Checkr vs First Advantage

Checkr publishes per-report prices (Workforce from $29.99), lists 200+ pre-built integrations, and documents its FCRA workflow, but we could not confirm its security certifications on its public pages.

By LeadChange Research TeamUpdated 25 verified data points10 sources

Checkr

Best for
Employers screening candidates pay-as-you-go

Choose Checkr if

  • You want published per-report prices: Basic from $29.99, Essential $59.99, and Complete $94.99, plus pass-through court fees.
  • You want 200+ pre-built integrations and webhooks with HMAC-signed requests.
  • You need FCRA disclosures, adverse action, and state and city compliance in one documented workflow.
  • You prefer pay-as-you-go, per-check billing over a negotiated contract.
  • You also screen tenants or verify mortgage employment on the same platform.

First Advantage

Best for
Employers needing screening integrated into an existing ATS or HCM

Choose First Advantage if

  • You need SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, and PBSA accreditation shown on a public trust center.
  • You want I-9/E-Verify, fingerprinting, tax credits, or ongoing monitoring from your screening vendor.
  • You want a REST API with a developer portal and sandbox environment.
  • You prefer a negotiated, quote-based contract for high-volume screening.
  • You want a standard ATS integration activated within days, as First Advantage states.

Key differences

Where Checkr and First Advantage differ (4)
AttributeCheckrFirst Advantage
Pricing modelPer checkQuote only
Price transparencyPartly publishedQuote only
Native integrations200100
Typical implementationPartner API integration averages about 2 weeks; new customer accounts credentialed in under 1 business dayStandard background check integration can be activated in days, not weeks
Show 2 attributes where they are the same
Where they are the same (2)
AttributeCheckrFirst Advantage
Open API
SOC 2 Type II

Analysis by dimension

Pricing. Checkr publishes per-report prices, while First Advantage is quote-only, so which is cheaper cannot be determined. Checkr's package prices exclude third-party court and database fees.

Capabilities. Checkr documents 11 of the capabilities we track for this category, including adverse action and state and local rules; for First Advantage we could confirm only ATS integration and drug screening. First Advantage also lists broader modules such as monitoring and I-9. This reflects what each vendor documents publicly, not proof that features are absent.

Integrations. Checkr reports 200+ pre-built integrations against First Advantage's 100+ ATS and HCM partners. Both document REST APIs. Of Checkr's named partners, we could confirm only Greenhouse on its public pages.

Security. First Advantage reports SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001 and PBSA on its trust center. We could not confirm Checkr's certifications on its public pages, so no winner can be named.

Fit and support. Checkr reports a 2 to 3 day average completion and 89% of national criminal checks within an hour; First Advantage reports 90% of US criminal screens close in one day. Both are vendor claims that measure different things.

Neither one?

Certn

Certn has the highest LeadChange Score in Background Check Services after excluding these two (6.3/10).

Frequently asked questions

Is Checkr cheaper than First Advantage?

Checkr is the only one with published prices: Workforce packages from $29.99 (Basic), $59.99 (Essential) and $94.99 (Complete) per report, with court and database fees passed through at cost. First Advantage is quote-only, so we cannot say which is cheaper. Request an itemized quote including pass-through fees for your typical role.

Which is better for a small business, Checkr or First Advantage?

Checkr publishes per-report prices and describes pay-as-you-go billing, which suits small or occasional hiring. First Advantage publishes no prices and directs prospects to sales. Neither vendor states a minimum volume. Check pass-through court fees with both; Checkr states they are not included in package prices.

Can you switch between Checkr and First Advantage?

Both offer ATS integrations and REST APIs, so ordering can stay inside the same hiring tool. Checkr lists 200+ pre-built integrations and First Advantage 100+. Checkr says a partner API integration averages about two weeks; First Advantage says a standard integration can be activated in days, a vendor claim. Confirm your ATS is on the new vendor's list.

What is the key difference between Checkr and First Advantage?

Price transparency and public documentation. Checkr publishes per-report prices and a broad documented capability set, including adverse action and state and local rules, with 200+ integrations. First Advantage is quote-only and lists 100+ integrations, a sandbox API, monitoring, I-9, PBSA accreditation, SOC 2 Type II, and ISO 27001. We could not confirm Checkr's certifications on its public pages.

Does Checkr integrate with Greenhouse?

Checkr names Greenhouse in a customer testimonial and reports 200+ pre-built integrations. First Advantage lists Workday, iCIMS, and Bullhorn among 100+ ATS and HCM partners; Greenhouse is not among the partners it names. Both document REST APIs, so custom connections are possible with either.

Get quotes from Checkr and First Advantage

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Changelog

  1. First published.

Data sources

Every value on this page links to its source below. Primary sources are the vendor's or authority's own pages.

  1. Checkr, Inc. pricing page · primary source, checked Oct 5, 2026
  2. First Advantage Corporation website · secondary source, checked Oct 5, 2026
  3. First Advantage Corporation app directory: Integrations · primary source, checked Oct 5, 2026
  4. Checkr, Inc. documentation: Partners · primary source, checked Oct 5, 2026
  5. First Advantage Corporation documentation: API · primary source, checked Oct 5, 2026
  6. Checkr, Inc. website · primary source, checked Oct 6, 2026
  7. First Advantage Corporation website · primary source, checked Oct 5, 2026