Best First Advantage Alternatives in 2026
The top First Advantage alternatives are ClearStar, HireRight and Justifacts: 15 background check software our editors would look at instead of First Advantage, in our ranking order.
First Advantage: A broad screening platform for employers managing complex hiring and compliance workflows. Where it falls short: program pricing is handled through a sales-led process.
Switching from First Advantage? For most background check software buyers the best First Advantage alternative is ClearStar, built for global employers needing broad screening coverage.
Why People Look for a First Advantage Alternative
- Program pricing is handled through a sales-led process
- The broad feature set may exceed narrow screening needs
- Pay-as-you-go screening is designed for small businesses
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallClearStar8.9
Global employers needing broad screening coverage
Visit ClearStar
All 15 First Advantage Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forGlobal employers needing broad screening coverage
- Better than First Advantage:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 6.3
Broad global screening with configurable packages, integrations, and API access.
- Adverse-action workflow
- Driving history
- API access
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit ClearStar -
Best forOrganizations needing screening and I-9 workflows
- Better than First Advantage:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 6.3
Broad screening, adjudication, adverse-action, I-9, and API workflows for employers
- Adverse-action workflow
- Driving history
- API access
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit HireRight -
Best forEstablished employers needing configurable monitoring
- Better than First Advantage:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 6.3
A configurable screening platform covering core checks, monitoring, and compliance workflows.
- Adverse-action workflow
- Driving history
- API access
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Justifacts -
Best forOrganizations managing screening operations
- Better than First Advantage:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 6.3
A screening operations platform combining searches, workflows, reporting, integrations, and APIs.
- Driving history
- API access
- Employment verification
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit TazWorks -
Best forMature global screening programs
- Better than First Advantage:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 6.3
A broad screening platform for organizations running mature, global hiring programs.
- Driving history
- API access
- Employment verification
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Cisive -
Best forHigh-volume HRMS screening programs
- Better than First Advantage:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 6.3
Broad background screening with bulk workflows, APIs, and HRMS integrations.
- Driving history
- API access
- Employment verification
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit AuthBridge -
Best forBudget-focused employers needing complete checks
- Better than First Advantage:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 6.3
A broad, per-screening background check service with practical adverse-action workflows.
- Adverse-action workflow
- Driving history
- Employment verification
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit HireSafe -
Best forLandlords needing packaged tenant screening
- Better than First Advantage:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 6.3
A packaged tenant-screening service for landlords who need checks beyond criminal history.
- Adverse-action workflow
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Checkr Tenant -
Best forBudget-conscious teams needing broad checks
- Better than First Advantage:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.3
Broad background checks with low entry pricing and flexible one-time packages.
- Adverse-action workflow
- Driving history
- API access
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Intelifi -
Best forTeams wanting transparent per-check pricing
- Better than First Advantage:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 6.3
A broad screening platform with transparent per-check plans and applicant workflow support.
- Adverse-action workflow
- Driving history
- API access
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Verified First -
Best forSmall teams wanting transparent screening prices
- Better than First Advantage:
- Editor score 7.7 vs 6.3
A pay-as-you-go screening platform with core checks, compliance workflows, and API access.
- Adverse-action workflow
- Driving history
- API access
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forTeams needing detailed compliance workflows
- Better than First Advantage:
- Editor score 7.6 vs 6.3
A compliance-focused screening platform with broad checks, workflow controls and API access.
- Adverse-action workflow
- Driving history
- API access
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit DigiVerifier -
Best forEnterprises needing monitoring and compliance
- Better than First Advantage:
- Editor score 7.5 vs 6.3
A broad screening and monitoring platform for compliance-focused employers.
- Adverse-action workflow
- Driving history
- API access
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forComplex screening operations and developers
- Better than First Advantage:
- Editor score 7.4 vs 6.3
A deep screening platform for complex operations, compliance workflows, and developers.
- Adverse-action workflow
- Driving history
- Employment verification
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Background Pro -
Best forEmployers needing screening plus workforce services
- Better than First Advantage:
- Editor score 7.3 vs 6.3
A broad screening and workforce-services platform for regulated employers and staffing teams.
- Driving history
- API access
- Employment verification
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Universal
First Advantage Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to First Advantage?
ClearStar: #1 in our Background Check Software ranking, with an editor score of 8.9 out of 10. Broad global screening with configurable packages, integrations, and API access.
Why do people look for First Advantage alternatives?
Program pricing is handled through a sales-led process; The broad feature set may exceed narrow screening needs; Pay-as-you-go screening is designed for small businesses.
How do I switch from First Advantage?
Export your data from First Advantage (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel First Advantage.
How to Switch from First Advantage
- Export your data from First Advantage (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel First Advantage.
First Advantage vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Criminal records | Employment verification | Education verification | Driving history | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | First Advantage | 6.3 | ||||||
| 1 | ClearStar | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.9 | |
| 2 | HireRight | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.7 | |
| 3 | Justifacts | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.6 | |
| 4 | TazWorks Software | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.5 | ||
| 5 | Cisive | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.4 | |
| 6 | AuthBridge | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.3 | |
| 7 | HireSafe | No | $19/unit usage-based | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.2 |
| 8 | Checkr Tenant | No | $24.99/unit usage-based | 8.1 | ||||
| 9 | Intelifi | No | $5.95/unit one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.9 |
| 10 | Verified First | No | $29.99/unit usage-based | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.8 |
| 11 | BackgroundChecks.com | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.7 | |
| 12 | DigiVerifier | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.6 | ||
| 13 | Accurate Background | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.5 | |
| 14 | Background Pro | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.4 | |
| 15 | Universal Background Screening | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.3 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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