Background screening, verification and identity solutions. Scored on six weighted criteria following the HRCritic methodology.
SWOT analysis
Strengths
- Dependable across daily workflows, with only minor friction at the edges
- Background screening, verification and identity solutions
- Clear audit records for each completed report
- Configurable packages by role and risk level
Weaknesses
- One or two criteria — usually reporting depth or advanced automation — lag the category leader
- Older dashboards make bulk uploads clunky
- County-level searches can still cause delays
Opportunities
- Faster checks via direct court-data access
- Continuous monitoring for existing staff
Threats
- Changing fair-chance hiring laws
- Accuracy disputes that harm trust
How the rating was calculated
| Criterion | Weight | Score | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core functionality | 30% | 85 | 25.5 |
| Ease of use | 20% | 78 | 15.6 |
| Reliability & performance | 15% | 85 | 12.8 |
| Support quality | 15% | 82 | 12.3 |
| Integrations | 10% | 77 | 7.7 |
| Value for money | 10% | 81 | 8.1 |
| Final score | 82 / 100 |
First Advantage scored 82/100, placing it in the Very Good band (75–89). Its strongest area was core functionality (85), while integrations (77) held the score back. Strengths and weaknesses above map to those weighted criteria; opportunities and threats cover the market factors around the product — regulation, data quality, vendor consolidation and buying behaviour — that we watch when scores are next reviewed.
See what each band means on the rating levels page.