Certn

AI-driven background screening platform providing criminal checks, credit checks, identity verification, and reference checks with fast turnaround via modern API integrations.

Last updated: 2025-03-05

Company Size
All
Free Trial
No
Free Plan
No
Deployment
Cloud

Certn is a background check platform founded in 2016 in Victoria, British Columbia. It positions itself as a faster, more digital-first alternative to legacy screening providers — with particular strength in Canadian and international background checks, and an API-first architecture aimed at companies that want to embed screening into their hiring workflows.

Our Honest Take

Certn's strongest differentiator is speed and candidate experience. Background checks through Certn are initiated digitally, candidates complete their portions through a clean web interface, and results return faster than traditional providers for most check types. The platform handles criminal record checks, identity verification, credit checks, and reference checks in a single system. The API-first approach makes it genuinely useful for companies that want to trigger checks automatically from their ATS or HRIS without manual steps — a meaningful advantage over legacy providers that still rely on email and phone for order processing.

The main limitation is US coverage. Certn built its reputation in Canada and has expanded internationally, but US-specific checks (particularly county-level criminal searches) are less comprehensive than Checkr, which is purpose-built for the US market. Brand recognition matters in background checks — some enterprise clients and regulated industries prefer established names with longer track records. Drug testing services are limited compared to full-service providers. Pricing starts at $25 per check for basic screenings and $50+ for standard packages, but enterprise pricing requires a conversation.

Certn makes the most sense for Canadian companies, companies hiring internationally, and tech-forward organisations that want API-driven background checks. For US-only hiring at scale, Checkr is likely the stronger choice. If you're hiring across both North American markets and internationally, Certn's broader geographic coverage may outweigh Checkr's deeper US expertise.

Who This Is Best For

  • Canadian companies where Certn's home-market coverage and local compliance expertise are strongest
  • International hiring teams that need background checks across multiple countries in a single platform
  • Tech companies with API integration needs that want to embed background checks directly into their ATS or hiring workflow
  • Companies that prioritise candidate experience — Certn's digital-first process is faster and cleaner than legacy screening providers
  • Mid-size companies (50-500 employees) that want a modern alternative to traditional background check vendors

Who Should Look Elsewhere

  • US-only companies doing high-volume hiring — Checkr has deeper US coverage, particularly for county-level criminal checks and state-specific compliance
  • Regulated industries (finance, healthcare) that require established vendors with long compliance track records and extensive audit documentation
  • Companies that need comprehensive drug testing — Certn's drug testing capabilities are limited compared to full-service screening providers
  • Enterprise organisations that need a proven provider with thousands of large-company deployments — Certn is still building its enterprise presence

Overview

Certn is an AI-driven background screening platform founded in 2016 and headquartered in Victoria, BC. The platform consolidates multiple screening functions—criminal record checks, credit verification, identity confirmation, and reference checks—into a single system with API-first architecture. The company positions itself as a modern alternative to traditional background check vendors, emphasizing speed through automated workflows and seamless integration with existing HR technology stacks.

The platform is designed for organizations of any size seeking to streamline pre-employment screening without sacrificing compliance rigor. Certn's infrastructure prioritizes both operational efficiency and regulatory adherence, with GDPR compliance built into its core offering. The combination of AI-assisted processing, HRIS integrations, and API access suggests the product appeals to tech-forward companies that want to reduce manual screening steps and accelerate hiring timelines.

What distinguishes Certn in a crowded market is its emphasis on integration and automation rather than being a standalone tool. The reporting dashboard and workflow automation features indicate a focus on making background checks a transparent, trackable part of the hiring process rather than an isolated checkpoint.

Who Should Use Certn?

  • Mid to large enterprises with established HRIS systems: Certn's API access and HRIS integration capabilities are most valuable for organizations already using HR technology platforms like Workday, BambooHR, or ADP, where automated data flows reduce manual entry and errors.

  • High-volume hiring companies: Organizations conducting dozens or hundreds of background checks monthly will benefit most from workflow automation and fast turnaround times, which reduce hiring cycle friction and candidate experience delays.

  • Regulated industries requiring strict compliance: Companies in finance, healthcare, education, or security sectors that must demonstrate GDPR and data protection compliance will find the platform's built-in compliance features relevant.

  • Globally distributed organizations: The reference checking capability combined with API flexibility suggests suitability for companies with international hiring needs or multiple screening requirements across geographies.

The Bottom Line

Certn presents a credible option for organizations prioritizing integration efficiency and compliance automation over simplicity. The 4.6/5 rating suggests reasonable customer satisfaction, and the AI-driven approach aligns with where background screening technology is trending. However, the absence of publicly documented pros and cons—combined with pricing available only upon request—means prospective users should expect a sales-driven evaluation process rather than straightforward self-service onboarding. The platform works best for HR teams with technical acumen and decision-making authority over multiple systems, not for companies seeking a plug-and-play solution.

Recommendation: Request a demo if your company conducts regular background checks, uses modern HRIS software, and has specific compliance requirements. Otherwise, evaluate competitors with transparent pricing and clearer feature documentation first.

Certn Pricing

Basic

$25
per check

Criminal record check

Standard

$50
per check

Criminal + identity verification

Premium

Custom
Contact for pricing

Custom packages, global checks

Contact vendor for current pricing.

Unverified

Certn Features

AI & Automation

Workflow Automation

Analytics

Reporting Dashboard

Compliance

GDPR Compliance

Integrations

API Access
HRIS Integration

Screening

Background Checks
Reference Checking

Certn Pros & Cons

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

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Certn compare to Checkr?

Certn is stronger for Canadian and international background checks with a more modern candidate experience. Checkr is stronger for US-specific checks, particularly county-level criminal searches and state compliance. Both offer API integrations. Choose Certn for international or Canadian hiring; choose Checkr for US-focused screening at scale.

How much do Certn background checks cost?

Certn's basic criminal record check starts at approximately $25 per check. Standard packages with identity verification run around $50 per check. Premium and enterprise packages with custom check configurations require a sales conversation. Pricing is per-check with no monthly subscription fee for basic usage.

How fast are Certn background checks?

Certn's digital-first process typically returns results faster than traditional providers. Basic criminal checks can return within hours for some jurisdictions. More comprehensive checks (employment verification, education verification, international checks) take longer depending on the country and institution response times.

Does Certn integrate with ATS platforms?

Yes. Certn offers an API-first architecture and direct integrations with several major ATS and HRIS platforms. The API allows companies to trigger background checks automatically from within their hiring workflow, eliminating manual order processing. Check Certn's integration directory for your specific platform.

Certn Integrations

Certn connects with 5 tools and platforms.

Communication

Gmail Outlook

HRIS

BambooHR

Productivity

Google Workspace Zapier

Company Info

Company
Certn Inc.
Founded
2016
Headquarters
Victoria, BC, Canada
Deployment
Cloud

Review Ratings

G2 4.6/5

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