How to search for people online: TruePeopleSearch vs FastPeopleSearch vs ThatsThem (free vs paid)

What these sites are

People-search sites are data brokers. They collect public records, such as property and voter data, phone listings and other commercial sources, and match them into profiles showing names, ages, past addresses, phone numbers and possible relatives. They are not official databases, and matches are made by software, so errors are common.

Their data covers mainly the United States. If the person you want lives elsewhere, these sites will usually return nothing useful. Social networks, professional networks, alumni groups and mutual contacts work better.

Use them responsibly

Good uses include reconnecting with a lost relative or friend, checking who keeps calling you, confirming that a seller or contractor is real before you meet, and checking what these sites publish about you. Do not use them to harass someone, to find a person who has cut contact with you, or to turn up at someone’s home. If someone wants to be left alone, respect that.

In the US, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) bars using these sites for employment, tenant screening, credit or insurance decisions. Those need a regulated screening company, such as Checkr for employers or TransUnion SmartMove for landlords.

How to search well

1. Start with what you know. A full name plus city or state works best. A phone number or an address also works, and reverse phone lookups are the most useful way to identify an unknown caller.
2. Try spelling variations. Check nicknames, middle initials and maiden names, and filter by age range if the site offers it.
3. Check the match. Compare age, past cities and listed relatives with what you already know. Reject profiles that do not fit.
4. Cross-check on a second site. If two independent sites show the same address or number, that is more reliable. One site alone is a lead, not proof.
5. Confirm outside the site. Look for a matching social or professional profile, or ask a mutual contact, before you contact someone.
6. Check how old the data is. Old phone numbers and addresses are the most common mistake.

The three free sites

TruePeopleSearch is free with no account. You can search by name, phone number or address and see past addresses, phone numbers and possible relatives without a paywall. Reviewers often rate it the most complete free option. Its data can be outdated, and it has no customer support.

FastPeopleSearch is also free for basic reports and is often recommended for reverse phone lookups. It is quick, but some reviewers report accuracy problems, so treat its results as a lead.

ThatsThem is free with no sign-up and accepts more kinds of input, such as email, as well as name, phone and address. One review mentions a daily search limit for free users. It is a good second source for checking the other two.

Free vs paid

Free sites show contact basics at no cost, and they earn money from ads. Paid sites charge for deeper reports, such as court and criminal records, liens, licences, social profiles and email addresses. Paid is not more accurate by default, because both draw on similar public records. The paid options most often compared are Spokeo, BeenVerified, Intelius and Whitepages.

• Price: advertised prices vary a lot between sources, from about $5 a month for a basic phone-lookup plan to roughly $15–40 a month for full membership. Always read the checkout page.
• Trials: low-cost trials often convert to a higher monthly plan unless you cancel. Set a reminder.
• Free previews: many paid sites show a progress bar, then ask for payment. Try the free sites first.
• Not regulated: none of these are FCRA-compliant, so the same legal limits apply.

Remove your own information

Search for yourself on each site. Every one of these services offers an opt-out or removal page, usually linked in the site footer. Find your profile, copy its link, and submit the request. Removal can take a few days, and profiles may reappear later, so check again every few months. Paid removal services exist, but the manual route is free.

California residents can also use the state’s Delete Request and Opt-out Platform (DROP), which sends one deletion request to all registered data brokers. Brokers began processing requests on August 1, 2026, and have 45 days to act. It covers only California-registered brokers, and you must verify your residency.

Bottom line

Use TruePeopleSearch first, check FastPeopleSearch and ThatsThem for a second opinion, and pay only if free results leave a real gap. Treat every result as unverified until you confirm it elsewhere, and never rely on these sites for hiring, renting or credit decisions.

Details checked on November 10, 2026 from each service’s own site and review comparisons such as Beebom and Malwarebytes. Prices and features change, so check each site before paying.