Checkr vs Sterling Check: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Checkr and Sterling Check side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Checkr
Streamline hiring with AI-powered, fast, and compliant employee background checks.
Best for you if:
- • You want significantly faster turnaround times for background checks
Sterling Check
Comprehensive background checks and identity services for smarter hiring and faster onboarding.
Best for you if:
- • You want deep market expertise with industry-specific solutions and compliance guidance
| At a Glance | Checkr | Sterling Check |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $29.99/mo Basic plan | Not published |
Category | HR & Recruiting Compliance | HR & Recruiting Compliance |
Rating | 2.9/5 Trustpilot 1.3 · G2 4.5 1,053 reviews | n/a |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose Checkr or Sterling Check?
Choose Checkr if
- You want significantly faster turnaround times for background checks
- You want reduces manual work and streamlines hiring workflows
Choose Sterling Check if
- You want deep market expertise with industry-specific solutions and compliance guidance
- You want global reach with operational scale for international background checks
In-Depth Analysis
Checkr
Streamline hiring with AI-powered, fast, and compliant employee background checks.
Checkr's pricing, ranging from "Basic" at $29.99/report to "Complete" at $89.99/report, appears to be on the higher side compared to some market alternatives, especially for the depth of criminal checks offered.
Strengths
- Pro: Significantly faster turnaround times for background checks
- Pro: Reduces manual work and streamlines hiring workflows
- Pro: Built-in tools to mitigate compliance risk
- Pro: Improves candidate experience and reduces drop-off rates
- Pro: Supports fair chance hiring and expands talent pools
Weaknesses
- Con: Pricing details are not publicly available and require direct inquiry
- Con: Requires integration with existing HR systems for full benefit
Key features
Sterling Check
Comprehensive background checks and identity services for smarter hiring and faster onboarding.
Strengths
- Pro: Deep market expertise with industry-specific solutions and compliance guidance.
- Pro: Global reach with operational scale for international background checks.
- Pro: Fast turnaround times, with a significant percentage of US criminal searches closing in one day.
- Pro: Robust integrations for simplified customer and candidate experiences.
- Pro: Automated adverse action process to save time and reduce risk.
Weaknesses
- Con: Pricing details are not publicly available and require direct inquiry.
- Con: The transition from Sterling to First Advantage might require existing users to adapt to new branding or processes.
Key features
Plans and prices: Checkr vs Sterling Check
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Checkr |
| checkr.com/pricing read Sep 27, 2026 |
| Sterling Check | No plan prices on file | sterlingcheck.com/pricing |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Checkr pricing and Sterling Check pricing.
Key Takeaways
Checkr
- Choose if you want streamline hiring with AI-powered, fast, and compliant employee background checks
Sterling Check
- Choose if you want comprehensive background checks and identity services for smarter hiring and faster onboarding
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- Only Checkr has a published user rating (2.9/5 from 1,053 reviews); Sterling Check has none we can show.
- Checkr starts at $29.99/mo; Sterling Check has no public paid plan price on file.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Checkr and Sterling Check compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. Only Checkr has a published user rating (2.9/5 from 1,053 reviews); Sterling Check has none we can show. Checkr starts at $29.99/mo; Sterling Check has no public paid plan price on file.
What are Checkr and Sterling Check used for?
Checkr: Streamline hiring with AI-powered, fast, and compliant employee background checks. Sterling Check: Comprehensive background checks and identity services for smarter hiring and faster onboarding.
What does Checkr cost vs Sterling Check?
Checkr's cheapest paid plan is Basic at $29.99/mo. Sterling Check has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Sep 27, 2026.
What's the main difference between Checkr and Sterling Check?
Checkr's main strength: significantly faster turnaround times for background checks. Sterling Check's main strength: deep market expertise with industry-specific solutions and compliance guidance.