How much does a background check cost? Prices and factors at a glance
The question of the cost of a background check is justified — and the answer is: It depends. Depending on the depth of the review, the scope, and the provider, the cost per check can range from 50 to several thousand francs.
This article gives you an honest overview of the pricing structure and helps you determine the right investment for your company.
Which factors influence the cost?
Depth of review: A simple identity check costs less than a comprehensive executive screening with OSINT analysis and international database searches
Number of checks: Individual checks are more expensive than volume packages. Most providers offer tiered pricing
International scope: Checks across multiple countries require access to local registries and databases
Speed: Express checks with results in hours cost more than standard checks with a turnaround time of several days
Typical price ranges
Basic check (identity + sanctions lists): 50–150 CHF — suitable for standard roles
Standard check (+ qualifications + media): 150–500 CHF — for positions with responsibility
Executive screening (comprehensive): 500–2,000+ CHF — for C-level executives, boards, and key hires
Due diligence report (investors): 1,000–5,000+ CHF — in-depth OSINT analysis for investment decisions
You can find a detailed cost comparison between manual and automated background checks in our separate article.
What does it cost not to check?
The real question is not what a background check costs — but what a bad hire costs:
Average cost of a bad hire: 3x the annual salary (recruiting, onboarding, severance, loss of productivity)
Reputational damage: Impossible to quantify, but often the biggest cost factor
Regulatory fines: In the event of compliance violations, they can quickly reach six figures
A background check for 150 CHF that prevents a 150,000 CHF bad hire is one of the best investments a company can make. Done properly, background checks are also a sign of professional HR practice.
Indicium pricing model
Indicium offers transparent monthly plans instead of opaque individual billing:
Free trial check to get to know the platform
Pay as you grow — no minimum purchase, no annual contracts
All prices are visible on the Pricing page — no hidden costs
Read on — related articles
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