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First Advantage vs Sterling Talent Solutions Comparison

Last updated:

First Advantage

4.0(15 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Large Enterprises
  • Small Business

Introducing First Advantage, a leading Global Background Check Company specializing in comprehensive pre-employment background checks and screening solutions. Our software goes beyond the surface, providing in-depth insi…

Sterling Talent Solutions

3.9(39 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Introducing Sterling Talent Solutions - a game-changing SaaS aggregator tool that puts 'People First, Always'. Our cutting-edge background and identity solutions create a strong basis of trust and security for your emplo…

First Advantage leads on user satisfaction with a 4.0-star rating across 15 reviews.

First Advantage vs Sterling Talent Solutions — at a glance

FeatureFirst AdvantageSterling Talent Solutions
Rating4.0 / 53.9 / 5
Reviews1539
Starting priceContact for pricingContact for pricing
Free trial No No
Free version No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Small Business, Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryBackground Check SoftwareBackground Check Software
PlatformsBrowser Based (Cloud)SaaS/Web/Cloud
APIAvailableAvailable
Support modes24/7 (Live rep), OnlineOnline
CertificationsSOC 2, GDPR, ISO 27001SOC 2, GDPR
Data residencyGlobalGlobal

Key differences between First Advantage and Sterling Talent Solutions

  • User satisfaction: First Advantage scores higher with a 4.0-star average.
  • Deployment: First Advantage supports Browser Based (Cloud); Sterling Talent Solutions supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.

First Advantage vs Sterling Talent Solutions — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Background Check Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

First Advantage
Talk to an expert
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Talk to an expert

Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

First Advantage

Best for customizable, comprehensive global pre-employment background checks.

Choose if
  • You need in-depth screening beyond basic background checks.
  • Your organization requires flexible, configurable workflow management.
  • You operate globally and need compliance with international regulations.
Consider alternatives if
  • You require transparent, off-the-shelf pricing upfront.
  • You prefer simple, quick setup without customization complexity.

Sterling Talent Solutions

Best for medium to large HR teams needing reliable global background checks.

Choose if
  • You require clear, concise background check results to build hiring confidence.
  • Your team values a user-friendly interface with easy navigation for screening initiation.
  • You need strong regional expertise combined with dependable global fulfillment capabilities.
Consider alternatives if
  • You are a small business needing instant or highly automated background checks.
  • Your team demands highly responsive customer support and quick issue resolution.

First Advantage: Best for customizable, comprehensive global pre-employment background checks. Sterling Talent Solutions: Best for medium to large HR teams needing reliable global background checks.

Description

Introducing First Advantage, a leading Global Background Check Company specializing in comprehensive pre-employment background checks and screening solutions. Our software goes beyond the ... Read More about First Advantage

Introducing Sterling Talent Solutions - a game-changing SaaS aggregator tool that puts 'People First, Always'. Our cutting-edge background and identity solutions create a strong basis of ... Read More about Sterling Talent Solutions

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial
  • No free trial

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

3.9

(39)

Best Company Size

Small BusinessLarge Enterprises
Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises
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Get pricing help

Software Demo

Demo

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How do First Advantage and Sterling Talent Solutions Compare on Features?

Total Features

11 Features

10 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

Get Quote
Get Quote

Compare First Advantage and Sterling Talent Solutions on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Not Available

      Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals

      Platforms Supported

      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Available
      • Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      SOC 2

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      HIPAA

      ✗ No
      ✗ No

      GDPR

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      ISO 27001

      ✓ Yes

      Single Sign-On (SSO)

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Data Encryption

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Audit Logs

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Data Residency

      🌐 Global
      🌐 Global

      First Advantage User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      4

      (based on 15 reviews)

      Rating Distribution

      0

      0

      0

      0

      0

      22

      16

      12

      0

      6

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Overall positive sentiment with appreciation for comprehensive screening but limited by lack of pricing transparency and few user reviews.

      What buyers like

      • Comprehensive background checks
      • Customizable workflows
      • Global compliance

      Common complaints

      • Pricing opacity
      • Complex setup

      Buyer sentiment

      Users appreciate the platform's ease of use and quick turnaround but express frustration with inconsistent processing times and customer support responsiveness.

      What buyers like

      • Ease of use
      • Quick turnaround time
      • Clear reporting

      Common complaints

      • Inconsistent processing times
      • Customer service issues

      Pros and Cons

      • Comprehensive and in-depth background screening capabilities

      • Customizable workflow management tools

      • Global reach and compliance support

      • Pricing is quotation-based and not publicly available

      • Limited user reviews and feedback available

      • Clear and concise background check results that build hiring confidence

      • User-friendly interface with easy navigation for background check initiation

      • Quick turnaround for criminal background checks (3-5 business days)

      • Inconsistent wait times for different report types, sometimes taking weeks

      • Limited automation requiring manual steps to initiate checks

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Negative Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Media and Screenshots

      Videos

      video-0

      2 Videos

      video-0

      2 Videos

      Top Alternatives to First Advantage and Sterling Talent Solutions in 2026

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      Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

      Frequently asked questions

      Which is better, First Advantage or Sterling Talent Solutions?
      First Advantage edges out the other on user ratings (4.0 vs 3.9). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do First Advantage and Sterling Talent Solutions offer a free trial?
      Neither First Advantage nor Sterling Talent Solutions currently lists a free trial.
      What is the starting price of First Advantage vs Sterling Talent Solutions?
      First Advantage starts at Contact for pricing. Sterling Talent Solutions starts at Contact for pricing.
      What are the top alternatives to First Advantage?
      Top alternatives to First Advantage include Verified First, S2Verify, ClearStar, GoodHire, Orange Tree Employment Screening.
      What are the top alternatives to Sterling Talent Solutions?
      Top alternatives to Sterling Talent Solutions include GR8 People, HiPeople, OurPeople, Checkster, Access People HR.

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