Certn vs Checkr
A detailed comparison of Certn and Checkr. See how they stack up on features, pricing, and user ratings.
At a Glance
| Certn | Checkr | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Starting Price | $25/mo | $30/mo |
| Free Trial | No | No |
| Free Plan | No | No |
| Features | 7 | 7 |
| Best For | All | All |
The two most modern background check platforms, competing for the same tech-forward buyer — but optimised for different geographies and strengths.
Checkr (founded 2014, San Francisco) is the US market leader. Its API is best-in-class, pricing is transparent and per-check ($30 basic, $55 essential, $80 professional), and its fair chance hiring features help companies assess criminal records contextually rather than auto-rejecting candidates. Checkr is the default choice for US gig economy platforms, tech companies, and high-volume employers. The weakness is geographic: limited international coverage, and customer support that reviews consistently flag as slow for complex cases. Rating: 4.3/5.
Certn (founded 2016, Victoria, Canada) built its platform for Canadian and international screening first, then expanded. The digital-first candidate experience is clean and fast, and the API-first architecture matches Checkr's integration capabilities. Certn covers criminal checks, identity verification, credit checks, and reference checks globally. US county-level coverage specifically is less comprehensive than Checkr's. Pricing starts at $25/check for basic screening. Rating: 4.6/5.
The geographic split is the clearest differentiator. For US-only hiring, Checkr's deeper domestic coverage, transparent pricing, and larger market presence make it the safer choice. For Canadian companies or international hiring, Certn's broader geographic reach and home-market Canadian expertise give it the edge. Both offer strong APIs — the integration experience is comparable.
Editor's Note
US-only hiring at scale? Checkr. The deeper county-level coverage and transparent pricing are hard to beat. Canadian or international hiring? Certn. The multi-country coverage and candidate experience are stronger outside the US. If you hire in both markets, you may end up needing both — or testing Certn's US capabilities against your specific state requirements.
Certn
AI-driven background screening platform providing criminal checks, credit checks, identity verification, and reference checks with fast turnaround via modern API integrations.
Checkr
AI-powered background check platform offering criminal checks, MVR, drug screening, and continuous monitoring via API-first integrations with major ATS and HR platforms.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Certn | Checkr |
|---|---|---|
| Workflow Automation | ||
| Reporting Dashboard | ||
| GDPR Compliance | ||
| API Access | ||
| HRIS Integration | ||
| Background Checks | ||
| Reference Checking |
Pricing Comparison
Certn
Checkr
Integrations
Both tools integrate with
Only Certn
Only Checkr
Pros & Cons
Certn
Pros
- +Fast, digital-first background checks
- +Good for Canadian and international screening
- +Clean, modern candidate experience
- +API-first approach for integrations
Cons
- -US coverage less comprehensive than Checkr
- -Smaller provider — less brand recognition
- -Limited drug testing services
- -Enterprise features still maturing
Checkr
Pros
- +Fast turnaround on background checks
- +Developer-friendly API for custom integrations
- +Fair chance hiring features (adjudication tools)
- +Transparent, pay-per-check pricing
Cons
- -US-focused — limited international coverage
- -Occasional delays on county-level checks
- -Customer support can be hard to reach
- -Add-on costs for premium screenings
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Certn if:
- • Higher user ratings matter to you (4.6 vs 4.3)
- • Budget is a priority (starts from $25/mo vs $30/mo)
- • Fast, digital-first background checks
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is faster at processing background checks?
Both are faster than legacy providers. For standard database searches, turnaround is comparable (hours to one business day). For county-level criminal checks — which both rely on local jurisdiction response times — delays are similar. Certn's digital-first candidate intake may slightly speed up the initial data collection step.
Which has better pricing?
Certn starts lower at $25/check for basic screening vs Checkr's $30. For comprehensive packages, both reach similar price points in the $50-$80 range. Enterprise volume discounts are available from both. The meaningful difference is the pricing model — both charge per-check with no mandatory subscription fee.
Can either handle drug testing?
Checkr has broader drug testing partnerships in the US. Certn's drug testing capabilities are more limited. If drug screening is a key requirement, verify the specific testing options and lab networks with each provider for your locations.
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How we evaluate tools
Our ratings combine verified user reviews from G2 and Capterra with hands-on feature analysis. Pricing is checked against official sources. We may earn a commission through affiliate links, but this never influences our rankings or recommendations. Read our full methodology.