First Advantage review
A broad screening platform for employers managing complex hiring and compliance workflows.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
First Advantage is an employment background screening and workforce risk platform for employers that need more than criminal-record searches. It combines criminal and court-record searches with digital identity verification, employment and education checks, motor vehicle record checks, driver monitoring, fingerprinting, drug and occupational health screening, employment eligibility services, and post-hire monitoring. Its coverage makes it a fit for large employers with varied screening requirements across the United States and international operations.
The platform’s breadth is its clearest strength. Employers can support adverse-action compliance workflows while connecting screening processes to Workday, iCIMS, Bullhorn, Greenhouse, SAP SuccessFactors, UKG, Lever, and Jobvite. The web platform is complemented by a screening API with developer documentation and sandbox access, giving organizations options for integrated workflows or direct online use. Digital identity verification includes document review and liveness detection, adding identity-focused checks alongside traditional employment screening.
Pricing is structured around the screening program rather than a universal subscription tier, with configurable programs handled through sales. First Advantage also offers online pay-as-you-go screening for small businesses, giving smaller organizations a separate purchasing path. Large employers should consider First Advantage when they need broad screening coverage, compliance workflow support, ATS or HCM connectivity, and API access in one offering. Organizations seeking only a narrow, single-purpose check may find its wider scope and sales-led program structure less suitable.
First Advantage pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Covers criminal, identity, employment, education, and driving checks
- Supports adverse-action workflows, ATS/HCM integrations, and APIs
- Offers pay-as-you-go screening for small businesses
- Where it doesn't
- 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
First Advantage fact sheet, pricing and score →
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