Last update: 01/21/2026
Intelius and TruthFinder are on everyone’s lips, but which people search website should you trust? We’ve tested and compared both to help you decide. Read on to discover the differences in features, pricing, and accuracy.
Intelius
TruthFinder
Intelius
TruthFinder
Intelius, a people search service based in the U.S. and owned by PeopleConnect, Inc., which also operates similar platforms like BeenVerified and TruthFinder, has been helping users locate people across America since 2003. By searching through details like phone numbers, emails, full names, or addresses, it allows users to easily find basic information about individuals. It’s particularly useful for reconnecting with old friends or confirming the identity of new contacts.
Established in March 2015, TruthFinder operates as an online platform for searching public records. Its main function is to deliver in-depth background checks, though it also allows users to conduct reverse searches with a phone number, name, or email to get basic details on a person. TruthFinder is geared toward users who require thorough information, such as past addresses, contact numbers, criminal records, and social media accounts.
Key Features
- Search people by name, email, or address - In-depth background checks - Property history search - Identity theft protection
- Detailed background investigation - Search for criminal, arrest, and traffic records - People finder using name and last known location - Reverse phone number search - Scan of the dark web
User Experience
While the website's design feels a bit outdated, it’s easy to navigate, making the process straightforward for users. Reports are simple, clear, and to the point, though there have been occasions where some details were missing from the final report.
The TruthFinder website is clean and organized, which simplifies the process of running a background check. After you input the initial information, the platform guides you through a series of questions to filter out incorrect matches. The free results are limited, but a paid subscription unlocks comprehensive reports detailing residential history, relatives, educational background, work history, and more.
Pricing and Plans
- Affordable trial for ~$1.99 for 5 days - 1-month subscription around $25 or 2-month membership for $42.26 - Identity protection add-on available for ~$9.95 per month
TruthFinder is available exclusively through a subscription. A monthly plan costs about $28.05, with billing occurring every two months. Basic search results are offered for free.
Pros
- Inexpensive trial lets you explore key features - Mobile app available for both iOS and Android - Several subscription plans, with add-ons for more features
- In-depth reports gather data from federal, state, and county levels - The platform provides some basic information at no cost - A dark web scan feature helps users monitor their private data
Cons
- Some information may be missing - Only available within the U.S. - Website can have slow load times
- Completing a search can take a significant amount of time - There is no option to buy a single report - Service is restricted to the United States
Conclusion
Intelius is a great option for those looking for basic information and contact details. It’s a simple, budget-friendly choice for users who want to reconnect with people or verify contact information.
TruthFinder is most effective for individuals who need to perform regular, detailed background checks and are not concerned about longer search times. As it is not a consumer reporting agency and does not comply with FCRA regulations, it should only be used for personal reasons.
Got more questions about Intelius and TruthFinder?
Intelius is a straightforward people-search service that focuses on basic background checks, address history, and public records. On the other hand, TruthFinder takes things a step further, offering extended criminal records, detailed address history, and even dark-web alerts. Comparing the two, Intelius stands out for its simplicity and speed, making it a great choice for quick searches. TruthFinder, however, digs deeper, providing a more comprehensive look for those who need detailed insights. While TruthFinder's reports take longer to generate because it processes more data points, they tend to feel more thorough. If you’re after quick and clear results, Intelius is a solid option. But if you value in-depth information, TruthFinder is the better choice.
We've seen that neither is perfect, and accuracy depends on what you're searching for and how up-to-date the records are. Reviews suggest both platforms deliver "reliable" results, but TruthFinder often edges out when you want depth. In short: Intelius is reliable for straightforward lookups, while TruthFinder uncovers older or harder-to-find records more effectively. Both are accurate, but in different areas. So the best choice depends on the level of detail we need.
We can access small previews from both, but full reports require a paid plan. Intelius sometimes shows slightly more basic information before asking for payment, while TruthFinder generally locks nearly everything. When comparing the two, neither offers enough free data to perform a proper search. Their previews are more like teasers. So full access always requires a subscription.
Yes, both are established, legitimate services in the people-search/background space. Intelius is known for being clean and straightforward, while TruthFinder offers deeper reports that require responsible use. Comparing them, both are equally safe as long as we use them for personal research and not for decisions that require legal compliance. So both are trusted options for everyday lookups.
From what we found, both require you to monitor your subscription and cancel before auto-renewal. Some users report extra steps with Intelius. TruthFinder usually offers a smoother process with fewer hoops. So, we’d recommend keeping the calendar reminder, whichever one you pick. If we prioritize convenience, TruthFinder wins.
We found more user commentary around opt-outs at TruthFinder (given its deeper reach), meaning it can take more time. With Intelius, the process is there, but it may involve more manual checks. If our goal is quick opt-out, we’d lean toward choosing the service with simpler removal instructions at sign-up, which seems to be Intelius. However, both services have similar policies and require cancellation before auto-renewal.