Sapphire Check vs. Sterling
Sapphire Check vs. Sterling: An Honest Comparison
Sterling is one of the largest names in background screening, built for large enterprises and global hiring programs. Here's how Sapphire's flat-rate, transparent model compares for employers who don't need enterprise-scale complexity.
Checks from $22.50 flat. No enterprise sales cycle required.
The Short Version
Sterling is built for large enterprises and Fortune 100 companies that need global screening programs, custom compliance workflows, and enterprise-grade integrations [confirm current positioning directly with Sterling]. Pricing is custom-quoted rather than published. Sapphire is built for straightforward, transparent pricing and a faster path to a quote – no enterprise sales cycle required. If you’re a large, multi-country employer with complex compliance needs, Sterling’s scale may be the better fit. If you want to see the price before you pick up the phone, that’s where Sapphire’s model is built to help.
How Sapphire and Sterling Compare
| Feature | Sapphire Check | Competitor |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Published flat pricing: $22.50 / $45.00 / $65.00, plus published a la carte pricing | Custom, volume-based enterprise pricing with no single published rate card confirm directly with Sterling |
| Typical Customer Size | Employers of all sizes - small business to large organizations | Publicly positioned toward large enterprises and Fortune 100 companies confirm current positioning |
| Global Screening | U.S.-focused screening across state, county, and federal sources | Publicly markets global, multi-country screening capability confirm current scope directly with Sterling |
| Report Review | Criminal record hits verified at the statewide or county level before reporting | Confirm current review methodology directly with Sterling |
| Sales Process | Direct quote request; no minimum volume commitment published | Enterprise sales process typically required to obtain pricing confirm directly with Sterling |
Why Some Employers Choose Sapphire
Published pricing you can see before you commit to a sales conversation
No enterprise minimum-volume commitment publicly required
Direct, personal support rather than navigating a large enterprise account structure
Criminal hits verified by our own team before reporting
When Sterling Could Be the Better Fit
- If you're a large, multi-country enterprise needing global screening programs and complex, customized compliance workflows, Sterling's scale is built specifically for that
- If you already have negotiated enterprise pricing and dedicated account infrastructure in place, switching providers may not be worth the disruption
Sapphire Check vs. Sterling: Common Questions
Is Sapphire cheaper than Sterling?
Sapphire publishes flat pricing directly on our site. Sterling’s pricing is custom-quoted and varies significantly by volume and program complexity – get quotes from both to compare for your specific situation.
Does Sapphire screen internationally like Sterling?
Sapphire’s searches are U.S.-focused (state, county, and federal sources). If you need multi-country global screening, confirm Sterling’s current international coverage directly with them.
Do I need a minimum volume to work with Sapphire?
Sapphire doesn’t publish a minimum-volume requirement – ask us directly about your specific hiring volume.
Which is better for a small or mid-size business?
Employers without enterprise-scale, multi-country hiring needs often find Sapphire’s transparent flat pricing and direct support simpler to work with than an enterprise sales process.
Can I get an exact Sterling price to compare?
Sterling’s pricing is typically obtained through a direct sales conversation rather than published online – request a quote from both to compare directly.
Get a Straightforward Quote, No Enterprise Sales Cycle Required.
See exactly what you’d pay before you commit to anything.
Flat pricing · Human-reviewed hits · FCRA-aligned