Article
Best Reverse Phone Lookup Services in 2026
Identify unknown callers instantly with the best reverse phone lookup tools. Compare accuracy, pricing, and features to find who's calling you and stop spam calls.
Unknown number calling? Suspected scam? Need to identify a missed call? Reverse phone lookup services help you discover who owns any phone number, uncover spam callers, and access background information about unknown contacts.
Our team tested the leading reverse phone lookup platforms, evaluating accuracy rates, database coverage, pricing models, and information depth. Here are the best reverse phone lookup services for 2026.
Quick Comparison
| Service | Best For | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Searchbug | Best Overall Accuracy | $1.95/successful search | ★4.9/5 |
| 2. Spokeo | Best Value Subscription | $14.95/month (3-month plan) | ★4.7/5 |
| 3. BeenVerified | Best for Multi-Purpose Search | $32.89/month | ★4.6/5 |
| 4. TruthFinder | Best for Background Details | $23.52/month (bi-monthly plan) | ★4.5/5 |
| 5. Instant Checkmate | Best for Trial Access | $1.00/7-day trial, then $29.99/mo | ★4.4/5 |
| 6. Intelius | Best for Visual Reports | $19.49/month (3-month plan) | ★4.3/5 |
| 7. ClarityCheck | Best Budget Unlimited | $5.99/month | ★4.2/5 |
| 8. Lookify.io | Best for Quick Info | Varies/pricing not publicly listed | ★4.1/5 |
| 9. WhitePages Premium | Best for Landlines | $5.00/report | ★4/5 |
| 10. TrueCaller | Best for Spam Identification | $9.99/month (premium) | ★3.9/5 |
Our Top Picks in Detail
Searchbug
Searchbug leads the reverse phone lookup industry with verified accuracy and fair pay-per-result pricing. Unlike subscription services, you only pay $1.95 when results are found. With bulk processing starting at $0.77 and scaling to $0.30 for high-volume users, it's ideal for both individuals and businesses.
Pros
- ✓Only pay $1.95 when results are found
- ✓Verified data with owner names, addresses, relatives
- ✓85%+ accuracy on established numbers
- ✓Bulk processing and API for businesses
- ✓Volume pricing as low as $0.30 per search
Cons
- ✗No monthly unlimited subscription option
- ✗Less effective for very new numbers
- ✗Requires payment per successful search
Spokeo
Spokeo offers the best value for unlimited reverse phone lookups with comprehensive reports that extend beyond basic caller ID. The service connects phone numbers to social media profiles, property records, and personal information from 14+ billion records.
Pros
- ✓Most affordable subscription at $0.95 for 7-day trial
- ✓14+ billion records with high accuracy
- ✓Links phone numbers to social media profiles
- ✓Includes property records and contact details
- ✓Fast search interface with instant results
Cons
- ✗Monthly plans cost more after trial period
- ✗85% accuracy for landlines, less for new mobiles
- ✗Requires subscription for detailed information
BeenVerified
BeenVerified combines reverse phone lookup with comprehensive background checks, VIN searches, and property lookups. While pricier than dedicated phone services, it provides extensive value if you need multiple search types beyond caller identification.
Pros
- ✓Reverse phone included with comprehensive service
- ✓Also covers background checks and VIN lookups
- ✓Quick results from multiple carrier databases
- ✓$1 seven-day trial to test functionality
- ✓Includes addresses, relatives, and background data
Cons
- ✗Higher monthly cost than phone-only services
- ✗B BBB rating without accreditation
- ✗Subscription-only, no single report option
TruthFinder
TruthFinder goes far beyond basic caller ID, providing criminal records, court documents, and social media profiles linked to phone numbers. The Dark Web monitoring feature alerts you if your phone number appears in data breaches or illegal marketplaces.
Pros
- ✓Phone lookup includes criminal records and court data
- ✓Access to 60+ data sources for comprehensive info
- ✓Dark Web monitoring for phone number exposure
- ✓A+ BBB rating with strong reputation
- ✓Excellent mobile app experience
Cons
- ✗More expensive than basic phone lookup services
- ✗FTC fine in 2023 for deceptive practices
- ✗Phone search costs additional $4.99/month add-on
Instant Checkmate
Instant Checkmate offers the best trial for testing reverse phone lookup capabilities—$1 for 7 days of unlimited searches. The service provides extensive background information including criminal records, making it ideal for thorough caller investigation.
Pros
- ✓$1 trial allows extensive testing before commitment
- ✓Includes criminal history and employment records
- ✓Unlimited searches after trial period
- ✓A+ BBB rating with 15+ years experience
- ✓Government database and social media integration
Cons
- ✗Regular price $29.99/month after trial
- ✗FTC penalty in 2023 for compliance issues
- ✗Same parent company as TruthFinder
Intelius
Intelius excels at visualizing how phone owners connect to other people, locations, and data points. The clean, intuitive reports make it easy to understand caller backgrounds and relationships through data from 20+ billion records.
Pros
- ✓Outstanding visual presentation of caller connections
- ✓Shows relationships between phone owner and associates
- ✓Access to 20+ billion public records
- ✓BBB accredited since 2003
- ✓Three-month plan offers good value
Cons
- ✗Limited to 100 searches monthly
- ✗Single month plan more expensive at $29.99
- ✗Owned by same company as TruthFinder and Instant Checkmate
ClarityCheck
ClarityCheck positions itself as a budget-friendly alternative to expensive services like TruthFinder and Intelius. At just $5.99/month for unlimited searches, it's perfect for users who need basic caller identification without advanced background check features.
Pros
- ✓Most affordable unlimited plan at $5.99/month
- ✓Unlimited reverse phone lookups
- ✓Simple, straightforward interface
- ✓No complicated pricing tiers
- ✓Good for high-volume basic searches
Cons
- ✗Fewer advanced features than premium services
- ✗Newer service with less established track record
- ✗Limited additional background information
Lookify.io
Lookify.io specializes in quick, no-nonsense phone lookups for US and Canadian numbers. The service focuses on essential information—caller name, address, carrier, and line type—without the complexity of full background check platforms.
Pros
- ✓Fast, straightforward phone number searches
- ✓Covers both United States and Canada
- ✓Access to millions of records
- ✓Provides caller name, address, carrier info
- ✓Shows line type (mobile, landline, VoIP)
Cons
- ✗Pricing structure not transparent
- ✗Limited depth compared to comprehensive services
- ✗Fewer additional features and data points
WhitePages Premium
WhitePages remains the gold standard for traditional phone number lookup, especially landlines. With official telecom records and property deeds dating to 1997, it excels at identifying established phone numbers, though mobile-only numbers may have limited results.
Pros
- ✓Most reliable for landline identification since 1997
- ✓250+ million individual database
- ✓Free basic tier shows name and location
- ✓No subscription required for basic searches
- ✓Strong accuracy for established phone numbers
Cons
- ✗Premium reports cost $5-$30 each
- ✗Less effective for mobile-only users
- ✗Aging database for newer contact methods
TrueCaller
TrueCaller excels at spam call identification and blocking with its massive 320+ million user community. While it doesn't offer deep background checks, it provides instant caller ID and spam detection—perfect for blocking unwanted calls rather than investigating callers.
Pros
- ✓Free basic caller ID and spam blocking
- ✓320+ million users providing real-time data
- ✓Community-driven spam detection constantly updated
- ✓Instant spam call identification and blocking
- ✓Works seamlessly on iOS and Android
Cons
- ✗Limited background information compared to others
- ✗Doesn't provide addresses or detailed records
- ✗Premium features require $9.99/month subscription
How We Test Reverse Phone Lookup Services
Our reverse phone lookup testing methodology ensures comprehensive, objective evaluations:
Accuracy Assessment
We verify caller identification reliability:
- Known number tests: Searching verified phone numbers with known owners
- Number type testing: Landline, mobile, VoIP, and toll-free accuracy
- Geographic coverage: Testing US and international number accuracy
- Update frequency: How current database information remains
Pricing Evaluation
We compare cost structures:
- Pay-per-search: Cost per successful lookup
- Subscription models: Monthly and annual pricing
- Free tier limitations: What’s available without payment
- Volume discounts: Business and bulk pricing options
Information Depth
We assess data comprehensiveness:
- Basic info: Caller name, location, carrier, line type
- Extended data: Addresses, relatives, email addresses
- Background details: Criminal records, social media, property data
- Spam detection: Community-reported spam identification
User Experience
We examine platform usability:
- Search speed: Time from query to results
- Mobile apps: Quality of iOS and Android applications
- Report clarity: How information is presented
- Customer support: Availability and responsiveness
Choosing the Right Reverse Phone Lookup Service
For Accurate Pay-Per-Search: Searchbug
Searchbug ($1.95 per result) offers the fairest pricing model—you only pay when results are found. With 85%+ accuracy and bulk pricing down to $0.30 per search, it’s perfect for occasional lookups or business use.
For Unlimited Searches: Spokeo or ClarityCheck
Spokeo ($14.95/month) provides comprehensive unlimited lookups with social media integration, while ClarityCheck ($5.99/month) offers budget-friendly unlimited basic searches.
For Deep Background Info: TruthFinder or BeenVerified
When you need criminal records, court data, and extensive background information beyond caller ID, TruthFinder ($23.52/month) and BeenVerified ($32.89/month) deliver comprehensive reports.
For Trial Testing: Instant Checkmate
Instant Checkmate’s $1 seven-day trial lets you extensively test reverse phone lookup before committing to the $29.99/month subscription.
For Spam Blocking: TrueCaller
TrueCaller’s free tier with 320+ million users provides real-time spam identification and blocking without subscription costs.
Understanding Reverse Phone Lookup Results
What You Can Typically Find
- Caller Identity: Full name of phone number owner
- Location: City, state, and sometimes full address
- Line Type: Mobile, landline, VoIP, or toll-free
- Carrier: Phone service provider
- Spam Status: Community reports of spam/scam activity
- Background Data: Criminal records, relatives, social media (premium services)
Accuracy by Number Type
Landlines: 85-95% accuracy
- Official telecom records provide reliable data
- Owner information well-documented
- Address usually accurate
Established Mobile: 70-85% accuracy
- Longer-active numbers have better coverage
- Contract phones more accurate than prepaid
- Carrier data improves results
New Mobile Numbers: 40-60% accuracy
- Recently activated numbers lack historical data
- May not yet appear in databases
- Limited owner information
VoIP/Internet Phones: 30-50% accuracy
- Harder to trace than traditional numbers
- Often registered to businesses, not individuals
- Limited public record connection
Prepaid/Burner Phones: 10-30% accuracy
- Minimal owner information available
- Often registered with fake or limited data
- Designed for privacy
Common Limitations
- Unlisted Numbers: Intentionally private numbers have minimal data
- Business Lines: May only show company, not individual
- Recent Port: Numbers transferred between carriers may have outdated info
- International Numbers: Most services focus on US/Canada coverage
Pricing Models Explained
Pay-Per-Search (Searchbug, WhitePages)
How it works: Pay only when you get results, typically $1.95-$5.00 per successful search.
Best for:
- Occasional lookups
- One-time investigations
- Businesses with unpredictable volume
Cost consideration: Can be expensive for frequent use
Monthly Subscription (Spokeo, TruthFinder, BeenVerified)
How it works: Flat monthly fee ($5.99-$32.89) for unlimited or limited searches.
Best for:
- Regular phone lookup needs
- Background check requirements
- High-volume personal use
Cost consideration: Most economical for 3+ searches per month
Freemium (TrueCaller, WhitePages Free)
How it works: Basic information free, detailed reports require payment.
Best for:
- Quick spam identification
- Basic caller name/location
- Testing before purchasing
Limitations: Shallow data, limited features
Privacy & Legal Considerations
Legal Uses
Reverse phone lookup is legal for:
- Identifying unknown callers for personal safety
- Verifying caller identity before returning calls
- Researching suspicious or spam numbers
- Finding contact information for legitimate purposes
Prohibited Uses
Do NOT use for:
- Harassment or stalking
- Employment screening without FCRA compliance
- Illegal surveillance
- Violating privacy laws
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
Services like Searchbug, Spokeo, and TruthFinder are NOT consumer reporting agencies. Using them for employment, tenant screening, or credit decisions violates federal law. Use FCRA-compliant services for these purposes.
Opt-Out Rights
If you want your phone number removed from lookup databases:
- Each service has separate opt-out procedures
- Requests typically take 2-4 weeks to process
- You may need to periodically re-submit requests
- Free opt-out available from most services
Industry Insights
Data Sources
Reverse phone lookup services compile data from:
- Telecom directories: Official carrier records
- Public records: Property deeds, court documents
- Social media: Public profile information
- Data brokers: Commercial aggregators
- User contributions: Community-reported data (TrueCaller)
Consolidation
PeopleConnect owns TruthFinder, Instant Checkmate, and Intelius, meaning these services share infrastructure and databases despite appearing as competitors.
Regulatory Issues
The FTC fined TruthFinder and Instant Checkmate $5.8 million in 2023 for deceptive marketing and FCRA compliance issues. Both services remain operational with improved disclosures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are reverse phone lookup services legal?
Yes, using reverse phone lookup for personal knowledge is legal. However, using the information for harassment, stalking, employment screening, or other illegal purposes is not permitted. Always use these services within legal boundaries.
How accurate are reverse phone lookups?
Accuracy varies by number type: landlines achieve 85-95% accuracy, established mobile numbers 70-85%, and new mobile numbers 40-60%. VoIP and prepaid phones have lower accuracy rates around 30-50%.
Can I look up a cell phone number for free?
Yes, with limitations. TrueCaller offers free basic caller ID and spam detection. WhitePages provides free general location and spam status. Detailed owner information typically requires payment.
Will the person know I looked up their number?
No, reverse phone lookups are confidential. The phone owner will not be notified that you searched their number.
Why do some numbers not show results?
Numbers may not appear due to: recent activation, unlisted status, prepaid/burner phones, VoIP lines, privacy settings, or opt-out requests. Newer numbers are particularly challenging to identify.
What’s better: subscription or pay-per-search?
Pay-per-search (Searchbug at $1.95) is best for 1-2 lookups monthly. Subscriptions (Spokeo at $14.95/month) become economical at 3+ searches. Consider your usage frequency when choosing.
Can these services identify spam calls?
Yes, TrueCaller specializes in spam identification with real-time community reporting. Other services like Spokeo and WhitePages indicate spam status based on databases and reports, but don’t actively block calls.
How do I remove my number from these services?
Visit each service’s opt-out page and submit a removal request with your phone number. The process takes 2-4 weeks per service. You’ll need to request removal from each database separately.