IDnow 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

IDnow

0.0 (0 reviews)

IDnow provides a comprehensive identity verification platform that uses AI and expert-led video technology to ensure secure, compliant, and fast digital onboarding for global businesses.

Starting at --
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 IDnow Sterling
Website idnow.io sterlingcheck.com
Pricing Model Custom Custom
Starting Price Custom Pricing 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 saas mobile saas mobile
Integrations Salesforce Mambu Adobe Acrobat Sign DocuSign Microsoft Azure Amazon Web Services Workday Oracle SAP SuccessFactors iCIMS Greenhouse Lever SmartRecruiters Jobvite Bullhorn UKG
Target Users mid-market enterprise small-business mid-market enterprise
Target Industries finance gaming telecommunications healthcare retail financial-services
Customer Count 0 0
Founded Year 2014 1975
Headquarters Munich, Germany New York, USA

Overview

I

IDnow

IDnow offers a versatile platform to verify your customers' identities quickly and securely. You can choose from automated AI-driven checks, live video interactions with identity experts, or NFC-based chip reading to meet specific regulatory requirements like KYC and AML. The software helps you convert more users by providing a smooth onboarding experience while keeping fraudulent actors out of your system.

You can integrate these verification methods into your existing web or mobile apps to maintain a consistent brand experience. Whether you are a fintech startup needing rapid scaling or an established bank requiring high-level security, the platform adapts to your risk profile. It eliminates the need for physical branch visits, allowing you to grow your customer base globally with legally binding digital signatures and identity proofing.

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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

I

IDnow Features

  • VideoIdent Verify your customers through a live video chat with identity experts for the highest level of security and legal compliance.
  • AutoIdent Automate your onboarding with AI-powered document recognition and facial biometrics that work 24/7 without human intervention.
  • eID Verification Read encrypted data from electronic ID cards using NFC technology on your smartphone for instant, tamper-proof verification.
  • Digital Signatures Complete contracts instantly by letting your customers sign documents digitally during the identification process with QES compliance.
  • Liveness Detection Prevent spoofing attacks by ensuring a real person is present during the selfie or video verification step.
  • AML Screening Check your customers against global PEP and sanction lists automatically to ensure you meet strict anti-money laundering regulations.
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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

I

IDnow Pricing

S

Sterling Pricing

Pros & Cons

M

IDnow

Pros

  • High compliance standards for strict European regulatory markets
  • Smooth user experience for automated identity checks
  • Reliable expert support during live video verification sessions
  • Easy integration via well-documented APIs and SDKs

Cons

  • Video verification wait times can vary during peak hours
  • Pricing is not transparent for small businesses
  • Initial technical setup requires dedicated developer resources
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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