Head-to-head · Background Verification Software
Peopletrail vs First Advantage
Peopletrail leads on 6 checks, First Advantage on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Most featuresPeopletrail · 6 of 6
Our editors rank Peopletrail at #6 and First Advantage at #8 for background verification software; Peopletrail and First Advantage have no rubric score yet (facts researched, not yet scored), so the checks below decide.
Peopletrail offers identity verification; First Advantage doesn't publish it. Peopletrail offers criminal-record checks; First Advantage doesn't publish it. Peopletrail offers employment verification; First Advantage doesn't publish it. Peopletrail offers education verification; First Advantage doesn't publish it. Peopletrail offers drug screening; First Advantage doesn't publish it.
Peopletrail is the better fit for employers needing global checks and drug testing. First Advantage is the better fit for teams seeking broad screening and ATS coverage.
- Peopletrail fits best
Employers needing global checks and drug testing
- First Advantage fits best
Teams seeking broad screening and ATS coverage
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Side by side
| Feature | Peopletrail —/10 Visit ↗ | First Advantage —/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | — | — |
| Ranking | #6 in Background Verification Software | #8 in Background Verification Software |
| Best for | Employers needing global checks and drug testing | Teams seeking broad screening and ATS coverage |
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | Not published | Not published |
| Free plan | — | Not published |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Features Peopletrail 6/6 · First Advantage 0/6 | ||
| Identity verification | ✓ (best) | Not published |
| Criminal-record checks | ✓ (best) | Not published |
| Employment verification | ✓ (best) | Not published |
| Education verification | ✓ (best) | Not published |
| Drug screening | ✓ (best) | Not published |
| API access | ✓ (best) | Not published |
| Specs | ||
| International coverage | Global | Not published |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | Peopletrail provides customizable pre-employment background screening for employers, from small businesses to enterprise organizations. Its coverage spans criminal and identity checks, employment and education verification, drug testing,… 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 → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Peopletrail — where it wins
- Covers criminal, identity, employment, and education checks.
- Coordinates drug testing, including off-site collections.
- Offers global screening in more than 190 countries and territories.
Where it doesn't
- Employer pricing requires a custom quote.
- No driving-record checks are listed among the supplied features.
- No adverse-action workflow is specified.
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
- Peopletrail—/10 · Pricing on request
International background checks and drug testing, with employer pricing by quote.
Visit PeopletrailFull verdict → - First Advantage—/10 · Pricing on request
Broad employment screening with ATS/HCM integrations and screening API access.
Try First AdvantageFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026