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Wondering who called from that unfamiliar number? Getting spam calls from numbers you don‘t recognize? I‘ve got you covered.
As a network security professional with over 10 years of experience, I‘ve tested and reviewed the top websites for reverse phone number lookups. Read on as I compare the 10 best options to help you identify mystery callers and block spam.
A Quick Intro to Reverse Phone Lookup Sites
Reverse phone lookup sites allow you to enter a phone number and reveal the owner‘s identity.
They search public databases of phone records, along with carrier information, to match numbers to names, addresses, age, criminal records, and more.
Top sites like Spokeo and Truthfinder can uncover surprisingly detailed background profiles with just a 10-digit number.
Below I‘ve summarized what you can expect to learn from the leading options:
- Name and age of number owner
- Current address and phone type
- Past locations and move dates
- Household members like partners or roommates
- Criminal history including arrests, convictions, bankruptcies
- Social media profiles associated with the number/name
- And more like estimated income, education, assets, etc.
Now let‘s dive into the 10 best reverse phone lookup services available in 2023. I‘ll highlight key features and capabilities to help you choose the right fit.
10 Best Reverse Phone Number Lookup Sites
| Service | Best For | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Spokeo | Comprehensive background checks | $14.95/month |
| Truthfinder | Address histories + criminal checks | $28/month |
| Instant Checkmate | Basic owner lookups | Free or $4.86/month |
| NumLookup | Fast name matches | Free |
| SpyDialer | Anonymous caller ID | Free |
| ZLOOKUP | Messaging unknown numbers | $0.99 per text |
| NumLooker | International lookups | Free |
| TruePeopleSearch | Public records access | $8.95/month |
| TruthFinder | Location tracking | $28/month |
| Intelius | Marriage/divorce checks | $3 for 5 days |
Below we‘ll explore the top services for accurate and ethical lookups.
Spokeo
With over 12 billion records and thousands of data sources, Spokeo is my #1 pick for depth. For $14.95/month you get unlimited people searches including:
- Job history, education, net worth estimates
- Detailed address histories
- Bankruptcies, liens, legal judgments
- Traffic citations, DUIs and other criminal records
- Active dating site profiles
- And much more
Spokeo has both the breadth and accuracy of information that competitors rarely match. If extensive, up-to-date background details are key, Spokeo is a top choice.
Cost: $14.95/month
Records: 12+ billion
Best for: Comprehensive background checks
Example Spokeo reverse phone lookup report
TruthFinder
Like Spokeo, TruthFinder is known for thorough, wide-ranging background reports from an extensive reservoir of public records.
With info on over 210 million Americans, TruthFinder can pinpoint past residences, bankruptcies, criminal convictions, traffic incidents, licensed professionals and more.
You can also link relationships by identifying mutual addresses and relatives across reports.
One unique offering is cell phone location tracking based on historical metadata. While controversial from a privacy standpoint, it enables tracing a number owner‘s movements over time.
For $28 a month get unlimited searches and reports. Or pay-as-you-go for $3.99 each.
Cost: $28/month or $3.99 per report
Records: 210 million Americans
Best for: Address histories + criminal records
Instant Checkmate
If you just need a quick name and age match without extras, Instant Checkmate is a solid free choice. It‘s my top pick for basic high-accuracy identity lookups without paying.
Upgrade to the $4.86/month premium plan for unlimited searches plus criminal record checks. But the free version has you covered for most casual lookups.
Cost: Free or $4.86/month
Records: Hundreds of millions
Best for: Fast basic owner matches
NumLookup
When speed is critical, NumLookup is the winner. They claim over 6 billion global phone records enabling lightning fast name matches in about 1 second.
The tradeoff is limited information beyond basic names. But for rapid response verification NumLookup delivers.
Cost: Free
Records: 6 billion
Best for: Lightning fast name matches
NumLookup‘s real-time interface example
SpyDialer
SpyDialer takes a novel approach letting you anonymously peek up a number‘s owner details without them knowing.
Just share a number and SpyDialer will dial it on your behalf, fetching the caller ID details without connecting the call. The number owner has no indication you peeked up their info.
Drawbacks are limited data compared to full reports. But for ethical, private caller ID checks without notification, SpyDialer is unmatched.
Cost: Free
Records: Unknown, likely tens of millions
Best for: Anonymous caller ID checks
ZLOOKUP
ZLOOKUP distinguishes itself from competitors by enabling anonymous two-way communication with any number owner.
Alongside standard name and location lookups, you can pay affordable rates to send SMS messages or letters anonymously to numbers in their database.
If you want to ask an unknown caller a question one time, ZLOOKUP makes it simple.
Cost: Free + $0.99 per text
Records: Hundreds of millions
Best for: Messaging unknown callers
NumLooker
NumLooker has my recommendation for international reverse lookups. Over 30 regional databases allow identifying callers from Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and beyond.
Domestic searches within the US provide added intel like known addresses, relatives, bankruptcies and criminal convictions.
It can‘t match the thousands of data sources some paid services leverage for American numbers. But for free international owner matching, NumLooker is unrivaled.
Cost: Free
Records: US + 30+ countries
Best for: Broad international lookups
TruePeopleSearch
TruePeopleSearch stands out for its breadth of public records access alongside standard lookups.
Expect current owner info like names, ages, locations and relatives. But also harder to find civil, criminal and traffic records, bankruptcies, legal judgments, licenses and more within over 6 billion total documents and data points.
The catch? It‘s the most expensive service on this list at $8.95 per month paid annually. More casual searchers likely don‘t need this level of heavy duty data mining on tap.
But for pro background checkers and public records power users, TruePeopleSearch has the goods.
Cost: $8.95/month if paid yearly
Records: 6+ billion documents and data points encompassing public records
Best for: Public records access
TruthFinder
Mentioned earlier for its robust reverse lookup reports, TruthFinder also enables tracking a cell phone location history based on metadata records.
While controversial from a privacy perspective, this unique capability lets you identify locations a number has been active to reconstruct travel patterns.
If historical location tracking is important, TruthFinder has access other vendors lack.
Cost: $28/month
Records: 210 million Americans
Best for: Historical cell phone location tracking
Intelius
Last up is Intelius, offering a handy $3 five day unlimited trial. It‘s a smart way to check out a service without an ongoing commitment.
Expect identity essentials like names, ages, locations, relatives and address histories. Plus Intelius adds extra value indexing marriage and divorce decrees. So you can surface current relationship statuses not all competitors showcase.
The $3 trial is ideal for peeking up a few mystery numbers on the quick. But Spokeo or TruthFinder may better serve heavy commercial lookup needs long term.
Cost: $3 for 5 day trial
Records: Hundreds of millions
Best for: Marriage/divorce checks
Number of Records Summary
To compare relative database sizes:
| Service | Records |
|---|---|
| Spokeo | 12+ billion |
| TruthFinder | 210 million Americans |
| Instant Checkmate | Hundreds of millions |
| NumLookup | 6+ billion |
| NumLooker | 30+ countries |
| TruePeopleSearch | 6+ billion documents |
More records generally means higher match rates and accuracy. But free tools like NumLookup can still deliver reliable results by focusing on high-value datasets instead of maximum volume.
Factors to Compare Reverse Phone Lookup Sites
As you evaluate options, keep these key criteria in mind:
Cost – What‘s the pricing model? One-time fee, monthly subscription, free, or hybrid? Understand what‘s included before paying.
Accuracy – Do phone and owner matches reliably align with reality? How often are data sources refreshed?
Depth – What types of records are available? Income, education, criminal histories? Variety and history length add insight.
Ease of use – Is the interface intuitive or outdated and cluttered? Complex workflows waste your time.
Support – What channels offer assistance if needed? How knowledgable and responsive are agents based on reviews?
Checking against these points indicates the strongest services overall for ethical lookups tailored to your needs.
Now let‘s cover some common questions before you get started.
Are Reverse Phone Lookups Legal?
Wondering about the legality of these services?
Reverse phone lookups search public data records legally accessible to aggregators. As long as sites follow fair practices, these searches are entirely legal for personal use.
However, some paid services may forbid sharing full reports externally. Always review terms carefully before reproducing significant excerpts.
But for your own ethical queries, reverse phone lookups avoid legal issues as long as sources practice reasonable data standards.
That said, just because something is lawful doesn‘t make it right for every circumstance. Let‘s talk ethics.
Reverse Phone Lookup Ethics and Privacy Considerations
Like online background checks, reverse phone lookups can surface personal details many consider sensitive.
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Consider consent: Does the person approve checking up on them? How might you feel if roles reversed?
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Don‘t misuse data: Think twice before externally sharing reports. Even if lawful, perceivably invasive use still damages trust.
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Opt out when needed: Most sites let you remove your number from results. Request report removal if published details cause concern.
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Anonymize when possible: Tools like SpyDialer let you peek up caller ID without the number owner knowing at all. This helps respect privacy.
In short, just because look ups are possible does not guarantee they should be casually pursued.
However, readers use these services for legitimate purposes like:
- Screening unknown callers and blocking spam
- Verifying identities before meetings
- Reconnecting with old friends
- Researching unfamiliar businesses reaching out
I encourage taking a moment to carefully consider your motivations and methods before conducting searches.
If purpose and approach align with respect, ethics and wisdom, reverse phone lookups can absolutely help more than harm. Discernment goes a long way.
Best Reverse Phone Number Lookup Services: Key Takeaways
Uncovering mystery callers and spam need not be scary or shady. As outlined above, numerous reputable sites enable identifying unknown owners politely and properly.
For occasional number checks, free services like Instant Checkmate and NumLookup often suffice with basic matches. SpyDialer enables completely anonymous caller ID checks without them realizing.
If you need regular access with comprehensive reporting, Spokeo and TruthFinder lead for depth. Both index billions of inputs for revealing profiles way beyond just names.
I hope these reverse phone lookup reviews help assess options through an ethical lens. Reach out anytime if other questions arise!