Article
Best People Search Sites in 2026
Find anyone with the best people search engines. Our experts tested accuracy, database size, and search capabilities to help you locate old friends, verify identities, and find contact information.
Looking for an old friend, verifying someone’s identity, or researching a new neighbor? People search sites help you find contact information, addresses, and background details about individuals using public records and online data.
Our team tested the leading people search platforms, evaluating database size, search accuracy, information depth, and ease of use. Here are the best people search sites for 2026.
Quick Comparison
| Service | Best For | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Instant Checkmate | Best Overall | $28.38/month (3-month plan) | ★4.8/5 |
| 2. TruthFinder | Best for Deep Background Checks | $23.52/month (bi-monthly plan) | ★4.7/5 |
| 3. Spokeo | Best for Social Media Searches | $14.95/month (3-month plan) | ★4.6/5 |
| 4. BeenVerified | Best for Report Monitoring | $32.89/month | ★4.5/5 |
| 5. Intelius | Best for Data Visualization | $19.49/month (3-month plan) | ★4.4/5 |
| 6. US Search | Best for Quick Lookups | $19.95/month | ★4.3/5 |
| 7. PeopleFinders | Best for International Searches | $24.95/month | ★4.2/5 |
| 8. That's Them | Best Free Option | $0/free tier available | ★4.1/5 |
| 9. WhitePages | Best for Traditional Directory Info | $5.00/report | ★4/5 |
| 10. PeekYou | Best for Username Searches | $0/free with limitations | ★3.9/5 |
Our Top Picks in Detail
Instant Checkmate
Instant Checkmate leads the people search industry with its massive database and unlimited search model. Originally created for online dating safety, it now provides comprehensive access to contact information, location data, criminal records including arrests and convictions, making it ideal for thorough people searches.
Pros
- ✓Comprehensive reports with criminal and traffic records
- ✓Unlimited searches with monthly subscription
- ✓15+ years of proven track record since 2010
- ✓A+ BBB rating with strong reputation
- ✓Specialized inmate search functionality
Cons
- ✗Higher monthly cost at $35.47 for single month
- ✗FTC fine in 2023 for deceptive practices
- ✗No single report option available
TruthFinder
TruthFinder excels at deep background searches with access to 60+ data sources including birth and death records, arrests, bankruptcies, and liens. The platform's Dark Web monitoring service adds valuable identity theft protection, making it more than just a people search tool.
Pros
- ✓Searches over 17 billion public records
- ✓Dark Web monitoring for identity protection
- ✓Includes social media profiles and photos
- ✓Excellent mobile app with intuitive interface
- ✓Birth, death, bankruptcy, and lien records included
Cons
- ✗FTC penalty in 2023 for misleading marketing
- ✗No one-time report purchase option
- ✗Additional fees for phone and email lookup
Spokeo
Spokeo stands out for its exceptional social media aggregation capabilities, searching across 60+ social networks and the deep web. With 12 billion records and a user-friendly interface, it excels at finding people's online footprints including photos, profiles, and social connections.
Pros
- ✓Searches 60+ social networks and deep web
- ✓Very affordable $0.95 for 7-day trial
- ✓12 billion records with 15 million monthly visitors
- ✓Excellent for finding social media profiles
- ✓Professional tier with 500 monthly searches ($69.95)
Cons
- ✗Monthly plans more expensive than trial suggests
- ✗Limited to 100 searches on standard plans
- ✗Some advanced features require professional tier
BeenVerified
BeenVerified offers a unique feature that notifies you when information in your saved reports changes. Combined with comprehensive people search capabilities including property records, social media profiles, and vehicle history, it's ideal for ongoing monitoring needs.
Pros
- ✓Unique report monitoring with change notifications
- ✓Comprehensive reports including property ownership
- ✓Includes vehicle VIN and license plate lookups
- ✓$1 seven-day trial to test the service
- ✓Quick, user-friendly mobile application
Cons
- ✗B BBB rating, not accredited
- ✗Higher pricing compared to competitors
- ✗Potential early termination fees
Intelius
Intelius distinguishes itself with exceptional data visualization, showing how people are connected through relationships, locations, and affiliations. With access to 20+ billion records and unique education information, it provides insights other services miss.
Pros
- ✓Outstanding visual presentation of data connections
- ✓Access to 20+ billion public records since 2003
- ✓Shows how people are connected to each other
- ✓Includes education information others don't have
- ✓BBB accredited with solid ratings
Cons
- ✗Limited to 100 reports per month
- ✗Single month plan costs $29.99
- ✗Same ownership as TruthFinder and Instant Checkmate
US Search
US Search excels at speed and flexibility with the fastest basic search results we tested. The ability to purchase one-time reports at $2.45 makes it perfect for occasional searches, while the Pro plan offers premium support for professionals.
Pros
- ✓Fastest basic search results in testing
- ✓One-time report option at $2.45
- ✓Pro plan ($59/month) with premium US support
- ✓Good value for occasional searches
- ✓No long-term commitment required
Cons
- ✗Basic reports less detailed than competitors
- ✗Professional plan expensive at $59/month
- ✗Limited advanced search features
PeopleFinders
PeopleFinders stands out with international coverage and a massive database of 120+ billion records from 6,000 sources. The freemium model lets you preview results before purchasing, and the global reach makes it ideal for finding people outside the US.
Pros
- ✓Global database covering US and international records
- ✓Access to 6,000 data sources and 120+ billion records
- ✓Freemium preview before purchasing reports
- ✓Affordable pricing with flexible options
- ✓Unlimited people searches on all plans
Cons
- ✗Not BBB accredited
- ✗Standard plan only includes 1 background check monthly
- ✗Early termination fees can be steep
That's Them
That's Them offers the best free people search experience with unique search options including email, IP address, and VIN lookups—features most competitors charge for. While the data depth doesn't match paid services, it's unbeatable for quick, free searches.
Pros
- ✓Most generous free features in testing
- ✓Search by email, IP address, or VIN
- ✓No account creation required
- ✓Snappy, minimal-ad interface
- ✓Capabilities others reserve for paid tiers
Cons
- ✗Limited depth of free information
- ✗No advanced background check features
- ✗Fewer data sources than paid services
WhitePages
WhitePages pioneered online people search and remains the gold standard for traditional directory information. With 250+ million records dating back to 1997, it excels at finding established individuals with landlines and property records.
Pros
- ✓Most reliable for official US directories since 1997
- ✓Massive 250+ million individual database
- ✓Free tier provides basic name and location
- ✓No subscription required for searches
- ✓Strong accuracy for traditional contact info
Cons
- ✗Detailed reports cost $5-$30 each
- ✗Less comprehensive for mobile-only users
- ✗Database aging for modern contact methods
PeekYou
PeekYou specializes in finding people's social media presence by searching usernames, emails, and names across platforms. While it doesn't offer comprehensive background checks, it's excellent for free social media discovery and online profile searches.
Pros
- ✓Free social media information searches
- ✓Search by name, email, or username
- ✓Quick results for social media presence
- ✓No payment required for basic searches
- ✓Good for finding online profiles
Cons
- ✗Limited to social media and basic location data
- ✗No criminal records or background checks
- ✗Minimal depth compared to paid services
How We Test People Search Services
Our people search testing methodology ensures thorough, unbiased evaluations:
Database Quality
We assess data comprehensiveness and accuracy:
- Record count: Total number of individuals in database
- Data freshness: How current the information is
- Source diversity: Number and types of data sources
- Geographic coverage: US vs international availability
Search Functionality
We test different search methods:
- Name search: Ability to find people by full or partial names
- Address search: Reverse address lookup capabilities
- Email search: Finding people by email address
- Username search: Social media and online profile discovery
- Phone search: Reverse phone lookup integration
Report Quality
We evaluate the information provided:
- Contact details: Phone numbers, email addresses, current address
- Location history: Past addresses and moves
- Relatives & associates: Family connections and known associates
- Social media: Online profiles and digital presence
- Additional data: Criminal records, property ownership, education
User Experience
We examine platform usability:
- Search speed: Time to generate results
- Interface design: Ease of navigation and use
- Mobile experience: App quality and mobile optimization
- Customer support: Responsiveness and helpfulness
Choosing the Right People Search Service
For Comprehensive Background Checks: Instant Checkmate or TruthFinder
When you need deep background information including criminal records, Instant Checkmate ($28.38/month) and TruthFinder ($23.52/month) offer unlimited searches with extensive data from billions of records.
For Social Media Discovery: Spokeo
Spokeo ($14.95/month) excels at finding people across 60+ social networks and the deep web, making it perfect for social media investigations and online profile discovery.
For Free Searches: That’s Them or PeekYou
Both offer generous free tiers—That’s Them for basic contact info and unique searches (email, IP, VIN), and PeekYou for social media and username searches.
For Quick One-Time Lookups: US Search or WhitePages
US Search ($2.45/report) and WhitePages ($5/report) allow pay-per-search without subscription commitments, ideal for occasional searches.
For International Searches: PeopleFinders
PeopleFinders offers global coverage with 120+ billion records from 6,000 sources worldwide, extending beyond US-only databases.
Understanding People Search Results
What You Can Typically Find
- Current Contact: Phone numbers, email addresses, current residence
- Location History: Previous addresses and relocation timeline
- Age & Relatives: Approximate age, family members, known associates
- Social Media: Public profiles on social networks
- Public Records: Property ownership, business affiliations
- Background Data: Criminal records, court filings (paid services)
Common Limitations
- Privacy Protection: Some individuals opt out of databases
- Data Currency: Information may be outdated, especially for recent moves
- Common Names: Multiple results require additional filtering
- Mobile-Only Individuals: Harder to find than those with landlines
- International Coverage: Most services focus primarily on US data
Privacy & Opt-Out
Most people search services allow individuals to remove their information through opt-out requests. However, you must submit requests to each service separately, and the process can take several weeks.
Free vs Paid People Search Services
Free Services (That’s Them, PeekYou, WhitePages Free)
What You Get:
- Basic name and location
- General age range
- Limited contact information
- Basic social media profiles
Limitations:
- Shallow data depth
- No criminal records
- Limited search quota
- Ads and upsells
Paid Services (Instant Checkmate, TruthFinder, Spokeo)
What You Get:
- Comprehensive contact information
- Full location history
- Criminal and court records
- Social media aggregation
- Property and asset information
- Unlimited searches (most plans)
Cost:
- $15-$35/month for subscriptions
- $2-$30 for single reports
Legal & Ethical Considerations
Legal Uses
People search services are legal for:
- Reconnecting with old friends or classmates
- Verifying someone’s identity for personal safety
- Finding contact information for legitimate purposes
- Researching your own online presence
Prohibited Uses
Do NOT use for:
- Employment screening (requires FCRA compliance)
- Tenant verification (requires specialized services)
- Credit decisions
- Harassment or stalking
- Any illegal purpose
Privacy Concerns
In 2023, TruthFinder and Instant Checkmate were fined $5.8 million by the FTC for deceptive practices and FCRA compliance issues. Always verify you’re using these services legally and ethically.
Industry Insights
Ownership Consolidation
PeopleConnect owns TruthFinder, Instant Checkmate, and Intelius, meaning these “competing” services share infrastructure and databases. BeenVerified operates under related ownership. This consolidation limits true competition in the market.
Data Sources
People search sites aggregate information from:
- Public records (court documents, property deeds)
- Phone directories (landline and mobile databases)
- Social media platforms (public profiles)
- Data brokers (commercial data aggregators)
- User contributions (community-reported information)
Accuracy Challenges
Expect 70-85% accuracy for established individuals with traditional footprints (landlines, property ownership). Mobile-only, younger individuals, or those who’ve recently moved may have less accurate or complete results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are people search sites legal?
Yes, people search sites are legal when used for personal purposes. However, using them for employment screening, tenant verification, or credit decisions without FCRA compliance is illegal. Always use these services within legal boundaries.
How accurate are people search results?
Accuracy varies by service and individual. Top services like Instant Checkmate and TruthFinder achieve 70-85% accuracy for individuals with established records. Results are more accurate for people with landlines, property ownership, and long-term addresses.
Can I search for free?
Yes, services like That’s Them, PeekYou, and WhitePages offer free basic searches. However, free tiers provide limited information—typically just name, general location, and age range. Detailed reports require payment.
Will someone know I searched for them?
No, people search services are confidential. The person you search will not be notified or informed that you looked them up.
How do I remove my information from people search sites?
Most services offer opt-out processes through their websites. You’ll need to submit removal requests to each service individually. The process typically takes 2-4 weeks, and you may need to periodically re-submit requests as databases update.
What’s the difference between people search and background checks?
People search focuses on finding contact information and basic details. Background checks provide deeper investigation including criminal records, court documents, and comprehensive public records. Many services offer both capabilities.
Can I find someone with just a name?
Yes, but common names may return many results. Providing additional information like city, state, age range, or relatives helps narrow results. Services like Instant Checkmate and TruthFinder handle common names well with filtering options.
Do these services work for finding people internationally?
Most services focus primarily on US data. PeopleFinders offers the best international coverage with records from multiple countries, but results outside the US are generally less comprehensive.