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Head-to-head · Background Check Software

ClearStar vs KarmaCheck

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 8 checks side by side
Higher score ClearStar #1 in Background Check Software 8.9/10 Pricing on request ✓ 7 of 7 features Visit ClearStar
KarmaCheck #18 in Background Check Software 7.0/10 Pricing on request ✓ 7 of 7 features Visit KarmaCheck

ClearStar leads on 0 checks, KarmaCheck on 0, and 8 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 8 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreClearStar · 8.9/10

ClearStar scores higher on our rubric for background check software: 8.9 against 7.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #18.

ClearStar is the better fit for global employers needing broad screening coverage. KarmaCheck is the better fit for modern employers needing broad screening coverage.

  • ClearStar fits best

    Global employers needing broad screening coverage

  • KarmaCheck fits best

    Modern employers needing broad screening coverage

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature ClearStar 8.9/10 Visit ↗ KarmaCheck 7.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 7.0
Ranking #1 in Background Check Software #18 in Background Check Software
Best for Global employers needing broad screening coverage Modern employers needing broad screening coverage
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price — Pricing on request
Free plan — Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Support Phone Live chat, Phone, Email
Compliance SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR SOC 2
Integrations 7 integrations 3 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features ClearStar 7/7 · KarmaCheck 7/7
Criminal records ✓ ✓
Identity verification ✓ ✓
Employment verification ✓ ✓
Education verification ✓ ✓
Driving history ✓ ✓
Adverse-action workflow ✓ ✓
API access ✓ ✓
Our review
Pros
  • Covers criminal, identity, employment, education, and driving checks
  • Supports screening across 230+ countries with mobile digital consent
  • Offers API access and integrations with major HR platforms
  • Covers criminal, identity, employment, education, and driving checks
  • Connects with ATS, HRIS, VMS, and homegrown systems
  • Adds mobile status tracking, APIs, reporting, and adverse-action workflows
Cons
  • Pricing requires a sales conversation and package customization
  • No free plan is available
  • Core packages limit several verification types to set quantities
  • Pricing is handled through a sales conversation
  • Founded in 2019, it is less mature than older alternatives
  • Its broad scope may exceed the needs of narrowly focused screening teams
Our verdict

ClearStar is a background screening platform for employers, staffing firms, nonprofits, housing authorities, and government agencies. It combines criminal-record searches at national, federal, state, and county levels with identity…

Read the review →

KarmaCheck is a web and API background screening and credentialing platform for staffing, healthcare, gig-economy, and other employers. Its coverage includes county, state, federal, national, international, and healthcare criminal-record…

Read the review →
  1. ClearStarBackground Check Software 8.9Pricing on request
  2. KarmaCheckBackground Check Software 7.0Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • ClearStar — where it wins

    • Covers criminal, identity, employment, education, and driving checks
    • Supports screening across 230+ countries with mobile digital consent
    • Offers API access and integrations with major HR platforms

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires a sales conversation and package customization
    • No free plan is available
    • Core packages limit several verification types to set quantities

  • KarmaCheck — where it wins

    • Covers criminal, identity, employment, education, and driving checks
    • Connects with ATS, HRIS, VMS, and homegrown systems
    • Adds mobile status tracking, APIs, reporting, and adverse-action workflows

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing is handled through a sales conversation
    • Founded in 2019, it is less mature than older alternatives
    • Its broad scope may exceed the needs of narrowly focused screening teams

More comparisons

All background check software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update