Checkr vs. Verified First: A Background Screening Comparison Guide

Finding a background screening provider that checks all your boxes can feel overwhelming. You need a solution that's fast, accurate, compliant, and reliable. If you’ve been shopping around for background check providers, you’ve likely heard of Checkr and Verified First. Both companies offer a range of services designed to meet the needs of modern businesses. 

If you're considering Checkr background checks, odds are you’re looking for a company with a modern, tech-forward approach. What if you could have powerful, patented technology AND dedicated support, custom packages and pricing, and industry-leading turnaround times?

In this guide, you’ll get a detailed comparison of background screening providers, Checkr vs. Verified First. We’ll break down how each service performs on key metrics that matter most to your business: turnaround time, compliance, customer support, and overall value. Whether you're a small business owner or an HR professional in a large corporation, understanding these differences will help you select the best provider that best fits your needs.

Checkr vs. Verified First Background Screening at a Glance

To help you make an informed decision, here’s a quick comparison of Checkr vs. Verified First. Use this table as a quick reference guide before diving into the detailed breakdown below.

Key Differentiator	Checkr	Verified First
Core Services	Checkr offers essential core screenings (criminal, verifications, drug testing), Personal Background Checks, and continuous monitoring services.	Verified First offers essential core screenings (criminal, verifications, drug testing), MVR Monitoring, Social Media Screening, and a la carte products.
Accuracy & Turnaround Times	Automated speed can create risk. While some reports are instant, manual court searches can lead to significant delays and a higher potential for error.	Guaranteed reliability. Verified First boasts a 99.8% total accuracy rate with an industry-leading average turnaround time of 32.5 hours for total packages. Dedicated experts also provide manual review for enhanced accuracy.
Customer Support	Primarily impersonal support that utilizes a ticket-based system. Dedicated account managers are only available for Checkr’s enterprise-level clients.	Committed partnership. Verified First offers dedicated account managers and a support team for all clients, with an average phone call wait time of under 30 seconds. Live chat, email, case submission, and account reviews are all available, too!
Technology & Integrations	Modern platform with robust API; popular with startups and for high-volume hiring. Often requires dedicated IT resources to build and maintain the connection.	Verified First offers a patented VF Connector (a seamless, browser extension) plus full custom API integrations. Integrates with 150+ leading HR, TA, and payroll platforms.
Cost & Transparency	Tiered pricing packages that typically require setup fees. Users often experience frequent price increases. May require long-term contracts or annual minimums.	Transparent, industry-leading pricing (pay for what you use). Verified First offers four pricing tiers without no setup fees and no minimum number of screens required.
Compliance	PBSA-accredited; SOC 2 compliant; adheres to a global privacy framework (GDPR, CCPA).	PBSA-accredited with a robust security framework (SOC 2, NIST 800-53, GDPR, CCPA).
Flexibility & Customization	Checkr utilizes standardized packages designed for high-volume, automated workflows. Limited ability to handle unique or complex search criteria.	Tailored solutions, custom packages, and à la carte products built to meet your specific needs. Verified First is your hands-on partner for complex screening scenarios.

Accuracy & Compliance: Technology vs. The Human Touch

Accuracy and compliance are essential for your business. Tech-driven providers like Checkr rely on technology and automated algorithms to provide quick results. Checkr’s background check system is designed to manage large volumes of data efficiently and provide adjudication tools to help streamline the review process.

Verified First believes in the power of technology combined with human expertise. Verified First background screening utilizes dedicated experts who provide manual review for enhanced accuracy, contributing to our 99.8% total accuracy rate. Our commitment to compliance is backed by PBSA-accreditation and a robust security and compliance framework.

Customer Experience: Support, Flexibility & Technology

The experience and support you receive from your partners are just as important as the report itself. Many providers, like Checkr, prioritize a scalable, low-touch model that relies on automated support and standardized packages to serve a range of customers.

Verified First prioritizes personalized support and flexible solutions tailored to your business. We offer dedicated account managers for all clients, no matter the company size or the number of screens run per year. Our client services department is among the best in the industry (98% Client Satisfaction rating), with an average phone wait time of under 30 seconds. 

This same philosophy extends to our technology. While Checkr has a wide array of API integrations to help developers "plug in" their platform, our technology is built for the everyday user. Verified First offers the best of both worlds: custom API integrations and our patented VF Connector - a seamless browser extension that provides one-click access to your integrated HR platform. With over 150 leading HR platforms already supported, we ensure your screening solution fits effortlessly into your daily workflow.

Pricing and Transparency

The total cost of a background screening solution is determined by more than the price per screen. While all providers must manage various access fees, the critical difference is in financial predictability and contractual flexibility. 

Checkr offers tiered pricing packages designed to match general needs, which typically include setup fees, frequent price increases, and restrictive annual minimums or long-term contracts. This can quickly drive up the cost of your report. 

Verified First’s philosophy is simple: efficiency equals savings. It continuously looks to reduce costs and improve services for clients, which in turn feeds its innovative technology and product solutions. Verified First offers industry-leading, transparent pricing with four tiers to suit businesses of all sizes, plus a la carte services for total customization. You only pay for what you use, when you use it. 

Beyond the Basics: Custom Solutions for Complex Needs

Verified First and Checkr offer similar core screening services, but the distinction lies in specialization and depth of support. For companies in high-stakes or regulated industries, such as Transportation, Healthcare, or Finance, an automated, generalized platform is not enough. 

Checkr offers industry-specific screenings, but this model is built around efficient, automated ordering. Where a standardized platform ends, the need for human-powered specialization and flexibility begins.

Verified First is your one-stop-shop screening solution. We act as a single partner that can handle all of your screening needs. Our specialization and flexibility ensure you have the precise tools for complex needs:

• Custom Screening Packages and Programs: Create screening programs tailored to specific industries, roles, and workflows. This level of personalized, role-specific tailoring is not possible with a fixed, automated model. 
• Cost Flexibility: Access the best solution with full transparency. Verified First doesn’t require long-term contracts or annual minimums. You only pay for the screens you use.
• Specialized Screening Services: Verified First offers critical add-ons like Social Media Screening, industry-specific screening packages, MVR Monitoring, industry-leading drug screening solutions, etc., to meet industry and regulatory requirements.
• Consolidated Vendor Efficiency: Eliminate the administrative hassle and resource drain of multiple vendors. By consolidating all core and specialized checks with one partner, you ensure total control and streamlined record-keeping.

Checkr vs. Verified First: Which Background Check Provider is Right For Your Organization?

The choice between a provider like Checkr vs. Verified First comes down to a fundamental question: do you need a tool, or do you need a partner?

Checkr's automated, technology-first approach is ideal for businesses that require high-volume, standardized background checks and are comfortable managing their needs through a self-service platform. Checkr background checks focus on speed and scale, and they excel at it.

However, if your business values accuracy, dedicated support, and specialized services, the answer is clear. Verified First is built to be a true partner in your hiring process. We provide human oversight to ensure a 99.8% accuracy rate, 98% client satisfaction rate, and the flexibility to handle your most complex screening needs.

Choosing a background screening partner is a critical decision that impacts your business's compliance, security, and hiring success. While automation and technology are important, it's the combination of cutting-edge technology and human expertise that protects your company and helps you secure the best talent. 

Ready to see how a partner-driven approach can transform your screening process?

Request Consultation