Checkr vs Sterling Comparison: Reviews, Features, Pricing & Alternatives in 2026

Detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right solution for your team

Updated Apr 2026 8 min read

Checkr

0.0 (0 reviews)

Checkr is a modern background check platform that uses artificial intelligence and automation to help you hire faster while maintaining compliance and reducing manual review for your team.

Starting at $29.99/mo
Free Trial NO FREE TRIAL
VS

Sterling

0.0 (0 reviews)

Sterling provides comprehensive background screening and identity verification services to help you build a foundation of trust and safety for your global workforce and customers.

Starting at --
Free Trial NO FREE TRIAL

Quick Comparison

Feature Checkr Sterling
Website checkr.com sterlingcheck.com
Pricing Model Subscription Custom
Starting Price $29.99/month Custom Pricing
FREE Trial ✘ No free trial ✘ No free trial
Free Plan ✘ No free plan ✘ No free plan
Product Demo ✓ Request demo here ✓ Request demo here
Deployment cloud mobile saas mobile
Integrations Greenhouse Lever BambooHR Workday SmartRecruiters Paylocity UKG ADP JazzHR HiBob Workday Oracle SAP SuccessFactors iCIMS Greenhouse Lever SmartRecruiters Jobvite Bullhorn UKG
Target Users small-business mid-market enterprise small-business mid-market enterprise
Target Industries retail technology hospitality healthcare retail financial-services
Customer Count 0 0
Founded Year 2014 1975
Headquarters San Francisco, USA New York, USA

Overview

C

Checkr

Checkr provides a faster, fairer way to manage background checks for your growing team. Instead of waiting weeks for manual results, you can use its AI-powered platform to automate the screening process for employees, contractors, and volunteers. It integrates directly with your existing hiring tools to trigger checks automatically the moment a candidate reaches the right stage in your pipeline.

You can customize your screening packages to include criminal records, driving history, drug testing, and education verification. The platform also helps you stay compliant with built-in tools for adverse action and fair hiring workflows. It is designed to scale with your needs, whether you are a small business hiring your first employee or a massive gig-economy platform managing thousands of applicants daily.

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Sterling

Sterling helps you hire with confidence by providing fast and reliable background screening and identity verification. You can streamline your entire hiring process, from criminal record checks and employment verification to drug and health screening. The platform is designed to integrate directly into your existing HR tech stack, allowing you to manage candidates globally while maintaining compliance with local regulations.

You can reduce manual paperwork and speed up your time-to-hire using their mobile-first candidate experience. Whether you are a small business making your first hire or a global enterprise managing thousands of employees, the software provides the tools you need to verify identities and maintain a safe workplace. By automating the collection of candidate data, you can focus on making better hiring decisions rather than chasing documentation.

Overview

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Checkr Features

  • Automated Workflows Trigger background checks automatically from your ATS and receive real-time status updates as reports progress through the system.
  • AI-Powered Filtering Reduce manual review time by using smart filters that highlight relevant records while hiding non-actionable data automatically.
  • Candidate Portal Give your candidates a mobile-friendly way to submit information, upload documents, and track their own background check status easily.
  • Compliance Tools Manage the adverse action process with built-in templates and automated mailing services to help you meet legal requirements.
  • International Screening Expand your hiring reach by running background checks in over 200 countries and territories through a single unified interface.
  • Continuous Monitoring Receive instant alerts if an employee's record changes after they are hired so you can maintain a safe workplace.
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Sterling Features

  • Criminal Background Checks. Access automated searches of national and local criminal databases to identify potential risks before you extend a job offer.
  • Identity Verification. Verify candidate identities in real-time using biometric technology and government-issued ID scanning to prevent sophisticated identity fraud.
  • Employment Verification. Confirm your candidate's professional history and education credentials automatically to ensure they have the experience they claim.
  • Drug and Health Screening. Manage employee drug testing and occupational health screenings through a massive network of collection sites with digital results.
  • Mobile Candidate Hub. Give your candidates a mobile-friendly way to submit information and track their screening status from any device.
  • Global Compliance Tools. Stay compliant with built-in tools that adapt to local privacy laws and industry-specific regulations across different countries.

Pricing Comparison

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Checkr Pricing

Basic+
$29.99
  • Social Security Number trace
  • Sex Offender Registry search
  • Global Watchlist search
  • National Criminal Search
  • Standard turnaround time
S

Sterling Pricing

Pros & Cons

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Checkr

Pros

  • Fast turnaround times for standard criminal background checks
  • Excellent mobile experience for candidates submitting their data
  • Seamless integrations with popular ATS platforms like Greenhouse
  • Clean and modern dashboard is very easy to navigate

Cons

  • Customer support response times can be slow occasionally
  • County-level checks may take longer due to court delays
  • Pricing can become expensive for high-volume hiring needs
A

Sterling

Pros

  • Extensive global reach for international background checks
  • Seamless integration with popular applicant tracking systems
  • User-friendly interface for both recruiters and candidates
  • Comprehensive reporting that simplifies compliance audits

Cons

  • Turnaround times can vary by jurisdiction
  • Customer support response times can be slow
  • Pricing structure is complex for smaller organizations
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