If you’ve run a background check online, you’ll find that these services are typically tied with a subscription. This means that instead of a one-time purchase for lifetime ownership, you pay a month-to-month fee to access the content.

While there are valid reasons why background check services are operated this way – data collecting, compiling, updating, maintenance costs, etc., you don’t have to be forced into a subscription to get a report. There are 2 background check services that provide a pay-per-report option. Read on…

Option 1: Truthfinder

TruthFinder is one of the most powerful background check services online. It aggregates public records from a wide range of sources and puts them into one big convenient hub. With TruthFinder, you can locate a long-lost friend, check a roommate’s criminal background, scope out your new Tinder date, learn more about just any individual that crosses your mind – the list goes on and on.

TruthFinder doesn’t advertise the single report option on its website. Instead, it is available as a pop-up offer:

1. To grab the TruthFinder single-report offer, go to the TruthFinder official website, enter the name of the person, then click SEARCH.
   
2. You’ll be prompted with a couple of questions related to your subject, answer them as you know and TruthFinder will narrow down the results.
3. Once finished, TruthFinder will organize all the associated records into a report, which may include personal information, contact specifics, social media profiles, criminal records, work history, licenses, and more if available. To access the report, a subscription is required.
   
   The above image is from a sample TruthFinder report. Actual TruthFinder reports may contain more or less information.

Option 2: Intelius

Intelius is a background check service with a reputation for delivering quick and accurate results. The engine provides four types of search – name, phone number, address, and email address (available at signup).

Owned by the same company that operates TruthFinder, Intelius also provides a once-off background report without commitment. A single Intelius report costs $29.95.

1. Go to Intelius Official Website.
2. Choose the search type: name, phone, and address, then enter the information and click Search.
   
3. Wait a few minutes as Intelius combs through its database. Once ready, it will gather the records and prepare them into a report for you, summarizing the important facts of a person’s life.
   
   The above image is a sample Intelius report. An actual Intelius report may contain more or less information.

Bonus Tips: Background check services with $1 trials

Despite our extensive research, there aren’t many background check services that offer one-off background checks with no subscription. And even though TruthFinder and Intelius are the exceptions, the single report options are prohibitively expensive. If you’re looking for more cost-effective solutions, perhaps you should consider background check trials (could be as low as $1!). Once you get the trials, make sure you explore the features as much as you can, and remember to cancel if it doesn’t live up to your expectations.

Here we list some of the best:

1. Instant Checkmate

Pros:

• Very accurate background reports
• Unlimited background check
• Searching includes mugshots, speeding tickets
• Dark web scan

Cons:

• No option to buy single reports

2. BeenVerified

Pros:

• A complete report includes personal information, contact information, property, vehicles, marriage records, unclaimed money, and more when available.
• Sends notifications when a checked report is changed (optional)
• Very easy-to-navigate web and mobile app interfaces
• $1 for a 7-day trial
• Easy to cancel (via the contact form, email, and customer service)

3. PeopleLooker

Pros:

• 7-day trial for only $1
• Lightning-fast result delivery
• All-encompassing reverse lookup services including name, property, email, and phone numbers
• Strong commitment to privacy
• Works on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS

4. Spokeo

Pros:

• Free basic search (which includes the city and state, age, relatives, and locations of the individual you search)
• Very affordable
• Easy-to-read CV-like report
• Highly accurate
• Very fast results
• 7-day trial for only $1
• Web-based and mobile app versions
• Attentive 24/7 human customer service

Cons:

• Limited criminal record database
• Doesn’t support iOS

5. PeopleFinders

Pros:

• Guaranteed confidentiality
• Robust customer support service
• Highly accurate and comprehensive data
• Boasts 43 billion records in its database
• Once-off plus a three-day trial costs as low as $0.95
• Provide iOS and Android apps
• Hassle-free cancellation

Cons:

• Too much information you don’t need

Summary

From your daily pint of milk to software to content, it seems that the subscription-based model has crept into nearly every aspect of our life. While it is no exception with background check services, you can run a once-off background search and get a single report with TruthFinder and Intelius.

Which service did you try? Or do you have other recommendations? If you have any questions, ideas, or suggestions, you’re more than welcome to leave us a comment below, thanks!

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