Compare screening providers
For pre-employment screening (background checks on candidates), organizations long chose between three kinds of providers: a full-service agency that takes everything off your hands, a screening platform that is fast and automated but leaves the assessment to you, or a tool that only verifies identity. There is now a fourth: hybrid screening. Hybrid screening is pre-employment screening in which checks run fully automatically and you choose per task who does the work: you, or the provider. This page shows what to expect from each type. Providers within each type differ, so always check what a specific provider offers.
What kinds of pre-employment screening providers are there?
- Full-service screening agency: takes the investigation off your hands, partly manual, often tailored and quoted. Best for outsourcing or bespoke investigations.
- Screening platform: the candidate provides the data, verification runs automatically and you assess the outcome. Best for regular screening and assessing results yourself.
- ID verification tool: checks identity and right to work, not a full background check. Best for a quick check at the door.
- Hybrid screening: pre-employment screening in which checks run fully automatically and you choose per task who does the work: you in a self-service environment, or the provider. Best for speed without having to do everything yourself.How Otentica works
Comparison table
The columns per type describe what is common. Individual providers may differ.
| Comparison table | Full-service agency | Screening platform | ID verification tool | Hybrid screeningOtentica |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How checks are done | By the agency, partly manual | Automated, manual or a mix | Automated (document and face) | Fully automated: official registers and APIs, plus AI document analysis |
| Document authenticity | Varies by provider | Varies by provider | ID document only | AI checks every submitted document for manipulation and forgery |
| Who assesses discrepancies | The agency | Usually the employer | The employer | Your choice: you, or Otentica within minutes |
| Support | Often a dedicated contact | Varies, often self-service | Often self-service or helpdesk | AI support plus people who step in, in multiple languages |
| Screening profiles per role | Set up by the agency | Often set up yourself | Not applicable | Your choice: set up and change them yourself, or with Otentica and a dedicated contact |
| Self-service | Limited, the agency carries it out | Often | Start verifications | Profiles, reopening and editing screenings, and setting up integrations yourself |
| Checks | Broad, including abroad | Varies by provider | Mainly ID and right to work | ID, criminal record, diploma, professional registers (incl. BIG and SKJ), references, financial integrity, PEP and sanctions |
| International candidates | Often extensive research per country | Varies by provider | ID documents, often worldwide | ID, right to work, IBAN and PEP/sanctions worldwide; criminal record, diplomas and financial checks via partners* |
| Candidate experience | Varies by provider | Varies by provider | Provider's app or web flow | In the employer's branding, mobile friendly |
| Progress tracking | Varies by provider | Often via a dashboard | Per verification | Real time |
| ATS/HRIS integration | Sometimes | Often | Sometimes, often via API | 170+ systems, public list |
| Privacy | Varies by provider | Varies by provider | Varies by provider | Data deleted automatically after the legal retention period |
* Professional registers in other countries are queried via an API where one is available. Which checks are possible differs per country; ask us about your situation.
- screenings completed
- 850,000+
- organizations
- 100+
- time saved
- up to 87%
- ATS and HR integrations
- 170+
Otentica: hybrid screening
Otentica combines an AI-driven data analysis engine with the service of a full-service agency, and you choose per task what you do yourself. Checks are fully automated, using the most reliable source available for each check: an official register or API where one exists, and otherwise AI document analysis by OtenticAI. In the self-service environment you set up screening profiles, reopen and edit screenings and configure integrations yourself. Prefer to outsource? Otentica assesses discrepancies within minutes, sets up your profiles with you, arranges checks abroad through partners and provides support in multiple languages. Candidates complete everything in your branding; results appear in the dashboard and back in one of 170+ connected systems.
Best for: Organizations that screen regularly and want speed without compromising on care, in the Netherlands and internationally.
Less suitable if: You need bespoke manual investigations, such as a private investigation into suspected fraud. Otentica deliberately focuses on automated checks.
What to look for when choosing
- Which checks your sector requires, such as a professional registration or a criminal record extract (in the Netherlands the VOG).
- Who assesses discrepancies: you, the provider, or can you choose?
- Whether the provider integrates with your ATS or HR system, so nobody retypes data.
- How many of your candidates have a background abroad, and which checks that requires.
- How support is organized, including for candidates who speak another language.
- The pricing model: per screening, subscription or credits, and what that means at your volume.
- Privacy (GDPR): retention periods, a data processing agreement and where the data is stored.
Frequently asked questions
About choosing a screening provider