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Head-to-head · Background Check Software

Verified First vs Universal Background Screening

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 8 checks side by side
Higher score Verified First #10 in Background Check Software 7.8/10 Paid ✓ 7 of 7 features Visit Verified First
Universal Background Screening #15 in Background Check Software 7.3/10 Pricing on request ✓ 6 of 7 features Visit Universal

Verified First leads on 0 checks, Universal Background Screening 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 scoreVerified First · 7.8/10
  • Most featuresVerified First · 7 of 7

Verified First scores higher on our rubric for background check software: 7.8 against 7.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #10 and #15.

Verified First is the better fit for teams wanting transparent per-check pricing. Universal Background Screening is the better fit for employers needing screening plus workforce services.

  • Verified First fits best

    Teams wanting transparent per-check pricing

  • Universal Background Screening fits best

    Employers needing screening plus workforce services

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 Verified First 7.8/10 Visit ↗ Universal Background Screening 7.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.8 7.3
Ranking #10 in Background Check Software #15 in Background Check Software
Best for Teams wanting transparent per-check pricing Employers needing screening plus workforce services
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $29.99/unit usage-based Pricing on request
Free plan — Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Browser extension Cloud
Platforms Web, Chrome extension Web
Support Email, Phone, Docs Phone, Email, Docs
Compliance SOC 2, GDPR, PCI DSS, 2FA GDPR
Integrations 150+ integrations 3 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Verified First 7/7 · Universal Background Screening 6/7
Criminal records ✓ ✓
Identity verification ✓ ✓
Employment verification ✓ ✓
Education verification ✓ ✓
Driving history ✓ ✓
Adverse-action workflow ✓ (best) Not checked yet
API access ✓ ✓
Our review
Pros
  • Criminal, identity, employment, education, and driving-history screening
  • Pre-adverse and adverse-action workflows with waiting-period support
  • API access, applicant-pay options, rescreening, and eight integrations
  • Covers criminal, identity, employment, education, and driving checks
  • Adds drug testing, physical exams, I-9, and E-Verify services
  • Supports ATS and HRIS integrations, portals, forms, and monitoring
Cons
  • Access starts at a paid per-check plan
  • Additional pass-through fees may apply to some searches
  • Enterprise pricing requires a custom quote
  • Pricing requires contacting sales rather than selecting a public plan
  • Its broad service model may exceed the needs of basic screening buyers
  • Implementation may require coordination across screening and workforce services
Our verdict

Verified First provides employment background screening and verification software for companies, staffing firms, nonprofits, healthcare organizations, transportation businesses, and other employers. Its coverage includes nationwide,…

Read the review →

Universal Background Screening provides employment screening and related workforce services for employers, staffing firms, healthcare organizations, schools, and other regulated or safety-sensitive organizations. Its core coverage includes…

Read the review →
  1. Verified FirstBackground Check Software 7.8Paid
  2. Universal Background ScreeningBackground Check Software 7.3Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Verified First — where it wins

    • Criminal, identity, employment, education, and driving-history screening
    • Pre-adverse and adverse-action workflows with waiting-period support
    • API access, applicant-pay options, rescreening, and eight integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Access starts at a paid per-check plan
    • Additional pass-through fees may apply to some searches
    • Enterprise pricing requires a custom quote

  • Universal Background Screening — where it wins

    • Covers criminal, identity, employment, education, and driving checks
    • Adds drug testing, physical exams, I-9, and E-Verify services
    • Supports ATS and HRIS integrations, portals, forms, and monitoring

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contacting sales rather than selecting a public plan
    • Its broad service model may exceed the needs of basic screening buyers
    • Implementation may require coordination across screening and workforce services
  • Verified First7.8/10 · Paid

    A broad screening platform with transparent per-check plans and applicant workflow support.

    Visit Verified FirstFull verdict →
  • Universal Background Screening7.3/10 · Pricing on request

    A broad screening and workforce-services platform for regulated employers and staffing teams.

    Visit UniversalFull verdict →

All background check software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update