Checkr
4.5/5A modern, AI-powered background check platform designed to provide fast, accurate, and compliant screenings for the global workforce.
Pros and cons
What we like
- Industry-leading turnaround times with 84% of checks under 24 hours.
- AI-powered record filtering reduces manual adjudication by 90%.
- Seamless API and 100+ native ATS/HRIS integrations.
- Mobile-optimized candidate experience for faster consent.
- Transparent, pay-as-you-go pricing for small businesses.
What we like less
- Customer support primarily ticket-based with slow response times.
- Opaque custom pricing for high-volume enterprise users.
- Occasional report delays due to manual county courthouse searches.
- User interface can feel overly technical for non-HR staff.
- Inaccurate results can be difficult for candidates to dispute.
About Checkr
In 2026, Checkr has established itself as the People Trust Platform, moving the background check industry from a slow, paper-heavy process to an AI-driven digital experience. While legacy competitors often took weeks to deliver results, Checkr's infrastructure is built for speed, with 84% of background checks completed in under 24 hours. By using machine learning to interpret complex criminal records, Checkr provides "Smart Adjudication" tools that help HR teams make faster, more consistent, and fairer hiring decisions.
The power of Checkr lies in its API-First Architecture. Instead of being a standalone portal, it is designed to be the "background check engine" for other apps. This is why it is the default choice for the gig economy—powering platforms like Uber, Instacart, and DoorDash—as well as 100,000+ traditional businesses. In 2026, Checkr has expanded into Continuous Monitoring, providing real-time updates if an active employee has a new reportable charge, ensuring that safety standards don't expire after the initial hire.
Furthermore, Checkr is a leader in the Fair Chance Hiring movement. Their technology is designed to reduce human bias by automatically filtering out records that are no longer legally reportable or relevant to the specific job role. By centering the candidate experience—with a multilingual self-service portal and clear turnaround time estimates—Checkr ensures that the background check step doesn't become a friction point that causes top talent to drop out of the hiring funnel.
- • AI Charge Classification: Automatically standardizes criminal records across thousands of jurisdictions into clear, readable categories.
- • Global Screening: Perform criminal, education, and employment verifications across 200+ countries from a single dashboard.
- • Compliance Automation: Built-in workflows for Adverse Action notices and FCRA/state-specific disclosures.
Who is behind Checkr?
Checkr was founded in 2014 by Daniel Yanisse (CEO) and Jonathan Perichon. The founders were former software engineers at the startup Deliv, where they experienced firsthand how an antiquated, manual background check process could paralyze a growing company. After going through the Y Combinator accelerator program, they built Checkr with the mission to build "people infrastructure for the future of work."
The company is headquartered in San Francisco and has reached a valuation of over $4.6 billion, backed by premier investors like Accel, Sequoia, and T. Rowe Price. In 2026, Yanisse continues to focus on the intersection of AI and social mission, having launched Checkr.org to advocate for criminal justice reform and to help people with records find meaningful employment.
Who is Checkr for?
Checkr is built specifically for High-Volume Hiring Teams and Modern HR Departments that need to scale without adding administrative headcount. It is the gold standard for the Gig Economy and Staffing Agencies where turnaround time is the most critical metric. If you are hiring hundreds of contractors per month, Checkr’s mass-invite tools and automation are essential.
It is also a favorite for Nonprofits and Religious Institutions, which make up a significant portion of their user base. Because there are no monthly minimums or setup fees for small businesses, it’s an affordable way for schools and community groups to maintain a safe environment. In 2026, it has become a top choice for Tech Companies using modern ATS systems like Greenhouse, Lever, or Workday, as the integration allows recruiters to launch a background check without ever leaving the candidate's profile.
- • SMB Founders: Who need a compliant "pay-as-you-go" solution for their first few hires.
- • Enterprise Recruiters: Who need to standardize screening packages across multiple states and international locations.
- • Safety Managers: Managing ongoing compliance for fleets of drivers or field service technicians.
What can Checkr do?
Checkr is a comprehensive Identity and Background Verification Suite. Its core offering is Criminal Records Screening, which searches federal, state, and county courts. Its Verification Services go further, using AI and manual outreach to verify employment history, educational degrees, and professional licenses in the US and abroad.
For regulated industries, Checkr offers Drug and Occupational Health Screenings. You can schedule clinic-based or onsite drug tests directly through the platform, with results flowing back into the candidate's unified record. Its Driver Screening (MVR) tools are particularly robust, allowing companies to monitor license status and violations on a recurring basis to maintain insurance compliance.
In 2026, Checkr Pay has emerged as a unique fintech integration. It allows gig platforms to offer instant payments to workers once their background check is cleared, further reducing the friction of onboarding. Combined with Smart Adjudication—which uses AI to flag only the records that violate your company’s specific hiring policy—Checkr provides an end-to-end "trust" layer for your entire organization.
How much does Checkr cost?
Checkr’s pricing for 2026 is transparent and usage-based. For small businesses, it starts at $29.99 per report for the Basic+ Plan. This covers the essentials: SSN trace, sex offender registry, and national criminal search. Most professional firms opt for the Essential Plan at $54.99 per check, which adds county-level criminal searches for all locations where the candidate has lived in the past 7 years.
The Professional Plan costs **$89.99 per check** and is the most comprehensive, adding federal criminal searches and education/employment verification. For businesses conducting more than 300 checks a year, Checkr offers Custom Enterprise Quotes with volume discounts and specialized service level agreements (SLAs).
Importantly, Account Setup is Free. There are no monthly subscription fees or minimums, allowing you to pay only for what you use. However, be aware of "Pass-Through Fees"—some counties or states charge their own separate access fees (ranging from $5 to $95) that are added to your bill at cost.
What should you pay attention to?
The biggest thing to watch on Checkr is Support Availability. Reviewers consistently highlight that human support is difficult to reach, as the company relies heavily on an automated chat and ticket-based system. If you are in a "hiring crisis" and need an immediate answer on a stuck report, the lack of a direct phone line for standard plans can be frustrating. Additionally, pay attention to County-Level Delays. While 98% of nationwide criminal checks are fast, some manual county courthouses still take days or weeks to respond—this is an industry-wide issue, not just a Checkr issue.
You should also monitor Accuracy and Disputes. While AI is fast, it is not perfect. Occasionally, common names can lead to "false positives" on reports. Checkr provides a candidate portal for disputes, but as an employer, you must ensure your internal policies allow for an "Individualized Assessment" of any flags to maintain legal compliance. Lastly, be aware of Third-Party Fees. Always check the estimated completion date and total cost (including pass-through fees) before launching a check on a candidate in a jurisdiction known for high record-access costs like New York or Michigan.
Checkr alternatives
The most common alternative is Sterling (now part of First Advantage). Sterling is a legacy giant that excels in highly regulated industries like banking and government where "extreme" manual due diligence is required. HireRight is another global leader, often chosen by massive multinational corporations for its extensive boots-on-the-ground presence in international markets.
For a more modern, "Checkr-like" experience with better human support, many teams are moving to Certn or KarmaCheck. Certn is particularly strong in the Canadian and European markets, while KarmaCheck is gaining traction for its incredibly fast mobile UI. For global teams already using Deel for payroll, their integrated background check feature is a powerful, low-friction alternative that keeps all employee data in one place.
- • Sterling: Best for enterprises in highly regulated sectors needing traditional compliance.
- • Certn: The top choice for international hiring with an emphasis on candidate experience.
- • GoodHire: (Owned by Checkr) A specialized version for small businesses that want a more "guided" experience.
Frequently asked questions
• How long does a Checkr background check take?
Most checks (84%) are completed within 24 hours. However, if a candidate has a history in a county that requires a manual courthouse search, it can take 3-5 business days or longer.
• Does Checkr verify international education?
Yes. Checkr offers international verification for education and employment across 200+ countries, though these typically carry a higher cost and longer turnaround time than domestic checks.
• What is "Continuous Monitoring"?
Continuous monitoring is a subscription-based feature that alerts you immediately if an active employee has a new reportable criminal charge, ensuring your workforce stays safe after the initial hire.
• Can a candidate see their own background check results?
Yes. Candidates have full access to the Checkr Candidate Portal, where they can track the status of their check, view the final report, and dispute any inaccurate information.
Prices & Subscriptions
All available plans and prices at a glance.
Basic+
Best for entry-level roles. Includes SSN trace, sex offender search, and national criminal database screening.
View DetailsEssential
Ideal for standard hiring. Adds county criminal searches for the candidate's residence history over 7 years.
View DetailsProfessional
The enterprise standard. Adds federal criminal searches and education/employment verification to the Essential plan.
View DetailsCheckr
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