Backgrounds Online review
A broad screening menu with clear packages and workflows for compliance-focused hiring teams.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Backgrounds Online provides employment background screening for applicants, employees, contractors, and volunteers. Organizations can order reports through its web application or integrated systems, use preset screening packages, or build custom checks. The service covers criminal and court-record searches, identity and Social Security Number tracing, national database searches, watchlist screening, employment and education verification, motor vehicle records, credit reports, and international checks. It is suited to teams that want screening workflows and compliance-related tools alongside report ordering.
Pricing is organized around three paid, per-report packages. Basic costs $29.95 per report and includes a Social Security Number Trace, County Criminal Court Search, National Criminal Database, Sex Offender Registry Search, and Global Watchlist Search. Standard costs $49.95 per report, includes Basic, and adds a 7-year County Criminal Court Search and 7-year Federal Criminal Court Search. Comprehensive costs $99.95 per report, includes Standard, and adds three employment verifications and one education verification. The pay-as-you-go structure can work for organizations with variable hiring activity, while additional county-court and third-party verification fees may affect total costs.
Workflow coverage is a central strength. Applicant self-submittal and compliance documents support a structured candidate process, while adverse-action notices and a reinvestigation workflow address important screening steps. ATS integrations and an XML API provide options for connecting screening to existing recruiting systems. Teams seeking a packaged service with broad check types and defined pricing tiers are a strong fit. Organizations that need the lowest possible per-report cost, unlimited screening, or a narrowly tailored workflow may prefer to compare alternatives before choosing a package.
Backgrounds Online pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Covers criminal, identity, employment, education, and driving checks
- Includes applicant self-submittal, adverse action, and reinvestigation workflows
- Supports ATS connections and an XML API
- Where it doesn't
- Per-report pricing can become costly across frequent screening volume
- Additional county-court and third-party verification fees may apply
- Preset packages may be less suitable for highly customized screening needs
Backgrounds Online fact sheet, pricing and score →
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