Background check software · ranked #3 of 12
Certn: review, pricing and alternatives
Certn ranks third for self-serve prices per check, continuous monitoring after hire and coverage that starts in Canada but reaches the US, the UK and further.
Certn at a glance
- Rank
- #3 of 12 in background check software
- Best for
- Canadian-led firms with some US and UK hires
- Pricing
- Per check
- Free option
- None
- Headquarters
- Victoria, Canada
- Key features
- Criminal record checks, International and public records, Credential, employment and education checks, Biometric identity verification, Credit and driver's abstract
- Last checked
- 2026-11-13
Where Certn wins
- Certn is the practical choice for a Canadian employer, or a US company with Canadian staff, that wants to buy checks one at a time without a contract.
- The pricing page lists each check separately, so an HR coordinator can add a reference check at CAD 39.99 and know the cost.
- Biometric identity verification and continuous monitoring after hire go beyond the one-off pre-hire report.
- An API plus ATS and HR integrations let checks launch from the hiring workflow.
Where it falls short
- Pay-per-check is predictable at low volume and adds up when a team screens hundreds of candidates, with no bundled tier to cap it.
- Only Canadian dollar prices appeared on the page we opened.
- There is no free plan, and its privacy policy lists a US and a UK entity, which we did not use to name a headquarters.
- Buyers that want US-only reports without any Canadian or UK context, and teams that prefer a bundled price over a fee per check.
Our verdict on Certn
Certn is the practical choice for a Canadian employer, or a US company with Canadian staff, that wants to buy checks one at a time without a contract. The pricing page lists each check separately, so an HR coordinator can add a reference check at CAD 39.99 and know the cost. Biometric identity verification and continuous monitoring after hire go beyond the one-off pre-hire report.
An API plus ATS and HR integrations let checks launch from the hiring workflow. It sits behind PESCHECK only because prices on the opened page appear in Canadian dollars alone.
Where Certn falls short
Pay-per-check is predictable at low volume and adds up when a team screens hundreds of candidates, with no bundled tier to cap it. Only Canadian dollar prices appeared on the page we opened. There is no free plan, and its privacy policy lists a US and a UK entity, which we did not use to name a headquarters.
Who should look elsewhere
Buyers that want US-only reports without any Canadian or UK context, and teams that prefer a bundled price over a fee per check. Checkr or Verified First are closer to that need.
Certn pricing
Self-serve prices in Canadian dollars, for example a basic criminal record check at CAD 24.99, ID verification at CAD 4.99 and a reference check at CAD 39.99; no setup fees or minimums, enterprise custom.
Pricing as published by the vendor on the date above; check the vendor's pricing page before you buy.
Certn fact sheet
| Rank | #3 of 12 in background check software |
|---|---|
| Category | Background check software |
| Best for | Canadian-led firms with some US and UK hires |
| Pricing model | Per check |
| Free option | None |
| Headquarters | Victoria, Canada |
| Company | Certn (Canada) Inc. |
| Address | 1006 Fort St Unit 300, V8V 3K4, Victoria, Canada |
| Vendor size | Independent or mid-sized vendor |
| Website | certn.co |
| Last checked | 2026-11-13 |
Key features
- Criminal record checks
- International and public records
- Credential, employment and education checks
- Biometric identity verification
- Credit and driver's abstract
- Reference checks
- Continuous monitoring
- API and ATS integrations
Alternatives to Certn
PESCHECKDutch screening platform for international hiring. Per screening.
GoodHireUS screening with packages built by job role. Per check.
CheckrUS employment screening with published per-report tiers. Per report.Also ranked in
- #3 of 12 in background check software
Sources checked
- Certn (Canada) Inc., 1006 Fort St Unit 300, Victoria BC V8V 3K4 (privacy policy) Source
- Self-serve CAD prices: basic criminal record check 24.99, ID verification 4.99, reference check 39.99 Source
- Features: criminal, identity, employment, education, continuous monitoring, API Source
Certn: common questions
What is Certn?
Certn is canadian background screening with monitoring after hire. Certn ranks third for self-serve prices per check, continuous monitoring after hire and coverage that starts in Canada but reaches the US, the UK and further.
How much does Certn cost?
Self-serve prices in Canadian dollars, for example a basic criminal record check at CAD 24.99, ID verification at CAD 4.99 and a reference check at CAD 39.99; no setup fees or minimums, enterprise custom.
Does Certn have a free plan?
None. Self-serve prices in Canadian dollars, for example a basic criminal record check at CAD 24.99, ID verification at CAD 4.99 and a reference check at CAD 39.99; no setup fees or minimums, enterprise custom.
What is Certn best for?
Certn is best for canadian-led firms with some US and UK hires. Certn ranks third for self-serve prices per check, continuous monitoring after hire and coverage that starts in Canada but reaches the US, the UK and further.
Where is Certn based?
Certn is published by Certn (Canada) Inc., headquartered in Victoria, Canada.
Who should not use Certn?
Buyers that want US-only reports without any Canadian or UK context, and teams that prefer a bundled price over a fee per check. Checkr or Verified First are closer to that need.
What are the best alternatives to Certn?
In our background check software ranking the closest alternatives are PESCHECK, GoodHire, Checkr. See the full ranking for the other options.