10 Best Sites for Free and Paid Reverse Email Search

If you're reading this, you already know that emails can reveal a lot about their owners. They leave clues behind, and you want to be able to search through them quickly to find accurate information about the person. But which lookup tool gives the best results?

We've done the evaluations and are here to take you through our top-rated online background check sites. We'll show you which are best suited to your email search, how they work, and whether or not your information will be secure while using them.

» Find out how long background checks take.

Our 10 Best Sites for Free and Paid Reverse Email Search in 2024:

• BeenVerified - Best for free and paid reverse email search overall
• Intelius - Best for verifying education credentials
• PeopleLooker - Best for formatting address history visualization
• Spokeo - Best for free basic searches to get started
• PeopleFinders - Best for accessing property ownership records
• TruthFinder - Best for dark web monitoring for compromised email-related data
• Instant Checkmate - Best for military service records
• US Search - Best for verifying social security numbers
• DeepSearchPro - Best for tracking online mentions and digital footprints
• InfoTracer - Best for nicknames associated with the email address

How We Reviewed the Best Sites for Free and Paid Reverse Email Search

Our review team consisted of data analysis professionals and consumer advocates. They evaluated various reverse email search sites using direct testing and comprehensive research. This included feedback from actual users, scholarly research, customer reviews, and industry insights.

Evaluation Criteria

• Accuracy of Search Results: We checked how precisely each site linked information to an email address. We also ensured the data was current and relevant.
• Depth of Information: We assessed the range of information provided. This varied from basic details to extensive public records.
• Privacy and Anonymity: We reviewed each site’s measures to protect user privacy, including its ability to allow anonymous searching.
• Ease of Use: We evaluated the usability of each platform. We focused on an intuitive design suitable for users of all skill levels.
• Speed of Results: We measured how quickly each service delivered search results.
• Cost and Value for Money: We compared pricing structures to assess value. This included looking at subscription options and the availability of free searches.
• Customer Support: We tested the effectiveness of customer support and reviewed the availability of resources like FAQs and direct contact options.
• Security Measures: We examined each site's security protocols. This included data encryption and compliance with privacy laws.

A Closer Look at Our Best Sites for Free and Paid Reverse Email Search in {​year}: Our Quick Reviews

1. Been Verified

Saves past reports for easy referral and retrieval Visit Site

• Best for - On-the-go lookups
• Reports offered: Reverse phone search, reverse email search, people search
• Pricing: Starts at $14.86/month
• Smartphone apps: Yes, Android and iOS

BeenVerified conducts comprehensive searches that extend beyond basic email inquiries. It explores public records, social media, and the dark web to uncover details about an individual's online connections and affiliations. The reports generated can feature educational and employment backgrounds, addresses, and contact details.

Why we chose BeenVerified: The company notifies you of any new information about the individual or business you're looking for. Whether it’s a change in address or legal records, you have the added benefit of up-to-date data. Plus, you can get a seven-day trial for $1, which includes 100 reports.

Our experience: The extensive database of public records made our searches easy, putting a wide range of information, from bankruptcies to interviews, at our fingertips. We liked that we could access additional contact details with just an email address.

Pros

• Affordable plans
• User-friendly interface for simple searches
• Full refunds for unsatisfied customers

Cons

• No recovery service
• Doesn't offer identity theft reports

Read Full Been Verified Review

2. Intelius

Offers access to an extensive database of public records like real estate deeds Visit Site

• Best for - In-depth and comprehensive identity reports
• Reports offered: People search, background search, reverse phone, email search
• Pricing: Starts at $24.86/month
• Smartphone apps: Yes, Android and iOS

Intelius offers access to over 20 billion public records. This allows you to discover business relationships, companies, and professional networks associated with any email address you search. Additionally, Intelius Connections goes beyond an individual’s direct contacts. It helps you evaluate their credibility and assists in making informed hiring decisions.

Why we chose Intelius: Intelius sources its data primarily from public US legal and government records, ensuring the information is legitimate and ethically obtained. Plus, it has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and is seen as a trusted company by the Internet Society Online Trust Alliance.

Our experience: Intelius' extensive reports helped us gather accurate, reliable info to validate our data. Though direct email searches weren't included in the lower plans, getting a higher-tier option for the added, in-depth details, like lawsuits and legal actions, was worth it.

Pros

• Mobile apps are available for Android and iOS
• Identity protection services for $9.95/month
• Almost two decades of experience in background checks

Cons

• Automatic subscription renewals can cause refund difficulty
• Additional fees for complete background reports

Read Full Intelius Review

3. PeopleLooker

Provides intriguing search types, such as wealth data or personal interests Visit Site

• Best for - Finding additional info linked to emails with social circle analysis
• Reports offered: Email search, people search, background checks, phone search
• Pricing: Starts at $19.99/month
• Smartphone apps: Yes, Android and iOS

PeopleLooker can pull in-depth reports on almost anyone. Simply input a name, email, or any other available data to access aliases, social media profiles, criminal records, and work history. This tool is ideal for assessing neighborhood safety, vetting business partners, or reconnecting with old friends.

Why we chose PeopleLooker: Its reverse email lookup searches are completely private. So, your search subject won't know that you’ve investigated their digital footprint. The company also has an information removal tool that retracts unwanted personal data from directories and Google searches.

Our experience: Its user-friendly interface, basic lookup process, and downloadable PDFs make it a convenient platform regardless of your tech skills. Plus, live support is available seven days a week should you need assistance.

Pros

• No long-term commitments or hidden costs
• Seven-day trial for $1
• The site is Norton privacy-secured

Cons

• Limited information access with the free plan
• No property search on mobile app

Read Full PeopleLooker Review

4. Spokeo

Allows you to remove your information from the database Visit Site

• Best for - Getting good value searches at a reasonable price
• Reports offered: People search, background search, reverse phone lookup, reverse email search
• Pricing: Starts at $17.95/month
• Smartphone apps: Yes, Android

Spokeo's reverse email lookup tool efficiently collects detailed personal information, including property ownership, case histories, secondary emails, and estimated income. It delivers potential matches within two minutes and allows for precise refinement of search results by relevance or age. The service is enhanced by its accessibility through a user-friendly interface and leverages extensive data sources.

Why we chose Spokeo: Its reports show info on relatives and can shed light on familial connections, potential associations, and shared networks. It can also help you determine if the sender is trustworthy or a fraudster attempting cyber theft, phishing, or catfishing.

Our experience: Spokeo's ability to match social media accounts with public records was a helpful feature. This enhanced search filter allowed us to confirm our search subject's marital status and showed us other details, such as divorce proceedings. Plus, we were very impressed with the quick customer support service.

Pros

• Searches 120+ social media platforms
• Helpful advanced search filters
• Uses deep web technology to find records

Cons

• Information may be incomplete
• No full-text tool to scan third-party links

Read Full Spokeo Review

5. PeopleFinders

Notifies you of any new information related to your searched email address Visit Site

• Best for - Various background lookup functions beyond email search
• Reports offered: People search, reverse phone and email search
• Pricing: Starts at $9.95/month
• Smartphone apps: Yes, Android and iOS

PeopleFinders is one of the more budget-friendly options for reverse email lookups. It offers the flexibility to purchase a single report or unlock unlimited searches with a monthly membership. And with access to approximately 6,000 databases, it can help you get reliable information on anyone you know—or don't know.

Why we chose PeopleFinders: Its reports include lawsuits and liens, which can reveal a person's ongoing or past legal disputes and outstanding debts. Plus, the service gives you a preview of available info before you pay. This is great because it lets you check the data you need before committing to buy.

Our experience: PeopleFinder's joint network of sources lets you access a wide range of information, like civil litigation and tax records, all in one place. We could even see international travel and immigration records.

Pros

• Spam alert option on mobile phone
• User-friendly interface for easy searching
• Quick and efficient customer support

Cons

• No free trial available
• No social media search results

Read Full PeopleFinders Review

6. TruthFinder

Access court records to verify someone's legal history effortlessly Visit Site

• Best for - Analyzing social media trends for behavioral patterns
• Reports offered: People search, background search, reverse phone lookup
• Pricing: Starts at $23.28/month
• Smartphone apps: Yes, Android and iOS

TruthFinder's reverse email lookup plan offers unlimited email and person reports, enhancing your research capabilities. Additionally, for $2.99 per month, you can add dark web monitoring, which scans known hacker sites. This feature checks whether an email has been compromised in data breaches, providing insights into the security status of the individuals you're researching. This makes TruthFinder a robust tool for both personal and professional background checks.

Why we chose TruthFinder: The platform can uncover hidden details from newspaper archives and private messages. By retrieving information from less commonly tapped sources, it can give you a more complete understanding of an individual's actions and motivations.

Our experience: TruthFinder's focus on privacy and security protocols protected our sensitive information throughout the background check process. The tutorials also guided us through specific searches, like family lookups, and saved us valuable time.

Pros

• Unlimited searches
• Instructional videos on various search types
• Track movements over time with address history

Cons

• Doesn't offer a free trial
• No email search functionality available in lower-tier plans

Read Full TruthFinder Review

7. Instant Checkmate

Delivers instant results, ideal for time-sensitive lookups Visit Site

• Best for - Transparency about the type of information provided and sources used
• Reports offered: Email search, reverse phone search, people search
• Pricing: Starts at $27.82/month
• Smartphone apps: Yes, Android

Instant Checkmate provides detailed background checks, uncovering DUI arrests, traffic data, and conviction records. It also grants access to sex offender registries, enhancing your ability to evaluate the safety risks of individuals you're researching. This service also offers insights into personal histories and known associations, making it a valuable tool for in-depth background analysis.

Why we chose Instant Checkmate: Instant Checkmate reveals aliases linked to an individual. You can then cross-reference alternative names to confirm whether an email corresponds to a known identity. This feature helps you validate the authenticity of the person you're investigating.

Our experience: The unlimited reports per subscription gave us great value for our money since we needed to do frequent, ongoing background checks. The site's straightforward reports and access to the NSOPW also saved our team time when searching for the history of past offenses and convictions.

Pros

• Easy-to-read reports
• 24/7 support
• Simple cancellation process

Cons

• Reports of inaccurate data
• Frequent pop-up notification interruptions

Read Full Instant Checkmate Review

8. US Search

Runs professional associate-related lookups linked to email addresses Visit Site

• Best for - Searching seamlessly across different web browsers
• Reports offered: People search, background search, reverse phone search, reverse email lookup
• Pricing: Starts at $14.95/month
• Smartphone apps: No

US Search offers a range of detailed background checks. It provides access to marriage and divorce records, criminal records, and property records. These tools are ideal for genealogical research and verifying identities. They help users build comprehensive profiles and clarify family connections. The platform is user-friendly, facilitating easy navigation of various records. It is suitable for both casual queries and thorough personal investigations.

Why we chose US Search: Its Pipl tool aggregates data from sources like marketing databases and social media to provide comprehensive identity verification information. Additionally, the platform lets you search by alias. This can be helpful if your target used a childhood nickname ("CoolCat1982") or a professional tag ("JohnSmith_Marketing") in their email.

Our experience: Although you can't use US Search for official purposes like employment or credit checks, the site is still useful for reconnecting with old friends or investigating someone's history. We especially liked the clean interface and the fact that the reports included contact information.

Pros

• 256-bit encrypted connection
• Service quality money-back guarantee
• Access to historical data valuable for genealogy research

Cons

• Need to register to view results
• Limited international coverage (focused on data within the US)

Read Full US Search Review

9. DeepSearchPro

Employs advanced algorithms for thorough lookups Visit Site

• Best for - Examining communication styles and online interactions
• Reports offered: Background checks, public records report, reverse phone search
• Pricing: Starts at $9.95/month (excludes fee of $29.95/single report)
• Smartphone apps: No

DeepSearchPro analyzes patterns associated with the target email address and goes beyond primary data. It helps you understand the sender's digital habits and provides insights into their online persona. The reports also include IP geolocation, which gives you an approximate location of the sender's activity.

Why we chose DeepSearchPro: The platform's unique behavioral analysis can reveal hidden motivations and risks of anyone you research. It can also examine relationships between people and identify unusual or suspicious interactions that are typical of fraud.

Our experience: DeepSearchPro's deep data mining techniques helped us uncover details from birth records that aren't readily available through traditional lookup methods. This let us build richer personal profiles and ensured more thorough background checks.

Pros

• Searches are completely anonymous
• Support available on weekends from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm (PST)
• Looks through obscure online spaces like encrypted marketplaces

Cons

• Pricing structure can be confusing
• No bulk search option for multiple email addresses at once

Read Full DeepSearchPro Review

10. InfoTracer

Assesses social media behavior, identifying potential risks

• Best for - Highlighting online photos and videos
• Reports offered: Email search, people search, reverse phone search
• Pricing: Starts at $24.95/month
• Smartphone apps: Yes, Android

InfoTracer searches billions of online sources to help verify user information. It offers over 10 different background check types, including vehicle identification number (VIN) lookups. It can also do IP searches to give you reports on internet service providers (ISPs) associated with a specific email.

Why we chose InfoTracer: The platform provides access to mugshots, which are often associated with arrest records. This can provide insights into your email target's past legal issues and encounters with law enforcement. Plus, the service has an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau.

Our experience: Our team liked the specialized reverse email lookup tool and deep web sources that provided information like news articles and client feedback. The facial recognition feature also allowed us to search for individuals based on images, enhancing our identification capabilities.

Pros

• Database includes over five billion public and private sources
• Dedicated reverse email lookup tool
• Background check bundles available

Cons

• Slow cancelation process
• VIN lookups might only access basic manufacturer data

Compare the Best Sites for Free and Paid Reverse Email Search:

What Exactly Is a Reverse Email Search Tool?

A reverse email lookup tool helps you identify the owner of an email address. It does this by browsing publicly available information like social media profiles and online directories for matches with the exact email address.

This can be useful for verifying the legitimacy of an email, finding more information about someone you're corresponding with, or even lead generation. It's also helpful for connecting with people if you work in recruitment.

How Reverse Email Search Tools Gather Aggregated Information

Public Database Scans

These tools have access to vast databases of publicly available information. They might browse social media, online directories, and data broker aggregators.

Web Crawling

This is where the tool acts like a mini search engine. It follows links and looks through websites for mentions of the email address. It might find the email address listed on Contact Us pages, forums, comment sections, and data breaches.

Email search tools, especially those specializing in reverse email lookups, gather information through scanning and web crawling. Here's a breakdown of the typical steps in a reverse email search:

1. User input: You provide the email address you want to investigate to the reverse email lookup tool.
2. Database scouring: It scans its internal store of publicly available information. This might include social media profiles, online directories, and websites.
3. Matchmaking: It then searches for matches between the email address and the information in its databases.
4. Presentation: The tool displays the information gathered about the email owner if it finds a match. This could include their name, occupation, location, and social media links.

» Need effective vetting strategies? Try these 10 employee background check best practices.

Who Benefits From Using a Reverse Email Search Tool?

Various individuals can benefit from information retrieved by reverse email tools. For instance, one of the reasons families should run background checks on their nannies is to verify qualifications. Here are some more examples:

Online Daters

If you're online dating, you may want to verify the identity of someone you’re connecting with. A reverse email lookup can help reveal whether that person uses a genuine email address. A false email is one of many red flags you'll find on a background check.

Business Professionals

When you're dealing with clients, partners, or collaborators, you can use reverse email tools to validate the authenticity of email addresses. It helps prevent scams, phishing attempts, and fraudulent communication.

Job Seekers and Employers

Job seekers can verify the legitimacy of job offers by checking the email addresses of potential employers. Employers can also use reverse email lookups to assess the validity of applicants.

Security Analysts

Cybersecurity experts and investigators can use reverse email tools to trace the origins of suspicious or malicious emails. This helps identify potential threats, track down cybercriminals, and prevent cyberattacks.

Researchers

Journalists and researchers may need to verify the identity of sources or investigate leads. It can also help uncover additional contact details and social media profiles associated with the email address.

It's particularly useful when fact-checking or exploring potential connections between individuals or organizations.

Curious Individuals

A reverse email tool is beneficial when you, a friend, or a family member receives an email from an unknown sender. It provides information like the sender's name, location, and social media profiles, helping you verify the email's legitimacy.

» Streamline your hiring process: Uncover 10 reasons for pre-employment screening delays.

How Can I Look Up an Email Address for Free?

There are a few ways to find email address owners without paying for specialized tools:

Search Engines and Social Media

These are basic but sometimes effective approaches. Try looking for the exact email address and variations (first name + last name + email format) on platforms like Google, LinkedIn, or Twitter. You might find the owner's public profile or contact information on their website.

Free Trials of Paid Services

Some email lookup services like Spokeo and BeenVerified offer free or limited trials. They're usually relatively short, but you can perform a few searches to test the service and see if it provides the information you want.

Browser Extensions

You can install free browser extensions like Hunter and GetProspect to look for email addresses while browsing a company website. However, these extensions often limit the number of free searches.

Advanced Google Search Operators

Google's operators, such as "site:" help you create targeted searches. This operator restricts results to a specific website or domain. To find occurrences of an email address on a particular site, use a reverse email search in this format: "site:example.com john.doe@example.com."

What Information Can a Reverse Email Search Reveal?

You can find many types of information in a common background check. A reverse email lookup will help you create the full story of your target search:

• Basic identification: This is the most common result and includes the owner's full name or username associated with the email address.
• Contact details: Sometimes, the tool might reveal phone numbers or physical addresses if they are publicly listed somewhere and linked to the email address.
• Professional background: You can source information like job title, company affiliation, or educational background from online social profiles or business directories.
• Location: Details found in public records or social media might reveal the city, state, and even country.
• Social media links: If the email address is linked to those accounts, platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter can surface public profiles.

Common Reasons for a Reverse Email Address Search

Email search tools, particularly those that perform reverse email lookups, are commonly used for:

• Verification
• Lead generation
• Background checks
• Reconnecting with people
• Investigative purposes
• Security

» Concerned about dating deception? Here's how to save yourself from catfishing.

How to Choose a Reverse Email Lookup Service

Your goal is to find accurate information that's as inexpensive as possible while sticking to safety laws. Here's what to consider when choosing a background check site for reverse email searches:

Purpose and Needs

• Verification: A basic or free service might suffice if you simply want to verify an email sender's legitimacy.
• In-depth information: A service with a broader data reach is necessary for more detailed information like occupation or location.
• Business needs: If you're using the tool for sales or background checks, consider features like bulk searches or integration with CRM software.

Accuracy and Data Sources

• Search scope: Look for a service with a vast database of public records, social media profiles, and web directories for better results.
• Accuracy reputation: Research reviews or ratings on sites like Trustpilot, Yelp, and Better Business Bureau to see how well the service provides accurate information.
• Transparency: A reputable service should be transparent about its data sources, allowing you to assess its legality and ethics.

Cost and Value

• Free vs. paid: Free services might limit searches or data provided. If you need frequent lookups, consider a paid service with a subscription plan. This can help you spend less in per-search fees in the long run.
• Pricing structure: Compare pricing plans from different services to find one that fits your budget and search volume.
• Features vs. cost: When selecting a service, consider the features you need and their costs. For example, if you don't require offender records, avoid tools that charge for criminal background checks.

User Interface and Efficiency

• Ease of use: Look for a service with a simple and intuitive interface that allows for quick lookups and easy report analysis.
• Search options: Consider a tool with advanced options like filtering by location or industry for more targeted results.
• Speed and performance: Choose a provider that delivers results quickly and efficiently, minimizing wait times.

Privacy and Ethics

• Privacy laws: Make sure the service complies with privacy laws. Consult resources like the IAPP's Global Privacy Law Mapping Chart to understand the differences between privacy regulations worldwide, including various Data Protection and Privacy Act (DDPA) regulations.
• Ethical data sourcing: Avoid providers that scrape data from private sources, which can be unethical and potentially illegal.
• Responsible use: Remember to use the tool for legitimate purposes and respect the privacy of the individuals you're targeting.

Enhance Digital Safety With Reverse Email Search Tools

With the growing number of online scams, it's crucial to have reliable tools at your disposal to safeguard yourself and your loved ones. That's where reverse email search tools come in.

Whether you're a concerned individual, a private investigator, or an employer, knowing how to conduct a criminal background check can help you to protect yourself from potential threats. Stay safe, stay informed, and remember to use these platforms responsibly.

» Discover why a deep web search is better than a surface lookup.