Hiring someone new shouldn’t require a huge screening budget.
Whether you’re a small business hiring your first employee, a property manager screening applicants, or an HR team processing dozens of candidates each month, the cost of background checks can add up quickly. The good news is that you don’t necessarily need an expensive enterprise screening platform to get useful, compliant background checks.
The 5 most affordable background check companies in 2026
| Rank | Company | Best for | Starting price |
| 1 | HireShield | Small and midsize businesses | $19/check |
| 2 | BackgroundChecks.com | Pay-as-you-go screening | $29.99/check |
| 3 | Verified First | Businesses wanting packaged screening | $29.99/check |
| 4 | Checkr | Technology and HR integrations | $29.99/check |
| 5 | GoodHire | Simple small-business screening | $29.99/check |
Prices can vary based on the search, jurisdiction, add-ons, and other applicable fees. Always confirm current pricing before ordering.
1. HireShield. Best overall value
If price is the main consideration, HireShield is hard to overlook.
Background checks start at $19, and the platform is designed around straightforward, pay-as-you-go screening rather than forcing smaller businesses into expensive enterprise contracts.
Hireshield reports can be generated in about 30 seconds, with nationwide criminal searches, SSN verification, and additional searches such as state and federal records, bankruptcy and tenant eviction records available depending on the package. That combination of price and speed is what puts HireShield at the top of this list.
Advantages with HireShield
Background checks starting at $19
Results can be returned in about 30 seconds
Nationwide coverage
Criminal background searches
SSN verification
State and federal searches
Civil and other specialized searches available
No monthly subscription requirement
Reports can be purchased and redeemed for up to 12 months
Designed for businesses ranging from small companies to larger organizations
HireShield has been in business for 14 years and has more than 14,000 customers.
Best for
Small businesses, staffing companies, landlords, property managers, and employers that want fast screening without paying enterprise-level prices.
Bottom line: If you need a background check quickly and don’t want to spend $50, $75, or $100 on every screening package, HireShield is one of the most cost-effective options to consider.
2. BackgroundChecks.com. Best for pay-as-you-go screening
BackgroundChecks.com is another option for organizations that don’t want to commit to a long-term contract or monthly minimum.
Its current pricing starts at $29.99 per check, with additional packages available for employers that need more extensive screening. The company says it has no contracts, setup fees, or minimums.
Current published pricing includes:
Basic: $29.99
Complete: $44.99
Professional: $76.99
The higher-priced packages add searches such as county criminal records, federal criminal records, education and employment verification.
The company says most reports are returned in under 48 hours, although some searches can take longer depending on the type of screening and jurisdiction.
Benefits with backgroundchecks.com
Multiple screening packages
County-level searches available
Employment and education verification
API and integration options
Best for
Small businesses and employers that want a familiar pay-as-you-go model and don’t need results in seconds.
Bottom line: Solid choice for employers who value flexible purchasing and don’t want to commit to a monthly screening program.
3. Verified First. Best for packaged screening
Verified First takes a slightly different approach. Instead of simply competing on the lowest possible price, it packages multiple screening components into different tiers.
Its published pricing currently starts at $29.99 for Basic, with Essential at $54.99 and Premium at $79.99.
The Basic package includes:
Nationwide criminal search
National sex offender registry
Social Security address trace
Global security watch list
The Essential package adds unlimited county criminal searches, while Premium adds employment and education verification.
Verified First also says it does not require long-term contracts, annual commitments, or minimum screening requirements for its standard offering.
Why we like Verified First
Transparent published pricing
Multiple screening packages
County criminal searches
Employment and education verification
Integrations with HR and applicant management platforms
PBSA accreditation
No minimum screening requirements
One thing buyers should keep in mind is that certain searches can generate additional pass-through fees. Verified First explains that some courts, state repositories, DMVs and other data sources charge access fees that are passed to the customer.
Best for
Small and midsize businesses that want a packaged screening program and may eventually need additional HR screening services.
Bottom line: Verified First isn’t necessarily the cheapest option once you add more comprehensive searches, but it offers a straightforward package structure and a broad range of screening services.
4. Checkr. Best for technology and integrations
Checkr is one of the better-known names in employment background screening, particularly among technology companies and businesses that need integrations with HR platforms.
Its published pricing starts at $29.99 per report for the Basic package. Essential is $59.99 and Complete is $94.99.
The Basic package includes:
SSN trace
Sex offender registry
Global watchlist
National criminal search
More comprehensive packages add identity verification and county-level criminal searches.
Why we like Checkr
Established background screening platform
Published starting price
Strong technology and API capabilities
HR and applicant tracking integrations
Automated screening workflows
Broad range of screening options
Checkr is particularly attractive when background screening needs to become part of a larger recruiting technology stack.
Best for
Technology companies, high-volume hiring teams, startups and organizations that need background screening integrated with an existing HR or ATS system.
Bottom line: Checkr is not the cheapest provider on this list, but it can deliver strong value for companies that care about automation and integrations.
5. GoodHire. Best for straightforward small-business screening
GoodHire is another recognizable name in the background screening market and is now a Checkr company.
Its published pricing starts at $29.99 per check for the Basic package. The Essential package starts at $59.99, while Complete starts at $94.99.
The Basic package includes:
SSN trace
Sex offender registry
Global watchlist
National criminal search
The more comprehensive packages add county, state and federal criminal searches along with identity verification and other screening services.
Benefits with Goodhire
Simple package structure
Published pricing
Self-service experience
Multiple screening options
Compliance-focused workflows
Designed for businesses of different sizes
Best for
Small businesses that want a recognizable screening provider and a relatively simple self-service experience.
Bottom line: GoodHire is worth considering if you want a straightforward screening platform, but its pricing is no longer significantly cheaper than Checkr’s. Both currently publish the same $29.99 starting price.
What is the cheapest background check company in 2026?
Among the providers reviewed here, HireShield has the lowest advertised starting price at $19 per report.
However, price alone shouldn’t determine which background check company you choose.
A $19 background check that doesn’t include the search you actually need isn’t necessarily cheaper than a $30 or $45 report that includes it.
Before ordering, compare:
What searches are included
Whether county searches are included
Whether court access fees apply
Whether additional names cost extra
Whether employment or education verification is included
Whether there are monthly fees or minimums
How quickly the results are normally returned
What compliance tools are provided
The cheapest advertised price and the lowest total cost aren’t always the same thing.
How much does a background check cost in 2026?
For employers using self-service background screening platforms, entry-level packages commonly start around $19 to $30 per report, while more comprehensive packages can cost $50, $75, $95 or more.
A basic national criminal search may be relatively inexpensive. Adding county searches, federal searches, employment verification, education verification, motor vehicle records, drug testing or other specialized searches can increase the total. There can also be pass-through fees when a court or government agency charges a fee to access its records. That’s why it’s important to compare the total cost of the screening package, rather than simply looking at the starting price.
Are cheap background checks reliable?
They can be, but inexpensive doesn’t automatically mean comprehensive. A background check is only as useful as the information being searched and the way the records are verified. For employment screening, employers should also make sure they are working with a provider that follows applicable FCRA requirements and that they follow the required disclosure, authorization and adverse-action procedures when applicable. In other words, don’t choose a provider simply because it has the biggest “instant” or “cheap” label. Look at what you’re actually getting for the money.
What should you look for in an affordable background check company?
The best affordable provider should balance price, coverage, speed and compliance. Here are five things to look for:
1. Transparent pricing
You should be able to understand what you’re paying for before ordering.
2. No unnecessary commitments
If you only run a few background checks each month, you shouldn’t necessarily have to sign an expensive annual contract or meet a large monthly minimum.
3. Appropriate search coverage
Make sure the provider offers the searches your organization actually needs. A basic national database search may not be enough for every position.
4. Fast turnaround
A background check that takes days can slow down hiring. Faster results can be particularly valuable when you’re competing for candidates.
5. Compliance support
If you’re using background checks for employment purposes, compliance matters. Look for a provider that understands FCRA requirements and provides tools to support the screening process.
Which affordable background check company is best?
It depends on what you’re trying to accomplish.
Best overall value: HireShield
Best for pay-as-you-go screening: BackgroundChecks.com
Best for packaged screening: Verified First
Best for technology and integrations: Checkr
Best for straightforward small-business screening: GoodHire
For a small business that only runs a handful of checks each month, paying for an expensive enterprise screening platform may not make sense.
A provider such as HireShield can be a better fit when you want straightforward pricing, fast results and the flexibility to pay for the searches you actually need.
Final thoughts
Affordable doesn’t have to mean cutting corners. The best background check provider is the one that gives you the right information, at a price that makes sense for your hiring volume, without creating unnecessary friction for your team. For many small and midsize businesses, that means looking beyond the biggest names in the industry and comparing providers based on actual value. HireShield stands out in this comparison because it combines a $19 starting price with fast results, nationwide screening and a pay-as-you-go approach. If you’re hiring and need a background check without committing to an expensive screening program.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest background check company in 2026?
HireShield has the lowest advertised starting price among the five companies reviewed in this article, with background checks starting at $19. The final cost depends on the type of search and any applicable fees.
Can small businesses run background checks without a monthly subscription?
Yes. Several providers offer pay-as-you-go options without monthly subscriptions or minimum screening requirements. This can make more sense for small businesses with occasional hiring needs.
