In our digital age, finding information about people online has become easier than ever. With just a few clicks, you can potentially uncover details like someone‘s address, phone number, relatives, social media profiles, and more.
But with so many people search sites and search engines out there, how do you know which one to use? I tested over 20 top services to find the most accurate, user-friendly, and comprehensive options available in 2023.
Below I‘ll share my picks for the 6 best people search sites and engines, along with key features to look for, pricing details, and tips for getting the most out of your search. Let‘s dive in!
1. Truthfinder
I found Truthfinder to be the top people search site overall based on accuracy, depth of information, and ease of use.
Some key benefits:
- Access full background checks covering criminal records, contact info, social media profiles, and more
- Customizable search filters like location, age range, and family relationships
- Mobile app available for iOS and Android
- Dark web monitoring included with subscription plans
- Results delivered in easy-to-read report format
Truthfinder provides unlimited searches with its paid plans starting at $28.05 per month, making it a great value for frequent lookups. They also offer a 7-day free trial to test it out.
2. Intelius
Intelius is another robust people search engine with highly detailed reports on individuals.
Key features:
- Criminal records, legal judgments, bankruptcies, and more
- Reverse phone lookup to identify anonymous callers
- Option to search internationally
- Available 24/7 customer support via phone or online chat
While Intelius offers a basic free people search, full reports require paid plans starting at $4.99 for a 5-day trial or $24.86 per month. Overall an excellent choice for comprehensive background checks.
3. BeenVerified
BeenVerified stands out for its focus on delivering quick, accurate search results.
Notable features:
- Results in seconds, optimized for finding people quickly
- Criminal records, contact details, relatives, and social media integration
- Available mobile app for iOS and Android
- Reverse email lookup to find info from an email address
- Comprehensive reports with over 20 categories of public data
Like most robust people search sites, BeenVerified requires a paid subscription for full access. Plans start at $22.86 per month, with options for 7-day and 1-month trials.
4. PeopleLooker
PeopleLooker is a great option for basic contact information lookups. Some key details:
- Completely free people search engine
- Quick access to phone numbers, addresses, ages, and family connections
- No account required to use site
- User-friendly interface ideal for one-off searches
- Limited background check capabilities compared to paid sites
For free casual searches, PeopleLooker is my top recommendation based on ease of use. But for more detailed reports, a paid service will provide fuller background checks.
5. Spokeo
Known for its breadth of data, Spokeo pulls information from thousands of sources across the web.
Noteworthy features:
- Hundreds of data points on each individual
- Social media integration from sites like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter
- Reverse phone lookup and email lookup options
- Real-time address history tracking
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android
Spokeo offers a free basic people search, while full reports require paid plans starting at $14.85 per month. With its vast database, it‘s a great option for deep digital information.
6. Radaris
Radaris provides a straightforward free people search focused on public data. Useful features include:
- Completely free with no subscription required
- Access names, ages, addresses, phone numbers, and relatives
- Interactive maps tied to address history
- Detailed age and address history timeline
- Limited alternative contact info and background checks
For a 100% free people search site, Radaris delivers solid results. Just note search capabilities are more limited than paid sites.
Key Features of People Search Sites
When evaluating people search sites and search engines, keep an eye out for these key features:
- Free basic search – Most sites offer free simple lookups for basic contact info.
- Comprehensive reports – Paid full reports provide more info like social media, criminal records, and public documents.
- Advanced filters – Customizable filters by location, age, relatives, etc. help refine your search.
- Reverse phone lookup – Useful for identifying an unknown number or text sender.
- Mobile apps – Enable people searches on-the-go from your smartphone or tablet.
- Dark web monitoring – Checks dark web sites for compromised personal info.
- Customer support – Look for options like phone, email, live chat in case you need help.
- Data accuracy – Sites should source info from official databases, public records, and verified sources.
Pricing of People Search Services
People search sites generally offer both free and paid options depending on your needs.
Free People Search Engines
For basic lookups, many sites provide free people searches without needing to create an account. These typically include:
- Name, age, location
- Past and current addresses
- Phone numbers
- Possible relatives
Some recommended free search sites are PeopleLooker, Radaris, and free trials of paid sites like Truthfinder.
Paid Subscription Plans
To access detailed background check reports, most robust people search engines require a paid monthly subscription. Expect costs around:
- $15-30 per month
- Discounts for 3 or 12 month plans
- 7 day free trials to test the service
Leading paid options based on value and depth of information include Truthfinder, Intelius, BeenVerified, and Spokeo.
Using Social Media for People Searches
In addition to specialized search sites, social networks can provide valuable details when trying to find someone online.
With over 2 billion users, Facebook is often the best social media platform for locating people. Try searching for their name, using filters like location and workplace to narrow results.
The Friend Finder tool can also suggest matches based on your contact list. Just remember privacy settings may limit the info you can see.
Search for connections, classmates, and colleagues on LinkedIn by name, company, school, keywords, and more. The site‘s focus on professional networking provides great context.
Lookup people on Twitter by name, @username, bio keywords, interests, and follower connections. Just keep in mind users can protect their tweets and account information.
Accuracy and Update Frequency of Information
The accuracy of people search results depends on how often the site refreshes its data. The most accurate engines use a combination of:
- Public records – Government data like court documents, voter registration, property records.
- Databases – Private and public databases containing digital footprints.
- Web sources – Online sources like social networks and directories.
Look for sites that update their databases on a daily or weekly basis to ensure you‘re getting the most up-to-date information possible in your reports.
Finding Criminal and Court Records
Specialized people search sites and legal databases are the best sources for criminal records and court documents.
- Search engines like Truthfinder, Instant Checkmate, and CheckPeople can provide criminal and arrest records along with court cases.
- Official court record databases like PACER for federal court documents or county court record sites offer the most complete information. Access may require registration or fees.
- For the most current arrest records, contact the county sheriff‘s department websites directly where an arrest occurred.
Additional Information You Can Find
Beyond the basics, people search sites dig up all types of details:
- Relatives – Parents, siblings, children, and other family connections.
- Age – Exact birthdate and current age.
- Employment – Current and past jobs, companies worked for, job title and tenure.
- Education – Schools attended, year of graduation, degrees earned.
- Net worth – Estimated net worth and property values.
- Political donations – Contribution history to political candidates and organizations.
- Bankruptcies – Personal or business bankruptcies filed.
- Marriages/Divorces – Marriage and divorce dates, locations, partners.
- Legal judgments – Details of civil lawsuit outcomes and monetary awards.
Finding People Through Other Online Services
Don‘t limit your search to just dedicated people finder sites. Other helpful online resources include:
Google Search
Google often surfaces social media profiles, genealogy sites, and local directory info in results for a person‘s name. Use advanced search operators for precise matching.
Quora
Lookup names on question-and-answer site Quora to find any public questions and answers related to that individual.
ZoomInfo
This directory provides detailed professional contact info on over 90 million people, especially useful for business contacts.
Web Forums
Try looking for someone on web forums or communities related to their interests and see if they have an account.
Property Records
County assessor sites detail property ownership history, values, and sale prices tied to an individual.
Voter Registration
Voter registration records provide current and past addresses, political party affiliation, and voting districts.
People Finder Site User Experience
A positive user experience is crucial when using a people search platform. Look for:
- Intuitive interface – Clean, easy-to-use design for seamless searching.
- Fast results – Quick load times and responsive servers for near-instant results.
- Sorting and filters – Customize your query with handy tools to pinpoint matches.
- Mobile experience – Native mobile apps for searches on iOS and Android.
- Customer support – Reliable communication via live chat, email, phone.
- Security – Protection of personal account data and safe payment systems.
- User reviews – Feedback from other customers on a site‘s usability and features.
FAQs About People Search Sites
What is a people search site or search engine?
People search sites use public records, online data, social networks, and more to find in-depth personal details on individuals, alive or deceased.
Are people search sites free to use?
Most offer limited free searches, while full background checks require a paid subscription starting around $15-30 per month for unlimited use.
Is it legal to use people search sites?
Yes, these sites pull data from public sources. But it‘s illegal to harass or threaten someone with the information. Always use ethically.
Can I remove my information from people search sites?
You can request removal but processes vary. Some honor opt-out requests easily, while removing info from others can be extremely difficult.
How accurate is the information from people search sites?
Accuracy depends on the source, with public records being most reliable. Look for sites that cross-check data across multiple sources for higher accuracy.
Conclusion
Finding anyone online is easier than ever thanks to people search sites and search engines. For the most powerful combination of accuracy, depth of information, and ease of use – I recommend Truthfinder as the top people search platform available in 2023.
Give their free trial a test drive to experience their intuitive interface and comprehensive reports for yourself. Or explore any of the other excellent options outlined above like Intelius, BeenVerified, and Spokeo to find the people search engine that best fits your needs and budget.
Just remember to use the personal information you uncover ethically and legally. With great data comes great responsibility. Wield your investigative power for good!
