Hello!
What databases does everyone use and why? TLO? IRBsearch? Tracers? Etc. Prices? Best info? Best value?
Thank you!!!
Databases for Private Investigators in the United States?
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SouthCoastInv
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Bear1985
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Re: Databases for Private Investigators in the United States?
Honestly, I've been a private investigator for 9 years and have been involved in tracing work for over 30 years, including skip tracing within the bounds of privacy legislation. I don’t recommend relying on databases at all - in my experience, the information is usually outdated and rarely verified.
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Vermont
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Re: Databases for Private Investigators in the United States?
Great question — database access is one of the most important tools we have as investigators, but it really depends on your case types, budget, and client needs. Here’s a quick rundown based on common industry use:
TLOxp (TransUnion)
Pros: Very comprehensive, fast, strong for skip tracing, assets, and deep linking between relatives/associates.
Cons: Higher costs, strict vetting to qualify.
IRBsearch
Pros: User-friendly, strong in phone/address history, often slightly less expensive than TLO.
Cons: Sometimes data lags behind TLO in updates, but still very solid.
Tracers
Pros: Good balance of affordability and breadth, nice batch search options, flexible plans.
Cons: Not always as deep on asset/financial data as TLO.
CLEAR (Thomson Reuters)
Pros: Excellent for corporate/business intelligence and compliance-related research.
Cons: Higher pricing, may be more than you need if you mostly do skip tracing.
Pricing: varies depending on your volume and contract (per search or subscription). Many investigators keep at least two databases — because no single source is perfect, and cross-checking avoids errors.
Best value: If you’re starting out or budget-conscious, Tracers or IRB are often good entry points. If you handle high-stakes litigation, fraud, or asset recovery, TLOxp or CLEAR may justify the cost.
At the end of the day, it’s less about one best database and more about finding the combination that matches your investigative focus.
Hope that helps!
TLOxp (TransUnion)
Pros: Very comprehensive, fast, strong for skip tracing, assets, and deep linking between relatives/associates.
Cons: Higher costs, strict vetting to qualify.
IRBsearch
Pros: User-friendly, strong in phone/address history, often slightly less expensive than TLO.
Cons: Sometimes data lags behind TLO in updates, but still very solid.
Tracers
Pros: Good balance of affordability and breadth, nice batch search options, flexible plans.
Cons: Not always as deep on asset/financial data as TLO.
CLEAR (Thomson Reuters)
Pros: Excellent for corporate/business intelligence and compliance-related research.
Cons: Higher pricing, may be more than you need if you mostly do skip tracing.
Pricing: varies depending on your volume and contract (per search or subscription). Many investigators keep at least two databases — because no single source is perfect, and cross-checking avoids errors.
Best value: If you’re starting out or budget-conscious, Tracers or IRB are often good entry points. If you handle high-stakes litigation, fraud, or asset recovery, TLOxp or CLEAR may justify the cost.
At the end of the day, it’s less about one best database and more about finding the combination that matches your investigative focus.
Hope that helps!