI hiring platform that helps talent acquisition teams across healthcare, technology, finance, and business services streamline candidate screening and reference

[Read more](/hr/hipeople-profile/)

##### What users love

- Simple navigation and fast experience
- Intuitive and clean platform design
- Structured and insightful evaluations

##### To take in mind

- Technical and accessibility challenges
- Limited review and short response time
- Time limits increase anxiety

#### Features

##### Best rated features

- Visual Analytics: 5/5
- Customizable Reports: 5/5
- Live Results Sharing: 5/5
- Skill Testing: 4.8/5

##### Worst rated features

- Survey Builder: 3.7/5

[See all features](/hr/hipeople-profile/#key-features)

#### Pricing

##### Test HiPeople today!

- Price: $0.00one time
- Are you interested in HiPeople? Talk to one of our product specialists today!

[See full pricing details](/hr/hipeople-profile/#pricing-and-plans)

---

### [Zinc](/product/284930-Zinc/)

- Overall rating: 4.8/5
- Reviews: 221
- Best for: Value for money
- Free trial: Available
- Free demo: Not available

#### Overview

Zinc is an automated background check solution that serves human resource departments and staffing agencies. It offers a variety of features that streamline the background check

[Read more](/product/284930-Zinc/)

#### Features

##### Best rated features

- Real-Time Monitoring: 5/5
- Applicant Tracking: 5/5
- Self Service Portal: 5/5
- Feedback Management: 5/5

[See all features](/product/284930-Zinc/#key-features)

#### Pricing

##### Basic

- Price: Custom
- Pricing available upon request

[See full pricing details](/product/284930-Zinc/#pricing-and-plans)

---

### [Vitay](/hr-services/vitay-profile/)

- Overall rating: 4.9/5
- Reviews: 49
- Starting price: $699.00/year
- Free trial: Available
- Free demo: Not available

#### Overview

Vitay offers tech-enabled reference checking services to recruiting and HR teams in various industries. This solution intends to help employers efficiently screen candidates as

[Read more](/hr-services/vitay-profile/)

#### Features

##### Best rated features

- Survey Builder: 5/5
- Survey Library: 5/5
- Bulk Reference Request: 5/5
- Customizable Reports: 5/5

##### Worst rated features

- Instant Check: 4/5

[See all features](/hr-services/vitay-profile/#key-features)

#### Pricing

##### Scout

- Price: $699.00/year

[See full pricing details](/hr-services/vitay-profile/#pricing-and-plans)

---

### [GoodHire](/hr-services/goodhire-profile/)

- Overall rating: 4.8/5
- Reviews: 116
- Starting price: $29.99
- Best for: Customer support
- Free trial: Not available
- Free demo: Not available

#### Overview

GoodHire offers tech-enabled services to help businesses streamline processes related to pre-employment background checks, ensuring compliance across federal, local, state, and

[Read more](/hr-services/goodhire-profile/)

#### Features

##### Best rated features

- Batch Processing: 5/5
- Background Screening: 5/5
- Status Tracking: 5/5
- Workflow Management: 5/5

##### Worst rated features

- Instant Check: 4/5

[See all features](/hr-services/goodhire-profile/#key-features)

---

### [RefNow](/reference-check/refnow-profile/)

- Overall rating: 4.7/5
- Reviews: 472
- Starting price: £12.99one time
- Best for: Reference Checking
- Free trial: Available
- Free demo: Not available

#### Overview

RefNow is a cloud-based reference-checking platform that simplifies the recruitment process for organizations of all sizes. 

With its Talent Pool feature, RefNow enables users to

[Read more](/reference-check/refnow-profile/)

#### Features

##### Best rated features

- Recruitment Management: 5/5
- Customizable Templates: 5/5
- Third-Party Integrations: 4.8/5
- Feedback Management: 4.8/5

[See all features](/reference-check/refnow-profile/#key-features)

#### Pricing

##### Basic

- Price: £12.99one time

[See full pricing details](/reference-check/refnow-profile/#pricing-and-plans)

---

### [CompuFACT](/hr/compufact-profile/)

- Overall rating: 5/5
- Reviews: 14
- Starting price: $4.00one time
- Free trial: Available
- Free demo: Not available

#### Overview

CompuFACT offers tech-enabled background check services to help employers make efficient hiring decisions when considering applicants. This solution provides access to county,

[Read more](/hr/compufact-profile/)

#### Features

##### Best rated features

- Status Tracking: 5/5
- Online Applications: 5/5
- Employment Screening: 5/5
- Instant Check: 5/5

[See all features](/hr/compufact-profile/#key-features)

#### Pricing

##### Basic

- Price: $4.00one time

[See full pricing details](/hr/compufact-profile/#pricing-and-plans)

---

### [Company Watch](/erp/company-watch-profile/)

- Overall rating: 4.8/5
- Reviews: 24
- Starting price: £354.00/month
- Free trial: Available
- Free demo: Not available

#### Overview

Company Watch is a financial risk solutions and business intelligence platform. It provides comprehensive financial risk management solutions to help users identify, assess, and

[Read more](/erp/company-watch-profile/)

#### Features

##### Best rated features

- Compliance Management: 5/5
- Stress Tests: 5/5
- Income & Balance Sheet: 5/5
- Counterparty Risks: 5/5

[See all features](/erp/company-watch-profile/#key-features)

#### Pricing

##### Platform Access

- Price: £354.00/month

[See full pricing details](/erp/company-watch-profile/#pricing-and-plans)

---

### [Yardstik](/product/517882-Yardstik/)

- Overall rating: 4.9/5
- Reviews: 18
- Starting price: $8.00one time
- Free trial: Not available
- Free demo: Not available

#### Overview

Yardstik is a platform designed to help organizations assess and maintain trust in their workforce throughout the entire worker lifecycle. It supports various employment models,

[Read more](/product/517882-Yardstik/)

#### Features

##### Best rated features

- Onboarding: 5/5
- Liveness Detection: 5/5
- Multiple Authentication Methods: 5/5
- Applicant Tracking: 5/5

##### Worst rated features

- Real-Time Monitoring: 2/5
- ID Scanning: 4/5

[See all features](/product/517882-Yardstik/#key-features)

---

### [ComplyCube](/compliance/complycube-profile/)

- Overall rating: 5/5
- Reviews: 10
- Starting price: $0.10
- Free trial: Available
- Free demo: Not available

#### Overview

ComplyCube is a solution for any business looking to comply with identity verification, anti-money laundering (AML), and know your customer (KYC) regulations.

ComplyCube enables

[Read more](/compliance/complycube-profile/)

#### Features

##### Best rated features

- Risk Assessment: 5/5
- Mobile Access: 5/5
- Access Controls/Permissions: 5/5
- Address Validation: 5/5

[See all features](/compliance/complycube-profile/#key-features)

#### Pricing

##### Basic

- Price: $0.10

[See full pricing details](/compliance/complycube-profile/#pricing-and-plans)

---

1

[2](https://www.softwareadvice.com/hr/background-check-comparison/?__ai_markdown=true&page=2)[3](https://www.softwareadvice.com/hr/background-check-comparison/?__ai_markdown=true&page=3)[4](https://www.softwareadvice.com/hr/background-check-comparison/?__ai_markdown=true&page=4)

## Popular Comparisons

[

Paycom vs Deel

](https://www.softwareadvice.com/hr/deel-profile/vs/paycom/)[

Paychex vs Justworks

](https://www.softwareadvice.com/hr/justworks-peo-profile/vs/paychex-flex/)[

HiPeople vs RefNow

](https://www.softwareadvice.com/hr/hipeople-profile/vs/refnow/)[

Zinc vs Checkr

](https://www.softwareadvice.com/compare/284930-Zinc/vs/415368-checkr/)[

Employment Hero vs GoodHire

](https://www.softwareadvice.com/hr/employment-hero-profile/vs/goodhire/)

## Send me a copy of this list to my inbox

### Get a copy of this list with pricing info sent to your inbox so you can pick up where you left off when convenient to you.

In theory, background checks should be the easiest part of the hiring workflow. If you're part of the [72 percent](https://www.careerbuilder.com/share/aboutus/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?sd=11/17/2016&siteid=cbpr&sc_cmp1=cb_pr975_&id=pr975&ed=12/31/2016) of companies that perform a background check on every new hire though, you know that this final hurdle to employment can still come with its fair share of headaches—even if the results come back clean.

Between maintaining mountains of paperwork for compliance purposes, keeping track of payments to background check providers and updating the status of candidates in your hiring pipeline, there are more than a few steps where errors can, and do, occur. Errors lead to delays, and delays mean potentially pushing back a new hire starting date. That's no good.

Which is why if you're looking to save time, ensure accuracy and reduce costly delays with employee background checks, you should consider background check software: systems designed to help HR personnel stay on top of this small but important process.

**If you're new to background check software, this Buyer's Guide can help. Below, we'll go over everything you need to know to find the right system for your needs.**

Here's what we'll cover:

[What Is Background Check Software?](#WhatIsBackgroundCheckSoftware)

[Common Background Check Software Functionality](#CommonBackgroundCheckSoftwareFunctionality)

[Businesses That Benefit the Most From Background Check Software](#BusinessesThatBenefittheMostFromBackgroundCheckSoftware)

[Key Considerations When Evaluating Background Check Providers](#KeyConsiderationsWhenEvaluatingBackgroundCheckProviders)

## What Is Background Check Software?

As the name implies, background check software helps companies digitize and automate processes pertaining to requesting, obtaining, paying for and tracking the status of employee background checks. More accurately, background check software is a combination of software _and service_—vendors either offer background check services themselves (rare) or partner with someone who does (more common).

Compared to disparate emails and paper files, background check software offers a more secure, centralized and streamlined solution that can save you time while ensuring nothing with regard to background checks falls through the cracks.

_Background check overview screen in_ Newton

Background check software can be purchased either stand-alone (e.g., Intelifi's [Emerge](http://www.intelifi.com/technology/emerge/)) or as an optional feature set integrated within a more comprehensive [recruiting](https://www.softwareadvice.com/hr/recruiting-software-comparison/) or [onboarding](https://www.softwareadvice.com/hr/employee-onboarding-comparison/) software platform (e.g., Newton).

## Common Background Check Software Functionality

When researching different background check software vendors, you should expect to find these features in a majority of systems:

| Feature | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Background check ordering | Enter candidate details, select the type of background check you want and submit payment. |
| Status tracking | Keep track of the status of different background checks. Automatically notify the responsible party when they have a task to complete. |
| Document management | Store background check documents. Documents can be searched for or attached to candidate profiles in a recruiting software system. |
| Digital signature | All parties—candidates, employers, background check service providers—can read and sign documents in-system. |
| Results and reporting | See the results of background checks and generate standardized reports for stakeholders. |

---

Software functionality is just one half of the equation though. You should also learn which types of background check services a vendor or their partnered providers can offer. Here are some common options to ask about:

-   Criminal history
    
-   Drug screening
    
-   Social security trace
    
-   Employment verification
    
-   Education verification
    

Depending on your company, there may also be more industry-specific background checks you should include on your must-have list. Fleet companies, for example, should ensure their vendor offers motor vehicle screenings, while those in finance may require credit checks.

## Businesses That Benefit the Most from Background Check Software

If you only do background checks for a few select roles or don't do a ton of hiring outside of seasonal spikes, it's unlikely that you'll get enough value out of dedicated background check software to warrant the cost. On the other hand, if you're one of these types of businesses, background check software is more than a worthwhile investment:

-   **High-volume recruiters.** Retailers, restaurants, hospitality businesses and other high-volume recruiters have to hire a lot of low or unskilled labor quickly. For this reason alone, background check software is a must to shorten time to hire.
    
-   **Multistate businesses.** Laws differ from state to state regarding what you can and can't do with background checks. For example, in [12 states](http://riskaware.com/resources/understanding-the-laws/state-legal-compliance/) you can't go back more than seven years when looking for criminal convictions. Everywhere else, you can look at a candidate's entire history. With background check software, you can avoid compliance missteps.
    
-   **Finance, IT and health care.** According to a CareerBuilder [survey](https://www.nationsearch.com/blog/58-of-applicants-lie-on-their-resumes-and-you-dont-know-who-they-are), these three industries are some of the worst when it comes to applicants lying on their resume. More thorough background checks facilitated through software can ensure you catch imposters before it's too late.
    

## Key Considerations When Evaluating Background Check Providers

There isn't a ton of variance when it comes to the background check software itself. If it has the functionality you want, is intuitive to use and has great reviews from other users, you should be good to go.

The background check provider that will actually be performing the service requires more scrutiny. Here are some things to look out for when evaluating them:

-   **Are they FCRA-compliant and NAPBS-accredited?** The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) regulates the information about a candidate you're entitled to learn and what you're allowed to do with it. There are a handful of enticing online tools out there for DIY background checks, but these services are rarely, if ever, FCRA-compliant. Instead, look for a provider who employs experts that will do the background checks for you, accredited by the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS).
    
-   **Do their priorities mirror your own?** If the [candidate experience](https://www.softwareadvice.com/resources/8-tips-improve-candidate-experience/) is of utmost importance to you, don't go with a provider who puts speed of service over courtesy. On the other hand, if you need to hire people quickly, don't invest in a provider with a terrible turnaround time. A background check provider is an extension of your employer brand, so make sure your values align.
    
-   **Do they partner with any** [applicant tracking systems (ATSs)](https://www.softwareadvice.com/hr/applicant-tracking-software-comparison/)**?** Whether you already have a system in place or are looking to invest in one soon, having a background check provider integrated with your ATS will just make your entire recruiting process and workflow that much more seamless.
    

### Related Background Check Software

-   [Applicant Tracking Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/hr/applicant-tracking-software-comparison/)
-   [Job Board Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/hr/job-board-comparison/)
-   [Onboarding Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/hr/employee-onboarding-comparison/)
-   [Pre-employment Testing Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/hr/pre-employment-assessment-tools-comparison/)
-   [Recruiting Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/hr/recruiting-software-comparison/)
-   [Recruitment Marketing Platforms Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/recruitment-marketing-platform/)
-   [Reference Check Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/reference-check/)
-   [Relocation Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/relocation/)
-   [Staffing Agency Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/staffing-agency/)
-   [Video Interviewing Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/hr/video-interviewing-comparison/)