Last update: 01/21/2026
Spokeo and Intelius 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.
Spokeo
Intelius
Spokeo
Intelius
Spokeo began as a data aggregation service in 2006, helping users collect data across social media platforms. In 2010, it shifted gears and became a comprehensive people search engine. Now, Spokeo helps users search for people not only on social media but also uses public records (like court and municipal records), mailing lists, and commercial databases to generate reports.
Intelius is an American people search service owned by PeopleConnect, Inc., which also operates other similar websites, such as BeenVerified and TruthFinder. Since 2003, it has been helping users find people across America by number, email, full name, or address. The service is more for users who want to find basic information about someone, especially contact details. It’s useful for reconnecting with friends or verifying new connections.
Key Features
- Searches by name, email, number, and physical address - Online presence across social media and dating sites - Complete background reports - Data breach alerts
- People search by name, email, address - Deep people search (background check) - Property history search - Identity theft protection
User Experience
Spokeo’s website features a clean layout and on-page navigation, so it’s easy to find the search form and initiate searches. Full reports are usually generated within minutes. They’re detailed yet easy to read, which is a plus for new users.
Although the site is a bit old-fashioned, users find it straightforward and, therefore, easy to navigate. The same goes for reports: they’re clear, concise, and easy to read. They usually include detailed information, though there have been instances where reports were missing some details.
Pricing and Plans
Offers a 7-day trial for $0.95, which then automatically renews into a monthly plan. It costs $29.95.
Intelius offers a 5-day trial for ~$1.99, which can then be upgraded to a 1-month subscription at around $25 or a 2-month membership that costs $42.26. There's also an optional identity protection service available as an add-on for around $9.95 per month.
Pros
- Trial searches are inexpensive - Mobile app available - Searches are confidential
- Trial is cheap and allows testing key functions for 5 days - Offers an app for both iOS and Android - Multiple subscription options with add-ons
Cons
- Support’s response time is long - Limited free information - Variable data accuracy (information can be incomplete)
- Some data might be missing - U.S.-only coverage - Slow loading time
Conclusion
Spoke provides a wide scope of information, though it sometimes lacks depth. It’s best suited for users who look for basic information and then cross-check collected details with other tools or sources.
Intellius works better for users who need basic information and want to reconnect with people through contact info. It’s a simple, affordable alternative.
Got more questions about Spokeo and Intelius?
Spokeo is great for quick searches when you just need contact info, social media links, or a general idea of someone's online presence. Intelius offers much more, like full background checks, property records, criminal history, and lots of public information. So, Spokeo is better for fast, simple lookups, while Intelius gives you deeper, more detailed results. Spokeo is really easy to use, but Intelius provides more context when you need to dig deeper. It all depends on whether you want quick basic info or a full background check.
Spokeo is pretty good at finding contact and social media information, and it's accurate for basic searches. Intelius is usually more accurate when it comes to background checks and older records. Basically, Spokeo works best for current online activity, while Intelius is stronger for official public records. So, your choice depends on whether you need quick, recent info or more in-depth historical data.
Both platforms only give you a tiny bit of free information, and you'll need a subscription to see anything truly useful. Spokeo tends to show a little more upfront, but Intelius usually hides almost everything unless you pay. Neither one gives you enough free details to actually complete a real search. What they offer for free is mostly just a preview. So, to get full access, you'll have to pay for both.
Yes, both tools are real services that get their information from public records. Spokeo is easy to use for quick lookups, while Intelius provides more detailed background information. Both are safe to use if you're just looking up information for yourself and follow the law. So, either one is a good choice, depending on what you need.
We’ve seen that Spokeo tends to be easier and quicker to cancel thanks to its simple subscription structure. Intelius can also be canceled, but the process may include more steps depending on how you subscribed. When comparing them, Spokeo feels more intuitive overall. So for ease of cancellation, Spokeo is the better choice.
Both services let you remove your information, but Spokeo makes it easier with clearer instructions and fewer steps. Intelius also lets you remove your data, but the process can take longer. Comparing the two, Spokeo is usually more straightforward. If you want a quick and simple way to opt out, Spokeo is the better choice.