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2026 Best Background Check Tools

Search Billions of Public Records

Start searching for someone's information

Powered by truthfinder

Chosen by the vast majority of our site visitors

Search
Privacy Secured
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.

Editor's Pick
1
TruthFinder
4.8

Paid memberships include unlimited reports with in-depth results in just a few clicks!

  • Searches billions of public records to get the most accurate and up to date information
  • Leading provider with 60,000 five star reviews
  • Quick Background Checks, People Search, Criminal and Traffic Reports and more!
SEARCH NOW
2
BeenVerified
4.5

  • Find public records quickly and easily
  • Mobile app for iOS and Android devices
  • Customer assistance 7 days a week
SEARCH NOW
3
PeopleLooker
4.3

  • Subscription pricing
  • Draws from millions of public records and social-media searches
  • Not a consumer reporting agency per the FCRA
SEARCH NOW
4
Instant Checkmate
4.6

  • 256-bit encrypted searches
  • Searches available public records nationwide
  • Background checks for screening dates and finding old friends
SEARCH NOW
5
Intelius
4.4

  • Premier people search tool
  • Background checks, people search, criminal and traffic reports
  • Leading provider of detailed and updated public-records reports
SEARCH NOW
6
US Search
4.2

  • Access unlimited reports for $19.96 monthly
  • Residential history and phone-number information
  • Criminal and traffic civil court records and sex-offender data
SEARCH NOW

Why people run a background check

Common reasons readers run a search — sourced from Money's background-check explainer.

Vet a date or new partner

People searches can be used to learn more about potential dates or partners.

Check up on a neighbor

Searches can also be used to learn more about neighbors before you reach out.

Reconnect with relatives

People searches can be used to find long-lost relatives.

Run one on yourself

Employers, landlords and other people may request your background check when you apply for something.

Sources: Use cases from Money's What is a background check? and Background check on yourself guides. FCRA note: none of these services are consumer reporting agencies under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Reports may not be used for employment, credit, insurance, or tenant-screening decisions — personal and informational use only.

How we ranked these background check services

Money's editorial team independently evaluated 6 background check and people-search services. We scored each on four weighted criteria and re-verify the list quarterly:

  • Record-set depth — breadth of public-records coverage (35%)
  • Mobile-app availability — iOS/Android access (15%)
  • Refund policy — clarity and length of guarantee (25%)
  • Report turnaround — time from search to results (25%)

How money and rank relate: Several providers shown are advertising partners and we may earn a referral fee when you click or call. Compensation can affect placement, but it does not change our editorial scores or the criteria above. Read our full advertising disclosure.

Last reviewed June 8, 2026
Editor's Pick

Ready to search?

TruthFinder ranked #1 across record-set depth, turnaround, and refund clarity. Used by the majority of our visitors.

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.