Zabasearch is a popular people search engine that provides basic information like names, addresses, phone numbers and more. However, since being acquired by Intelius in 2008, much of the data on Zabasearch now requires a paid subscription.
If you’re looking for a free alternative to find people online, don’t worry – there are plenty of options. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the top 15 Zabasearch alternatives for researching people in 2024.
Why Use Zabasearch Alternatives?
Zabasearch scours public records to find names, addresses, phone numbers, ages, relatives and more. This can be helpful for:
- Locating old friends or classmates for reunions
- Researching someone you met on a dating site
- Verifying details about a new neighbor or other acquaintance
- Searching for long-lost relatives or ancestors
- Running background checks on potential employees
However, since being bought by Intelius, Zabasearch now limits access to full reports to paid subscribers only. Most users just get basic name and location results for free.
The good news is that there are many alternative sites that offer robust people search options without requiring a subscription. Let’s explore the top 15 choices:
1. BeenVerified
One of the best Zabasearch alternatives is BeenVerified. This people search engine provides a wealth of details from public records and proprietary sources.
With BeenVerified you can search by name, phone number, email, address or username. There’s also a handy reverse phone lookup feature.
Some unique tools include:
- Unclaimed Money Search – BeenVerified checks databases for assets or accounts in your name.
- Vehicle History Reports – Run a VIN number to get ownership history on a car.
- Social Media Profiles – BeenVerified searches over 50 social sites for usernames.
While BeenVerified offers some information for free, full reports require a membership starting at $26.89 per month when billed annually. However, the detailed results and robust search options make it a top choice.
2. TruthFinder
Another excellent Zabasearch alternative is TruthFinder. This people search site digs up an incredible amount of intel from thousands of sources including:
- Criminal and court records
- Bankruptcies
- Marriage/divorce filings
- Social media accounts
- Dating site profiles
TruthFinder also generates handy visual maps highlighting current and past addresses.
You can search by name, email address, phone number or username. Real-time reverse phone lookups are also available.
While TruthFinder shows basic info for free, full reports are available with membership plans starting at $28.05 per month when billed quarterly. For comprehensive background checks, it’s one of the best options. Read Zabasearch reviews to compare it with other tools.
3. Spokeo
Spokeo leverages data from marketing lists, social networks, government records and other public sources for its people search results.
Some key features include:
- Reverse phone number lookups
- Email address searches
- Access to over 12 billion records
- Proprietary deep web search technology
Spokeo offers a tidy, easy-to-navigate site. Simply enter a name and location for fast results. While some basic information is shown for free, full reports require a subscription.
Membership options include $19.95 per month or $14.95 per month when billed annually. For those seeking a robust Zabasearch alternative, Spokeo is a top contender.
4. Instant Checkmate
Specialized sites like Instant Checkmate go beyond basic people searches to provide other helpful tools.
For example, the Instant Checkmate inmate search allows you to find if someone is currently incarcerated. Just enter their first and last name plus the state.
You can also run background checks and search criminal records on this user-friendly site. There’s even a sex offender registry search tool.
While Instant Checkmate offers some basic free info, full reports require membership plans starting at $35.78 per month when billed annually. It’s ideal for finding criminal and arrest records.
Search Social Media Sites
In addition to specialized people search engines, social networks can also help you find old friends, classmates and professional contacts.
5. Facebook
With over 2.9 billion monthly active users, Facebook is the largest social network worldwide. Search for people by name, location, school, employer and other filters.
The wealth of personal information many users share publicly on Facebook can aid people searches. Photos, comments, check-ins and other posts provide useful clues.
However, privacy settings may limit what you can see about someone’s profile and activities without friending them first. Still, it’s one of the best ways to find people online.
6. LinkedIn
LinkedIn boasts over 810 million members in its professional social network. The LinkedIn search enables you to find colleagues, clients, new hires and business contacts.
Useful filters include location, school, skills, language, company and more. The wealth of professional details most members share publicly makes LinkedIn a top resource for career-related people searches.
Use Genealogy Sites To Find Relatives
If you’re researching your family tree or seeking long-lost relatives, specialized family history sites can help.
7. MyHeritage
One of the largest genealogy websites is MyHeritage. It offers both document searches and DNA testing.
MyHeritage’s database includes:
- Over 13 billion historical records
- Over 4 billion searchable profiles
- Support for 42 languages
DNA testing kits start at $79. Upload your raw DNA data from other services like 23andMe for free. MyHeritage compares your genetic profile to others in its database to find relatives.
For anyone researching ancestry or building a family tree, MyHeritage is an essential resource.
8. FamilySearch
Operated by the Mormon church, FamilySearch offers free access to billions of genealogy records spanning four centuries in over 100 countries.
Use FamilySearch to:
- Build your family tree online
- Collaborate with relatives on research
- Search historical documents like passports, census forms, and burial records
- Connect with extended family across the globe
While DNA testing kits must be ordered from partners like MyHeritage, the wealth of free genealogical data makes FamilySearch essential for finding ancestors.
Take Advantage Of Truly Free Searches
If budget is a concern, several sites offer fairly robust people searches without requiring a paid account.
9. AnyWho
AnyWho is powered by Intelius yet still provides good basic information for free. Searches return names, ages, addresses and phone numbers.
AnyWho also lets you look up area codes, cities, zip codes and more based on location details. The handy reverse phone number search is free as well.
While detailed reports require signing up for Intelius, AnyWho itself remains completely free to use. It’s a great option on a budget.
10. SearchPeopleFree
As the name implies, SearchPeopleFree offers free people searches right on the homepage without needing to create an account.
Enter a first and last name, city and state to pull up public records listing full names, ages, associated individuals, past addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and more.
The site also provides satellite map views of current home addresses for extra context. For basic searches without any fees, SearchPeopleFree is quite useful.
More Great Zabasearch Alternatives
Beyond the top picks already covered, millions of people have used these additional sites successfully for people searches:
11. PeekYou
PeekYou scours over 60 social networks to find personal profiles and usernames. Search by name, phone number, address or username. Basic results are free with ads.
12. PeopleFinders
PeopleFinders offers basic background checks and public records lookups starting at $1.95 for 3 days access. Useful for finding old classmates and friends.
13. US Search
US Search provides people search, reverse phone lookups, background checks and more. Searches are $19.86 for 1 month of access.
14. WhitePages
WhitePages is an enormous public directory with contact info on over 90% of US adults. Basic searches are free with registration.
Key Factors When Choosing a People Search Site
- Data Sources – How many records does the site search? Are sources like social media, public records, marketing lists, genealogical records etc. included? More data means better search results.
- Search Options – Can you lookup by name, phone number, email, address, username, relative’s name, etc? Flexible search tools lead to more matches.
- Privacy – What personal details does the site reveal about you when others search your name? Understand how visible your own info is. You can also opt-out of Zabasearch to remove your details.
- Reputation – Choose established sites with many satisfied customers and positive reviews. Avoid shady platforms.
- Cost – Paid sites offer extra details but search budgets vary.Evaluate free vs. paid options for your needs.
People Search FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about searching for people online:
How do I find someone for free?
Many sites like AnyWho, PeekYou and ZabaSearch offer basic name and location searches for free without an account. Social networks like Facebook are free too. For more details beyond the basics, paid memberships unlock extra data.
Is it illegal to search for someone?
People search sites compile publicly available records that are legal to view and share. However, harassing or stalking someone using details found online may cross legal boundaries. Always respect privacy. You can also opt-out of Zabasearch if you want your details removed.
Where can I search for arrest records?
Specialized sites like Instant Checkmate, TruthFinder and BeenVerified include criminal and court documents with their background check memberships. This can reveal past arrests.
What if my information is listed incorrectly?
If a site lists inaccurate details about you, look for an opt-out or data removal link on their website. You can request incorrect or outdated information be deleted.
How do I find old classmates and friends?
Classmates.com is dedicated to connecting former high school and college friends. Facebook groups for graduating classes are helpful too. Yearbook archives on school websites can jog your memory.
How far back can I trace my ancestry?
Genealogy sites like Ancestry.com, MyHeritage and FamilySearch offer historical records spanning centuries in many countries, allowing you to trace lineages very far back. DNA testing also helps identify distant relatives.
Key Takeaways: Zabasearch Alternatives
- BeenVerified, TruthFinder and Spokeo provide robust people search options beyond basic Zabasearch features.
- Tap social networks like Facebook and LinkedIn to reconnect with friends, colleagues and acquaintances.
- MyHeritage and FamilySearch offer billions of genealogy records for finding ancestors.
- AnyWho, SearchPeopleFree and other free sites provide basic lookups on a budget.
- Consider search capabilities, data sources, privacy policies and reputation when choosing sites.
- People searches are legal, but harassment using personal details crosses the line.
- Specialized tools can check arrest records, find classmates and research family trees.
So don’t limit yourself to just Zabasearch. With this guide, you now have numerous options to find long-lost loved ones, uncover ancestry, perform background checks, reconnect online and research people in your life, all while protecting your own privacy.
