Checkr vs Zinc

RefNow

Employment Hero

GoodHire

Sterling

HireRight

Crosschq

Compare Checkr and Zinc based on features, pricing, verified reviews, integrations & more on GetApp. Find out which software is best for your business in 2026.

Zinc

Zinc is an award-winning, all-in-one global background-checking tool offering 12 checks in 190 countries.

HiPeople

HiPeople automates reference checks during hiring processes to prevent the recruitment of unqualified candidates. The software utilizes a scientific AI approach to provide reliable, objective insights. It aims to encourage equality and improve workplace diversity through inclusion initiatives.

Paycom

Paycom is the most automated HCM platform and the only HR and payroll software built on a truly single, unique database that automates the entire employee life cycle. 

Checkr is a modern background check platform that uses AI-driven automation, configurable workflows, and real-time insights to help companies hire faster. Run criminal checks, MVR, and verifications with built-in compliance and seamless ATS integrations.

Activity Dashboard

Alerts/Notifications

Applicant Tracking

Assessment Management

Background Screening

Batch Processing

Candidate Profiles

Compliance Management

Criminal History Verification

Customizable Branding

Customizable Reports

Customizable Templates

Data Import/Export

Data Verification

Drug & Health Screenings

Education Verification

Email/Online

Email Reminders

Employee Onboarding

Employment Eligibility Verification

Employment Screening

Fraud Detection

Identity Verification

Instant Check

Job Application Management

Mobile Access

Online Applications

Real-Time Monitoring

Real-Time Notifications

Reference Checking

Referral Tracking

Reporting/Analytics

Reporting & Statistics

Screening Services Integration

Search/Filter

Secure Data Storage

Self Service Portal

Status Tracking

Summary Reports

Third-Party Integrations

Visual Analytics

By industry, Checkr reviewers are most commonly professionals in religious institutions (16%). The most frequent use case for Checkr cited by reviewers is background check (65% of reviewers).

Users and use cases

Some users say Checkr offers flexible pricing and customizable features, making it cost-effective for their needs. Reviewers appreciate affordable packages, but some users report unclear pricing, hidden fees, and unexpected price increases that complicate budgeting.

Value for money

The Checkr integrations most frequently cited by reviewers are: Planning Center (a church management product rated 4.9 out of 5 for its integration with Checkr) and Paylocity (a payroll product, 4.2).

Integrations

Checkr is a background check program with key features that include background screening, a self-service portal, and more.

Checkr

Web-based

Basic+

Essential

Complete

HR Generalist

Checkr is a very user-friendly tool that can assist organizations in running background checks in compliance with federal, local and state laws.

VP of People Operations

Prior to this integration, we were using Checkr as a standalone background check system and occasionally the checks would cost more than anticipated.

I only utilize Checkr for background checks, so it's hard for me to speak to cons since I'm not utilizing every resource the platform offers.

Checkr seamlessly integrates with our HCM system, providing a quick, easy, and efficient onboarding process.

Director of HR

One thing I like least about Checkr is the lack of real-time updates or clearer communication when delays happen in the background check process.

Vice President of Human Resources

Must login into the 3rd party site to retrieve results and download report to upload into HRIS.

Engagement and Development Specialist

The platform is organized nicely, making it easy to retrieve candidate information and background check updates.

Pastor

Background checks are a necessary part of what we do, since we have adults working with kids, and so having Checkr take care of all of that in a way that is quick and modern has been great!

The system is very user friendly and is a one stop shop for all related background checks including MVR and Social Security checks.

Sometimes the reviews can take longer than desired, but that's because of external factors, not Checkr.

Assistant HR Director

Checkr integrates easily into Paylocity which is very nice not having to switch between platforms.

It looks like they have added a 10 year look back period, but it would be nice to see more detail on the report.

Student Ministry Director

Checkr offers thorough background checks--reporting state and federal records.

HR Manager

They also have a great support system that you can ask questions, and they respond very quickly.

The platform is user-friendly, and the automation has helped streamline our background check process significantly.

Checkr makes background checks simple and efficient.

It is also very easy to order a background check and to customize a background check.

Owner

They have closed their support phone number and the chat / email support is slow and unhelpful.

Director of People

The convenience of the integration with our HRIS.

Independent contractor

The most inconvenient background checker; they have back office conversations and discriminate against people who are willing and have put in work.

People Operations Manager

Background checks have become mostly "set it and forget it", with any flags being easy to manage in the platform.

People Business Partner

Checkr is the perfect example of how technology can simplify and expedite a process.

The integration with Paylocity was simple.

Guest Experience

Our experience is ongoing- we will continue to use Checkr for our background check needs in the future.

Chief Executive Officer

Satisfactory but when assistance is needed the only option is the chat which is very slow.

I believe it's the fastest and most user-friendly system and it comes at an affordable price.

It even reports things down to a traffic or parking violation.

They have a great chat feature, but it is next to impossible to get phone support.

This is another example of a software company that believes they can take all humans out of a process that requires human judgement and intervention.

The system is easy to navigate, from building out packages to reviewing background checks.

owner

Also. When an invitation link has expired and a new new invitation link is sent to the candidate from Checkr website, that new link and its report results is not updated on Procare online.

Again, we love the integration piece - makes life easier.

Customer service has also been great to work with and always responds in a reasonable time.

Background checks are quick and they offer a variety of services.

It has made onboarding so much more streamlined, and the platform itself is easy to navigate.

Taking background way too long, my background usually takes 24-48 hours if that.

Abysmal customer service: If you are lucky enough to get someone on the phone (which is almost impossible)

With an increase in price last year, it is now as expensive as its competitors.

It appears on the surface to plug in with a lot of Google and other services.

Kids Director

The ease of process to send to volunteers, and speed in which we receive cleared check.

Recruiter

It seems easy enough to use with a lot of options.

it is obviously an overseas call center and not an account manager which is useless.

They just sent me a pricing pdf (which is different from what you see in your account when you are ordering your checks) that has small print saying that that there may be "additional fees."  

Director of Operations

It didn't have what we needed but they fixed it for us once we reached out to them.

It was easy for me to get in and use it with no previous experience.

It was easy to integrate with our payroll platform Gusto.

I paid for a premium tier background check tier that included employment an education verification services.

Background Check

Customer Support

Ease of Use

Phone Support

Report Management

Turnaround Time

Pricing

Security and Access Control

Process Management

Slow and unresponsive support

VP of People 

Can't speak with a person when speaking with customer service.

47% of reviewers feel negative about Checkr’s customer support. Some users report difficulty reaching support representatives, often encountering automated replies or long wait times for assistance. Reviewers indicate that unresolved issues and lack of clear communication cause frustration, especially when delays impact hiring timelines. They mention challenges with follow-up, limited access to knowledgeable staff, and a general sense that support is not customer-focused. Multiple users express dissatisfaction with the inability to speak directly to a person when urgent help is needed.

Seamless integration with HR systems

I like how Checkr integrates with Paylocity - creating less steps and automating the process.

Controller

It is integrated with Paylocity and works excellent with the onboarding process.  

96% of reviewers feel positive about Checkr’s integrations. Users indicate that the software connects smoothly with a wide range of HR platforms, applicant tracking systems, and payroll solutions, which helps automate background checks and reduces manual work. They say integrations with tools like Planning Center, BambooHR, Paylocity, and Gusto make it easier to manage hiring processes within their existing workflows. Some reviewers find that these integrations save time, minimize errors, and allow teams to track and complete checks without leaving their primary HR systems.

Streamlined and intuitive navigation

Systems Director

This product is easy to use, for both the user as well as the organization.

98% of reviewers feel positive about Checkr’s ease of use. Reviewers appreciate that the platform is straightforward and user-friendly, allowing them to navigate processes and access information quickly. They say onboarding is more efficient, tracking is simplified, and results are easy to interpret. Users mention that both administrators and end-users can operate the system with minimal training, and they value not having to switch between multiple systems. Some users highlight that the clear design and fast setup help them stay organized and reduce administrative effort in their daily workflow.

Small Business

Large Enterprises

Mid-size Business

Freelancers

Some users say Checkr offers flexible pricing with customizable feature selection, making it cost-effective for their needs. Reviewers appreciate the availability of multiple packages and the option to choose more affordable plans. Some users report that Checkr is reasonably priced compared to competitors and provides quick turnaround times, which they feel adds value. However, some reviewers find the pricing structure unclear, mentioning hidden fees and difficulty understanding cost breakdowns. Some users report unexpected price increases and say that additional fees make budgeting challenging. Some reviewers feel the overall cost can become high, especially with certain searches.

RefNow is a cloud-based reference checking solution for human resource teams and recruiters. It offers a range of features including reference requests, email invitations and reminders, candidate self service, data analysis, customization questions, user management, and more.

Vitay

VITAY is the Reference Checking and Talent Feedback platform for staffing and recruitment firms, employers. VITAY can send multiple reference requests to candidates and referees can provide feedback for review directly through the VITAY platform.

Bulk Reference Request

Feedback Management

Real-Time Reporting

Recruitment Management

Reference Request Automation

Reminders

Survey Builder

Survey Library

Workflow Management

By industry, Zinc reviewers are most commonly professionals in financial services (18%). The most frequent use case for Zinc cited by reviewers is background check (89% of reviewers).

Zinc is a reference check solution offering key features such as criminal history verification, background screening, reference request automation, and identity verification, among others.

Basic

Head of Compliance

Allowing us to meet our compliance obligations for SOC2 as well as our regulatory requirements, Zinc has been excellent in allowing us to reach out goals.

Talent Associate

I like that you can filter by status of the request, their customer support is pretty quick and effective, they send different emails to referee's to remind them to fill up the information...

PEOPLE OPERATIONS LEAD

Customisation of reference requests to give different questions dependent on the type of referee (and remove the four mandatory questions for some).

Talent Aquisition

Background academy, when uploading the diploma does not read the dates well, this is a problem since the months of the diplomas in Spain do not appear.

Support Specialist

Zinc could provide more information about what document would they need exactly i.e driving license, id card, etc and which one would be the most preferred and easy to process

Head of Talent

From the start it’s been brilliant support with set up, training and integrations with our ATS

Senior People Operations Coordinator

The employment verifications section need some work as is hard to set the criteria you want, as new joiners/employees can find ways around this.

AML KYC Analyst

There are less options available to choose in the qualification check section for example: if any person with whose highest qualification is 12th standard, then what option he will choose it's a bit complicated.

Product Developer

The upload feature for the chat wasn't working, thus I couldn't upload a screenshot while talking to the operator.

Technical Recruiting Manager

Such as errors in billing, errors in the difference between UK and US regulations, and just general reference check confusion.

At present one can only ask for a professional or HR reference, i.e. there is no option to ask for both to be checked for the same candidate.

People Coordinator

Perhaps the option to view/hide detailed information on cases, rather than option minimise/maximise entire review section?

HR Coordinator

Some of the international checks have been a bit confusing in terms of what's checked and the process but Zinc have always explained and provided more information when asked.

Checkr vs Zinc Comparison (2026)

Checkr

Zinc

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives