Background checks are an important part of the hiring process. Whether you’re running a small business or managing a large organization, you can’t joke about hiring the right person for the job.

When choosing a background check provider, GoodHire and Checkr stand out as two of the most trusted platforms in the industry. Although they offer solutions that streamline the screening process, they cater to different needs and priorities.

This GoodHire vs. Checkr article explores the features, pricing, and performance of both services to determine which option best fits your business.

Overview of GoodHire and Checkr

GoodHire

GoodHire is a user-friendly and efficient background screening platform designed to simplify the hiring process for businesses. Its selling points include speed, accuracy, and flexible pricing options, making it a top choice for organizations of all sizes.

One of GoodHire's unique advantages is its pay-per-check pricing model, which is ideal for businesses conducting fewer than 10 background checks annually. This flexibility allows small businesses and startups to avoid the burden of monthly subscriptions while still accessing high-quality background checks.

GoodHire’s commitment to compliance is evident in its FCRA-certified, US-based support team. This ensures every screening adheres to federal regulations, thereby offering HR professionals peace of mind.

With its intuitive platform and customer-centric approach, GoodHire has become a reliable solution for companies that value accuracy, compliance, and cost-effectiveness in their hiring processes.

Checkr

Checkr is a modern background check platform designed to streamline the hiring process through advanced AI-driven technology.

Its focus on automation ensures fast turnaround times while minimizing human error and bias commonly associated with manual reviews. This makes it a highly reliable solution for businesses aiming to accelerate their recruitment process without compromising on accuracy.

One of Checkr’s unique features is its Candidate Portal, which provides full transparency for candidates. Through this portal, candidates can track the status of their background checks in real-time and access clear, accurate estimates for completion. This transparency helps build trust and keeps candidates engaged throughout the hiring process.

Checkr is suitable for businesses that prioritize speed and scalability. Its robust infrastructure supports high-volume hiring and allows organizations to customize workflows for their specific needs.

GoodHire vs. Checkr: Features Comparison

Quality and Accuracy

GoodHire

GoodHire sets itself apart with an impressively low error rate of <0.1%, making it one of the most reliable background check platforms. This level of accuracy is achieved through its in-house team of FCRA-certified experts, who review and cross-reference data to ensure the results are accurate and compliant with legal standards.

GoodHire is ideal for those who value manual, expert-reviewed accuracy with a slightly longer turnaround time.

Despite its strong track record, GoodHire has faced legal challenges in the past, including two lawsuits for alleged FCRA violations. While these incidents may raise concerns for some businesses, they also signify the importance of choosing a background check provider that stays vigilant in maintaining compliance and accuracy.

Checkr

Checkr takes a tech-driven approach to accuracy with its Positive Adjudication Matrix (PAM). This innovative feature streamlines the background check process by clarifying how offenses are logged and described, ensuring that HR teams receive the most relevant and actionable information.

In terms of speed, Checkr is hard to beat, with 98% of nationwide criminal checks completed within an hour, making it an excellent choice for businesses prioritizing fast recruitment processes.

Checkr is ideal for fast-paced businesses that need rapid results with the support of AI-powered tools. However, like GoodHire, Checkr has also faced lawsuits in the past due to erroneous background checks.

Customizability

When it comes to background screening, customizability can make or break your ability to tailor the service to your hiring process. Let’s see how GoodHire and Checkr compare in this area:

GoodHire

GoodHire provides robust customization options that make it a versatile choice for businesses of all sizes. Its custom search filters allow users to streamline background checks, helping HR teams quickly find relevant information.

The platform also integrates seamlessly with applicant tracking systems (ATS) and human resource information systems (HRIS), ensuring it fits smoothly into existing workflows.

For businesses needing a more tailored solution, GoodHire’s API integration offers flexibility to create custom workflows. For example, reports can be programmed to appear in specific software tools or communication channels, thereby allowing HR teams to operate efficiently without switching between platforms.

Checkr

Checkr takes customizability to another level with its advanced features. The platform includes custom filters for triggers, actions, and searches, which allow businesses to set up workflows that meet specific hiring criteria.

For instance, users can configure automated actions based on background check results, saving time and reducing manual intervention.

Checkr also excels in niche industries, offering options like motor vehicle rule customization for companies that hire commercial drivers. This ensures businesses comply with industry-specific regulations while maintaining streamlined processes.

In addition, custom user permissions allow administrators to control who can initiate or view reports, enhancing security and minimizing potential misuse.

Customer Experience

A user-friendly interface, responsive support, and accessible tools are important for seamless background checks. Here's how GoodHire and Checkr compare in delivering on these aspects:

GoodHire

GoodHire excels in offering a straightforward and intuitive user experience. Its interface is designed to be mobile-friendly, ensuring HR professionals can manage background checks efficiently, even on the go.

One of GoodHire's standout features is its US-based, FCRA-certified support team, available via phone and email. This accessibility ensures users can quickly resolve issues, whether they relate to compliance, screening processes, or technical challenges.

For businesses that value hands-on assistance and real-time support, GoodHire provides a reliable solution.

Checkr

Checkr focuses on streamlining the background check process for both recruiters and candidates. Its candidate portal is user-friendly and optimized for mobile devices, enabling candidates to stay informed about their screening progress and timelines. This transparency enhances the experience and minimizes confusion.

For recruiters, Checkr offers pre-bundled background packages, which simplify the selection process for specific screening needs. However, the platform's customer support is limited to email, which may lead to slower resolution times compared to platforms offering phone support.

Businesses that prioritize instant responses might find this a drawback, but for those who can manage with asynchronous communication, Checkr remains a strong contender.

Pricing Comparison

GoodHire

GoodHire offers a flexible pricing structure tailored to businesses of different sizes and needs. Its plans include:

• Basic+ Plan: $29.99 per check, covering essential screenings.
• Essential Plan: $54.99 per check, providing a more comprehensive criminal history.
• Professional Plan: $79.99 per check, which includes all features of the lower plans along with education and employment verification.

GoodHire’s pay-per-check model is appealing to businesses that require fewer than 10 background checks annually. However, every user must pay a one-time setup fee for business verification, which may be an additional cost to consider.

Checkr

Checkr’s pricing aligns closely with GoodHire’s, featuring three plans:

• Basic+ Plan: $29.99 per check for quick, basic screenings.
• Essential Plan: $54.99 per check, the most popular plan, offering extended criminal history.
• Professional Plan: $79.99 per check, including advanced verifications such as education and employment.

Unlike GoodHire, Checkr does not explicitly require an upfront setup fee, potentially making it more cost-effective for businesses just starting with background checks.

Both platforms provide transparent and scalable pricing, but your choice will depend on whether the added setup fee or specific plan features better match your company’s needs.

Pros and Cons

GoodHire

Pros

• GoodHire has an impressive error rate of less than 0.1%, which ensures reliable and accurate results.
• It offers US-based, FCRA-certified support available through phone and email, providing quick assistance when needed.
• Pay-per-check option available for businesses that need fewer than 10 checks annually, making it cost-effective for small or infrequent users.

Cons

• A one-time business verification setup fee may be a drawback for businesses that prefer an entirely pay-as-you-go model.
• Despite its accuracy, GoodHire has faced lawsuits in the past for violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which could raise concerns about compliance.

Checkr

Pros

• Checkr uses artificial intelligence to reduce human error, speed up processing, and increase the accuracy of background checks.
• 98% of nationwide criminal checks are completed within an hour, making it ideal for fast-paced recruitment processes.
• Offers customizable features such as filters, workflows, and specialized rules for different industries (e.g., commercial driving).

Cons

• Customer support is only available via email, which may be less convenient for businesses needing immediate assistance.
• Despite its advanced features, Checkr has faced lawsuits for providing inaccurate background checks, which could impact trust in its reliability.

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How to Choose the Right Background Check Service

When selecting a background check service, consider your specific business needs and operational requirements. Here are the factors to help you decide between GoodHire and Checkr:

Volume

GoodHire is an excellent choice for businesses that need to run fewer background checks annually. If you're a small to medium-sized company or only conduct background screenings on a limited number of candidates each year, GoodHire's pay-per-check pricing model is a cost-effective solution.

It helps you avoid committing to a subscription and offers flexibility to scale as needed.

Checkr, on the other hand, is designed to handle high-volume screenings more efficiently. If you’re a large enterprise, a recruitment agency, or a business in an industry like logistics or transportation, where background checks are frequently required, Checkr’s AI-driven platform offers speed and scalability.

It can process large amounts of data quickly, making it ideal for businesses with specialized background screening needs, such as motor vehicle record checks or more complex industry-specific requirements.

Customization

Customization is important for many businesses that require a tailored background screening process.

If your business operates in a complex industry with specific regulatory needs, or if you have a unique internal workflow, Checkr offers more advanced customization options. You can set up custom workflows, and permissions, and even create specific rules for different roles or industries, such as customized motor vehicle checks for commercial drivers.

GoodHire also offers customization but tends to focus more on basic filters and integrations with popular ATS and HRIS systems. While it allows you to create custom integrations using an API, Checkr provides deeper customization through triggers, actions, and permissions for a more detailed and adaptable screening process.

Budget

The pricing structure of background check platforms varies, and it’s important to choose a service that fits your budget without unnecessary costs.

GoodHire offers flexible pricing models based on your needs. If you're running fewer than 10 checks annually, you can pay per check, which helps you avoid the overhead of a monthly subscription.

Pricing for individual checks ranges from $29.99 to $79.99, depending on the level of service you require. However, there is a one-time setup fee to verify your business, which could be a consideration if you’re on a tight budget.

Checkr provides similar pricing options ($29.99 to $79.99 per check), but its strength lies in its speed and AI-driven background checks, which may justify the price for businesses with high-volume needs.

Unlike GoodHire, Checkr doesn’t mention a setup fee, but its pricing may increase as your volume grows or if you require additional services, so it’s important to factor in potential scaling costs.

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Support

GoodHire offers phone support in addition to email, ensuring you can quickly get answers to any questions or concerns during the background check process. This is helpful if you require real-time assistance or have time-sensitive issues.

Checkr, while providing a user-friendly interface, only offers email support, which may not be ideal for businesses that need immediate, direct assistance.

While Checkr’s platform is designed to be intuitive, you may find that email-only support can slow down troubleshooting or problem resolution, especially when you’re dealing with urgent background checks.

Wrapping Up

In this comparison of GoodHire vs. Checkr, we've discussed the main features, strengths, and pricing of both background check platforms.

GoodHire stands out for its flexible pricing, offering pay-per-check and subscription models. It provides an intuitive user interface, a responsive US-based support team, and high accuracy, with a low error rate of <0.1%.

Checkr, on the other hand, uses AI-powered technology to deliver fast turnaround times and minimize human error, with 98% of nationwide criminal checks completed in an hour. Its PAM ensures improved accuracy, while the platform offers advanced customization options and a mobile-friendly candidate portal.

If your business is small and handles a limited number of background checks per year, GoodHire offers a user-friendly experience with flexible pricing and strong support. However, if you need a faster, AI-powered solution with advanced customization features and are focused on handling a larger volume of checks, Checkr might be the better option.

The choice between GoodHire and Checkr comes down to your company’s size, speed requirements, and support preferences. Both platforms offer excellent features, but selecting the right one depends on your specific business needs.

To make the right decision, evaluate your business's background check needs. Both GoodHire and Checkr offer free trials or consultations, so you can test their services and see which platform aligns best with your recruitment process.

FAQs

How fast is Checkr?

Checkr is known for its speed, with 98% of nationwide criminal checks completed within an hour. This rapid turnaround time makes it an attractive option for businesses looking to fast-track their recruitment process. However, the actual processing time may depend on the complexity of the background check and the type of screening being conducted.

Is Checkr a startup?

Yes, Checkr is considered a startup, although it has grown significantly since its founding. It was established in 2014 and has since become a leading player in the background check industry.

Checkr uses AI technology to streamline and automate background checks, helping companies reduce time, human error, and bias in the hiring process. The company has raised significant funding and keeps expanding its services and features.

How long does Checkr take to verify?

Checkr usually complete background checks within 1 hour for 98% of nationwide criminal checks. However, the time it takes to verify other types of information, such as employment or education history, can vary.

While Checkr uses AI-powered tools to speed up the process and reduce human error, most searches generally take 3-5 business days to process. The exact turnaround time depends on the complexity of the check and the candidate's background.

Which background check company is the best?

The best background check company depends on your specific needs, such as speed, accuracy, pricing, and customization options. Here are a few popular background check services:

• GoodHire: Best for businesses with low-volume background checks and a need for high accuracy and excellent customer support.
• Checkr: Best for companies looking for fast turnaround times and AI-driven tools to reduce human error and bias.
• Sterling: Best for large enterprises requiring comprehensive, global background checks with a wide range of services.
• HireRight: Best for companies needing a full suite of background checks, including drug testing and compliance services.