GoodHire vs Checkr: Complete Comparison for Small Businesses (2025)
GoodHire vs Checkr: Complete Comparison for Small Businesses (2025)
Choosing between GoodHire and Checkr for your small business background checks? You're not alone. These two industry leaders dominate the small-to-medium business market, but which one is right for you?
After analyzing pricing, features, speed, and customer reviews, we've created this comprehensive comparison to help you make an informed decision.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | GoodHire | Checkr |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $29.99/check | $29.99/check |
| Best For | Small businesses (1-50 employees) | Growing startups & tech companies |
| Speed | 90% in <1 minute | 1-2 business days average |
| Monthly Fee | None | None |
| Setup Fee | None | None |
| Pricing Model | Pay-per-check | Pay-per-check |
| ATS Integrations | 50+ integrations | 100+ integrations |
| FCRA Certified | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Customer Support | Phone, Email, Chat | Email, Chat |
Pricing Breakdown
GoodHire Pricing
GoodHire offers three main pricing tiers:
- Basic Package ($29.99): Nationwide Criminal Databases Search, Sex Offender Registry Search, Social Security Number Trace
- Standard Package ($54.99): Adds County Criminal Court Search and Domestic Watch List Search
- Premium Package ($79.99): Includes 1 Education Verification and 1 Employment Verification
No monthly minimums or subscription fees. You only pay for the checks you run.
Volume Discounts: Available for businesses running 10+ checks per month.
Checkr Pricing
Checkr provides three comparable tiers:
- Basic+ Plan ($29.99): SSN trace, sex offender registry search, national criminal searches
- Essential Plan ($54.99): Adds county criminal searches
- Professional Plan ($79.99): Includes education and employment verifications
Add-ons Available:
- Federal Criminal Search: $10/check
- Motor Vehicle Record (MVR): $9.50/check
- Drug Testing: Starting at $37/test
- International Checks: Starting at $32/check
First Check Discount: Checkr offers up to $40 credit on your first background check order.
Speed & Turnaround Time
GoodHire Speed
Industry-leading speed: 90% of basic background checks complete in under 1 minute.
County criminal searches and employment verifications may take 1-2 business days depending on county response times.
Why it's faster: GoodHire uses advanced database technology and instant criminal database searches for most basic checks.
Checkr Speed
Average turnaround: 1-2 business days for most checks.
AI-powered processing: Checkr uses AI to expedite results, but county searches still depend on court response times.
Best for: Companies that can wait 24-48 hours for results but want comprehensive checks.
Features Comparison
GoodHire Features
✅ 100+ Screening Options: Customize packages to your exact needs ✅ Pre-built Packages: Save time with ready-made screening bundles ✅ ATS Integrations: 50+ integrations including BambooHR, Workable, Greenhouse ✅ Automated Workflows: Built-in compliance tools and automated adverse action notices ✅ Real-time Dashboard: Monitor results and updates in one centralized location ✅ Mobile-Friendly: Candidates can complete checks from their phone ✅ No Monthly Minimums: Perfect for businesses with fluctuating hiring needs
Checkr Features
✅ AI-Powered Screening: Faster processing with machine learning ✅ 100+ ATS Integrations: More integrations than GoodHire, including all major platforms ✅ Continuous Monitoring: Track criminal records for $1.70/month per person ✅ International Checks: Background checks in 200+ countries ✅ Drug Testing: Built-in drug screening options ✅ Custom Packages: Fully customizable screening packages ✅ API Access: Robust API for custom integrations
Customer Support
GoodHire Support
- ✅ Phone Support: Speak with a real person during business hours
- ✅ Email Support: Responses within 24 hours
- ✅ Live Chat: Instant support during business hours
- ✅ Help Center: Comprehensive knowledge base
Customer Rating: 4.5/5 stars (based on 1,200+ reviews)
Checkr Support
- ✅ Email Support: Responses within 24 hours
- ✅ Live Chat: Available during business hours
- ✅ Help Center: Extensive documentation and FAQs
- ❌ No Phone Support: Limited to email and chat only
Customer Rating: 4.3/5 stars (based on 800+ reviews)
Pros and Cons
GoodHire Pros
✅ Fastest turnaround time (90% in <1 minute) ✅ Phone support available ✅ Simple, user-friendly interface ✅ No monthly fees or minimums ✅ Excellent for small businesses with occasional hiring
GoodHire Cons
❌ Fewer ATS integrations than Checkr ❌ Limited international background check options ❌ No continuous monitoring feature
Checkr Pros
✅ 100+ ATS integrations ✅ Continuous monitoring available ✅ International background checks in 200+ countries ✅ Robust API for custom integrations ✅ Drug testing built-in
Checkr Cons
❌ Slower turnaround (1-2 days vs. <1 minute) ❌ No phone support ❌ More complex interface for beginners
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose GoodHire If:
- You need fast results (same day or instant)
- You're a small business with 1-50 employees
- You value phone support
- You hire occasionally and don't need continuous monitoring
- You want the simplest, most straightforward experience
Choose Checkr If:
- You're a growing tech company or startup
- You need 100+ ATS integrations
- You want continuous criminal monitoring
- You hire internationally
- You need built-in drug testing
- You can wait 1-2 days for results
Bottom Line
Both GoodHire and Checkr are excellent choices for small businesses, but they serve slightly different needs:
GoodHire wins for: Speed, simplicity, and customer support. Best for small businesses that need instant results and occasional hiring.
Checkr wins for: Integrations, scalability, and advanced features. Best for growing tech companies with high hiring volume.
Our Recommendation:
- Small businesses (1-10 employees): GoodHire
- Growing startups (10-50 employees): Checkr
- Tech companies with high hiring volume: Checkr
Try Our Recommendation Tool
Still not sure which provider is best for your business? Use our free recommendation tool to get personalized suggestions based on your:
- Company size
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I switch between GoodHire and Checkr later? A: Yes! Both services are pay-per-check with no contracts, so you can switch anytime without penalties.
Q: Are both services FCRA compliant? A: Yes, both GoodHire and Checkr are fully FCRA-certified and follow strict compliance guidelines.
Q: Do prices include setup fees? A: No setup fees for either service. You only pay per background check.
Q: Can I order just one background check? A: Yes, both services allow you to order as few or as many checks as you need with no minimums.
Final Thoughts
You can't go wrong with either GoodHire or Checkr. Both are trusted, FCRA-compliant, and offer excellent value for small businesses.
The decision ultimately comes down to your priorities:
- Need speed and simplicity? → GoodHire
- Need integrations and scalability? → Checkr
Ready to get started?
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Last updated: January 10, 2025
Disclaimer: Pricing and features may change. Always verify information directly with the provider before making a purchase decision.