A reliable, cheap background check service can save you hours of digging through public records yourself.
I’ve tested dozens of these platforms over the past few years, looking for ones that actually deliver useful information without charging premium prices. The results surprised me, because some of the pricier options turned out worse than budget alternatives.
Many employers now run background checks on candidates, and regular people are catching on, too. You might want to verify a new roommate, check out someone you met online, or reconnect with an old friend.
Whatever the reason, you need a cheap background search that works. Here are eight services that get the job done without emptying your wallet.
8 Best and Cheapest Background CheckServices
I rated each service on pricing transparency, data accuracy, search features, and ease of use. Some excel at criminal records while others focus on contact information, so match your choice to what you actually need.
1. Searqle
Searqle ranks among the best cheapest background check options for people who want detailed reports without monthly commitments. The platform pulls data from billions of public records and compiles reports that include criminal history, employment background, contact details, and social media profiles.
What sets Searqle apart is how it cross-references data from multiple sources to verify accuracy before presenting results.
The search process takes about 30 seconds, and reports appear in an organized format that makes it easy to find specific information. You can search by name, phone number, email address, or physical address, which gives you flexibility depending on what information you start with.
Pricing:
- 3-day trial: $0.99
- Basic Plan: $15.9/month
- Premium and Extreme plans for frequent users
Pros:
- Clean interface that’s easy to figure out
- Reports are generated within minutes
- Search by name, phone, email, or address
Cons:
- The free version shows little
- Full criminal records need a higher-tier plan
Best for: People who need a cheap instant background check with thorough data coverage.
2. FastPeopleSearch
FastPeopleSearch gives you free searches, which makes it a solid starting point when you’re watching your budget. The platform scans public information and returns quick results for name, address, email, and reverse phone lookups. It covers most US residents and updates regularly from public records sources.
I found that the free tier works well for verifying basic contact details, though you’ll hit limitations if you need criminal history or detailed background information.
The site displays results without requiring you to create an account, which speeds up the process when you just need a quick answer.
Pricing:
- Basic searches: Free
- Premium reports: Paid upgrade
Pros:
- Completely free basic info
- No account needed for simple searches
- Download reports to your computer
Cons:
- Free results lack depth
- Some information is outdated
Best for: Quick lookups when you need contact information fast.
Read Also: 5 Best Background Check Services With a Risk-Free Trial
3. That’sThem
That’sThem gives free access to 2.2 billion names, 800 million addresses, and 1 billion phone numbers. Unlike most cheap background check online services, this one actually lets you see contact details without paying anything.
The search options go beyond basic name lookups. You can search by IP address, VIN number, or even social network ID, which helps when you’re trying to verify someone’s identity across different platforms. User comments on phone numbers also help identify spam callers and telemarketers.
Pricing:
- Basic searches: Free
- Premium business features available
Pros:
- Large free database
- Search by name, phone, email, IP, or VIN
- Updated monthly from 50+ sources
Cons:
- No criminal background checks
- Accuracy varies by record type
Best for: Finding contact information and checking unknown callers at no cost.
4. Nuwber
Nuwber collects data from White Pages, social networks, and public records to build detailed people profiles. You can view free basic information (so it’s more than a cheap background check!) or pay for subscriptions that include background reports and property details.
The platform excels at mapping family connections and showing how people are related to each other. When I tested it, the results included siblings, parents, and even former roommates linked to the same addresses over time, which painted a fuller picture than most competitors offer.
Pricing:
- 3-day trial: $1
- Monthly subscription: $19.95
- Annual membership: $9.95/month
Pros:
- Simple interface
- Decent free information
- Mobile app works well
Cons:
- Subscription auto-renews after trial
- Some records are old
Best for: Finding detailed profiles with family connections and address history.
Read Also: 7 Top Websites to Perform a Background Check by Name
5. PeopleSearchNow
PeopleSearchNow runs a straightforward search engine that pulls from billions of public records across the United States. You get quick results for basic searches and can subscribe for detailed reports.
The name directory feature helped me find someone with an unusual spelling I wasn’t sure about. You type in your best guess and the system suggests variations, which cuts down on failed searches. The interface stays clean without ads cluttering the results page.
Pricing:
- 5-day trial: $1
- Monthly: $9.95 first month, then $19.95
- Quarterly and semi-annual options
Pros:
- Simple design, no clutter
- Name directory helps with tricky spellings
- Reverse phone and address lookup
Cons:
- US-only coverage
- Auto-billing kicks in after trial
Best for: Basic people searches with clear pricing.
6. CocoFinder
CocoFinder positions itself as a cheap background check platform with access to billions of public records. The service includes people search, reverse phone lookup, address lookup, and background check features through a straightforward interface.
One thing I appreciated is that CocoFinder doesn’t log your searches or store your query history. If privacy matters to you, this approach means your lookups stay between you and the screen. The preview feature also lets you confirm data exists before you pay for the full report.
Pricing:
- Basic searches: Free preview
- Full reports: Subscription needed
Pros:
- No account needed for basic searches
- Quick search results
- Doesn’t log your searches
Cons:
- Free version hides most data
- Better results in cities than in rural areas
Best for: People on tight budgets who need occasional searches.
7. InfoTracer
InfoTracer has operated since 2003 and gives access to over 3 billion records. The platform runs 24 types of searches, including criminal records, vehicle lookups, and deep web searches. If you want the best and cheapest background check with broad coverage, this one deserves a look.
The criminal database updates daily, which sets InfoTracer apart from services that only refresh monthly. You can also run vehicle history reports using VIN numbers, useful if you’re buying a used car and want to verify what the seller tells you.
Pricing:
- 7-day trial: $3.95
- Single report: $19.95
- Monthly unlimited: $14.95-$24.95
Pros:
- Detailed report categories
- Criminal database updated daily
- Desktop app available
Cons:
- Premium data costs extra
- No mobile app
Best for: People who need detailed criminal and vehicle records.
8. Spokeo
Spokeo has been around since 2006 and searches over 12 billion records. Stanford graduates founded the company, and it does especially well at pulling social media data and online presence information alongside standard public records.
The platform tracks activity across 120+ social networks. You can see dating profiles, forum posts, and social media accounts linked to a person’s name or email address. This helps when you’re verifying whether someone you met online is who they claim to be.
Pricing:
- 7-day trial: $0.95
- Monthly membership: $19.95-$24.95
- 3-month plan: $14.95/month
Pros:
- Strong social media tracking
- Pulls data in real-time
- 23 million monthly users
Cons:
- Background reports cost extra
- Basic plan has limited criminal records
Best for: Finding someone’s online presence and social media profiles.
Top 3 Best Value Champions Services
After testing all eight services, three stood out for price, speed, and data quality. Here’s how they stack up:
| Service | Rating | Best At | Hidden Costs | Min. Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Searqle | 4.8/5 | Full reports | None | $0.99 trial |
| That’sThem | 4.5/5 | Free contact lookups | Low | Free |
| Nuwber | 4.4/5 | Family connections | Medium | $1 trial |
Tips to Choose the Best Cheap Background Check Service
The right service depends on what you need and how much you want to spend. Here’s what I’ve learned from testing these platforms:
- Know your purpose. Verifying a date, checking a potential tenant, or reconnecting with family all call for different features. Pick the service that matches your actual task. If you just need contact info, a free service works fine. Criminal records require paid access.
- Watch the trial terms. Most services offer cheap trials that auto-convert to subscriptions. Set a reminder to cancel if you only need one search. I’ve seen charges of $20-30 hit people’s cards because they forgot about a $1 trial that expired.
- Read pricing details. Some platforms advertise low prices but charge extra for criminal records or PDF downloads. Check what’s included before you pay. The base subscription often covers only basic contact information.
- Check data freshness. Services that pull data in real-time tend to have more accurate current addresses and phone numbers than those that update monthly. Ask when the database was last updated if the site doesn’t say.
- Know the legal limits. None of these consumer services can be used for employment, tenant screening, or credit decisions. You’ll need a certified consumer reporting agency for those purposes. Using consumer background checks for hiring can get you in legal trouble.
Read Also: 7 Best Background Check Sites With One-Time Fee Options
FAQ
Free services like That’sThem and FastPeopleSearch give you contact information at no cost. For reports that include criminal records, Searqle’s $0.99 trial gives you the best value for a single search.
Accuracy depends on the service and record type. Contact information like phone numbers and addresses tends to be 65-80% accurate. Criminal records depend on how often the service updates its database; daily updates usually produce better results.
No. Consumer background check services don’t meet FCRA requirements and can’t legally be used for hiring decisions, tenant screening, or credit evaluations. You’ll need a licensed consumer reporting agency for those.
Conclusion
Finding the cheapest background check doesn’t mean settling for garbage data. Searqle gives you full reports starting at $0.99, while That’sThem and FastPeopleSearch handle contact lookups for free.
Match the service to your needs. Free platforms work fine for quick contact verification. For criminal records, employment history, and court documents, paying for a trial or subscription will get you much better results.
When you’re making decisions that matter, verify information from multiple sources and stay within the legal limits of how these services can be used. The right tool gives you the answers you need without breaking the bank.
