Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

Head-to-head · Background Verification Software

HireRight vs First Advantage

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
HireRight #5 in Background Verification Software —/10 Pricing on request ✓ 3 of 6 features Visit HireRight
First Advantage #8 in Background Verification Software —/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 6 features Try First Advantage

HireRight leads on 3 checks, First Advantage on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Most featuresHireRight · 3 of 6

Our editors rank HireRight at #5 and First Advantage at #8 for background verification software; HireRight and First Advantage have no rubric score yet (facts researched, not yet scored), so the checks below decide.

HireRight offers employment verification; First Advantage doesn't publish it. HireRight offers education verification; First Advantage doesn't publish it. HireRight offers api access; First Advantage doesn't publish it.

HireRight is the better fit for employers needing end-to-end screening and I-9 workflows. First Advantage is the better fit for teams seeking broad screening and ATS coverage.

  • HireRight fits best

    Employers needing end-to-end screening and I-9 workflows

  • First Advantage fits best

    Teams seeking broad screening and ATS coverage

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. It never changes our verdict. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature HireRight —/10 Visit ↗ First Advantage —/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score — —
Ranking #5 in Background Verification Software #8 in Background Verification Software
Best for Employers needing end-to-end screening and I-9 workflows Teams seeking broad screening and ATS coverage
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan — Not published
Free trial — —
Features HireRight 3/6 · First Advantage 0/6
Identity verification Not published Not published
Criminal-record checks Not published Not published
Employment verification ✓ (best) Not published
Education verification ✓ (best) Not published
Drug screening Not published Not published
API access ✓ (best) Not published
Specs
International coverage Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Covers criminal, identity, employment, education, license, and driving checks
  • Supports adjudication, pre-adverse/adverse action, and I-9 workflows
  • REST API provides ordering, status tracking, reports, and I-9 management
  • Covers criminal, identity, employment, education, and driving checks
  • Integrates with Workday, Greenhouse, SAP SuccessFactors, and others
  • Offers screening API documentation and sandbox access
Cons
  • Pricing is handled through sales rather than listed as standard plans
  • Screening components vary by location, product, requirements, and applicable law
  • Broad workflow coverage may exceed the needs of employers seeking one narrow check
  • Configurable programs use contact-sales pricing
  • Screening scope may exceed the needs of teams seeking one narrow check
  • The online pay-as-you-go option is specifically for small businesses
Our verdict

HireRight provides employment background screening services for employers and organizations. Its workflows can cover criminal records, identity, employment and education history, professional licenses, driving records, adjudication,…

Read the review →

First Advantage provides employment background screening and workforce risk services for employers. Its screening scope includes criminal and court-record searches, digital identity verification with document review and liveness detection,…

Read the review →
  1. HireRightBackground Verification Software —Pricing on request
  2. First AdvantageBackground Verification Software —Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • HireRight — where it wins

    • Covers criminal, identity, employment, education, license, and driving checks
    • Supports adjudication, pre-adverse/adverse action, and I-9 workflows
    • REST API provides ordering, status tracking, reports, and I-9 management

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing is handled through sales rather than listed as standard plans
    • Screening components vary by location, product, requirements, and applicable law
    • Broad workflow coverage may exceed the needs of employers seeking one narrow check
  • First Advantage — where it wins

    • Covers criminal, identity, employment, education, and driving checks
    • Integrates with Workday, Greenhouse, SAP SuccessFactors, and others
    • Offers screening API documentation and sandbox access

    Where it doesn't

    • Configurable programs use contact-sales pricing
    • Screening scope may exceed the needs of teams seeking one narrow check
    • The online pay-as-you-go option is specifically for small businesses

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026