First Advantage is a well-known pre-employment screening solution used by companies across many...
AccurateNow is a popular background check software used by companies of all sizes. It’s known for getting the job done, but it has various drawbacks that cause HR pros to seek AccurateNow alternatives.
In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of AccurateNow and present five alternative pre-employment background check companies to consider.
Table of Contents
What Is AccurateNow?
AccurateNow is a standard background check software solution that uses data and technology to perform in-depth background checks. AccurateNow’s background check service, AccurateAxis, allows HR teams to verify employment history, education records, and criminal records. You can also perform credit and social media checks if you choose specific options.
Key Features
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- Ability to customize and automate workflows
- Customer support is available online, by email and by phone
- You can order additional types of reports, such as motor vehicle records
Benefits
AccurateNow provides a customizable dashboard that many HR professionals find easy to use. The software integrates with many widely used applicant tracking systems (ATSs). The system provides automation capabilities that allow you to receive notifications about the things you care about.
Downsides
Education and employment verifications are only available if you purchase the most expensive plan. Similarly, social media checks are only available if you purchase the Corporate plan. The accuracy of AccurateNow reports has been questioned in the past, and in 2018, the company was subject to a class action lawsuit over its reports.
Pricing
AccurateNow pricing for small and mid-sized businesses starts at $32.23 for a basic report. It jumps to $80.68 per report if you want to verify education and employment. There is also a one-time $25 setup fee.
Pricing for large businesses is not available online.
5 Top AccurateNow Alternatives
While AccurateNow is generally well-reviewed, its limitations and cost mean HR departments would be wise to explore possible AccurateNow alternatives. Below, we present five such alternatives along with some of their key features, benefits and drawbacks.
1. Cisive
Rating: 4.6/5 (76 reviews on G2)
Key Features
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- Integrates with the top 30 applicant tracking systems
- Invoices associated with background checks for easy recordkeeping
- Screenings can include criminal history, SSN, drug screening, employment verifications, education verifications, social media and more
- Periodic training for HR teams
- Customizable portal can be tailored to your specific needs
Cisive runs on a proprietary technology called eSecure Global®. The platform is known for accuracy due to its Positive Adjudication Matrix (PAM), which gives HR teams more insight into the results of each background check.
Customizability is also one of its biggest strengths. Cisive's Analytic Reporting Tool (CART) provides real-time data and customizable reports and allows you to define trigger points for when a background check should take place. Users will also enjoy a robust international background check option, making it easier to hire candidates who have lived or worked in other countries.
Reviewers note positive experiences with Cisive’s customer service. Customers get a dedicated service representative assigned to them as well as access to a 24/7 help desk available in their Cisive dashboard.
Finally, Cisive has an excellent reputation accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA). In over 40 years, the company has never been the subject of a class-action lawsuit.
Pricing:
Cisive provides customized pricing based on your needs. This ensures that you’re not paying for features you don’t actually plan to use. Speak with an expert to find the best solution for your needs!
2. Paycom
Rating: 4.2/5 (1,157 reviews on G2)
Key Features
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- Provides national and international criminal searches
- FCRA compliant
- Education and employment verification
Benefits
Reviewers of Paycom’s solution praise its ease of use with several noting that the implementation process was smooth. The Paycom background check system is designed to enhance the experience for those using other Paycom products, like their applicant tracker and onboarding tools.
Downsides
Some reviewers point out that Paycom is a massive platform that doesn’t have a great search feature, making it difficult to find what you need. Additionally, there seems to be a steep learning curve for first time users.
Pricing
Paycom’s website does not provide pricing for its background check solution. You'll need to contact the company to obtain a quote.
3. Paychex Flex
Rating: 4.2/5 (1,486 reviews on G2)
Key Features
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- Mobile-friendly verification platform
- Supports background checks and drug testing
- Job history and criminal history reports available
Benefits
Paychex Flex integrates with HireRight’s Compliance Workbench, allowing companies to stay up-to-date on changes in various state rules and regulations on background checks. The system also has well-labeled modules which many online reviewers say they make the system easy to use.
Downsides
Perhaps the most frequently mentioned downside of Paychex is its customer service. Many reviewers noted difficulty in contacting someone who could resolve their issues. They also noted that Paychex has many different customer service areas, and callers often get passed from one representative to the next.
The Paychex system sometimes requires you to enter the same information in multiple places. Report quality also seems to be lacking in some cases, with reviewers stating that they often cannot run the types of reports they need.
Pricing
Paychex does not provide pricing for its background check services. You’ll need to contact the sales department to get pricing information.
4. Checkr
Rating: 4.5/5 (250 reviews on G2)
Key Features
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- Built-in regulatory compliance
- 100+ pre-built integrations with various ATS, HRIS and onboarding systems
- Background check API
Benefits
Checkr offers an easy-to-use platform known for its consistently quick turnaround times. The customizable self-service dashboard makes candidate management a breeze allowing user to track candidates and order reports in one spot.
Downsides
Though it's a positive to have a wide set of features, several users share they did not realize there were certain features available to them until long into using the platform. The dashboard also reportedly has a tendency to bog down and become slow. Some users mention that the system doesn’t notify the HR team when it updates candidate information.
Pricing
As of late January 2024, Checkr’s Basic background check plan is $29.99 per check. Step up to the Essential plan for $54.99 per check. Neither the Basic nor the Essential plans include employment or education verification. To receive those checks, users must choose the Professional option, which starts at $79.99 per check.
If you plan to run more than 300 background checks per year, you can get a custom quote that may be discounted for volume.
5. Intelius
Rating: 5/5 (3 reviews on G2)
Key Features
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- Criminal and traffic records
- Reverse phone number lookups
- Basic background checks
Benefits
Though they do not provide consumer reports and cannot be used for employment purposes, Intelius can provide basic background information on individuals. This information is pulled through public police record.
Downsides
Intelius is not FCRA compliant. Their website directly states that their site “must not be used to determine an individual’s eligibility for … employment … or any other purpose covered by FCRA.” The accuracy of Intelius results is reportedly questionable. The only reviews available on G2 are marked “incentivized.”
Pricing
Intelius People Search is $24.86 per month, and you can run unlimited reports.
See How Cisive Can Streamline Your Background Check Process
Cisive stands out from AccurateNow and all the major background screening competitors. Its proprietary technology, easy-to-use interface, and configurable dashboard combine to make it a highly user-friendly HR background check solution, allowing your team to make informed hiring decisions.
Cisive provides comprehensive background screening solutions, including industry-leading 99.9994% accurate reports. This allows you to confidently screen your qualified candidates.
Customers receive attention from a dedicated support representative and can even get support during off-hours through the 24/7 dashboard.
To learn more and receive a customized price for your background screening program, contact a Cisive expert today.
