GoodHire vs Sterling
An honest side-by-side comparison of two of our top background check services picks — pricing, strengths, weaknesses, and who each one is really for.
GoodHire
Ranked #2 of 15 in this directory
Candidate-friendly employment background checks with outstanding compliance support
Sterling
Ranked #3 of 15 in this directory
Enterprise-grade background screening with global reach and deep integrations
Our pick: GoodHire. Our editors rank GoodHire higher overall in Background Check Services — but Sterling can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case below. How we review
Compare the details
| GoodHire | Sterling | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | See website | See website |
| Category | Employment | Employment |
| Editorial rank | #2 of 15 | #3 of 15 |
Strengths
GoodHire
- ✓PBSA-accredited with industry-leading compliance support and legal guidance
- ✓Excellent candidate-facing experience reduces friction and drop-off
- ✓Clear, easy-to-read reports with built-in adverse action workflow
- ✓Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
- ✓Integrates with major ATS platforms like BambooHR and Greenhouse
Sterling
- ✓Truly global coverage across 240+ countries for international hiring
- ✓Deep enterprise integrations with Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, and Oracle HCM
- ✓PBSA-accredited with SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 certifications
- ✓Full-service health and drug screening network included
- ✓Dedicated account management and implementation support for enterprise clients
Watch out for
GoodHire
- !Turnaround times can be slower than Checkr for some county criminal searches
- !Not ideal for extremely high-volume or API-heavy workflows
- !Limited international screening capabilities compared to enterprise providers
- !Self-service plan lacks dedicated account management
Sterling
- !Pricing is enterprise-focused and not transparent — requires custom quotes
- !Complex implementation can take weeks for large enterprise deployments
- !Less suitable for small businesses due to minimum volume requirements
- !Some users report the self-service portal UI feels dated
Best use cases
GoodHire
- →Small to mid-size employer wanting a simple, compliant hiring workflow
- →HR team that prioritizes positive candidate experience during background screening
- →Company needing built-in adverse action letters and FCRA compliance tools
Sterling
- →Enterprise HR team running background checks across multiple countries
- →Large organization needing deep Workday or SAP integration for automated screening
- →Healthcare or finance company requiring regulated-industry compliance certifications
About each tool
GoodHire
GoodHire is a PBSA-accredited background check provider that stands out for its exceptional candidate experience and compliance-first approach. The platform guides both employers and candidates through the screening process with clear communication and transparent reporting. GoodHire offers a full suite of employment checks including criminal history, employment verification, education verification, professional license checks, and drug testing. Its intuitive dashboard makes it easy for HR teams of any size to manage screenings, and its compliance library keeps employers current on state and local regulations.
Sterling
Sterling is a global background screening provider serving thousands of enterprise clients across more than 240 countries and territories. The platform offers comprehensive employment screening services including criminal records, international checks, employment and education verification, drug and health screening, and identity verification. Sterling's deep integrations with enterprise HR systems like Workday, SAP, and Oracle make it a go-to choice for large multinational organizations. The company is PBSA-accredited and holds multiple security certifications, making it suitable for regulated industries such as finance, healthcare, and government contracting.
Still deciding? Browse all 15 options with honest pros, cons, and pricing.
See all Background Check Services →