Certn vs Sterling
A detailed comparison of Certn and Sterling. See how they stack up on features, pricing, and user ratings.
At a Glance
| Certn | Sterling | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Starting Price | $25/mo | N/A |
| Free Trial | No | No |
| Free Plan | No | No |
| Features | 7 | 7 |
| Best For | All | Enterprise |
Certn
AI-driven background screening platform providing criminal checks, credit checks, identity verification, and reference checks with fast turnaround via modern API integrations.
Sterling
Enterprise background screening and identity verification provider offering criminal checks, drug testing, credential verification, and onboarding across 240+ countries and territories.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Certn | Sterling |
|---|---|---|
| Workflow Automation | ||
| Reporting Dashboard | ||
| GDPR Compliance | ||
| API Access | ||
| HRIS Integration | ||
| Background Checks | ||
| Reference Checking |
Pricing Comparison
Certn
Sterling
Integrations
Both tools integrate with
Only Certn
Only Sterling
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
Sterling
Pros
- +One of the largest background check providers globally
- +Strong in regulated industries (finance, healthcare)
- +Comprehensive international screening
- +Enterprise compliance and analytics
Cons
- -Not transparent pricing — enterprise quotes only
- -Long onboarding and implementation process
- -Interface dated compared to newer providers
- -Overkill for small companies
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Certn if:
- • Higher user ratings matter to you (4.6 vs 4.2)
- • Fast, digital-first background checks
Choose Sterling if:
- • Your company is Enterprise size
- • One of the largest background check providers globally
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.