SafestHires as a Sterling alternative
Sterling alternatives tend to be evaluated by mid-market teams that need enterprise-grade search coverage — healthcare exclusions, DOT programs, international — without an enterprise contract structure, annual minimum, or long implementation cycle.
Short answer
Is SafestHires a good Sterling alternative?
SafestHires is a veteran-owned screening provider commonly evaluated as a Sterling alternative by mid-market employers that need enterprise-grade search breadth — healthcare exclusions, DOT programs, international — without an enterprise contract structure. Pricing is per check with no annual minimum, and implementation is typically measured in days.
Where SafestHires fits
SafestHires runs the same search categories mid-market and enterprise programs require, priced per check and implemented in days rather than quarters.
The comparison below is intended to help you shortlist, not to rank providers. Score both against the same criteria — pricing model, turnaround by search type, court coverage in your hiring counties, dispute rate, escalation path, and integrations.
Side by side
| Consideration | SafestHires | Sterling |
|---|---|---|
| Contract structure | No annual minimum, no platform fee, no seat license. | Enterprise agreements commonly include minimums and platform fees. |
| Implementation | Account live and ordering within days. | Structured enterprise onboarding cycles. |
| Specialty programs | FACIS® Levels 1M–3, OIG-LEIE, GSA/SAM, state Medicaid exclusions, MVR/DOT, international. | Comparable enterprise breadth across the same categories. |
| Support | Named U.S.-based account manager on every account, with live escalation on stalled jurisdictions. | Dedicated support typically tied to contract size. |
Sterling details reflect publicly published information at the time of writing and can change. Confirm current terms directly with each provider before making a decision.
What to check before you switch
- Ask what the annual minimum is and what happens in a slow hiring quarter.
- Time the implementation: a screening switch should not require a multi-month project plan.
- For healthcare, confirm FACIS® level coverage and state Medicaid exclusion sources specifically.
- For transportation, confirm MVR, PSP, CDLIS, and previous-employer inquiry handling.
Frequently asked questions
Does SafestHires support healthcare exclusion screening?
Yes — FACIS® Levels 1M through 3, OIG-LEIE, GSA/SAM, and state Medicaid exclusion lists. The state-by-state breakdown is on the FACIS® background checks by state guide.
Does SafestHires handle DOT and MVR programs?
Yes — MVR, PSP, CDLIS, previous-employer inquiries, and DOT-regulated drug and alcohol testing. The DOT tool walks through which program applies to a given role.
How fast can we switch providers?
Most teams are ordering within a few business days. Account setup, user provisioning, and package configuration are handled by a named account manager, and existing ATS integrations are re-pointed rather than rebuilt.
Is there a minimum volume or annual contract?
No. SafestHires prices per check with no platform fee, no seat license, and no annual minimum. You can estimate your spend on the pricing page before talking to anyone.