10 Best Reverse Phone Number Lookup Sites (Free and Paid)

10 Best Reverse Phone Number Lookup Sites in 2024

• BeenVerified
• PeopleLooker
• Truecaller
• SpyDialer
• ZoSearch
• Intelius
• Instant Checkmate
• TruthFinder
• Spokeo
• USPhoneSearch

Review of the Top Reverse Phone Lookup Services

#1. BeenVerified: Best Reverse Phone Lookup Overall

BeenVerified is one of the best reverse phone lookup services in the industry. With BeenVerified, you can conduct a reverse phone lookup using a person’s name, phone number, email address, or another piece of information.

BeenVerified is much more than just a reverse phone lookup service. You can also use BeenVerified for people searches, email lookups, address lookups, username searches, vehicle lookups, and unclaimed money searches.

Services Offered

People Search – BeenVerified’s People Search functionality lets members view and download thorough background reports. All you need is the person’s first and last name. These reports and search results include tons of data, from email addresses and social media profiles to criminal histories and property records.

Phone Lookup – You can use BeenVerified’s Phone Lookup tool to find out where scam calls are coming from, identify the sender of harassing texts, and more.

Email Lookup – Depending on how you search, you can get a list of potential matches for an unknown email address or find emails for friends and relatives you’ve lost contact with.

Address Lookup – BeenVerified’s Address Lookup tool makes it easy to find out who owns a particular property, check if your neighbors have ever been convicted of any crimes, or view sales records for a home you’re considering purchasing.

Vehicle Search – If you want to buy a car from a stranger, a vehicle search using BeenVerified can help you make an informed decision. This service can use the car’s VIN or license plate number to find out if it’s been in any accidents, what it’s worth and more.

What Information Can You Get From BeenVerified?

Contact Info – BeenVerified provides users with comprehensive reports that include various contact data, from phone numbers and email addresses to social media accounts.

Criminal History and Court Records – Many people who use BeenVerified review reports to find out if new people in their lives have ever received a criminal conviction. Knowing an acquaintance’s criminal history can help you stay safer when dating online or searching for a new roommate.

Vehicle Records – BeenVerified’s newest tool lets users search for vehicle records. These are useful if you want to learn more about a car’s accident history or how much it’s worth.

Caller ID – You can use this service to find out who keeps calling in the middle of the night or to gather information on a scammer. The Phone Lookup tool can help you learn who owns an unknown number.

Property Records – Searching for an address on BeenVerified can help you research the neighborhood you just moved into or research a home you’re interested in buying.

Advantages of BeenVerified

Massive Database with Billions of Records – BeenVerified pulls information from a huge database of public records. They also frequently update their reports to provide users with the most accurate information.

Data From Accurate Sources – While this phone lookup service pulls information from social media profiles and blog posts, it also relies on highly accurate sources like official records from local, state, and federal institutions.

Trusted by More Than 1 Million Users – You only have to read a BeenVerified review or two to understand why millions of users trust this reverse phone lookup site for accurate record searches.

#2. Intelius: Best for Unlimited Reverse Phone Number Lookups

Intelius offers top-quality search results for a reverse number lookup. A user can enter a phone number into the search bar and receive a detailed report that may include, when available:

• name
• address
• social media accounts
• criminal and traffic records
• pictures
• location
• phone carrier

Users need to purchase a membership plan to view reports and receive unlimited reverse phone number lookup services, but the company offers several savings opportunities to suit users’ needs. It has a 5-day special trial offer for users unsure if they want the full membership features.

Intelius members pay a monthly subscription for unlimited reverse phone searches and can cancel their contracts at any time. Intelius ranks high for its detailed information, its 5-day trial period, and its intuitive and user-friendly platform design. See the roundup of pros and cons below to see why we ranked Intelius in our top five reverse phone lookup services.

Pros:

• Detailed and informative reports
• 5-day trial period at a discount to try out its phone lookup services
• User-friendly platform
• Quick turnaround times for reverse phone number searches
• Android and iOS apps

Cons:

• Pricing plans that can be confusing
• Additional costs for extra services
• No free trial

#3. Instant Checkmate: Check Almost Any Phone Number to See Who Called You

Instant Checkmate is a paid membership-only phone number lookup service provider that offers users several lookup service options, including reverse phone number lookup search and people search. Instant Checkmate has an A+ rating with the BBB and often returns a depth of information in its phone number search results, including, when available:

• Owner’s Name
• Photos
• Owner’s Address
• Social Media Profiles
• Address History
• Possible Associates
• And More

While Instant Checkmate does not offer individual report purchases, it compiles information from federal, local, state and other public records, including social media networks and phone carrier records

Besides reverse phone number lookup, Instant Checkmate also offers background checks, criminal record searches, and email address lookup. See the simple breakdown of pros and cons for Instant Checkmate below to learn why it made our top five best reverse phone lookup services.

Pros:

• A+ rating from the BBB
• 24-hour updating records
• Different types of reports are available

Cons:

• Help center that’s only open Monday through Friday
• High cost of membership
• Android app only

#4. TruthFinder: Great for Background Checks, Phone Lookups, and People Searches

Truthfinder is a top-rated reverse phone number search tool offering several additional types of lookup services and features. You can also look up your own phone number to find old social profiles if you need to manage your digital reputation. Truthfinder reverse phone number reports can include, when available:

• First and last name
• Address
• Photos
• Social media profiles
• Location History
• Possible associates
• Related persons
• Phone numbers
• Email addresses
• Employment history

Truthfinder uses a deep web scan which could provide a deeper dataset than some other reverse phone number lookup service providers. Users can use Truthfinder to protect themselves from harassment from an unknown number, research online dates before meeting in person, and learn about their new neighbors.

To get Truthfinder’s reverse phone number lookup service, users must subscribe for a monthly or bimonthly recurring subscription. Memberships offer unlimited searches for reverse phone number lookup, including cell phones and landline numbers. Check out the pros and cons listed below to see why Truthfinder is one of our top five best reverse phone lookup sites.

Pros:

• A+ rating by the BBB
• Detailed information with different people search lookup tools
• Utilizes deep web scanning
• User-friendly platform interface

Cons:

• No free trial
• No individual reports, subscription only
• Android app only
• Additional report features that cost extra as an add-on charge

#5. Spokeo: Search by Phone, Email, Address, or Name

Spokeo made it onto our list for the best reverse phone lookup services for several reasons, including its highly responsive customer service and implementation of customer feedback. Spokeo even offers a free reverse phone lookup that includes a more detailed background and phone report for purchase.

After entering a phone number or email address into the search bar, a Spokeo reverse search report will offer several reporting details based on its extensive public records database, including:

• name
• location history
• potential family or connections
• email addresses
• photos
• social media accounts
• court records
• work history

Spokeo offers some free reverse phone lookup results, with the option to buy a full report after confirming the correct phone or address search results. Users can purchase single reports or sign up for either a one-month or three-month continuous renewing membership. Spokeo also offers a seven-day free trial.

Users can take advantage of Spokeo’s satisfaction guarantee to speak with a representative about the reverse lookup service options and make suggestions for improvements in reporting and search functions. See the pros and cons list below to get a snapshot of why Spokeo belongs on our top five best reverse phone lookup services.

Pros:

• Depth of information available from a large database of over 12 billion public records
• Area code and telemarketer telephone directory
• Up-to-date information with regular updates

Cons:

• Less-detailed reports than some other reverse phone lookup providers
• Fewer scans of public records

What Is a Reverse Phone Number Lookup?

Reverse phone number lookup sites allow users to search for a phone number owner when they receive a call from an unknown caller. A reverse phone lookup service provider may also offer additional types of people search tools that may include other types of reports that could include information such as personal details,criminal and traffic records, possible relatives and associates, known aliases, and more, if available.

Because many reverse phone lookup sites aren’t Consumer Reporting Agencies, they don’t comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and information obtained from these sites are not to be used to make decisions on loans, insurance, employment, tenancy, or other official purposes. Reverse phone number lookup sites are for personal use only.

How We Ranked the Top Phone Number Lookup Services

Database Extensiveness and Reliability

Many reverse phone lookup sites run searches through their public record sources to generate reports on potentially relevant information, including who owns a phone number, the current or previous addresses of an unknown caller, and the general location of the phone number. For the information to be reliable, these reverse phone lookup sites need to gather information from public records as well as update their sources frequently to ensure the available information is up to date.

Paid reverse cell phone lookup sites use funds from memberships to maintain their websites and infrastructure, including the physical hardware for their servers and network.

Free reverse phone lookup providers may often lack the funding necessary to maintain their data, resources, or hardware. This could lead to incorrect or obsolete data, nonfunctioning reverse phone lookup site interfacing, and poor security for your personal information.

Free or Paid

While there are some free reverse phone number lookup sites available to help you find out the source of strange phone calls, many free phone number lookup site providers may lack the funding to properly compile their data or may not be safe options for your searches. Free reverse phone lookup sites may not be able to afford the appropriate security safeguards to keep their sites free from malware, possibly putting your information at risk if you visit their reverse phone lookup site.

Paid phone lookup sites can use money they earn from memberships to keep their sites secure, functional, and useful. Funding they earn from their reverse phone lookup services helps them to improve their websites and infrastructure, and pay salaries for staff, digital security and IT personnel, as well as maintain daily operations for data entry, testing, and other functional services.

Details Provided About Each Phone Number

While each cell phone lookup provider offers names and basic details associated with searched phone numbers, they each offer different levels regarding which information they provide beyond assigning a name to their reverse cell phone lookup reports.

While some of the best reverse phone lookup services offer in-depth background checks, others can focus on social media profiles, sometimes including dating profiles. Users can use this information to find out more about a person they met online before meeting in person. This information is especially useful for maintaining your personal safety when meeting for a date or to complete an in-person transaction from Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or OfferUp.

Depending on why you’re looking for information about a specific cell phone number, you may need to narrow your focus when choosing the best phone search site for your needs.

Additional Features Offered

When determining the best reverse phone lookup site, we also compared additional features beyond just reverse phone number lookup offerings. Some of these providers also offer in-depth background checks that could include criminal and traffic records, education and employment history, possible relatives and associates and several other reporting options.

While knowing who calls you from different phone numbers can help defend you from spam callers, you may need to perform research on a person for another reason beyond identifying an unknown number. For example, if you suspect a cousin in another state has been arrested, you can perform an inmate search with Instant Checkmate.

What Information Can You Find from a Phone Number Search?

Depending on which reverse phone lookup service you choose, your provider may offer additional information in their reports. This additional information could include:

Location History

Your reverse phone number lookup provider may report on where a person currently lives or has lived previously. Providers generally find this information through public records such as phone carrier, property records, and social media.

Potential Family Relationships and Known Associates

Social media profiles, genealogy records, and other public records could provide information about potential relatives, friends, and associates in phone number lookup provider reports.

Employment and Education History

While you may not need to know the entire life story of an unknown caller, finding information about employment or education history for a lost family member or friend can help you determine if someone is indeed the person you’re looking for.

Photos

In order to confirm a person’s identity in instances of harassment or finding a lost family member or friend, a reverse phone lookup service may include available photos in their reports to help you identify an individual based on social media photos.

Caller Registration

Many reverse phone number lookup services include whether the unknown number is a business number, landline, or cell phone number in their reports. By knowing the source of the call, you may be able to determine if the call was simply a wrong number, a spam call, or possible harassment.

Criminal and Traffic Records

Depending on the jurisdiction, court proceedings could be a matter of public record. Depending on the reverse phone number lookup provider, information such as criminal and traffic history, possible past convictions and/or arrest records. Be aware that judicial records change frequently based on convictions, acquittals, expungement, and if the case is sealed. If looking for a criminal record with a reverse phone number lookup service provider, ensure that you choose the right reverse phone number lookup service and that the provider updates its records frequently.

Social Media Accounts

One of the best ways to learn about someone is to let them tell you themselves. You could find associated social media accounts linked to a phone number or an email address. A reverse phone lookup site could include associated social media accounts from multiple platforms in their information to create a comprehensive social media report.

Marriage, Birth, or Death Certificates and Records

Because certificates and records like marriage, birth, and death certificates pass through the court, they are often a matter of public record. Additionally, many genealogy sites have access to this information and are another resource that reverse phone number lookup sites could include this information.

Email Addresses and Other Contact Information

Reverse phone lookup sites could have past and current contact information like numbers for secondary cell phones, email addresses, and usernames on different messenger apps included in their reports.

When Is the Best Time to Use a Reverse Phone Lookup?

Different people use reverse phone lookup sites for distinct reasons. Users may choose to use a phone lookup site for something as simple as deciding whether to call back after a missed call from an unknown number to performing a detailed personal background check before meeting a new person face-to-face. Some occasions when people choose to use a reverse phone number lookup search include:

Protecting vulnerable people. Scammers often target the elderly and other vulnerable populations for phone scams, gathering sensitive information in simple scams like “calling grandma from jail.” Additionally, telemarketers may think they can push harder to make a sale with a vulnerable person. You can look up missed calls for your elderly friends and family members and block numbers so they can’t call again.

Fighting harassment. If you receive threatening texts or calls from an unknown party, you can use a reverse phone search to file a report with police for harassment from the individual and determine if they pose an immediate threat to you and your family.

Discovering an affair. Does your partner get texts or calls at strange times or seem secretive when on their phone? Before confronting them, look up any contacts you don’t know with a phone lookup service.

Expecting a callback. If you’re expecting to receive a call from someone new, like a prospective employer, you might miss the call. Many people receive several unknown calls each day. How do you know whether or not to call a number back, especially if you were expecting a call? Use a phone number lookup service to decide whether or not a missed call is worth a return call.

Meeting someone new in person. Whether you’re meeting someone from your online dating service or buying a used item from Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp, make sure the person you’re meeting is actually who they say they are by running a reverse phone number lookup on them. You may want to make sure you are using a service that includes a background check in their phone number lookup report.

Frequently Asked Questions on Reverse Phone Lookups

You may still have questions about phone number lookup providers and how you can use their services to protect yourself, your family, and your information. Check out our FAQ below to learn more about how these services work.

Are there any free reverse phone search sites?

While there are free reverse phone number lookup websites, these sites may have problems with security, outdated information, infrastructure maintenance, or other issues that many paid service providers have the funds to mitigate. Additionally, many free phone lookup services could be phishing or malware scams trying to steal user information.

How can I find out who a phone number belongs to?

To find out who a phone number belongs to, you need to visit one of the reverse phone lookup sites in this review. Next, you’ll need to type the unidentified phone number into the search bar to start the reverse phone lookup process. Once the reverse phone lookup has compiled a report, you will need to purchase a membership plan that best suits your needs to view the report. The report could provide you with information about the possible owner, including location, phone carrier, name, and more, if available.

Be aware that most U.S.-based companies don’t offer an international phone number search due to international privacy laws and restrictive access to information on foreign phone numbers.

What’s the difference between free phone lookups and paid services?

Free phone lookup providers have to earn money since they are not charging for their services. They may allow ads on their website, take donations from users, or upcharge for additional information beyond their free report.

Because of this, free phone number lookup providers may not be able to afford to update their information, update their infrastructure or servers, and pay salaries for experienced staff. Also, many free services could be scam sites ready to collect your personal information, install malware on your device, or generate ad revenue through ad-heavy circular navigation clicks.

Through their earnings, paid services can update their information, upgrade their equipment, and pay appropriate salaries for skilled workers and managers to ensure that operations run effectively for an optimal user experience.

What happens if I can’t find who owns a phone number?

There are some instances where you may not be able to find information on anyone by just using a phone number, including who owns the number. These circumstances may include:

• a harasser or scammer who is using a burner cell phone number to make calls or texts
• a business or individual who’s paid extra to keep their phone number unlisted
• a person who removed their information from the same reverse phone search site you’re using

If you find that your chosen reverse phone number service provider can’t find a phone number, review their refund policy, you may be able to seek a refund.

Final Thoughts on Reverse Phone Number Lookup

A reverse phone number searching service can help users determine who owns an unknown phone number so that they can block spam or telemarketing calls, identify harassers or scammers, and protect themselves in several circumstances from harassment, scams, and spam. The additional features that many of these services offer can help users protect themselves, find lost loved ones, and ensure that calling a number back after a missed call is worth their time.

Don’t forget that you can also use these search providers to manage your digital reputation and see what information others could find about you. A service like TruthFinder can help you monitor your presence on social media and the dark web.

Consider the size of the service’s database and how frequently it updates to get the most current and up to date information. Intelius, for example, updates its records frequently.

If you want to look up a criminal record or run an inmate search, consider Instant Checkmate.

For the most responsive customer service experience, Spokeo offers the greatest opportunity for customers to improve their interactions with the company.

When you need data on a person or phone number, choose one of our top five most reliable phone lookup sites.

Summary of the Top Recommended Sites for Reverse Phone Lookups

• BeenVerified
• PeopleLooker
• Truecaller
• SpyDialer
• ZoSearch
• Intelius
• Instant Checkmate
• TruthFinder
• Spokeo
• USPhoneSearch