If you're weighing NCS vs GoodHire, here's the short version. GoodHire is a capable, employer-friendly screening tool — and as of 2024 it's part of Checkr, one of the larger automation-first players in the space. NCS Workforce takes a different stance. We're independent, built on National Crime Search's 20+ years of background screening, and our loudest differentiator is a real person you can reach. When you call, you'll quickly reach a live person in our office — not a bot, not a queue, not a ticket. We pair powerful technology with real human support to deliver peace of mind, because behind every great hire there should be people who care.
NCS Workforce serves more than 20,000 customers nationwide. We were one of the first CRAs to earn PBSA accreditation — renewed in 2026 — and we're FCRA compliant, SOC 2 compliant, and a BBB member with an A+ rating. If you want a GoodHire alternative that pairs accredited, compliant screening with an independent partner and a real person to talk to, you're in the right place.
NCS vs GoodHire: Side-by-Side
Both companies screen candidates compliantly. The differences worth weighing are independence, the kind of support you get, and whether there's an AI assistant you can actually talk to.
| NCS Workforce | GoodHire | |
|---|---|---|
| Talk to a real person | Yes — call and quickly reach a live person in our office | Offers customer support; experience varies |
| AI HR assistant you can talk to | Yes — Hailey, a conversational AI HR assistant in your command center | As of the last reviewed date below, GoodHire does not advertise a customer-facing conversational AI assistant |
| Ownership | Independent (National Crime Search) | Part of Checkr (acquired 2024) |
| PBSA Accredited | Yes — one of the first CRAs accredited; renewed 2026 | Yes |
| FCRA compliant | Yes | Yes |
| SOC 2 compliant | Yes | Yes |
| BBB member | Yes — A+ rating | — |
| Years of screening expertise | 20+ years (National Crime Search) | Founded 2013 |
| Support hours | Mon–Thu 8 AM–5 PM CST, Fri 8 AM–4 PM CST | Varies |
| Best fit | Businesses who want technology and an independent team that answers the phone | Employers comfortable inside the Checkr family of products |
Background Checks & Pricing | Meet Hailey
Comparison reflects publicly available information as of the last reviewed date below. GoodHire and Checkr are trademarks of their respective owners; this page is for comparison purposes only.
Independent — and Proud of It
There's a real difference between a screening partner who stands on its own and one folded into a larger platform company. GoodHire became part of Checkr in 2024, joining one of the larger automation-first screening companies. NCS Workforce is independent, built on National Crime Search's two decades of full-service screening.
Why does independence matter to you?
- A relationship, not a routing decision. We answer the phone because you're the priority — not because a workflow sent you there.
- A team with real tenure. National Crime Search brings decades of combined industry experience to every account.
- Real, named leadership. We're a company you can know by name, not a product line inside a bigger org chart.
- Focus on you. We'd rather build a long relationship with you than process a ticket.
Companies thrive when they're supported by real people who care. That's not a feature we bury in the fine print — it's the whole point.
Real Human Support, Not a Routing Decision
Hiring is too important to hand off to a phone tree. When a candidate's report is on the line and a start date is looming, you need an actual person — fast.
We answer the phone because you're the priority.
- A live person, fast. Call us and you'll quickly reach a real person in our office — by phone, chat, or email.
- Help reading a result. When a record turns up and you're unsure how to handle it, a knowledgeable member of our team is one call away.
- Support when it matters. Reach us Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM–5:00 PM CST and Friday 8:00 AM–4:00 PM CST at (479) 695-2111 or support@nationalcrimesearch.com.
- No ticket-queue runaround. With 20+ years of NCS screening expertise behind us, the person you reach can genuinely help.
Hailey: An AI HR Assistant in Your Command Center
Here's where the comparison gets interesting. As of the last reviewed date below, GoodHire does not advertise a customer-facing conversational AI assistant you can actually talk to. NCS Workforce gives you one.
Meet Hailey, a full, conversational AI HR assistant that lives right inside your NCS Workforce command center.
- Ask anything, get an instant answer. Wondering where a report stands or what a result means? Just ask Hailey in plain language — she helps with screening questions, understanding results and charges, and choosing the right package.
- Guidance for you and your applicants. Hailey can help guide applicants through the process, and — with advanced capabilities — assist with adverse-action guidance.
- A real expert is always one call away. Most providers bolt AI onto the back end. NCS gives you a hands-on AI assistant in your command center, with real people always a call away. Hailey amplifies our team rather than replacing it. You stay in the driver's seat.
Speed and humanity, in the same place. You'll find Hailey in your command center at mycommandcenter.com.
Accreditation & Trust
Screening decisions affect people's jobs, housing, and livelihoods, so credentials matter. Both NCS and GoodHire clear a high bar here — and we're glad to show our work.
- PBSA Accredited — NCS was one of the first CRAs to earn accreditation from the Professional Background Screening Association, with that accreditation renewed in 2026.
- FCRA compliant — we screen in line with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and help you do the same.
- SOC 2 compliant — independently validated controls for security and data protection.
- BBB member with an A+ rating.
- 20+ years of full-service background screening through National Crime Search.
- More than 20,000 customers nationwide trust us with their hiring.
We help you stay compliant, too — from collecting FCRA-compliant applicant authorization electronically to providing applicant-specific Pre-Adverse Action and Adverse Action letter templates, so your two-step adverse-action process is handled correctly.
These templates and compliance resources are provided for your convenience to support your process; they are not legal advice. For guidance on your specific obligations, consult qualified counsel.
Plans Built Around How You Hire
Different teams need different things, so NCS Workforce comes in three plans — and the call to action for all of them is simple: talk to a real person and we'll find your fit.
- NCS Lite — criminal background checks only. Simple and fast, built for smaller or occasional hirers who just need a reliable check.
- NCS Workforce Pro — à la carte. Build the plan you need by adding the workforce capabilities you want: continuous criminal monitoring, the Hailey AI assistant, electronic authorization, smart forms, dashboards and analytics, and review and approval workflows.
- NCS Workforce Platinum — everything Pro offers, fully included, plus enterprise capabilities like organization hierarchy and waterfall permissions and advanced Hailey. Built for larger or multi-location organizations.
Not sure which plan fits? That's exactly the kind of thing we'd rather talk through than make you guess at. Tell us how you hire and we'll build a quote that fits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NCS Workforce a good GoodHire alternative?
Yes. If you like the idea of employer-friendly screening but want an independent partner and a real person you can actually reach, NCS Workforce is built for you. We pair accredited, FCRA-compliant screening and Hailey, a conversational AI HR assistant in your command center, with real human support — call and you'll quickly reach a live person in our office.
Is GoodHire part of Checkr?
Yes. GoodHire became part of Checkr in 2024. NCS Workforce, by contrast, is independent — built on National Crime Search's 20+ years of full-service background screening.
Does GoodHire have an AI HR assistant like Hailey?
As of the last reviewed date below, GoodHire does not advertise a customer-facing conversational AI assistant you can talk to. NCS Workforce's Hailey lets you ask a question in plain language and get an instant answer right in your command center, with a real expert always a call away.
Is NCS Workforce accredited like GoodHire?
Yes. NCS was one of the first CRAs to earn PBSA accreditation (renewed in 2026), and we're FCRA compliant and SOC 2 compliant, with a BBB A+ rating — backed by 20+ years of screening expertise and more than 20,000 customers nationwide.
How much does NCS Workforce cost compared to GoodHire?
Our criminal and employment screening packages have clear prices, and our plans — Lite, Workforce Pro, and Platinum — are quoted around how you hire and the capabilities you want. The best way to get your exact numbers is to talk to a real person at (479) 695-2111.
Talk to a Real Person
You don't have to choose between great technology and an independent team that answers the phone. With NCS Workforce, you get both.
We make working with NCS easy — accredited screening, an AI HR assistant that answers instantly, and real people who care when you need them. Build safer, smarter teams, backed by 20+ years of NCS expertise.
Striving to exceed your expectations. Give us a try.
Talk to a real person — (479) 695-2111 Or email us anytime at support@nationalcrimesearch.com. Our team is here Monday–Thursday 8:00 AM–5:00 PM CST and Friday 8:00 AM–4:00 PM CST.
Contact Us | Background Checks & Pricing | Meet Hailey
Last reviewed: information current as of publication. Comparison based on publicly available information; competitor details subject to change.
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You're the priority. Call and you'll quickly reach a live person in our office — not a bot, not a phone tree, not a ticket queue.