# Sterling Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra > Is Sterling the right Background Check solution for you? Explore 30 verified user reviews from people in industries like yours to make a confident choice. Source: https://www.capterra.com/p/165201/Sterling-Talent-Solutions/reviews --- Sterling 4 (30) [View alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/165201/Sterling-Talent-Solutions/alternatives/) Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/) * * * Last updated March 13th, 2026 # Reviews of Sterling Ease of use 4.2 Customer Service 3.7 ## Pros and Cons in Reviews ED Edrick D Process AssociateHuman Resources, 501 - 1,000 employeesUsed the software for: 6-12 months. “This product is very easy to use and it makes our work in the HR-Onboarding team more efficiently.“ June 10, 2021 JJ John J Registered NurseHospital & Health Care, 51 - 200 employeesUsed the software for: Less than 6 months. “Just entering a telephone number, finding your country code is difficult, and then you have to enter the area and the actual telephone number all in separate (slow) data boxes. And, OMG, just avoid entering dates if you can, because the site won’t let you just TYPE a date, instead giving a calendar for the current month… and making you go backwards month-by-month to provide a date.“ September 23, 2025 Jordan L Recruiting Enablement SpecialistComputer Software, 1,001 - 5,000 employeesUsed the software for: Less than 6 months. “Sterling was limited in how they could integrate with our ATS which required our team to make process changes that we did not want. Plus, when we were trying to set up the integration, it didn't work in its full capacity as advertised by Sterling, and they couldn't figure out why.“ July 14, 2023 Jordan L Recruiting Enablement SpecialistComputer Software, 1,001 - 5,000 employeesUsed the software for: Less than 6 months. “The implementation and especially the integration was not smooth.“ July 14, 2023 ## Showing most helpful reviews Showing 1-25 of 30 Reviews Sort by: Most Helpful Rating Company Size Reviewer's Role Length of Use Frequency of Use VR Verified Reviewer HR Business Partner Internet Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Background checks made easy! " March 5, 2019 4.0 Very positive! Pros It's so simple to use and the turnaround time is unreal. Cons The pages aren't the most user friendly but once yo learn how to navigate them it's fine. Review Source LB Lisa B. Operations Manager Health, Wellness and Fitness Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Sterling Review" July 15, 2024 5.0 I have had a positive experience with Sterling. Pros Sterling is very user friendly and the process is very timely. Cons Sometimes the different options available can be confusing. Review Source SV Shikha V. HR Manager Staffing and Recruiting Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Sterling-Over all good but needs improvement." March 20, 2019 3.0 I am not completely satisfied with some of the features provided by Sterling but this is the preferred vendor for some of our clients. It has room for improvements. Pros Sterling is an online platform which provides screening and investigation services. I have been using this software for almost 6 years now and it has become advanced as compared to its previous versions. However, there is still quite a lot room for improvement. In most of the cases, the turn-around time for criminal check is quick except for few county/state-wide checks. The package set up process is easy and the customer service is good. It offers variety of checks and fulfil the background check requirements from the client every time. They even offer the facility to schedule appointment for drug and medical tests. The user interface is pretty simple and user friendly and does not require detailed instructions to complete the link. The portal allows view/download the report without the reviewer’s comments. The report generation process is easy and the final report look clean and clear. Cons Firstly, there is no intimation as soon as a consultant completes the background check link. They only send an email when the report is complete or they need supporting information/documentation. They should intimate us within 2 days if they are not able to get any response from the employer so that we can start following up with the employee for alternate numbers/documentation. This would expedite the process for everyone. Since there are other strong competitors in the market, they need to focus on the weaknesses in order to sustain in the market. Review Source ED Edrick D. Process Associate Human Resources Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Sterling is a dependable software." June 10, 2021 5.0 I greatly recommend this software because it removes a great load in Onboarding Specialists' tasks. It gives us the opportunity to work on some other things which cannot be automated. There are some concerns in the background check results but it is very understandable because this is still a software programmed to do specific tasks. Its other features like electronic forms minimizes the use of papers and reports and analytics makes work faster. Great value for money. Pros This product is very easy to use and it makes our work in the HR-Onboarding team more efficiently. Its reports and analytics, electronic forms, and self-service portal are its fundamental features which both applicants and human resource professionals benefit greatly from. Cons Its room for improvement would be when it does the automated background checking with The Work Number, it is very sensitive to providing mismatch/issue in it. Basically, this is because it was how it was programmed. It was programmed to be very specific with the details to match. This is acceptable because, after all, this is still a program with limitations. Review Source Sharyn S. HR Supervisor Financial Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Robust background screening solution" December 5, 2018 5.0 Pros I have used other background check services but this one is the most thorough. It can do a credit check very quickly. Doing a standard background check is typically quick unless the candidate has lived in several different states. For any background check platform, it will generally take a while for it to get through all the states so that's not atypical. I have had more success than not and I do like the way the reports are listed. It's very clear cut and concise. Cons On one occasion, I did have a background check take a long time for a candidate and it held up their employment. I'm not sure why it got stuck other than I was told the court was taking a long time releasing records but overall that was the only con I really encountered. Review Source AT Angela T. Director of HR Real Estate Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Service is Sterling!" April 26, 2022 5.0 We have been with Sterling for 5+ years. We have a great relationship with our team Pros The support we get and the speed at which we get updates Cons Court related searches sometimes take too long Reason for choosing Sterling Service and Price Switched from [ezLaborManager](https://www.capterra.com/p/212443/EzLaborManager/) We moved HRIS platforms Review Source FB Franco B. Freelancer Market Research Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Sterling review" June 20, 2021 5.0 It solves my problem by providing me an easy faster way to find the right and certified people in my business. Pros Sterling is making sure that they can provide the right people for each Companies so you can be sure that even in this time of pandemic you can still hire the right person for your Company. There sofware is easy to use and it is fast. Cons Communication/ Dialogue on Asian countries I guess because the product is Great! Review Source MB Melissa B. Human Resources Security and Investigations Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Easy Easy Easy!!!" August 6, 2018 5.0 Great program, using this is very helpful to the business field I am in and makes things move along fluidly. Pros Sterling is very easy to use, from the data entry point to finding your completed reports. You can choose your options for running just a background check or adding a motor vehicle report to it. There are also additional options like credit reports for employment purposes and many more. You can pick and choose what you need for each candidate. Turnaround time is generally pretty fast. Cons I do not like that I cannot add multiple peoples information at the same time when ordering the same check for more than one candidate. Review Source Bethany T. People Operations Coordinator Hospital & Health Care Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Easy to use" February 21, 2019 5.0 Pros To submit a background check, it is very easy and intuitive. Just need name and email and they take care of the rest. They provide good communication to those that are getting the background check and the employer Cons We have had a few times where they say documents do not suffice when indeed they are sufficient and that has caused some frustration but otherwise they are very efficient in what they do. Review Source Joseph A. Field Service Technician Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Clear as day background check" February 28, 2019 5.0 Overall, a fast and easy experience. Would recommend Pros I was in the process of getting a new job and needed a background check. This software was offered as the preferred method. It was easy to do. I just had to fill out some of my own information and upload one scanned document and I was done. It was fast and simple. Cons The only con was that the software looks a little dated, like something out of the early 00's. Review Source JJ John J. Registered Nurse Hospital & Health Care Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Bottom-dollar pricing represents bottom-barrel quality" September 23, 2025 1.0 Checking on this company after my own horrible experiences, I wasn’t surprised to find that it is popular specifically because it costs less for client companies than most of their companies. However, bottom-dollar usually comes with bottom-of-the barrel quality, and companies need to recognize that before signing on with Sterling. — In my recent experience with two of their service sites for background checks and information verification, I found that accurate data entry is nowhere near the Sterling strengths, as they’ll literally list a college course completion as being 5 years before you even started attendance. Or past employers will be listed with dates up to TWENTY YEARS off! Trying to enter or correct info is a nightmare, with site connectivity/ operation simply dropping if you hit the “Next” tab at the bottom of page. And, as if their site being slower than dial-up internet weren’t bad enough, you may have to enter and re-enter the SAME data 6 or 7 times before it finally saves. . Oh, and customer service? There is none, as everything is automated, including their listed phone support service. You’re looking at a minimum of two days response, usually just in the form of a new link sent for your info entry process. (Yes, their site drops you — only on 2-3 pages into their 22-page required process — and then you can’t automatically get back into it.) So, the “twenty minutes” their site says it will take at the start is really more like 8 hours of the most frustrating and slow website design you’ll ever encounter. Literally, it takes longer to finish their required online data entry than it takes for them to collect your background results… which will be wrong because you couldn’t fully enter or edit your info on time. . And, it doesn't get any better after that, as the rest of the Sterling processes on other sites/ links will also be bad. Like where you’re asked to enter citizenship, you won’t find the United States or the United Kingdom among their options. Just entering a telephone number, finding your country code is difficult, and then you have to enter the area and the actual telephone number all in separate (slow) data boxes. And, OMG, just avoid entering dates if you can, because the site won’t let you just TYPE a date, instead giving a calendar for the current month… and making you go backwards month-by-month to provide a date. . Think about that. You going to enter your 30-year old wife’s date-of-birth in such a system? . Absolutely, the worst system I’ve ever seen… and I been around since before the internet. Pros Nothing. It was the slowest and most difficult website I have EVER encounter, in over 30 years online. Truly a bad and time-wasting experience. Cons The slow, low-quality website design in all their apps, and the horribly inaccurate data entry. Something as easy as entering a phone number or date is made excruciating frustrating with these people’s sites. You can’t even find the US or UK listed as nations one can have citizenship with. (US, just pick “American,” as it’s literally the closest option given.) Review Source VW Victoria W. HR Generalist II Food & Beverages Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Good for Background Checks and Reference Checks" January 15, 2026 4.0 Sterling was easy to use but did not offer other checks as part of the site which made it difficult because the organization had to rely on other vendors to get that information. Pros I liked the ease of using the program, and the verification process was always very timely. Reference checks can also be conducted by employees for the organization saving HR time. Cons I did not like that it did not integrate with the BOP which is a required check where we operate. I did not like that if there were a minor discrepancy or a reference check was not able to be completed, they would flag the account. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer TA Manager Insurance Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Good Services, Poor Customer Service, Dated User Experience" January 6, 2025 3.0 Overall, they are a good provider, and one of the only ones in Canada that doesn't a decent job at performing pre-employment checks. Their platforms needs updating as does their SLAs with customers. Pros They have a variety of service offerings that are available to their clients and they often get completed packages in a short period of time. Cons They customer service was slow to respond to requests. Their platform is dated, and it doesn't have the best user experience (customer or applicant) Alternatives considered [Certn](https://www.capterra.com/p/202028/Certn/) Reason for choosing Sterling They were recently acquired by another organization that will position them to be a well known brand. Review Source CC Chris C. Director of Human Resources Automotive Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Sterling is a solid product. Everything you want in a background screening provider." August 15, 2024 4.0 Overall excellent experience. Salesforce is top notch and customer service has been responsive. Pros Sterling has a very nice interface and overall it's a smooth running program. Great network for drug screens and timely background screening results. Cons I would like the move to their Modern Hub completed. Right now we have the two options and can toggle between them. Do the Modern view and just continue to improve that. Switched from [HireRight](https://www.capterra.com/p/100993/HireRight/) Customer Service and Overall network available for Drug Screens Review Source MP Matthew P. General Manager Staffing and Recruiting Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Good Product. Beyond Terrible Customer Service" August 2, 2024 3.0 As mentioned in my Pros section, running background checks were relatively easy but the customer service gets a 0/10/. Only option to pay is by ACH without a service fee. $5500 in background checks over the course of a few months and now I have to ear 3% using credit card. Pros Running background checks were relatively easy - single use and bulk Cons Customer Service and Payment Method - no online payment. 3% fee to use credit card Alternatives considered [Crimcheck](https://www.capterra.com/p/196344/Crimcheck/) Reason for choosing Sterling Came down to cost. They beat out their offer Switched from [GoodHire](https://www.capterra.com/p/154690/GoodHire-Background-Checks/) They were purchased by CheckR and they raised the prices through the roof Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Recruiting Enablement Specialist Computer Software Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Not the best with integrations" July 14, 2023 3.0 So far, not great. The implementation and integration has not been a good experience. Pros I like that recruiters will be able to trigger the background check. Cons The implementation and especially the integration was not smooth. Sterling was limited in how they could integrate with our ATS which required our team to make process changes that we did not want. Plus, when we were trying to set up the integration, it didn't work in its full capacity as advertised by Sterling, and they couldn't figure out why. Review Source Richard K. Onboarding and Benefits Coordinator Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Sterling works great under most circumstances." March 7, 2018 3.0 Quick and helpful fulfillment of our diverse background screening process under low-to medium volumes. Pros I appreciate the convenience of the user interface. The technical team at Sterling is educated in the background process law and are able to set up packages containing background check components specifically designed to meet my clients' needs. Cons Sterling's process can get bogged down under high volume. There are times when my company processes 20 or more background checks per day. We've had some trouble with turn-around times under these situations. Review Source CC Crisanto C. Payroll, HR & Benefit's Administrator Transportation/Trucking/Railroad Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Easy to use with quick result." December 6, 2017 5.0 Having used this software gives us accurate and quick result necessary in making business decision. Pros This system is very user friendly. You just need a few clicks to complete your transaction. And the result is given to you if not today, you will get it tomorrow. They notify you if there will be delay in the result and will provide you estimated time to completion. I love the free webinars that they provide to their clients. This is something that is very valuable for us as part of their product features. Their customer support team are all great and very knowledgeable of the product. Review Source Tanim A. Marketing Expert Internet Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Probably the best I have ever used" January 27, 2022 5.0 Pros The best thing about this is, it is simple and easy to use. It is pretty works very well for Background checks, I-9 verifications and others. It is quite feature rich. Cons It is a little slow, most of the times. Other than that, I like pretty much everything. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Realtor / Property Manager Real Estate Used the software for: 2+ years ### "TENANT APPLICATIONS AND SCREENING" December 15, 2018 5.0 The low cost and ease of use makes this product perfect for our needs. Pros This work great for performing credit checks on rental applications. Work seamlessly and gives me results within 24 hours. Plus they only charge per check so easily billed out. Cons They seem to have a really long billing cycle so I often get a bill long after the check so have to cross check to make sure the proper person is being billed. Review Source MC Monica C. Talent Consultant Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Sterling Background Check Services " June 12, 2023 5.0 Pros One of the best features of Sterling is the fact that they have several different platforms to choose from and you can integrate with your current Applicant Tracking System. Another great feature is the quick turn around on report results. Cons Sterling's customer support can be improved upon. Turnaround time is quick, unless you are processing dozens of reports at once. Review Source CA Carter A. HR Coordinator Food Production Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Fine product with non-existent customer service." September 27, 2019 4.0 Not great. Pros Easy to submit background checks. Also easy to find past ones. Cons If you have a problem or one is taking forever to come back, it is next to impossible to contact them. There is no customer service. I also get calls from sales agents trying to sell me Sterling One, when I already use it. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Onboarding Associate Staffing and Recruiting Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Sterling Backgrounds" May 16, 2019 3.0 Pros Easy to navigate and friendly user. Receive notifications for statuses. Cons Too much data entry. Change of date results with no confirmation. Review Source DD Dominika D. Manager Translation and Localization Used the software for: I used a free trial ### "Sterling with leave you stress free" February 4, 2022 4.0 Pros Easy to navigate/understand the dashboard. Cons I cannot think of a feature I did not like or was concerned about while using the Sterling platform Review Source ALD Adjoh Lucie D. Assistante commerciale Building Materials Used the software for: I used a free trial ### "Logiciel de gestion" October 16, 2023 5.0 Pros Ce logiciel fait partie des fournisseurs de services d'antécédents et d'identité. Son avantage est la facilité de vente en détail et personnel sans aucun doute. L'hôtellerie, éducation, et les universités peuvent en bénéficier. Cons Pas d'inconvénients, je rassure l'utilisateur à en utiliser. Review Source Similar Products Featured ## Related categories [Background Check](https://www.capterra.com/background-check-software/)