Background check service with transparent per-check pricing for small and mid-sized businesses.
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GoodHire vs Sterling
Comparing GoodHire and Sterling to help you pick the right Background Check Software for your needs.
| Feature | GoodHire | Sterling |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Paid | Paid |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Editorial rating | ★ 4.2 / 5 | ★ 4 / 5 |
| Starting price | $59.99per check | Contact sales |
| Community votes | 10 | 9 |
GoodHire Pros & Cons
- Per-check, transparent pricing suits businesses with lower or irregular hiring volume better than usage-contract enterprise tools
- Compliance-focused with built-in FCRA-adherent processes, including adverse action workflow support
- Self-service web dashboard doesn't require engineering resources to use, unlike API-first competitors
- Candidate-friendly experience with status tracking and a dispute process for report accuracy concerns
- Published pricing makes upfront cost comparison and budgeting easier than providers requiring a sales conversation
- Less suited to very high-volume hiring than API-first tools like Checkr, since per-check costs add up quickly at scale
- Turnaround times can vary meaningfully depending on the type of check requested and local record availability
- No native API for deep integration into an applicant tracking system, requiring more manual workflow than automated alternatives
- Per-check pricing, while transparent, is higher per-unit than what high-volume API-based pricing typically achieves at scale
Sterling Pros & Cons
- Strong global coverage for multi-country background checks, a meaningful differentiator from providers focused primarily on domestic US screening
- Established enterprise track record with decades of operating history in the screening industry
- Compliance infrastructure built around navigating varying international employment and privacy regulations across jurisdictions
- Wide range of check types beyond basic criminal records — employment verification, education verification, credit checks, and industry-specific screening
- Dedicated account support typical of enterprise vendor relationships, useful for large HR teams needing hands-on assistance
- Pricing isn't published and is generally enterprise-scale, requiring a sales conversation rather than self-service signup or per-check transparency
- Overkill for small businesses with simple, domestic-only hiring needs that don't require international screening capability
- Less developer-friendly/API-first than Checkr for companies wanting to build background checks directly into a high-volume automated hiring flow
- Onboarding and account setup for enterprise contracts typically takes longer than simpler, self-service competitors
Verdict: GoodHire vs Sterling
GoodHire and Sterling both serve the Background Check Software category well, but suit different priorities. GoodHire carries the stronger editorial rating (4.2 / 5), Based on community engagement, GoodHire is currently the more widely adopted choice (10 votes), but the better fit ultimately depends on your specific pricing, platform, and feature requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which is cheaper, GoodHire or Sterling?
- GoodHire and Sterling use a similar pricing model (both paid), so the cheaper choice depends on which specific plan tier and feature set you need rather than the base pricing model.
- Is GoodHire or Sterling rated higher?
- GoodHire has the higher editorial rating at 4.2 out of 5, compared to Sterling's 4 out of 5. This is Kreemhunt's own staff rating, not a public user aggregate — review the pros and cons below for specifics that matter to your use case.
- Which platforms do GoodHire and Sterling support?
- GoodHire is available on Web. Sterling is available on Web. Both tools cover a similar range of platforms.
- Can I switch from GoodHire to Sterling (or vice versa)?
- Most background check software tools, including GoodHire and Sterling, support data export in standard formats, making migration possible though rarely fully automatic. Expect to manually verify that custom configurations, integrations, and historical data transfer correctly, and budget time for the team to adjust to workflow differences between the two products.
- Should I choose GoodHire or Sterling?
- GoodHire and Sterling both serve the Background Check Software category well, but suit different priorities. GoodHire carries the stronger editorial rating (4.2 / 5), Based on community engagement, GoodHire is currently the more widely adopted choice (10 votes), but the better fit ultimately depends on your specific pricing, platform, and feature requirements.