Intelius has long been one of the most popular online people search and background check services. However, with its pricing model and accuracy concerns, many are looking for quality alternatives to Intelius.
This comprehensive guide will explore over 15 top Intelius alternatives to consider in 2024. We’ll cover the key features, pros and cons, and ideal use cases for each option.
Whether you need occasional background checks or routine people searches, this guide will help you find the right Intelius alternative tailored to your needs and budget.
Overview of Intelius
Before diving into the alternatives, let’s briefly recap what Intelius offers:
Intelius is an online people search and background check platform founded in 2003. It provides access to public records and databases to help users find information on individuals.
Some key features of Intelius include:
- People Search: Search for someone by name, address, phone number, email, or other details to find contact information, age, aliases, and more.
- Background Checks: Access information on criminal records, bankruptcies, court judgments, and more for background screening.
- Public Records: Intelius taps into various public record databases for details on properties, licenses, voter registration, and other documents.
- Reverse Phone Lookup: Identify who a phone number is registered to along with other details through reverse phone lookup.
- Social Profiles: Find social media profiles and activity linked to an individual for additional insights.
- Subscription Plans: Intelius offers monthly unlimited search plans starting at $19.95/month, or pay per report.
While Intelius can provide valuable insights, potential downsides to weigh include accuracy concerns, the subscription-based pricing model, and mixed customer service reviews.
Key Reasons to Consider Intelius Alternatives
Here are some of the top reasons you may want to explore alternatives to Intelius:
- Lower Cost: Intelius’ monthly subscription plans may not suit those wanting occasional checks. Many alternatives offer individual reports at a lower price point.
- Flexibility: Alternatives with pay-as-you-go pricing or free trial periods can offer more flexibility than Intelius’ strict monthly plans.
- More Accurate Data: While no service is perfect, some Intelius alternatives have better reputations for up-to-date and accurate data.
- Specialized Searches: Alternatives may provide specialized services Intelius lacks, like deep web searches, reverse email lookup, or global records.
- Better Customer Experience: From user interface to customer support, some alternatives may better align with your preferences and needs.
- Compliance Standards: Select alternatives adhere to strict standards for legally compliant checks, like FCRA, GDPR, or right to erasure requests.
By exploring competitors, you can find a service that better fits your budget, search needs, and user experience preferences. Just be sure to verify accuracy and compliance for any service you choose.
Overview of Top Intelius Alternatives
To help you find the right alternative, here is a preview of 15 top options:
| Intelius Alternative | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Truthfinder | Background checks, reverse phone lookup, people search |
| Instant Checkmate | Background checks, criminal records, sex offender registry |
| Spokeo | Reverse phone lookup, email search, comprehensive reports |
| BeenVerified | Reverse phone search, criminal checks, real-time updates |
| PeopleFinders | Global people search, reverse phone lookup, criminal checks |
| PeekYou | People search by name or username, social media integration |
| Radaris | International people search, reverse phone lookup, image search |
| Nuwber | Global phone lookup, free trial, data deletion requests |
| Intelius | Unlimited monthly searches, background checks |
| US Search | Criminal records, professional licenses, reverse address lookup |
| SearchQuarry | Public records, property records, historical searches |
| RocketReach | Business contact search, LinkedIn integration, Chrome extension |
| Hunter | Email finder, business contacts, lead enrichment |
| That’s Them | Reverse image search, social media investigation |
| ZoomInfo | Lead enrichment, real-time data, company intelligence |
Let’s explore the key features, pricing, and ideal use cases for the top alternatives:
1. Truthfinder
Truthfinder is one of the most popular alternatives, offering a wide range of background checks and people searches.
Key Features
- Background checks – Criminal records, court records, sex offender registry
- Reverse phone lookup – Identify owner of a phone number
- People search – Find contact details, aliases, addresses, etc.
- Dark web monitoring – Get alerts on compromised information
- Social media integrations – Connect profiles across platforms
Pricing
- Starts at $28.05 per month for unlimited reports
- Offering monthly subscriptions with no long-term contracts
Use Cases
- Job screening and pre-employment checks
- Dating background checks
- Finding old friends or lost relatives
- Monitoring for compromised personal info
Pros
- User-friendly interface and reports
- Extensive database with billions of records
- Reverse phone lookup and social media monitoring
Cons
- No international searches offered
- Requires month-to-month subscription
Truthfinder is ideal if you need unlimited US-focused checks and social media monitoring. It’s easy to use with clear, detailed reports.
2. Instant Checkmate
Instant Checkmate positions itself as a “private investigator in your pocket”, providing a wide range of insights into a person’s background.
Key Features
- Criminal records search – Local, state, federal, and traffic offenses
- Reverse address lookup – Identify property owners
- Reverse phone lookup – Landline and cell phone number search
- Marriage and divorce records – Dates, locations, partners
- Sex offender registry search – Nationwide database
Pricing
- Individual reports from $1.00
- Package deals available for multiple searches
Use Cases
- Pre-employment and tenant screening
- Online dating background checks
- Finding lost contacts or friends
Pros
- Low cost per individual report
- Specialized searches like sex offender registry
- Useful relationship and marriage data
Cons
- Limited social media and digital footprint insights
Instant Checkmate excels for low-cost pre-employment checks and relationship background checks. The lack of subscription plans also suits occasional searches.
3. Spokeo
Spokeo leverages data aggregation from thousands of sources to create detailed profiles on individuals.
Key Features
- People search by name, username, address, phone number, email
- Reverse phone lookup
- Criminal records, bankruptcies, judgments
- Estimated wealth, property values, and purchase history
- Social media integration and insights
Pricing
- Memberships start at $14.95 per month
- Individual reports from $0.95
Use Cases
- Compiling detailed profiles on individuals
- Locating old classmates, friends, or relatives
- Pre-employment background screening
- Online dating background checks
Pros
- Wealth of personal and financial insights
- Social media monitoring and connections
- Monthly memberships available
Cons
- Limited to US-focused searches
- Accuracy of financial info may be questionable
Spokeo shines for building comprehensive personal and lifestyle profiles of individuals in the US. Just note financial estimates may not be fully accurate.
4. BeenVerified
BeenVerified positions itself as the go-to for background checks, providing real-time data and monitoring.
Key Features
- Criminal record searches – National and county databases
- Reverse phone lookups – Cell, landline, and VOIP numbers
- Real-time address monitoring – Detect changes instantly
- Comprehensive reports – Options for standard, advanced, or premium
- Sex offender registry search
Pricing
- Packages from $26.89 for 5 reports
- Single report at $2.99
- Monthly memberships from $19.99
Use Cases
- Pre-employment or tenant screening
- Online dating and general background checks
- Identity verification and fraud prevention
Pros
- Real-time monitoring and notifications
- Sex offender registry search
- Different report depth levels
Cons
- Details in standard report may be limited
- Lacks automated social media checks
BeenVerified is ideal if you need ongoing monitoring and real-time updates on individuals. The tiered reports also allow customization based on your needs.
5. PeopleFinders
With global search capabilities, PeopleFinders is a top choice for international checks.
Key Features
- Worldwide people search capabilities
- Reverse phone lookup
- Address history report
- Criminal record search
- Known relatives and connections
Pricing
- Memberships from $24.95 per month
- Individual background checks from $29.95
Use Cases
- International people searches
- Adoption searches
- Reconnecting with friends globally
- Pre-employment screening
Pros
- Global database spanning over 20 countries
- Criminal record insights
- Useful for finding overseas contacts
Cons
- Lacks specialized services like dark web monitoring
- Require monthly subscription for full features
PeopleFinders shines when you need to locate or screen candidates internationally. The criminal records make it suitable for pre-employment checks.
6. PeekYou
PeekYou scours sources like social media, public records, blogs, and more to create digital footprints on people.
Key Features
- Search by name, username, handle, email, or phone number
- Reverse email lookup
- Social media aggregation and insights
- Related contacts discovery
- Public records integration
Pricing
- 100% free to use
Use Cases
- Compiling digital profiles and footprints
- Powering social media investigations
- Reconnecting with associates and old friends
Pros
- Completely free people search
- Specialized focus on social media data
- Discovers associated connections
Cons
- No direct criminal record checks
- Limited identity verification capabilities
PeekYou is the way to go for deep social media investigations and connecting online profiles. Just note it lacks some verification and audit trail features of paid alternatives.
7. Radaris
Radaris taps into public records, social media sites, and other resources to create detailed profiles with visualization tools.
Key Features
- Interactive visual profiles
- Public records integration
- Image search to discover photos
- Global people search capabilities
- Reverse phone lookup
Pricing
- 100% free to use
Use Cases
- Investigations and research projects
- Finding old classmates and associates
- Creating visual profiles on individuals
- International contact discovery
Pros
- Interactive visualizations and maps
- Completely free access
- Global search features
Cons
- No formal background checks
- Verification limited to public data
Radaris excels at visualizing connections and public data points on individuals. Keep in mind it does not include formal background checks.
8. Nuwber
Nuwber is an international people search platform with advanced phone lookup capabilities.
Key Features
- Global phone number validation
- 290+ countries supported
- Free trial period
- Data deletion requests honored
- Name and address lookup
Pricing
- 250 searches from £12 / month
- Pay-as-you-go from $0.59 per search
Use Cases
- International number validation
- Recovering lost contacts globally
- Pre-employment screening
Pros
- Reverse phone search across 290+ countries
- Free trial period offered
- Right to be forgotten requests
Cons
- Limited identity verification features
- No formal background checks
Nuwber leads for global phone number validation and basic data checks. For more robust verification and screening though, paired services may be needed.
9. Intelius
Intelius provides the core Intelius people search features through a monthly subscription.
Key Features
- Unlimited people searches
- Address history reports
- Public records access
- Background checks
- Criminal record insights
Pricing
- $24.86 per month
Use Cases
- Routine people searches each month
- Ongoing screening and monitoring
- Reconnecting with old contacts
Pros
- Unlimited searches for one flat fee
- Includes background checks
- Official Intelius service
Cons
- No lower-cost individual search option
- Accuracy concerns noted by some reviewers
- Lacks innovations of newer competitors
Intelius Premier simplifies access to unlimited searches each month. But newer alternatives now offer more innovative features and competitive subscription rates.
10. US Search
US Search provides data on professional licenses, DEA registrations, criminal offenses, and more.
Key Features
- Professional license verification
- Criminal record insights
- Bankruptcy reports
- DEA registrations
- Real property records
- Reverse address lookup
Pricing
- Individual reports from $2.45
- Volume discounts available
Use Cases
- Pre-employment screening
- Tenant screening
- Verifying medical and legal professionals
Pros
- Professional license and DEA verification
- Reverse address lookup
- Affordable pay-as-you-go model
Cons
- No monthly memberships
- Limited to US-focused searches
US Search leads for affordable, à la carte screening of licenses, properties, offenses, and more within the US.
11. SearchQuarry
SearchQuarry provides access to public records for historical searches and due diligence.
Key Features
- Extensive public records access
- Historical searches – Trace records over time
- Vital records searches
- Property records and ownership history
- reverse phone lookup
Pricing
- Membership plans from $19.95 per month
- Individual reports from $1.00
Use Cases
- Genealogy research
- Property history lookups
- Establishing historical timelines
Pros
- Value-driven monthly memberships
- Historical and vital records search
- Intuitive web interface
Cons
- Limited identity verification features
- No automated monitoring or alerts
SearchQuarry leads for accessing official public documents for historical research, real estate due diligence, and related use cases.
12. RocketReach
RocketReach integrates premium business contact data into LinkedIn for streamlined outreach.
Key Features
- Business contact search
- Immediate LinkedIn integration
- Lead enrichment data
- Share contacts seamlessly
- Chrome extension for easy access
Pricing
- Starter plan $39/month
- Premium plan $99/month
Use Cases
- Enriching LinkedIn connections
- Sharing contacts with colleagues
- Lead enrichment for sales
Pros
- LinkedIn integration for seamless sharing
- Lead enrichment helps qualify prospects
- Chrome extension simplifies access
Cons
- Limited to business contacts
- No individual background checks
RocketReach excels at sourcing verified business contacts and integrating them into your LinkedIn network for sales. For individual checks though, a paired service would be required.
13. Hunter
Hunter leverages AI and advanced techniques to find email addresses and enrich contacts.
Key Features
- Email address search
- Business contact finder
- Email verification
- Hostname and IP lookup
- Lead enrichment
- Chrome extension
Pricing
- Free version
- Pro plan $49/month
- Teams plan $499/month
Use Cases
- Finding email addresses
- Lead enrichment for outreach
- Verifying existing email lists
Pros
- Helps discover hard-to-find emails
- Lead enrichment capabilities
- Free version available
Cons
- Limited to business contacts
- No individual background checks
Hunter is fantastic for sourcing business email addresses and contacts. But you’ll need a separate solution for individual reputation checks and public records access.
14. That’s Them
That’s Them focuses on reverse image search to identify individuals across social media and other sources.
Key Features
- Reverse image search
- Social media profile investigation
- Identify social media profiles using a profile picture
- Discover associated accounts and connections
Pricing
- Free version
- Premium plan from $29.99 per month
Use Cases
- Putting a face to a name during research
- Linking social media accounts to an individual
- Social media investigations
Pros
- Specialized focus on photo recognition
- Helps connect social media dots
- Free version available
Cons
- Requires uploading photos for searches
- No formal background checks offered
That’s Them leads for leveraging photos to identify individuals and connect social media accounts. For additional insights like criminal records, an additional service would be needed.
15. ZoomInfo
ZoomInfo provides comprehensive B2B data for lead enrichment, recruiting, and sales intelligence.
Key Features
- Business contact database
- Real-time data updates
- Lead enrichment fields
- Tools for recruiting and talent search
- Technographic insights on businesses
Pricing
- Custom quotes
Use Cases
- Sales lead enrichment
- Recruitment and talent search
- Technographic profiling of companies
- Identifying key purchasing influences
Pros
- Robust B2B data and insights
- Real-time updates
- Lead enrichment helps qualify prospects
Cons
- Mainly business-focused
- Requires custom quote
ZoomInfo stands out for actionable B2B data to identify prospects, qualify leads, and make data-driven decisions. It lacks individual background checks though and requires custom pricing.
Key Factors in Choosing the Right Intelius Alternative
With so many Intelius alternatives now available, it’s crucial to assess which aligns best with your specific needs. Here are key factors to consider:
- Search Requirements: Do you need reverse phone lookups? International searches? Specific records like criminal data? Evaluate the search capabilities.
- Accuracy and Security: Review third-party accuracy evaluations. Also verify security practices like encryption that protect your data.
- Pricing Model: Compare subscription plans, individual report pricing, available discounts, and free trial options to maximize value.
- Reputation: Check site reviews and complaint filings to gauge customer satisfaction levels.
- Ease of Use: Testing the user interface and search process helps determine if the platform aligns with your preferences.
- Compliance Standards: If formal background checks are needed, ensure the service adheres to FCRA, GDPR and other relevant regulations.
By taking into account these key factors, you can zero in on the ideal alternative for your specific search and screening requirements.
Putting the Top Intelius Alternatives into Action
The best way to evaluate Intelius alternatives is to see them in action firsthand. Here is a quick example to demonstrate the search process using one of the top platforms – TruthFinder:
- Go to TruthFinder and enter the name, phone number or other identifier for your search subject. You can also provide multiple identifiers if known.
- Select your desired report or package. Options range from one-off reports to monthly memberships.
- Enter your payment details. Many alternatives like TruthFinder accept credit cards and PayPal.
- In just seconds, you will receive your comprehensive report on the search subject. The report provides background details, contact information, criminal offenses, social media profiles and more in an easy-to-digest format.
- Tailor and refine your search further if needed. For example, you can clarify a common name by adding location filters or expand into reverse phone lookups.
- Take action on the insights uncovered. This may involve reaching out to reconnect with an old friend, performing due diligence on an employee candidate, or researching a potential date further before meeting them.
The process is simple, fast and provides the details you need to make informed personal and business decisions.
Key Takeaways
Here are the core tips to remember when researching and choosing an Intelius alternative:
- Intelius alternatives can provide similar people search and public records access at lower costs.
- Factors like search requirements, pricing model and compliance should guide your alternative selection.
- Leading alternatives include Truthfinder, Instant Checkmate, Spokeo, and BeenVerified, among others.
- Place priority on alternatives with accurate, up-to-date data from reputable sources.
- Use free trials to test options firsthand before committing.
- Look for user-friendly sites that simplify running checks and searches as needed.
- Carefully comply with legal regulations when using background check services.
The right alternative platform can deliver the information you need while avoiding some of the common downsides associated with Intelius.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main benefits of using an Intelius alternative?
The key benefits include lower costs, increased customization, and potentially more accurate and comprehensive data depending on the platform. Alternatives also offer more flexible pricing for occasional checks.
What precautions should I take when using public records access?
Remember that records may not provide a full picture or contain inaccuracies in some cases. Use any insights as supplemental input, and avoid making judgments solely based on reports. Also ensure you comply with all regulations related to using background check data.
Will an Intelius alternative work globally?
It depends on the specific platform. Some focus solely on US records, while others like PeopleFinders have international search capabilities spanning over 20 countries worldwide.
Can I run mobile searches using these alternatives?
Many top options provide iOS and Android apps, or mobile-optimized sites. This allows you to conveniently perform people searches and run background checks from anywhere.
Are there any completely free alternatives to Intelius?
Platforms like Radaris and PeekYou offer certain basic information pulled from public sources at no cost. But for more comprehensive data, most alternatives require individual paid reports or a subscription plan.
What is the turnaround time to receive reports from Intelius alternatives?
Turnaround is extremely fast, usually just seconds. Once your payment is processed, you typically receive comprehensive reports on individuals in real-time given the automated online search process.
Exploring Intelius alternatives can provide you with more choices for convenient, cost-effective people searches and background checks tailored to your needs. Keep this guide handy as a reference for leading options to consider in 2024 and beyond.
