10 Best Background Check Software 2023: Reviewed & Compared

Deel is a comprehensive global hiring platform that's designed to simplify the process of hiring and managing remote teams across 150 countries and counting. In addition to their integrated compliance and contract management features, Deel also offers a robust background check feature as an option within their hiring and screening workflow.

Why I picked Deel: Deel's background check feature, which runs using Certn technology, is integrated within their platform and very easy-to-use, meaning you don't have to switch to an alternate tool to complete your candidate screening process. Instead, you can simply click the check box to add on a background check, and their AI-powered technology will handle the rest.

On the candidate side, potential new hires can verify their personal details through a mobile or desktop device, and track the status of their background check to keep tabs on the process, providing a better and more transparent candidate experience.

Deel Standout Features and Integrations:

In addition to Deel's background checking feature, other standout features include contract management, global payroll, employer of record services, and visa & immigration support. With these features working in tandem, it's like having your own international HR department right at your fingertips.

Integrations include Ashby, BambooHR, Expensify, Greenhouse, Hibob, Netsuite, Okta, OneLogin, Quickbooks, SCIM, Xero, Workday, and Workable. Plus, Deel's API allows for custom integrations, so you can tailor the tool to fit your specific needs.

Paycom helps you screen candidates quickly and thoroughly, performing enhanced background checks to ensure candidates don't pose a business risk. 

Why I picked Paycom: This tool delivers a fast turnaround so you can make quality hiring decisions without delay. The process is streamlined for candidates, HR professionals, recruiters and hiring managers. On passing checks, candidates can be hired with a single click. 

Paycom Standout Features and Integrations:

Standout features include compliance with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The software is also designed for maximum data security. Background information is secure and accessible only to authorized users. Scans can also be configured to include county-specific criminal searches, sex offender registry checks, education verification, employment verification, drug testing, and health services.

Integrations include linking its background check platform and Paycom HCM system for a unified experience. Paycom also offers integrations with select ATS systems such as iCIMS, Jobvite, and Newton for easy requisition creation. Paycom can also be configured to connect background checks with other HR, payroll, and recruiting systems too.

Clairiti is an automated background screening solution designed to help talent acquisition teams perform faster, compliant candidate checks. 

Why I picked Clairiti: I selected Clairiti because of its focus on comprehensive, transparent, and compliant background screening processes. Configurable workflows and built-in adverse action tools ensure recruiting teams remain compliant. Clairiti also provides good customer support and integration with leading applicant tracking systems to enable efficient, automated background checks.

Clairiti Standout Features and Integrations:

Standout features include providing transparency into background screening workflows, enabling custom steps and requirements. Proprietary dashboards give recruiters visibility into every candidate's status and where delays occur. Most important of all, built-in compliance tools like adverse action letters are integrated directly into the platform.

Integrations include popular applicant tracking systems like Greenhouse, Workday, SmartRecruiters, and iCIMS. Clairiti also integrates with some HCM platforms including SAP SuccessFactors, Workday, and ADP.  

Hireology is a well-known hiring platform, designed to help companies optimize their recruitment processes. Thanks to its comprehensive features and user-friendly interface, this tool aids businesses in making smarter hiring decisions. 

Why I picked Hireology: This tool earned a place on my list because of its proven applicant tracking system. I was also impressed by the pre-employment assessment tools and background screening system. Hireology provides a comprehensive view of candidates' qualifications and suitability for the role. I also liked Hireology's analytics and reporting capabilities, which allow for data-driven insights. This enables continuous improvement for your hiring process.

Hireology Standout Features and Integrations:

Standout features include easy communication and collaboration among hiring team members, streamlining the entire candidate evaluation and selection process. The platform also offers customizable job templates and workflows, allowing organizations to tailor their hiring processes to match their unique needs and requirements.  

Integrations include connections with a variety of popular HR software solutions, such as BambooHR, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Namely, NetSuite, SAP Concur, and SAP SuccessFactors. Their integration support allows organizations to centralize their hiring processes and seamlessly connect with their preferred HR tools and systems.

Zinc provides an enhanced candidate experience throughout the background check process via its easy-to-use web and mobile apps. Candidates receive prompt notifications, can securely upload documents, and track progress on the go.  

Why I picked Zinc: Zinc focuses on UX design and convenience features tailored specifically for job candidates undergoing screening. From initial onboarding to mobile monitoring and uploading documents, Zinc makes the recruiting process hassle-free for candidates. For companies focused on talent attraction, this level of care helps maintain a positive employer brand.

Zinc Standout Features and Integrations:

Standout features include an intuitive candidate experience throughout the background check process, via its web and mobile apps. Proprietary tools allow candidates to securely upload documents and receive real-time status notifications on any device. Overall, Zinc aims to simplify and improve transparency in the background check experience to benefit your talent brand.

Integrations are available with leading applicant tracking systems like Greenhouse, Workday, Lever, and SmartRecruiters, enabling efficient background check workflows. Zinc also integrates with HCM platforms such as SAP SuccessFactors, ADP, and Paylocity.  

This tool offers intelligent background checks, based on high-quality data. Emege delivers cutting-edge software, smart packages, and built-in compliance tools. 

Why I picked Emerge by INTELIFI: Emerge simplifies background screening with preconfigured integrations that help companies get up and running fast. All reports are analyzed by an AI algorithm and human reviewed for accuracy and clarity. The result is polished, easy-to-read reports that simplify hiring decisions.

Emerge by INTELIFI Standout Features and Integrations:

Standout features include algorithms that help identify candidate records more accurately across databases to reduce mismatches. In addition, AI automation streamlines workflows like adverse action notification to accelerate turnaround times. The software’s proprietary analytics provide powerful insights into screening performance over time by leveraging data across clients.

Integrations include prebuilt, seamless connections with major HCM platforms including Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, ADP, Infor, and UKG Pro. It also integrates with select ATS systems such as iCIMS, Jobvite, and SmartRecruiters. Emerge can also be expanded with tailor-made integrations to match your organization’s hiring workflows. 

Xref provides specialized software to automate and customize the reference checking process. The software offers tailored question banks, surveys, and reports. These provide rich insights compared to traditional pre-employment verification.

Why I picked Xref: This platform makes it easy to do all necessary checks in one place. Unlike traditional background screening, Xref innovates on the reference check process itself to add important context. Candidates provide email contacts who then respond to customized question banks. The contacts can then rate the candidate on competencies, strengths, and weaknesses. The platform focuses squarely on making this critical reference step as insightful as possible.

Xref Standout Features and Integrations:

Standout features include proprietary analysis which compares multi-reference feedback and benchmarks candidate results against norms. However, the key advantage of using Xref is getting more context through detailed reference check reports, rather than just binary employment confirmation.

Integrations include links to leading applicant tracking systems like Greenhouse, Workday, SmartRecruiters, and JobAdder, enabling integrated reference check workflows. Xref also integrates with some HCM platforms including SAP SuccessFactors, Workday, and Oracle Taleo.  

Employment Check Pro specializes in providing professional software that covers pre-employment screening and international background checks. Designed to be a single solution, this tool supports legal requirements and employment screening for candidates in any industry. 

Employment Check Pro integrates background screening services like criminal checks, drug tests, and credential verification to help employers conduct pre-employment screening. The system meets requirements such as FCRA, EEOC guidelines, Ban the Box, and data privacy laws, though employers remain responsible for full legal compliance.

Why I picked Employment Check Pro: I opted for this tool because I was impressed by the helpful user interface and intuitive design. I also liked that it offers a wide range of screening options. These include checking criminal records, investigating employment history, and verifying education claims. Another plus is the sterling security measures and high degree of compliance with industry regulations. This guarantees the protection of private and sensitive applicant information.

Employment Check Pro Standout Features and Integrations:

Standout features include a verification process which is driven by AI, automating the screening of applicants’ credentials. Thanks to real-time status updates, Veremark’s proprietary platform provides complete transparency throughout the process. I also like that Veremark's integrated analytics and reporting tools enable organizations to gain valuable insights and make data-driven decisions.

Integrations include links to a wide range of popular HR software systems, such as BambooHR, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Namely, NetSuite, and SAP Concur. Employment Check Pro also provides the flexibility to create custom integrations as needed. This makes it easy to connect with other HR software systems and critical business tools. 

Checkmate is purpose-built for enterprise recruiters that hire at high volumes. The software is optimized for rapid turnarounds and automation across thousands of candidates.

Why I picked Checkmate: With high volume hiring in mind, Checkmate has developed a series of automated tools. These include mass uploading and bulk actions for processing thousands of candidates.

The platform's turnaround time is fast, with most checks completed within a single business day. Custom packages and compliance features add important layers of control and transparency. These capabilities make Checkmate a top choice for any growing enterprise hiring team.

Checkmate Standout Features and Integrations:

Standout features include proprietary criminal databases that provide up-to-date county-level records for more comprehensive coverage. The order tracker feature allows recruiters to see pending and completed checks in real-time, while the online portal facilitates candidate document uploads, communication, and status tracking.

The suite of compliance tools includes configurable adverse actions, audit trails, and EEOC reporting. Checkmate also inlcludes advanced reporting on metrics like cycle times, pass/fail rate, and source performance.

Integrations are available with applicant tracking systems focused on enterprise recruiting. These include Jobvite, iCIMS, PeopleFluent, Taleo, and SmartRecruiters. Checkmate also integrates with HCM platforms such as Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, ADP, Oracle, and Cornerstone. 

Veremark is a background screen service that offers pre-hire checks, helping you verify candidates and secure the best talent. This software platform is designed to pinpoint people with the right experience, qualifications, and background. 

Why I picked Veremark: I honed in on Veremark because of the speed and accuracy it delivers when conducting background checks in volume. All processes are designed to be fully GDPR and PDPA-compliant, to give your complete peace of mind.

Thanks to its proprietary matching algorithms and data sources, this service completes most screens in less than a day. Another bonus is that the platform is highly configurable, so you can customize screening packages to meet particular requirements. 

Veremark Standout Features and Integrations:

Standout features that I noted include conditional workflows for automatically initiating the next steps, based on screening results. In addition, the self-service option allows candidates to submit documents, consent agreements, and questions through an online portal. You can also create customized questionnaires for applicants to complete and track screening status in real-time. Veremark also offers compliance tools such as adverse action notification, EEOC compliance reports, and audit trail history.

Integrations include connections with many leading applicant tracking systems, such as Greenhouse, Workday, SmartRecruiters, and iCIMS. Veremark also integrates readily with top HCM platforms including Oracle, and Paycor.