HireRight is one of the oldest and most widely used background check companies, trusted by global corporations and government agencies. But with newer platforms offering faster, more transparent tools, the question is whether HireRight is still ahead, or stuck in its legacy systems.

Sterling has built its reputation on handling background checks for some of the world’s largest companies. The promise is clear: fast, accurate, and compliant screening at scale. But does that same level of service translate when you’re a smaller business hiring a handful of people? I dug into Sterling’s process, pricing, and user experience to see if the premium reputation really matches day-to-day results.(Note: In late 2024, Sterling was acquired by First Advantage, another leading screening company, in a $2.2B deal. The Sterling brand is currently transitioning to First Advantage’s name, but for this review we’ll refer to the product as ‘Sterling’ since the platform and services remain the same.)

GoodHire positions itself as the go-to tool for small businesses and HR teams that need reliable, legally compliant background checks. From criminal records to employment verification, it claims to cover all the essentials while staying FCRA-compliant. But how well does it actually work in practice, and is it worth the cost compared to other services? In this review, I’ll share what stood out, where it struggled, and who GoodHire is really best for.

CheckPeople advertises quick and easy background searches. But does it really provide accurate results, or just a bundle of basic public data?

McAfee now offers far more than antivirus, but do the new McAfee+ plans really justify their price tags? As a team we put every tier to the test, from basic Antivirus and Total Protection to McAfee+ Ultimate, using them daily for six months. We uncovered strong protection, surprising new tools, and some frustrating trade-offs you should know about before choosing a plan.

Managing passwords across a team used to be a hassle, so I tested 1Password for Business to see if it really makes things easier. In this guide, I’ll share how it worked for us, where it helped most, and whether it’s the right fit for your team.

Choosing the right security for your business can feel confusing with so many threats out there in 2025. Bitdefender GravityZone offers strong protection that many businesses can trust to defend against today’s cybersecurity risks. But is it the right fit for your specific needs?This review explains what GravityZone does, how it works, and who will benefit most from it. You’ll find clear pros and cons to help you decide if it matches what your company needs to stay safe.

Hiring new employees comes with a lot of responsibility, and background checks can be one of the trickiest parts to get right. I tested Checkr to see how well it handles speed, accuracy, and legal compliance without adding unnecessary friction to the hiring process. In this review, I’ll walk you through how Checkr works, what features stand out, where it may fall short, and whether it’s a smart choice for your business in 2025.