Certn vs Checkr
Choose Certn if its published US packages fit the checks you need, particularly if you want employment and education verification bundled; choose Checkr if you want unlimited county searches in a published package or a broader set of published screening plans. Both vendors currently sell background checks, offer online ordering and support international screening. Compare the checks included in each package before comparing its starting price.
Last updated October 26, 2026.
At a glance
| Dimension | Certn | Checkr |
|---|---|---|
| US entry package | US Core: $13.99 per check | Basic: starting at $29.99 per report |
| County searches | Contingent county search in Core; seven-year address-based county searches in Complete | Unlimited county searches in Essential and Complete |
| Higher US packages | Complete: $49.99; Complete+: $79.99 per check | Essential: $59.99; Complete: $94.99 per report |
| Employment and education | Included in US Complete+; individual verification prices vary | Available as add-ons starting at $12.50 each |
| Canadian criminal checks | Basic: $17.99; Enhanced: $21.50 | Not published |
| International screening | Screening in 200+ countries and territories | Screening in 200+ countries and territories; international packages from $32 |
| Tenant screening prices | Not published | Starter: $24.99; Essential: $34.99; Complete: $44.99 per report |
| Social media screening | $42.99 per check | Available; price not published |
| Integrations | Prebuilt ATS integrations, including Greenhouse, Lever and Workday | 200+ partner integrations |
| Ordering and API | Online ordering, client portal and API | Online ordering, dashboard and API |
| Additional fees | Core county searches: $9.99 where applicable; third-party fees may apply | Third-party court and database fees may apply |
| Customer support | Email support during normal business hours | Chat and support requests; weekday support, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET |
Scroll the table sideways to compare each row.
Which should you choose?
Choose Certn if
- Teams seeking bundled employment and education verification in a published US package
- Buyers who need published prices for Canadian criminal checks
- Teams that want to order a standalone digital reference check
Choose Checkr if
- Teams seeking unlimited county searches in a published US package
- Teams needing state and federal criminal searches in a published package
- Property managers seeking published tenant-screening packages
- Teams that need a published price for international screening
The verdict
Certn is the better fit for teams whose screening policy matches its US Complete+ bundle of criminal checks, identity, employment and education verification. Checkr is the better fit for teams that need unlimited county searches in its Essential package, state and federal searches in Complete, or a published tenant-screening plan. The deciding factor is the exact mix of searches and verifications you need per candidate, including any additional fees.
Certn vs Checkr: common questions
- Is Certn or Checkr cheaper for a basic US background check?
- Certn lists its US Core Criminal Check at $13.99 per check; Checkr lists Basic starting at $29.99 per report. The packages do not have identical county-search terms, and additional fees may apply, so the starting prices are not a like-for-like total-cost comparison.
- Which includes county criminal searches?
- Certn’s US Core package adds contingent county searches where applicable for $9.99, while its US Complete package includes county searches based on seven years of addresses. Checkr includes unlimited county searches in its Essential and Complete packages.
- Which bundles employment and education verification?
- Certn includes verification of the most recent employment and highest education in its $79.99 US Complete+ package. Checkr publishes employment and education verification as add-ons starting at $12.50 each.
- Can both screen international candidates?
- Yes. Certn and Checkr each advertise screening across more than 200 countries and territories. Available records, requirements and turnaround times depend on the country and type of check.
- Which publishes tenant-screening prices?
- Checkr publishes tenant-screening packages at $24.99, $34.99 and $44.99 per report. Certn offers screening for property management but does not publish comparable tenant-package prices on its US pricing page.
- Do Certn and Checkr integrate with hiring software?
- Yes. Certn publishes prebuilt ATS integrations including Greenhouse, Lever and Workday. Checkr advertises more than 200 partner integrations. Both publish API options; confirm that your specific integration supports the checks you need.
- Does either offer social media screening?
- Both offer screening of publicly available social media content. Certn lists its Social Media Check at $42.99; Checkr describes its social media screening but does not publish a price on the product page.
- Are the advertised package prices the final cost?
- Not necessarily. Certn states that its US Core package can incur a $9.99 contingent county-search charge and additional third-party fees. Checkr states that third-party court and database access fees may apply to its package prices.