Best people search sites

When seeking detailed information on an individual, having the best people search sites on your side is crucial. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about some of the most popular tools available for researching information and conducting a background check.

There are many reasons to look up an individual’s information online these days. For some, it provides peace of mind about the history of new acquaintances, neighbors, or even reconnecting with old friends and family members. Others might have been contacted by someone they don’t know via phone or email and want to identify the sender.

People search sites are designed for personal searches such as these. It's important to remember that most of these services are not FCRA-compliant. This means they generally cannot be legally used for purposes such as screening potential tenants or employees, or to verify a person’s eligibility for loans, credit, or insurance. If those are the types of searches you’re looking to perform, you’ll need to use FCRA-compliant background check services.

If you need ways to screen employees during recruitment or onboarding, you might like to check out our guide on the best talent management software or our review of the best cloud HCM software.

What are the best people search sites in 2025?

Overall, PeopleFinders and TruthFinder (which now often includes Instant Checkmate functionality after acquisitions) stand out as robust options. PeopleFinders is known for its speed, ease of use, and flexible pricing, including affordable one-off reports. TruthFinder (and its associated brands) is often subscription-based but typically provides comprehensive reports that can include social media details, criminal records, and more.

Also on the list is Whitepages, notable for offering a free tier for basic information. US Search can take longer to compile reports, but often provides a preview of the data before purchase. Intelius offers an advanced user experience with interactive data presentation. For searches encompassing vehicle details or unclaimed property, BeenVerified remains a strong contender.

It's crucial to note that the people search industry is dynamic, with companies sometimes merging or changing service offerings. Pricing and specific features should always be verified directly on the provider's website before making a commitment.

The best people search sites in 202

PeopleFinders

PeopleFinders distinguishes itself by offering both one-off report purchases and subscription packages. This flexibility is great for users who don't need ongoing search capabilities. Basic reports are typically inexpensive (historically around $1−3), providing fundamental information.

More detailed reports, which could include criminal and property history, can be more expensive (historically around $9−10 for a single report). Monthly subscriptions for unlimited basic or detailed reports are also often available, with prices generally ranging from $20−30 per month. That said, we advise always checking the site for current rates.

PeopleFinders allows searches using names, phone numbers, and email addresses, which is useful if you only have limited information. A key benefit is that it often provides a list of potential matches before you commit to a purchase, helping you verify if the correct individual is likely to be found. According to the PeopleFinders website, their service is not for FCRA-regulated purposes. Reports may not always include social media handles.

PeopleFinders is a great, cost-effective option if you only need to perform a one-off search or if you have an email address as your primary starting point.

Read our full PeopleFinders review.

Instant Checkmate

Searching through Instant Checkmate can provide users with some of the most thorough reports available. Reports are often divided into categories such as criminal records, relatives, financial history, and online presence.

Services like this may delve into a person’s online activity, including social media posts, dating profiles, and even if they appear on government watchlists or have weapons permits. Unlimited report downloads are common with subscriptions.

Historically, these services are subscription-only. A one-month subscription might cost around $25−35, with potential discounts for longer commitments (e.g., a three-month plan could be around $20−30 per month). We advise verifying current pricing on the website. 

There's often no option for single reports. The search process can feel longer than some competing offerings due to interactive questions designed to refine results.

If you’re looking for in-depth social media activity, online presence, or extensive background details and are comfortable with a subscription, Instant Checkmate is a strong contender. 

Whitepages

Whitepages is one of the longest-standing names in online directories and offers a free search option. This free lookup typically provides a person’s full name, associated landline phone numbers, current address, and age range.

Premium reports unlock more detailed information, such as relatives, associates, mobile numbers, criminal records, financial records (like bankruptcies and foreclosures), property details, and more.

Whitepages' pricing can be multifaceted. A one-off background report might cost around £10-12. For more comprehensive contact information (including mobile numbers and full address history), they often offer a premium contact subscription (e.g., around $5−7 per month for a set number of reports, or a higher tier for more reports, perhaps $20−25). They may also offer an "Enhanced Background Report" for a higher one-time fee (e.g., $30−40), which could involve more current data retrieval. Check the site for current details.

Whitepages is a versatile option, whether you need a quick, free lookup for basic details or are willing to pay for more comprehensive and potentially very current public record data.

US Search

US Search aims to pull a wide variety of data, including social media information, photos, and detailed contact information like cell phone numbers. A significant benefit is that US Search often provides a preview or summary of what the report will contain before you commit to a subscription.

The information can be highly detailed, for instance, providing case numbers and offense descriptions for criminal records. The search portal, however, might not be as quick or modern as some alternatives, potentially requiring navigation through several screens.

Historically, US Search has been subscription-based, with monthly fees around $20. A point of friction in the past was the requirement to call customer service for subscription cancellation; it's advisable to check their current cancellation policy.

If you’re looking for detailed insight into someone’s social media activity and appreciate a preview before committing to a subscription, US Search is worth considering.

TruthFinder

TruthFinder is recognized for its ability to delve deep into public records, drawing from county, state, and federal databases to compile extensive background checks on individuals. Users can initiate searches with relative ease, guided by useful prompts designed to narrow down results and identify the correct person.

The platform is adept at uncovering a wide array of information, including financial details (such as bankruptcies), comprehensive criminal records (such as felonies, misdemeanors, sex offenses, and arrest records), traffic offenses, and more. A notable feature is its system of flagging reports that may contain sensitive or serious criminal information, providing a warning to the user before they access the full details. For potentially graphic content, TruthFinder also implements an age confirmation step.

For individuals curious about their online footprint, TruthFinder offers the ability to search for their records, claim their profile, and request corrections for any inaccuracies found. This provides a measure of control over the information presented.

While initiating a search is generally straightforward, compiling the full report once an individual is selected can be a lengthy process. Users may encounter multiple interactive questions and loading screens, which, while intended to refine results, can extend the waiting time before a report is ready for download.

Regarding access, TruthFinder typically operates on a subscription model. This means users usually cannot purchase individual, one-off reports and must instead opt for a recurring monthly subscription (historically in the $25−35 range, but always verify current pricing on their official website) to gain unlimited access to reports. A drawback for some is that a detailed preview of what a report contains is often not available before payment.

Despite the potentially longer report generation times and subscription-only model, TruthFinder's platform is generally easy to navigate. It stands as a robust option for users seeking in-depth background information, particularly concerning financial histories and comprehensive criminal records, and who are comfortable with an ongoing subscription for regular search needs.

Intelius

The Intelius user interface generally allows for easy searching with a name, phone number, or address. A strong point for Intelius is the depth of information it can provide about people connected to your search subject. You can often include details about family members or associates in your report. Interactive maps might display data related to known addresses.

While reverse phone lookups can be quick, full background reports may take a few minutes to prepare as the system compiles data. Intelius is usually subscription-based, with unlimited reports often costing around $20−25 per month. One-off report purchases are less common.

If you want comprehensive information on a person’s network and appreciate interactive data presentation, Intelius offers a solid platform.

BeenVerified

BeenVerified offers some distinct features, including an unclaimed property search. This allows you to see if there are unclaimed assets or money in your name (or the subject's name) across different states. It supports a broad range of search inputs, including vehicle license plate details.

Reports from BeenVerified are typically well-designed, with clear sections for different types of information. However, you may not get a detailed preview of the findings before committing to a monthly subscription, which could be around $25−30 per month. As with some other services, check their current cancellation policy, as direct online cancellation hasn't always been available.

BeenVerified is user-friendly and offers unique search capabilities like vehicle lookups and unclaimed property searches, making it a valuable tool for those specific needs.

How to choose the best people finder for you

Selecting the ideal people-finder hinges on several distinct considerations. Because most platforms deliver comparable — even virtually indistinguishable — feature sets, your final pick will frequently boil down to subscription cost or overall interface comfort. Nevertheless, certain characteristics render particular services markedly better suited to very unique, specific, specialized use cases.

When your priority is obtaining straightforward data at the lowest possible price, Whitepages deserves initial consideration. Conversely, searchers who plan to conduct thorough background investigations routinely and still want an inexpensive monthly plan will find US Search an attractive, cost-effective alternative service overall.

When the only clue you have is something less conventional — perhaps an e-mail handle or a vehicle’s plate number — select a platform geared toward such reverse lookups, notably BeenVerified or PeopleFinders, which both specialize in that unique capability.

Nearly all of these services supply smartphone applications replicating their web-based functionality, yet users seeking particularly dependable performance on both iOS and Android may gravitate toward PeopleFinders, whose cross-platform app frequently earns praise for consistency and ease.

Many individuals turn online to vet fresh personal contacts — be that a prospective flatmate or someone met through dating apps. In such situations, InstantCheckmate’s exceptionally comprehensive digital-footprint dossier, including linked dating profiles, provides the reassurance and context many people crave before moving forward with them.

Another common reason to turn to a people finder tool is looking up old friends and family with whom you’ve lost touch. You might remember their old address or still have a phone number for their childhood landline, for example. In that case, interactive visuals of an individual’s family network, as provided by Inteliu,s can provide the context you need to find who you’re looking for quickly.

Ethical considerations and opting out 

While people search sites can be useful, it's important to use them responsibly and ethically. Accessing someone's personal information should be done with respect for their privacy and only for legitimate, non-harmful reasons. Never use this information to harass, stalk, or intimidate anyone.

Many people are uncomfortable with their information being readily available on these sites. Most people search sites offer an opt-out process that allows individuals to request the removal of their records from the platform's public searches.

• How to opt-out: The opt-out procedure varies by site. Typically, you'll need to find an "Opt-Out," "Remove My Information," or "Privacy" link, often in the website's footer. You may need to identify your specific record, verify your identity (e.g., via email or phone), and then submit the removal request. Some sites make this easier than others.
• Persistence: Opting out of one site doesn't remove your information from others, nor does it remove it from the original public records sources these sites draw from. You may need to repeat the process for multiple people search sites. Additionally, new information or changes to existing public records could lead to your information reappearing later, so periodic checks might be necessary.
• Data broker removal services: There are also paid services that specialize in removing personal information from a multitude of data brokers and people search sites, which can save considerable time and effort.

Understanding these aspects enables users to be better informed about people search sites and empowers individuals to manage their online footprint.

Further reading on people search sites

Budget may be a barrier to conducting your searches for individuals online; learn how to find someone for free on the internet in our step-by-step guide, and find out which premium people search platforms offer the best free people search sites.