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Updated May 2026

The Best Background Check Tools of 2026 — Compared

We tested 6 services across billions of public records. See ratings, prices, and what each one is best for.

Start searching for someone's information

Powered by truthfinder

Chosen by the vast majority of our site visitors

Search
Privacy Secured
Money testedranked by editors
Billions of recordsall 50 states
Personal use onlynot for FCRA decisions
What you'll see

What's in a typical report

Each service draws from public records. Coverage varies by provider.

Names & aliases

Current name, maiden names, prior aliases, and known nicknames.

Addresses

Current and prior addresses, often back two decades or more.

Contact info

Phone numbers, email addresses, and linked social-media profiles.

Court & criminal

Public court filings, criminal records, traffic violations, registries.

Important Use Restrictions

None of the services on this page are consumer reporting agencies under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Reports may not be used for employment, credit, insurance, or tenant-screening decisions. For personal and informational use only.

All services we tested

Top-rated background check services

Ranked by record-set depth, refund policy, and report turnaround. Editor's Pick first.

1
TruthFinder LLC, Background Checks (SEM)

TruthFinder LLC, Background Checks (SEM)

★★★★★ 4.8
SEARCH NOW →
2
BeenVerified Background Checks

BeenVerified Background Checks

SEARCH NOW →
3
PeopleLooker Background Checks (LTVCo)

PeopleLooker Background Checks (LTVCo)

SEARCH NOW →
4
Instant Checkmate Background Checks (SEM)

Instant Checkmate Background Checks (SEM)

SEARCH NOW →
5
Intelius People Search (SEM)

Intelius People Search (SEM)

SEARCH NOW →
6
US Search Background Checks (SEM)

US Search Background Checks (SEM)

SEARCH NOW →
How it works

From a name to a full report in under 4 minutes

1

Pick a service

Start with our Editor's Pick or browse the ranked list. All services on this page work the same way.

2

Enter a name

First name, last name, and the state where you think they live.

3

Confirm the match

Pick the right person from a list — usually narrowed by age and known city.

4

Review the report

Aliases, addresses, contact info, social profiles, and any public records found.

Our Editor's Pick

Ready to run a search? Start with our top-ranked service.

Ranked first by Money editors across record-set depth, refund policy, and report turnaround.

View Editor's Pick
Personal use only · not for FCRA decisions
FAQ

Common questions

Are background checks legal?
Yes, when used for personal or informational purposes. Public-record searches are legal across all 50 states. They cannot be used for employment screening, tenant screening, credit decisions, or insurance — those require a Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)-compliant service.
How accurate are the reports?
Reports are aggregated from public-record sources updated continuously. Names, ages, and prior addresses tend to be highly accurate; phone numbers, emails, and social profiles can be older.
How long does a report take?
A standard report builds in under 4 minutes from the moment you confirm the match. Deeper reports — like those that pull in court records — can take up to 10 minutes.
What does it cost?
Monthly pricing across these services typically ranges from about $20 to $35. Most include unlimited reports and a money-back guarantee on the top picks.
Will the person know I searched them?
No. Searches are private and the person you look up is not notified.
How did Money rank these?
We weighted record-set depth, mobile-app availability, refund policy, and report turnaround. The top-ranked service appears first as our Editor's Pick.