Checkr free vs paid: what's actually free, and which package to buy
By Jean Luc · Updated August 7, 2026 · Verified against checkr.com's pricing page
The straight answer: business checks are never free
If you searched “Checkr free” hoping to screen a hire for nothing, save the time: there is no free plan and no free trial for business background checks. What Checkr offers instead is the lowest-friction paid model in the industry: no contracts, no minimums, no sales call, priced per report. The one genuinely free product is on the individual side, and it's worth knowing about.
Free: the Checkr Personal profile
Individuals can create a free Checkr Personal profile that includes identity verification, a sex offender registry check, and a national criminal search, then share it with employers, landlords, or clients as proof they're verified. Running a full personal background check on yourself, with county, state, and federal searches, starts at $49.99. For job seekers who want to see their record before an employer does, that's the product to use.
At a glance
| Free (Checkr Personal) | Paid (business packages) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Individuals proving they're verified | Employers screening candidates |
| Price | $0 profile; self checks from $49.99 | $29.99 / $59.99 / $94.99 per report + pass-through fees |
| Includes | ID verification, sex offender registry, national criminal search | Package-dependent, up to county + state + federal courts |
| Legal standing | Personal information, not an employment decision document | FCRA-compliant consumer reports for hiring decisions |
| Add-ons | Paid: work history, degree, MVR, license, monitoring | MVR $9.50, ID verification $4.99, drug tests from $10, verifications from $12.50 |
Figures checked against each company's published pages and review-platform listings as of August 7, 2026. “Not published” means the company does not publish that figure.
Picking a paid package
The tiers differ by court coverage. Basic ($29.99) runs the national database stack: SSN trace, sex offender registry, global watchlist, national criminal search. Essential ($59.99) adds identity verification and unlimited county courthouse searches, which is where most real records live; it's the right default for most employers. Complete ($94.99) adds unlimited state plus federal searches for regulated industries and fiduciary roles. Full package contents and add-on prices are on our pricing breakdown.
See current Checkr pricing ↗Frequently asked questions
Does Checkr have a free trial or free plan for businesses?+
No. Business background checks are pay per report: Basic $29.99, Essential $59.99, Complete $94.99, plus third-party court and DMV pass-through fees at cost. There are no contracts or minimums, which is the low-friction part; the checks themselves are never free.
What is actually free at Checkr?+
Checkr Personal's verified profile. Individuals can create a free profile with identity verification, a sex offender registry check, and a national criminal search, then share it with employers or landlords. Running a full background check on yourself is paid, starting at $49.99.
Which Checkr package should I buy?+
Essential ($59.99) fits most employers because unlimited county searches cover where most records actually live. Basic ($29.99) suits low-risk roles and volunteers. Complete ($94.99) adds state and federal courts for regulated industries and fiduciary roles. Add-ons like MVR ($9.50) attach to any package.
Why was my Checkr bill higher than the package price?+
Pass-through fees. Courts and DMVs charge access fees that Checkr passes through at cost, and in fee-heavy jurisdictions reviewers report bills well above the sticker price; one Trustpilot reviewer described a $160 package that billed $414 with fees. Check the fee schedule for your states before ordering at volume.