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Standard

  • Highly configurable API with 13+ years of innovation and development
  • Global screening programs scalable to anywhere you hire
  • Machine learning algorithms for social media screening with EEOC/FCRA/GDPR compliance
  • Extensive service suite customizable to business needs
  • Integration with major enterprise systems (Workday, Oracle Taleo, SAP SuccessFactors, Lever)
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Quick Answer
Last verified:
Estimate

Sterling costs $20 to $500 per month as of July 2026. The median contract is $564/year based on 408 verified purchases.

Use the interactive pricing calculator to estimate your exact cost based on team size and requirements.

  • Free tier: No free tier available

Sterling offers 1 pricing tiers: Standard. The Standard plan is large enterprises and fortune 100 companies in regulated industries (fintech, healthcare, logistics, enterprise saas) requiring scalable global screening programs with advanced compliance and customization capabilities..

Compared to other background checks software, Sterling is positioned at the mid-market price point.

  • Median contract: $564/yr from 408 purchases Directional
  • 6 documented hidden costs beyond list price
Last verified:

How much does Sterling cost?

Sterling pricing starts at $20/month across 1 plans, with enterprise pricing available on request. Plans include Standard (custom pricing).

Sterling Pricing Overview

Sterling has 1 pricing plans ranging from $20 to $500/month. The Standard plan requires contacting sales for a custom quote and is designed for large enterprises and fortune 100 companies in regulated industries (fintech, healthcare, logistics, enterprise saas) requiring scalable global screening programs with advanced compliance and customization capabilities..

The median Sterling customer pays $564/year based on 408 verified purchases.

There are at least 6 documented hidden costs beyond Sterling's list price, including implementation, training, and add-on fees.

This pricing was last verified in July 12, 2026.

See Sterling Plans

Sterling pricing starts at custom pricing.

How Sterling Pricing Compares

Compare Sterling pricing against top alternatives in Background Checks.

HireRight $55.0/mo Compare → Checkr $29.99-$79.99/mo Compare → GoodHire $29.99-$89.99/mo Compare →

Compare Sterling vs Alternatives

Before committing to Sterling, compare pricing with these 3 alternatives in the same category.

VSHireRight
From $55.0/mo

Large enterprises and Fortune 100 companies requiring global screening capabilities with the highest accuracy standards, particularly in regulated industries needing comprehensive compliance support and extensive ATS integrations.

Full comparison
VSCheckr
From $29.99/mo

Basic background check needs

Full comparison
VSGoodHire
From $29.99/mo

Basic background checks

Full comparison

All Sterling alternatives & migration guides

What Companies Actually Pay for Sterling

The median Sterling buyer pays $564/year based on 408 verified purchase transactions.

What companies actually pay $564/yr Median across 408 community cost mentions Directional
Review scores
Trustpilot 2.5out of 5 (3,970)
Third-party review aggregates, as of Jul 2026
Top pricing complaints
Negative interactions with service and customer communications.Issues with staff, citing incompetence and poor communication skills.Significant delays in the background check and verification process.Reviewers describe the verification process as a "joke" and "incompetent," with difficulties verifying even basic information.
Source: Community cost mentions (Reddit, Hacker News) — aggregated from 408 distinct user reports. Indicative only — not contract-grade data.

How Sterling Pricing Compares

Software Starting Price Top Price
Sterling $20/month $500/month
Certn $4.99/month $69.99/month
Checkr $29.99/month $89.99/month
GoodHire $29.99/month $94.99/month
HireRight $55/month $55/month
TazWorks Custom Custom

Detailed pricing comparisons:

Browse all Background Checks pricing →

6 Sterling Hidden Costs Beyond the List Price

Beyond the listed price, Sterling has at least 6 documented hidden costs that can significantly increase total cost of ownership.

Watch for 6 hidden costs
  • Varied Check Pricing
    critical 1 source
    industry "Types of Checks Required: Different checks, such as criminal history, employment verification, education verification, credit checks, and specialized investigations, each have their own pricing structure"
  • Volume-Based Cost Increase
    critical 1 source
    industry "Volume of Checks: While higher volumes may lead to discounts, the overall cost will increase with the number of checks conducted"
  • Customization Fees
    high 1 source
    industry "Customizations and Additional Services: Specific requirements like international checks, enhanced criminal searches, or tailored reporting options can incur extra fees"
  • State/Court Fees
    critical 1 source
    industry "Similarly, some states charge a fee to access motor vehicle records, which will be passed on to the buyer"
  • ATS Integration Issues
    high 1 source
    industry "Integration Challenges: Some users have reported difficulties with Sterling's integration with their Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which could lead to unforeseen process changes and potential costs if the integration doesn't work as advertised"
  • Credit Card Processing Fee 3%
    medium 1 source
    industry "Payment Processing Fees: One reviewer mentioned that the only option to pay without a service fee was via ACH, and using a credit card incurred a 3% fee on $5500 in background checks over a few months"
Tip

Ask your Sterling sales rep about these costs upfront. Getting them in writing before signing can save you from surprise charges later.

Full hidden costs breakdown →

Intelligence sourced from 2 independent sources
industry Trustpilot Consumer reviews
Key claims include inline source attribution. Data verified against multiple independent sources. 12 source citations total.

How to Negotiate Sterling Pricing

Sterling contracts are negotiable. These 5 tactics are sourced from real buyer experiences and procurement specialists.

Negotiation Playbook 5 tactics
Clarify Customization Costs high success

Given that customizations and additional services can affect overall pricing, it is advisable to clarify these needs and their associated fees upfront.

https://techradar.com
Request Personalized Quote high success

Since pricing is not public, contacting Sterling directly to discuss specific requirements and receive an accurate pricing estimate is recommended.

https://techradar.com
Leverage Competition high success

Being aware of competitors like Checkr, VICTIG Background Checks, and GoodHire can be beneficial in negotiations.

https://g2.com
Define Scope Clearly high success

Clearly defining the breadth and depth of desired background checks is crucial, as the cost depends on the complexity of the screening.

https://sterlingbackcheck.ca
Inquire about Volume Discounts medium success

Sterling may offer tiered pricing or discounts for larger volumes of background checks, making it worthwhile to ask about these potential savings if you anticipate a high volume.

https://techradar.com
High success Medium Low / difficult

Full negotiation guide →

Sterling Pricing FAQ

01 How much does Sterling background screening cost?

Sterling uses custom enterprise pricing without public rates. Costs typically range from $20 to $500+ per check depending on screening complexity, volume, and service level. Contact their sales team for a customized quote.

02 What types of companies use Sterling?

Sterling primarily serves large enterprises and Fortune 100 companies in regulated industries such as fintech, healthcare, logistics, and enterprise SaaS that require global screening capabilities and advanced compliance.

03 Does Sterling offer international background checks?

Yes, Sterling provides comprehensive global screening programs and can conduct background checks in countries worldwide, making it ideal for companies with international hiring needs.

04 What ATS systems does Sterling integrate with?

Sterling integrates with major enterprise systems including Workday, Oracle Taleo, SAP SuccessFactors, Lever, iCIMS, LinkedIn, Jobvite, and many others through their highly configurable API.

05 Is Sterling suitable for small businesses?

Sterling is primarily designed for enterprise clients and may be cost-prohibitive or overly complex for small businesses. Smaller companies may find better value with providers like Checkr, GoodHire, or Certn.

06 What happened to Sterling after the First Advantage acquisition?

Sterling is now a First Advantage company, which may result in branding changes and service updates. However, Sterling continues to operate as a trusted global screening provider with its existing technology and partnerships.

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