Intelius Reviews - Key Features, Pricing, Reviews, and Alternatives (2023)

Do you have any long-lost family, dubious characters in your life maybe? No need for private investigators or pleading for access to “confidential” folders in old archives anymore.

Tech-savvy guys developed software that could easily locate people and give you thorough information for them. Intelius – a well-known background check software that provides you with some much-needed info, like name, present address, reverse phone lookup, you name it.

Stick around for the whole read, and find out everything this background search engine can do, how much does it cost, and more.

Before we go any further, here’s an overview of all that we will elaborate on in this Intelius review.

Contents:

• Intelius – Company Overview
• Highlights
• Intelius Key Features
• How Does It Work? (Step-By-Step Guide)
• Intelius Pricing
• Alternatives
  • Intelius vs. PeopleFinders
  • Intelius vs. Instant Checkmate
  • Intelius vs. US Search
• Pros and Cons
• Customer Reviews and Ratings
• Final Thoughts
• FAQs

Intelius – Company Overview

The Intelius people search and background software was founded back in 2003, by the executives of InfoSpace (a financial services provider company), in Seattle, Washington, USA. And it does exactly what the name says: it searches people and does background checks on them.

Who’s behind the great Intelius?

Not one, but six former InfoSpace executives: Naveen Jain, Kevin Marcus, Niraj Shah, Ed Petersen, Chandan Chauhan, and John Arnold are the sole co-founders of Intelius. Nevertheless, they are no longer in charge of Intelius.
In 2015, H.I.G. Capital took over Intelius and replaced their former CEO Naveen Jain with Abani Heller.

Who is it best for?

IIntelius can be of great help to anyone—individuals, organizations, and companies.

Which services does it offer?

One of the reasons why people turn to Intelius is the wide range of services it has, such as:

• information services
• people finder and property searches
• background checks
• reverse phone lookup
• mapping locations of people with criminal records.

What type of people search is available?

We’ve mentioned some of their widely searched services, however, the most famous of all must be the Intelius People Search report. This is the information you can get by ordering the report:

• Full Name – Jackson Brady
• Known Aliases – Red
• Age and Date of Birth – 30 years old; 25.11.1990
• Address History – Maple Street 25
• Phone Numbers – 00184569823
• Education History – Maryland University
• Employment History – accountant at PWC
• Possible Relatives (with contact information) – Marissa Brady, from Portland
• Social Media Accounts – Facebook, Instagram
• Financial Information – unpaid mortgage
• Chndan choice or 1 month each

Highlights

Easy-to-Use

This people’s search engine comes with a pretty good dashboard functionality, search options, and site visuals.

Though it doesn’t have a mind-blowing web design, it is neatly organized and categorized—anyone could easily find their

way around and perform a search. And more importantly, there are no hiccups on the site while you run a background check.

The websites’ organization is well structured and the only thing left for you is to go ahead and give it a try.

Is it accurate?

Intelius searches are not 100% accurate (but no background check services ever are). No service is perfect. Especially when it comes to acquiring peoples’ information.

Why is that? One of the most common reasons is people’s tendency to move around often, disclose private info to public resources and archives, change jobs, be on the run, etc.

For instance, after going through many verified customer reviews on various sites, we ended up having mixed feelings on the accuracy of this platforms’ results.

While some users state the Intelius information and data are up-to-date in comparison to other background check platforms, others disagree on this.

On the other hand, the wide range of the company’s quality services and the BBB (Better Business Bureau) A rating, alongside a tremendous number of positive customer reviews – place it among the best platforms in the market for people and background check services.

Transparency

Intelius’s OTA status speaks plenty on how trustworthy, professional, stable, and transparent they are. In 2017, Intelius received an OTA status (Online Trust Alliance) Audit and Honor Roll, thus, secured a golden seat in the Top 50 OTA members.

“To be recognized by the OTA Honor Roll is a top accolade,” declared Abani Heller, president, and CEO of PeopleConnect, Inc who happens to own and operate Intelius (nowadays).

Moreover, this means Intelius doesn’t have any hidden files in their backroom—Everything in their possession is PUBLIC. Staying true, on top of things, and gaining the trust of their clients is what Intelius does.

What service is it best for?

The answer lies in what it provides – People Finder and Background Check Services. With its enduring presence on the market and over-the-top experience of providing people with an exhaustive amount of information – it needs no further presentation. Their background checks and people searches are highly praised and recommended by many.

These are the top three reasons why Intelius it’s the best in what it does:

• Exhaustive number of information
• High Privacy (no traces of records of who searches who)
• The highest rate of accuracy.

In its possession are recognitions, reviews, and certifications from the biggest names in the market:

• Ranked among the Top 50 OTA (Online Trust Alliance) members.
• Rated by Top Background Check researchers (A Secure Life, ConsumerAffairs, and others).

Though the list of appraisals goes on, these are sufficient enough to understand their firm confirmation on the market.

Data Sources and Database Size

Intelius operates with an astonishing and envying database size of more than 20 billion public records that are exposed to constant growth and update.

After all, businesses like these can only bloom with an inexhaustive source of data collectibles. Simply because people are a living matter – constant change and growth are part of human beings.

However, even though Intelius records are public, its data is accumulated from both: private and public sources.

What sources would that be?

As follows:

• commercial business records
• FBI and local crime databases
• published phone directories
• social media networks
• lawsuit filings
• real estate deeds
• public federal, state, and county records.

Intelius Dating Site Profiles

Following Wired.com records, Intelius is one of the giant data brokers and owns not one, but several people searching sites.

And with that in mind, Intelius’ wide range of people search and background checks offers one more amazing thing: Date Check! One of the best free apps around.

What is a Date Check?

To simplify things, Date Check is a free application that is fully operable on any iOS and Android device. To make things even better, Intelius and Date Check are linked!

We already said that Intelius gathers public data, unsealed and easily accessible. Therefore the same data is visible to anyone who uses the Date Check app too.

Nonetheless, as terrific as looking up at your dates’ background is, sometimes it may prove to be misleading.

Imagine having a DUI (driving under the influence) – just a ONE TIME THING! Or, maybe a speeding ticket and your date know since they’re on Date Check. Your date already made up their mind or shows up with a signed, sealed, delivered, kind of opinion about you.

On the other hand, it can save you from the many con artists lurking around.

Does it offer worldwide services or is it US-based only?

Intelius is a private American company, so, yes, it is US-based. And, as such, their services relate only to people living in America.

Key Features

With several alternative searches and a wide range of features, it has to offer – Intelius ranks pretty firmly among the Top 10 People and Background Check Services.

Let’s check what are its key features:

• People Search:
  • Intelius free trial (for first-timers).
  • Further down the road, it costs $0.95.
• Reverse Address Lookup:
  • Someone owing you something disappeared into thin air? No problem, for $4.95 – $14.95 you can track them down.
• Intelius Reverse Phone Lookup:
  • Ever wanted to reconnect with someone? A friend, long lost love? Now is possible for as low as $0.95.
• Email Search:
  • You can get this feature running with Intelius’s Email Lookup Plan purchase for $6.95.
• Social Network Search:
  • You can have it done for only $6.95.
• Property Records Lookup, Background Checks, and Privacy Checks:
  • All these are available with the purchase of “Intelius Premier Plus Plan for a slightly expensive price of $29.95 per month.

Is it available on android/iOS apps?

Intelius indulged its users with the launch of an application with direct mobile usage on any android and iOS device. This allows you to conduct your people and background searches while on the go. For instance, now you can do a background check on your new employee while out having lunch, check your new friend while stuck in traffic – your phone battery is the limit!

Intelius Background Check Pro on Google Play Store

How fast is it?

Not as fast as the speed of sound, but bear with them and give it a couple of minutes or more (the waiting time depends heavily on what you’re searching for).

Check out this chart, and find out more about its processing time:

How Does It Work? (Step-By-Step Guide)

Their website is easy to use and navigate (as mentioned). All of the information and search fields are right there on the front page and you can’t go wrong.

Nonetheless, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to perform a ‘people’s search.’

Step 1 – Visit their official site and move the cursor in the right top corner where it says ‘other searches’ and choose ‘people search.’
Step 2 – You are requested to fill in the empty fields with the name, last name, city, and state of the person you’re searching for and press the ‘search’ button.
Step 3 – Once you press it, you will be taken to another window. Now you will be asked additional questions (age, states he/she has lived in, familiar relatives) – these are optional questions – you can always answer with ‘I don’t know.’
Step 4 – When the program is done fetching all of the info you will be able to see the complete report.
Note: While it performs the search it allows you a full overview of the entire process.

Intelius Pricing

When it comes down to pricing, Intelius offers monthly subscription plans as well as one-time searches.

With no further ado, check out Intelius Subscription Plans and the features they offer:

• Intelius Premier – $9.95 for the 1st month and $19.95 for each coming month.

This starter pack consists of unlimited people searches per day (background checks cannot be done). You can find out info like
– a persons’ name
– alias
– age
– address
– phone number
– and email address.

• Intelius Premier Plus

More pricey compared to the Intelius Premier, but you get extra options for the extra money: unlimited searches + one background check (a month).

A background check alone goes for $39.95, but a subscription to the Premier Plus Plan lets you take advantage of it for $29.95 a month.

• Single Reports

Single Reports allow you a single search.

You can perform:

• phone and address checks for an extra $7.95.
• worldwide criminal and federal checks for extra pay of $19.95.
• and last but not least – you can conduct a simple customer report for $39.95.

Does it offer any free service?

Intelius provides free-of-charge service – yes, but it isn’t entirely free. You get a one-person search with very limited return information free of charge.

You will be able to get information like:

• A person’s full name
• location history
• list of family members
• and education history.

BUT, if you are looking to find more compromising or in-depth information, like:

• Birth and death records
• Lawsuits and criminal records
• Marriage and divorce history – you’ll need to pay.

What other types of payments are there?

Check this Intelius pricing list (each data plan cancelation has a fee):

• Unlimited reports for a month – $22.86.
• Unlimited reports for 2 months – $38.86 (or $19.43 a month).
• Premier Plus Membership – $29.95 (or $14.95 for 1st month).

While there are no official free trials, there is a ‘Full Access Trial Membership’ for as low as $1.99 (this offer stands available for no more than five days)

Alternatives

Even the best on the market has its alternatives, so is the case with Intelius. It is commonly known there are many search and background check platforms out there. However, we decided to pick just three and compare them against Intelius.

Intelius vs. PeopleFinders

Both platforms serve the same purpose, finding people and running a background check on them.

One of the main differences can be seen in their pricing. You can easily notice it in the one-time reports they offer. For instance, a one-time report by Intelius costs $49.95. Opposed to $29.95 by PeopleFinders. Whereas, a month of unlimited searches with both platforms goes for no more than $19.95.

Furthermore, Intelius and PeopleFinders function based on subscription plans. More or less, both platforms offer similar prices, with some exceptions. And both are proud carriers of a BBB accreditation—needless to speak of their stability, professionality, and accuracy of data.

Bottom line, if you are looking for a people search engine on the long tracks, both will do a great job. However, if it is a one-time report you need, you should go with PeopleFinders, as a more affordable option.

Intelius vs. Instant Checkmate

Both of these incredible people searching platforms have fully functional and easy-to-use mobile applications.

Moreover, Intelius and Instant Checkmate offer a low-priced kind of trial, which you can use for at least five days – that’s enough time to decide whether their services are what you need.

While membership is obligatory with Instant Checkmate, with Intelius it’s required only for certain services (you can still use many services without having a monthly subscription).

Another similarity these platforms share is the high level of data accuracy they convey to consumers.

Intelius vs. US Search

US Search is ideal for people who aren’t enthusiastic about monthly subscriptions. However, we don’t recommend this site as a top-of-the-line background check platform. Namely, because US Search fails in terms of the deliverance of crucial information (phone no. and email address), as well as in terms of transparency.

On the other hand, Intelius is well-known for delivering in-depth information. It even offers certain info other search engines don’t (education history).

In terms of prices, US Search takes the lead, being a more low-budget people search platform. Nevertheless, Intelius, even though more costly, delivers more and holds an envying reputation. The same can’t be stated about US Search—on various rating sites negative reviews prevail over the positive ones.

We suggest you go for Intelius if you need complete and reliable data – it may cost more, but it will be worth your time and money.

Customer Reviews and Ratings

You’ve heard so much about Intelius, now it’s time to hear what their customers think about them. With that said, let’s see how their ranking is on some of the most prominent rating sites.

• ConsumerAffairs: Intelius has a 3.7-star rating, out of 5. A rating based on nearly 50 reviews.
• Trustpilot: This site gave Intelius a 3.2-star rating. A decision brought on more than 150 reviews.
• TechRadar.pro: Intelius has a somewhat lower rating on this website, a fairly low 2.5-star rating.
• SiteJabber: Here, Intelius scored a real low rating of just a 1.58-star rating. This rating is concluded on less than 30 reviews.
• BBB (Better Business Bureau): The BBB gave Intelius 1.41/5 stars, on over 130 verified customer reviews. However, Intelius is a BBB accredited business and has an excellent A grade by this prominent organization. Additionally, according to Intelius reviews on BBB, there have been more than 380 complaints filed against Intelius in these last three years, whereby ninety-four were resolved and closed in the past year.

(The screenshot is taken from Intelius’s official website)

Positive Customer Reviews

(The screenshots are taken from verified customer reviews left on ConsumerAffairs, SiteJabber, and Trustpilot)

The overall ratings on Intelius services and customer reviews put them in a high-top score position. This is mostly because of the efficiency of its background checks.

Intelius has been around for quite a long time now, longer than most of its competitors, so their credibility and accuracy are firmly cemented. On the other hand, Intelius isn’t complaint-free software.

Negative Customer Reviews

(The screenshots are taken from verified customer reviews left on the BBB, ConsumerAffairs, and Trustpilot)

It seems to us the pricing list is either misunderstood by their customers or Intelius needs to put more effort and clarify it, to avoid such reviews.

All-in-all, unhappy customers state Intelius is a scam, while others couldn’t be happier with it.

Intelius Pros and Cons

Pros

• Easy-to-use interface and attractive website layout.
• Direct mobile usage connection via android or iOS device.
• Accurate and up-to-date reports.
• More affordable price list than the competitors.

Cons

• Ambiguous pricing.
• Misleading trial offers.`
• Several other internet advertised services perform in similar ways.
• Divided opinions on the accuracy of information.

Final Thoughts

From all of the above, it’s easy to see that ‘hiding’ from someone is hard today.

Softwares like Intelius, PeopleFinder, US Search, Instant Checkmate, and many others make things harder.

Either way, some people reunited with a long-lost family member with the help of Intelius, on the other hand, some dodged a bullet when it comes to blind dating. In the end, sites like Intelius and Date Check will either save you from a crappy date or boost your ‘This is going to be the best date ever’ kind of feeling.

We hope after reading this Intelius review you feel more confident and comfortable in trying out Intelius services. At least, you should run the Date Check app when blind-dating, you’ll never know until you click that ‘search’ button.