When you need to find someone or learn more about a person’s background, online background check services like PeopleFinders and Intelius can be invaluable tools. As a private investigator with over 15 years of experience, I’ve used both of these leading services extensively for skip tracing, due diligence, and more.
While PeopleFinders and Intelius are both excellent options, they each have unique strengths. To help you determine which one is the best fit for your specific needs, I’ve conducted an in-depth, head-to-head comparison on key factors like:
- Search capabilities
- Background check reports
- Ease of use
- Pricing & value
- Data accuracy
- Customer support
- Privacy & security
Whether you need to reconnect with friends and family, vet a potential date, hire a caregiver, or look into a new neighbor, this comprehensive guide will give you the facts you need to choose the right background check provider with confidence. Let’s dive in!
Overview of PeopleFinders and Intelius
About PeopleFinders
Launched in 1998, PeopleFinders is one of the most established and popular background check services, with over 250 million searches to date. This company leverages an extensive database spanning 43 billion public records to help users quickly find contact information, background details, criminal records, and more.
Some of PeopleFinders’ key features include:
- People search by name, phone, or address
- Detailed background reports
- Reverse phone & address lookups
- Criminal records checks
- Intuitive web & mobile apps
PeopleFinders is known for its user-friendly interface, flexible search options, and responsive customer support. Its comprehensive reports make it a top choice for everyday user needs like finding lost connections or screening dates. Learn more in our full PeopleFinders review.
Not sure if PeopleFinders is right for you? Check out our comparisons of PeopleFinders vs TruthFinder, Spokeo vs PeopleFinders, and our guide to the best PeopleFinders alternatives.
About Intelius
Intelius is another major player in the online background check industry. Founded in 2003, this company has served over 50 million customers to date. With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, Intelius has a strong reputation for delivering reliable data quickly.
Intelius offers many of the same core features as PeopleFinders, including:
- People search
- Reverse phone & address lookups
- Background check reports
- Criminal records search
- Easy online access
In addition, Intelius provides some unique offerings like an identity protection service. It is also well-regarded for its lightning-fast results and robust customer support. Check out our in-depth Intelius review for more details.
PeopleFinders vs Intelius: Key Features Compared
Search Capabilities
Both PeopleFinders and Intelius offer flexible people search options that allow you to look someone up using a name, phone number, email address, or physical address. In my experience, both services reliably deliver accurate contact information and location history in most cases.
However, PeopleFinders has a slight edge when it comes to the sheer size of its database. With over 43 billion records, PeopleFinders boasts one of the most extensive data sets of any background check provider. This increases the chances of finding information on hard-to-locate individuals.
Background Check Reports
PeopleFinders and Intelius background reports both provide key information like:
- Contact details
- Age & date of birth
- Aliases & maiden names
- Address history
- Phone numbers
- Email addresses
- Social media profiles
- Criminal records
- Sex offender status
- Marriage/divorce records
- Bankruptcies & liens
- Relatives & associates
The reports from both services are intuitively laid out and easy to understand. I’ve found the information to be comparably accurate and up-to-date overall.
Where Intelius really shines is the turnaround time for reports. As one of the fastest background check services, Intelius routinely delivers results in a matter of minutes. PeopleFinders is also reasonably quick but may take a few minutes longer on average.
Reverse Phone & Address Lookups
PeopleFinders and Intelius both offer handy reverse phone and address lookup tools. Just enter a phone number or physical address, and their databases will instantly match it to the associated person or business. This is incredibly useful for identifying unknown callers or researching a particular address.
In comparing the two, I’ve found PeopleFinders’ reverse phone lookup provides some additional details beyond the basics, such as phone carrier information and phone type (landline or mobile). So it has a small advantage for this particular feature.
Mobile Apps & Ease of Use
To allow for background searches on the go, PeopleFinders and Intelius both offer mobile apps for iOS and Android in addition to their desktop sites. I’ve found the apps from both companies are cleanly designed and easy to navigate.
The PeopleFinders apps have an intuitive search menu that make it simple to run various queries. You can also save searches and reports to review later.
Similarly, the Intelius apps provide core search functionality along with the option to save and access previous reports.
In terms of ease of use, both PeopleFinders and Intelius have straightforward web interfaces that even a beginner can navigate. Searches are clearly laid out, and the reports are neatly organized. While quite similar, I find PeopleFinders’ categorized search options are a bit simpler to use overall.
Pricing & Value
PeopleFinders Pricing
PeopleFinders offers two main payment options:
- Single reports: Starting at $0.95
- Membership: $24.95/month
Purchasing a single report is a low-cost way to try the service or just pull one-off background checks as needed. The comprehensive membership unlocks unlimited searches across all search types.
PeopleFinders also offers a 3-day trial membership for just $3.95. This is a great way to test drive the full functionality at a budget-friendly price before committing. If you decide it’s not for you, here’s how to cancel your PeopleFinders subscription.
Intelius Pricing
Like PeopleFinders, Intelius has both single reports and membership options available:
- Single reports: Range from $0.95 to $39.95
- Membership: $19.95/month to $29.95/month
The price of individual reports from Intelius varies based on the specific search type and how comprehensive it is. For example, a basic people search report starts at just $0.95, while a full background check costs $39.95.
Intelius offers two membership tiers:
- Premier: $19.95/month for unlimited people searches
- Premier Plus: $29.95/month for unlimited searches plus a monthly background report
These plans are a better value if you need to perform multiple searches or want ongoing monitoring alerts.
Free Trial Options
As mentioned, PeopleFinders offers a 3-day trial for a nominal $3.95 fee that allows you to try all searches before deciding on a membership. Be aware the trial does automatically renew at the regular $24.95 monthly rate afterward.
Intelius has a similar $1 trial offer for 5 days of access to people searches and reverse phone lookups. It’s important to note this trial excludes background checks. As with PeopleFinders, automatic renewal applies after the trial ends unless you cancel.
Best Value for Your Money
Both PeopleFinders and Intelius provide good bang for your buck, but the better value ultimately depends on your specific needs. Here’s my take:
- If you only need a single report or sporadic searches, buying individual reports from either service is the most economical way to go. PeopleFinders’ reports start slightly lower at $0.95.
- If you need unlimited searches, an Intelius membership offers the lowest base price at $19.95/month for people searches.
- However, PeopleFinders’ $24.95 unlimited monthly plan allows background checks as well. So it’s a better deal if you need comprehensive reports on top of people searches.
- For ongoing background check needs, Intelius’ top-tier membership with built-in monthly background reports is the best value.
Data Accuracy & Sources
Now for the million dollar question – how accurate is the information from these background check services? No provider is perfect, but both PeopleFinders and Intelius have solid reputations for reliable data overall.
Based on extensive first-hand experience with both services, I’ve found they each deliver consistently accurate, up-to-date results for the vast majority of reports. Obviously, accuracy is never 100% guaranteed with any service that relies on third-party data sources. But PeopleFinders and Intelius both do a good job of cross-checking data across multiple sources to ensure quality.
Speaking of data sources, both companies draw on information aggregated from billions of public records. Some of the primary sources include:
- Federal, state, and local government records
- Court records
- Criminal databases
- Sex offender registries
- Commercial sources
- Phone carriers
- Utility companies
- Property records
- Social media networks
As you can see, they cast a wide net to provide the most complete picture possible. Intelius does note that it updates its databases daily, which may give it an accuracy advantage for the most current information. However, both providers offer reliable data in my experience as an investigator.
Privacy & Security
Safeguarding customer data is a top priority for any reputable background check service. PeopleFinders and Intelius both adhere to industry best practices for keeping your searches and information secure.
Key privacy considerations include:
- Allowing searches on yourself to see what information is available
- Providing the option to remove your information from their databases
- Never selling user search history or account data to third parties
PeopleFinders and Intelius each have straightforward forms on their websites to submit opt-out requests for removal. They also clearly state in their privacy policies that user information is never shared or sold. You can find details about the PeopleFinders opt out process here.
While Intelius doesn’t provide specifics, PeopleFinders discloses that it uses 256-bit encryption, which is the industry standard for securing sensitive data. Both services also require an account to perform searches, which helps prevent unauthorized access.
Customer Support
Reliable customer support is essential if you have questions or issues with your account or search results. Fortunately, both PeopleFinders and Intelius offer robust customer support.
PeopleFinders provides support via:
- Phone: Toll-free number
- FAQ section
Representatives are available 7 days a week from 10am to 9:30pm EST. I’ve always found the PeopleFinders support team to be friendly, responsive, and helpful in my interactions.
Intelius offers support through:
- Phone: Toll-free number
- Email: Ticket-based system
- Live chat on the website
- Knowledge base
One advantage of Intelius is that it has live chat support for quick, real-time answers without having to pick up the phone. The knowledge base also provides a good self-help option. That said, PeopleFinders’ FAQs and email support are also solid.
Pros & Cons
PeopleFinders Pros & Cons
Pros:
✓ Comprehensive reports with 43 billion records
✓ Intuitive, user-friendly interface
✓ Flexible membership & single report options
✓ Robust customer support
✓ Responsive mobile apps
✓ Low-cost trial option
Cons:
✗ Slightly slower results than Intelius on average
✗ Higher baseline cost for unlimited searches
Intelius Pros & Cons
Pros:
✓ Lightning-fast reports delivered in minutes
✓ Cost-effective membership plans
✓ Daily database updates for accuracy
✓ Live chat support option
✓ Clean, easy to navigate interface
✓ Informative knowledge base
Cons:
✗ Higher price for individual background reports
✗ Trial offer doesn’t include background checks
PeopleFinders vs Intelius: Final Verdict
So, which background check service comes out on top in the battle of PeopleFinders vs Intelius? While both are excellent choices, the winner ultimately depends on your specific priorities.
Choose PeopleFinders if:
- You want the most comprehensive reports with 43 billion records
- An intuitive, user-friendly interface is important to you
- You value flexible search options like a low-cost trial
- Responsive customer support is a top priority
Choose Intelius if:
- You need your reports as quickly as possible
- Getting the lowest price for an unlimited search plan is key
- You want the added peace of mind of daily database updates
- Live chat support is important to you
Whichever provider you choose, you can feel confident PeopleFinders and Intelius are both reliable, secure options for your background search needs.
FAQ
- Is it legal to use background check services like PeopleFinders and Intelius?
Yes, as long as you’re using these services for legitimate purposes like finding friends, researching your family tree, vetting dates, etc. However, you can’t legally use them for employment screening, tenant screening, credit checks, or other purposes that fall under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
- How accurate are the background reports from PeopleFinders and Intelius?
While no background check provider is 100% accurate, PeopleFinders and Intelius both have a great track record for consistently delivering reliable results. They draw data from trusted public record sources and use smart cross-checking to validate information.
- Which service delivers background check results faster?
Intelius is renowned as one of the quickest background check services, often delivering reports in a matter of minutes. PeopleFinders also provides speedy results but may take a couple minutes longer on average.
- Can I see what information is available about me in these databases?
Yes, both PeopleFinders and Intelius allow you to run a background check on yourself to see exactly what information comes up. This is helpful for identifying any inaccurate details and monitoring your digital footprint.
- How do I remove my information from these background check sites?
PeopleFinders and Intelius each have a dedicated page on their websites with a form to opt out and remove your information from their databases. The process is straightforward but may take a few days to fully process the removal.
Key Takeaways
- PeopleFinders and Intelius are both highly reliable background check services with extensive databases and accurate results.
- PeopleFinders delivers the most comprehensive reports, drawing from over 43 billion records. It also has a user-friendly interface and flexible pricing options.
- Intelius boasts the quickest turnaround times, with full background reports delivered in minutes. It also offers cost-effective membership plans and helpful live chat support.
- When choosing between the two, consider factors like budget, search needs, ease of use, and customer support to determine which provider is the best fit for you.
- Whichever service you choose, you can feel confident that PeopleFinders and Intelius will provide detailed, secure background check results to help you learn more about the people in your life.
