We may earn a commission for purchases through links on our site, Learn more.
Here are some top websites to help you reconnect with old friends and learn more about people you’re interested in meeting.
If you’re searching for an old friend from your childhood or gathering some background information on a blind date, utilizing one of the top free people search tools online can keep you informed. We provide all the essential information to help you reconnect with someone you’ve lost touch with or learn more about someone new in your life.
Today, there are many online people search tools available, but not all offer the same quality. Here’s a rundown of what you can anticipate from some of the best free people finder sites.
1. Whitepages.com
Whitepages is a popular digital identity database with over 30 million unique visitors monthly. Its basic services are completely free. Users can access names (including middle initials), landline phone numbers, full street addresses, and often, previous addresses and primary family members’ details.
Handy hint:
To maximize your search results, include the person’s full name, city, and state or zip code. However, don’t worry if you only have limited information: the database still allows searches with partial details. You can search by name, last name only, or name and state.
You can use the basic people finder on Whitepages.com without signing up or providing your email. If you need more detailed information, Whitepages.com offers a premium service starting at around $6, which allows up to 20 lookups per month.
The company holds an A- rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and is a recognized member. It has received positive recommendations from various sources highlighting Whitepages.com as a useful tool for finding basic information about individuals.
2. Intelius
Intelius is a reliable choice for finding basic information about someone. It gathers data from public records. A free search can reveal the person’s current and past cities of residence, work history, relatives’ names, age, and educational background.
Handy hint:
Intelius offers a useful feature that allows you to search for a person by name, including optional first name and middle initial, or through reverse phone lookup. When searching by name, you can refine results by specifying location (city and state) if known.
Intelius provides a free basic people search without the need for sign-up or personal information. Additional information can be obtained for a fee, with monthly plans ranging from $35 to $43. They offer trial periods of five or seven days for a small fee. However, be aware that signing up for a trial automatically subscribes you to monthly access, so remember to cancel if you don’t want to subscribe.
Intelius is a BBB-accredited business with an A+ rating. It’s also a member of the Online Trust Alliance, which promotes trustworthy business practices online. Consumer Affairs reviews give Intelius an average rating of 4.3 out of five stars.
3. TruePeopleSearch.com
TruePeopleSearch.com provides free people searches with detailed information available to the public. Results typically include the individual’s name, landline phone number, age, and associated names like maiden names. Notably, the platform offers complete previous address lists and extensive lists of potential relatives and associates. While the initial search interface is straightforward, users may encounter on-page advertisements after requesting their search results.
Handy hint:
You can search for someone by name or conduct a reverse search using a phone number or address. If you’re searching by name, you can also include the city, state, or zip code if known to refine your results.
The website doesn’t provide memberships or extra paid options, but you’ll see sponsored results for background checks on the page. Various sources praised its detailed results, though the most optimal outcomes are achieved when searching by name and location together.
4. US Search
Consider US Search as another alternative. Established 25 years ago, it’s a seasoned player in the online realm. Similar to Intelius, US Search provides background checks for a fee, it also offers free people searches. Upon inputting your search criteria, you’ll receive results containing full names, current and past residential cities and states, current and past employment details, and potential relatives.
This website offers a distinct free people search feature. You can refine your results by searching with an alias, age, previous or current address, or even by the name of a person’s relative.
Handy hint:
For optimal results, input the last name when conducting a search. Adding the state can enhance your search, and including the city can further refine your results. Additionally, you can perform reverse searches using a phone number or address. For address searches, ensure you provide the complete address for accurate results.
US Search offers basic information such as city and state for free, but for full addresses, phone numbers, and dates of birth, you’ll need to pay extra. Monthly plans cost $59 for unlimited reports at the time of writing. The platform has been featured on CNN, and CBS, rating it as one of the top three people search engines by Top Consumer Reviews.
5. BeenVerified
BeenVerified is a good choice if you’re looking to search someone up for free. No account signup is required for basic search results. While the basic search is free, it’s not as detailed as some other sites. You can find past and current locations, previous or associated names, ages, and relatives.
Handy hint:
You can use BeenVerified’s search function to find individuals by name or name along with location, phone number, email, or property address. BeenVerified provides prompts to refine your search, like adding a city, middle initial, or approximate age.
To access detailed information on Been Verified, you’ll need to create an account and pay a subscription fee. They provide a monthly membership for under $30 with unlimited reports or a discounted rate of under $20 per month for unlimited reports with a three-month subscription.
According to The Dallas Morning News, BeenVerified is considered a trustworthy source of information.
6. Find People Search
At Find People Search, you can find information by name. You can narrow down results using optional search fields like location, age, maiden name, phone number, date of birth, and social security number. The site provides free access to details such as past and current addresses (with some duplicates), age, landline phone number and service provider, and a list of possible relatives or associates. You can also view addresses on a map using this tool.
Handy hint:
When using Find People Search, similar to numerous identity search tools, having more information boosts your chances of success. Even small details like a middle initial can make a big difference in refining your search results.
No email or account sign-ups are needed. For more details, you can subscribe personally or for your business. Memberships begin at less than $20 monthly, including a discounted initial offer and savings for longer commitments.
7. That’s Them
That’s Them is a newer identity search tool with fewer reviews than others. However, it provides free basic searches offering details like age range, landline phone number, and address. Additionally, it offers unique information such as general financial details, occupation, education level, and pet ownership status, which are not commonly found on other platforms.
Handy hint:
For better results, it’s best to search using the full name along with as much location information as possible. However, you can search using just the last name. You can also search by email, use reverse phone lookup, or perform a reverse address search. Additionally, there’s an expanded search page available.
8. LinkedIn
LinkedIn, while not promoted as a people search engine, can be highly effective for free person-finding. It’s necessary to sign up to explore connections, but it’s cost-free. Since LinkedIn is designed for professional networking, users typically provide detailed information like work histories and locations. Searching for people is simple: using the search bar or exploring connections through alumni networks and LinkedIn suggestions.
Handy hint:
For optimal results, use as much relevant information as possible when searching to refine your results. Include details like email addresses, colleges, employment history, locations, job titles, and other helpful suggestions to enhance your chances of locating the desired individual. You can also import your email addresses to assist in finding people.
LinkedIn has been recognized by Time.com as one of the most underrated search engines online.
9. Facebook People Search
Even though Facebook isn’t as dominant as before, it’s still a useful tool for finding people at no cost. You can track people down using Facebook’s search feature. Without an account, you can perform a basic name search, but your access to more information will be limited.
With an account, you can search for people you know and use filters like hometown, current city, school, mutual friends, and employers. However, the information you can see depends on the person’s privacy settings.
Handy hint:
Facebook has discontinued its invasive graph search tools. However, there are still many filters available for finding people. The Discover People feature is a new addition to the site that helps users make new connections, enhancing the experience of finding people.
Facebook, with over two billion daily active users, is a popular platform for finding people. Its user-friendly search features make it convenient to reconnect with old friends or acquaintances, making it a strong contender for locating individuals you’re looking for.
10. Zabasearch
Reasons to buy:
- Easy to use
- Unlimited daily searches
- Backed by Intelius
Reasons to avoid:
- Heavy promotion of paid plans
- Limited information provided
Zabasearch is a free people search engine utilizing public records. It allows searches by name, address, phone number, or email address. Results are sourced from government agencies, social media profiles, and online directories. However, free results are restricted to addresses and phone numbers.
Zabasearch primarily utilizes Intelius for its search engine, while it relies on other providers for search results. For more detailed information, Zabasearch may recommend Intelius subscription plans starting at approximately $25 per month, though promotional discounts are often available for less. Intelius stands out for its comprehensive reports, direct customer support, and reverse phone lookup features.
Zabasearch is a useful tool for basic searches, offering unlimited daily searches, unlike similar services. It can be handy for finding a long-lost friend or identifying recent callers. However, for more comprehensive searches, exploring alternative solutions may be more effective.
11. PeekYou
Reasons to buy:
- Provides social networking information.
- Delivers quick search results.
Reasons to avoid:
- Doesn’t include Facebook results.
- Limited information beyond social media.
PeekYou is a free people finder service and engine that stands out for its ability to provide social media information on individuals. You can search by name, email address, or social media username. The search yields rapid results, mainly covering name, age, location, and social media presence. However, Peek You doesn’t include results from Facebook.
You can access all features of the service with a premium option. This includes additional features like criminal records obtained through partnerships with Truthfinder and BeenVerified, among others.
12. TinEye
Reasons to buy:
- Efficient photo search solution
- Quick results
Reasons to avoid:
- Available for free
- Primarily useful for photo search purposes
If you’ve ever delved into online dating tools, chances are you’ve come across TinEye. This 15-year-old service stands as a reverse image search engine, serving as a valuable tool for confirming identities solely based on photos.
TinEye employs image recognition algorithms to generate a unique digital fingerprint from the photo you provide. It then scans the web to find if the same image appears elsewhere. This helps you uncover if the person you’re communicating with is genuine or a scammer. TinEye supports various image formats, including JPEG, GIF, PNG, and BMP.
TinyEye is a useful tool for more than just checking out potential romantic interests. It’s also utilized by photographers, designers, artists, and researchers to find original images. This helps them ascertain if an image is copyrighted and, if so, who holds the rights to it.
TinyEye excels in its functionality and stands out as one of the quickest search tools.
13. Instant Checkmate
Reasons to buy:
- Provides accurate data
- Offers good search tools
- Offers a wide range of searches
Reasons to avoid:
- No free option available
- Results can be slow
- Customer support could be better
Instant Checkmate offers comprehensive data on individuals, pulling data from various sources, including criminal records, family relations, marriages, and financial information. It serves as an effective background checker.
To see results on Instant CheckMate, you’ll need some patience. The process involves numerous slow progress bars and warning messages.
Instant Checkmate may not be the most budget-friendly option. However, purchasing additional months can make it more cost-effective. Pricing information may be difficult to locate, and customer support is somewhat limited.
14. Truthfinder
Reasons to buy:
- User-friendly interface
- Impressive search results
- Self-monitoring capability
Reasons to avoid:
- Higher price point
- Support could be improved
Truthfinder stands out for its comprehensive search results sourced from public databases and social media accounts. Its standout feature is the self-checking tool, allowing users to see what information is available about them. This enables individuals to correct any inaccuracies by notifying the appropriate sources.
Truthfinder provides users with an extensive range of features in a user-friendly interface. However, it’s worth noting two downsides: it can be costly, and customer support may not be as responsive as other services.
Pros, Cons, and Cautions
In today’s digital age, we enjoy unprecedented access to information, which is incredibly beneficial. However, when using any people search service, it’s crucial to carefully review the terms and conditions, as well as understand the associated costs, before signing up.
Many people finder sites offer limited free information, often leading users to subscribe for more. Reviews of people finder sites often highlight hidden fees and varying data accuracy. In summary, if you decide to upgrade from free searches, be cautious about what you’re agreeing to and carefully review subscription terms to ensure safety and avoid unexpected charges.
The bottom line
Having knowledge about how to locate individuals for free can be very useful, especially when you need to gather some basic background information about someone. Additionally, it is an excellent approach to reconnect with those people you have lost touch with over time.
There are several free people search tools available that are simple to use, but it is important to remember that they should not be considered a substitute for your good judgment. While using these tools, it is crucial to exercise caution and employ safe practices both online and in real life when dealing with others. You should always be mindful of the information you share and with whom you are interacting to ensure your safety and privacy at all times.