Background checks have become an essential part of the hiring process, tenant screening, online dating, and more. With so much personal information available online, Spokeo and Radaris have emerged as two leading people search engines to run background checks on individuals.
But how exactly do Radaris and Spokeo stack up against each other? This comprehensive guide compares the key features, accuracy, capabilities, pricing, and more between Spokeo and Radaris to help you determine which background check service best fits your needs.
Overview of Spokeo and Radaris
Spokeo is an online people search engine founded in 2006. It aggregates data from hundreds of sources including social networks, public records, marketing lists, and more. Spokeo offers a free preview of basic background info and charges for full reports.
Radaris launched in 2011 as a search engine compiling public records data on people, addresses, phone numbers, and businesses. They provide a database of over 500 million profiles. Radaris offers free trials and paid memberships for unlimited searches.
Both tools allow you to search for an individual by name, location, email, phone number, username, and more. They mine public records and other sources to find background details to generate a report.
Accuracy and Reliability
Accuracy is paramount when running sensitive background checks. Based on customer reviews and third-party testing, Spokeo delivers exceptionally accurate and reliable results. Their advanced matching algorithms merge data from hundreds of sources to build detailed profiles with a high degree of confidence.
Radaris compiles an extensive database but some users report mixed accuracy depending on the availability of public records related to the search query. Unique or common names can affect Radaris accuracy.
Spokeo’s precision and reliability gives it an edge for in-depth background checks where accuracy is critical. For an in-depth Radaris review, check out this analysis. It covers the key capabilities, limitations, and use cases for Radaris background checks.
Key Feature Comparison
| Feature | Spokeo | Radaris |
|---|---|---|
| Database Size | 500+ million profiles | 500+ million profiles |
| Social Media Search | Yes | No |
| Criminal Records | Partial | Partial |
| Marriage/Divorce Records | No | Partial |
| Real Estate Data | No | Yes |
| Unlimited Searches | No | Yes |
| Contact Details | Email, Phone, Address | Email, Phone, Address |
| International Searches | 100+ countries | US only |
Key differences:
- Spokeo allows social media searches connected to an identity. Radaris does not.
- Spokeo has more limited criminal and marriage/divorce records compared to Radaris.
- Radaris provides real estate ownership data that Spokeo lacks.
- Radaris offers unlimited searches through paid plans, while Spokeo searches have usage limits.
- Spokeo enables international background checks, but Radaris is US only.
Ease of Use
Both Spokeo and Radaris offer user-friendly interfaces to search for individuals and access background check reports.
Spokeo provides guided assisted searches that walk you through the process step-by-step. Radaris has a more DIY search approach with many filter options.
Spokeo’s assisted mode makes it a bit simpler for beginners, while Radaris offers more flexibility for power users.
Search Modes
Spokeo enables people searches by:
- Name
- Username
- Phone Number
- Address
- Job Title
Radaris search filters include:
- Name
- Location
- Age Range
- Phone Number
- Username
- Relative’s Name
- Past Addresses
Spokeo has a more limited set of filters, while Radaris allows you to fine-tune searches across nearly 20 different parameters for precise results.
Pricing and Plans
Spokeo pricing is based on a credits system:
- Basic Report: $2.95 for 2 credits
- Detailed Report: $14.95 for 12 credits
- Volume packages from $49.95/month
Radaris offers:
- Pay-as-you-go single reports from $2.99
- Memberships from $9.99/month with unlimited searches
For occasional checks, Spokeo’s pay-per-report model may provide more flexibility. For high volume usage, Radaris memberships offer better value with unlimited searches.
Customer Support
Spokeo provides customer support by email and phone. Radaris offers support by email, phone, and live chat.
Radaris’s live chat option gives it an advantage for getting real-time help.
Both have extensive FAQ/Help sections for self-service support.
Privacy Protections
Identity theft is a major concern with people search sites.
Spokeo and Radaris allow you to opt-out of having your personal information in their databases. However, the opt-out process can be difficult and not always comprehensive. If you want to remove your personal information from Radaris, here are details on the Radaris opt-out process. But keep in mind it can be challenging to get completely excluded.
Third-party identity protection services like PrivacyGuard and IdentityForce provide the strongest defense against identity theft risks associated with background check sites.
Spokeo vs Radaris: Key Takeaways
- Spokeo ranks higher for accuracy of reports by aggregating data intelligently.
- Radaris compiles an extensive public records database with varied search filters.
- Spokeo’s assisted searches simplify the process for beginners.
- Radaris offers more flexible DIY search options for power users.
- Spokeo has better social media integration and international coverage.
- Radaris provides real estate data and unlimited searches through plans.
- For occasional use, Spokeo’s pay-per-report pricing is convenient.
- For frequent searches, Radaris unlimited plans offer better value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Spokeo or Radaris better for basic background checks?
A: Spokeo is likely better for basic background checks with its guided search and accurate consolidated reports. Radaris offers more robust public records for deep investigations.
Q: Can Spokeo or Radaris find someone with just a photo?
A: Neither Spokeo nor Radaris currently support search by photo. You need additional information like a name or location to successfully search for an identity.
Q: How can I get personal info removed from Spokeo or Radaris?
A: Both sites have opt-out processes to request removal of your personal data. However, it can be challenging to get completely excluded from people search sites.
Q: Is there a truly free people search option?
A: Sites like Radaris offer limited free searches or previews. But comprehensive background checks usually require a paid membership or per-report fee.
Q: What legal access do these sites have to public records?
A: People search sites access records that are considered public information such as criminal convictions, marriages, divorces, salaries, licenses, bankruptcies, etc.
Q: Can employers run background checks without permission?
A: Employment background checks typically require the applicant’s written consent. Certain industries may have exceptions depending on state laws.
Q: How can I find someone’s email address?
A: People search sites like Spokeo and Radaris often include email addresses in their detailed contact information reports. Email lookup tools can also help discover email IDs associated with names.
Q: What are data brokers?
A: Data brokers aggregate information from various sources which they license to other companies, including people search sites. This raises privacy concerns over how personal data is accessed and shared.
Conclusion
Spokeo and Radaris both offer robust people search tools to look up individuals and perform background checks as permitted within legal limits. Get guidance on running legally compliant background checks in this Spokeo review and Radaris review, including key consent requirements and industry regulations.
Spokeo is ideal for basic identity searches where accuracy is paramount. Radaris provides extensive filters for deep public record lookups. Cost, use case, and search sophistication should drive your choice between these leading background check services.
Carefully evaluate the benefits and risks before using any people search site or data broker. Responsible practices are imperative when handling personal information discovered online.
