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12 Best Reverse Phone Lookup Tools (Free & Paid) With Updated Pricing
Receiving a call from an unknown number can be frustrating and a waste your time. We all wonder if it’s a friend or family with a new number, a neighbor, business referral, a missed or upcoming delivery or appointment reminder, or just another telemarketer or spam call. A reverse phone lookup can quickly provide the answer to that question. With just a number, you can see who it belongs to and decide whether to call back, ignore it, or block it.
People use these tools to check phone numbers, protect themselves from scams, or confirm contacts. Businesses use them to keep customer data accurate and avoid wasted outreach. Some tools are free but limited, while others are paid and give detailed reports.
This guide lists 12 of the best reverse phone number lookup services, including both free and paid options. You’ll also see why Searchbug is a trusted option when you want more than a simple caller ID lookup.
TLDR; Here’s a Quick Look of Reverse Phone Lookup Sites
Service | Best For | Pricing Snapshot* |
Searchbug | Best overall for individuals and businesses; Includes Cell phone info, compliance-friendly, Bulk File Upload & API available | $1.95 per successful lookup no subscription. As low as $0.30 for high volume business clients. |
Truecaller | Caller ID lookup and spam detection (with ads) | Free with ads (account required), Premium $9.99/month. You get what you pay for. |
Intelius | US public records and reverse phone lookups | $0.95 for 5-day trial → $35.30/month |
Spokeo | Social media and online footprint links | Trial $0.95 → $24.95/month; $19.95/month (3-month plan); one-time $1.95 |
TruthFinder | In-depth reports and dark web monitoring | $4.99–$29.73/month |
BeenVerified | All-in-one subscription including phone, email, and address | $36.89/month |
CocoFinder | Advertised as free, but redirects to paid partners | Redirects to Spokeo, Intelius, BeenVerified |
CheckPeople | Trial-based searches with auto-renew | $1 trial → $35.17/month |
Social Catfish | Dating safety and online identity checks | $6.48–$6.87 (3-day trial) → $28.94–$28.97/month; $397 for specialist service |
ClarityCheck | Subscription-based phone lookups | $1 for 7-day trial → $29.99/month |
Instant Checkmate | Unlimited reports | $5.99/month very few cell phone results |
ReversePhone.com | Trial-based reverse phone reports | $1 for 7-day trial → $29.99/month |
What is a Reverse Phone Lookup?
A reverse phone lookup is a way to check phone number owner details or find a new number from an old number when all you have is a phone number. Instead of starting with a name, you start with the 10-digits and trace them back to the person, business, or new number. Depending on the service, you might find the name, address, carrier, line type, new phone number, or related public records.
This type of phone number lookup is useful when you want to:
- Find phone number details for unknown callers
- Confirm if a contact number in your database is still valid
- Avoid spam, scams, or robocalls
- Learn how to see who owns a phone number quickly
- Find other numbers associated with the number you have
Some services offer a number lookup free with basic results like carrier or location. Paid services often provide deeper reports such as addresses, relatives, or background details.
Who Should Use Reverse Phone Number Lookup?
Individuals
For individuals, a reverse phone lookup is a way to feel safer and more informed. Common uses include:
- Checking missed calls or texts from unknown numbers
- Spotting telemarketing or scam attempts
- Learning how to see who owns a phone number before calling back
- Searching for an old contact when all you have is their number
- Finding a new phone number from a old number
Free phone number search tools can help with quick checks. Paid options give more complete reports if you need more than just a caller ID lookup.
Businesses
Companies often need more than basic caller ID lookup. A phone number lookup tool helps them:
- Verify customer or lead details before making calls
- Update old or incomplete records (data enrichment)
- Helps identify correct owner potentially avoiding contacting reassigned or inactive numbers
- Reduce wasted time on disconnected lines
- Stay compliant with telemarketing rules like TCPA and Do Not Call lists
Accurate phone number lookup results save time, reduce costs, and protect brand reputation.
12 Best Reverse Phone Lookup Services With Pricing
The prices listed for each service reflect what is currently shown on their official websites and what we confirmed while testing their services. This ensures the information here is accurate and up to date at the time of writing.
1. Searchbug‘s Reverse Phone Lookup
- Best for: Individuals and businesses needing accurate results for cell phone numbers, verified data, and tools that scale into bulk or API workflows.
- Pricing:$1.95 per successful search (you don’t pay if no results are found).
- Bulk File Processing and API access starts at $0.77 but can be as low as $0.30 for high volume business clients.
What you get with Searchbug’s Reverse Phone Lookup
Searchbug offers one of the most comprehensive reverse phone reports compared to other providers:
- Complete name of the person linked to the number and any known aliases
- Current address, plus a three-year address history with reported dates
- Recent other phone numbers tied to the same person, including their line type (landline or wireless)
- Age of the individual associated with the number
- Relatives’ information, including their names and ages
- Email address if available
Additional technical data included:
- Line type — landline, wireless, or VoIP
- LNP (Local Number Portability) check — shows if the number was ported to another carrier (for example, moved from Verizon to T-Mobile)
- Current carrier name — such as AT&T, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, or MVNOs like US Mobile
- Location details — including originating location, time zone, and area code information
Pros:
- Transparent pay-per-result model (no charge if no data is found)
- Data goes beyond a simple name match — it includes history, relatives, and email when available
- Bulk uploads and API options are available for businesses
- Strongest for U.S. Numbers including Cell Phones;
Cons:
- No international data
More insight: Searchbug.com has been in business since 2000 and sets itself apart because it combines personal-level insights (names, relatives, emails) with technical carrier data (line type, portability, and current carrier). That makes it equally valuable for an individual curious about an unknown caller and for businesses that need reliable data to avoid compliance risks and wasted outreach.
2. Truecaller
Best for: Caller ID lookup and spam filtering on smartphones.
Pricing: Free with ads (requires account signup); Premium starts at $9.99/month.
Pros:
- Real-time caller ID and spam alerts powered by millions of user reports
- Available globally on Android and iOS
- Works well for blocking robocalls and telemarketers
Cons:
- Requires sign-up and access to contacts, raising privacy concerns for some users
- Ads on a free plan can be disruptive
- Doesn’t provide deeper background information beyond caller ID
More insight: Truecaller is more of a community-driven caller ID app than a public record service. It’s great for instantly recognizing or blocking unwanted calls but falls short if you need detailed information like accurate owner name, addresses or relatives.
3. Intelius
Best for: Reverse phone lookups tied to U.S. public records.
Pricing: $0.95 for a 5-day trial, then $35.30/month if not canceled.
Pros:
- Long-established data provider with access to public records
- Provides addresses, aliases, and in some plans, court records
- Good option if you run multiple searches
Cons:
- Trial auto-renews into a costly monthly plan, many people forget to cancel
- International coverage is weak
- Poor reviews and customer complaints often mention upsells and billing issues
More insight: Intelius has been around since 2003, and its reports are detailed, but the aggressive upselling and cancellation difficulties have been frequently flagged in reviews.
4. Spokeo
Best for: Linking numbers to social profiles and online presence.
Pricing:
- Trial $0.95 → $24.95/month (auto-renews)
- $19.95/month for 3-month plan
- One-time reports available for $1.95 without subscription
Pros:
- Connects phone numbers to social media and web profiles
- Affordable entry with one-time reports
- Easy-to-navigate interface
Cons:
- Some results can be outdated
- Criminal or legal record data is limited
- Cell phone data data accuracy lower than others
More insight: Spokeo is appealing if you want to see if a number is tied to social accounts or online identities. However, it’s not as deep as services that pull legal records.
5. TruthFinder
Best for: In-depth background reports, including criminal history.
Pricing: $4.99–$29.73/month depending on plan.
Pros:
- Offers comprehensive reports that may include address history, possible relatives, and criminal records
- Includes dark web monitoring in some plans
- User-friendly dashboard
Cons:
- Aggressive upsells during sign-up
- Not FCRA compliant (can’t be used for hiring or tenant checks)
- Not for business use
More insight: TruthFinder markets itself as a premium background check tool. It is popular for people wanting a complete profile beyond caller ID, but its pricing can add up quickly if you only need the occasional lookup.
6. BeenVerified
Best for: All-in-one subscription with multiple search types (phone, email, address).
Pricing: $36.89/month.
Pros:
- Unlimited searches included under membership
- Offers a mobile app for on-the-go searches
- Pulls from multiple databases
Cons:
- Pricey if you only want to identify a single phone number
- Reviews mention upsells for extra features
- Not for business use
More insight: BeenVerified is often recommended in top-10 lists because of its versatility, but for users who only want to check phone number owners, the monthly fee feels like overkill.
7. CocoFinder
Best for: Casual users trying a “free” lookup.
Pricing: Advertised as free, but redirects to paid services like Spokeo, Intelius, or BeenVerified.
Pros:
- Simple website and easy-to-use interface
Cons:
- Not truly free, acts as a lead generator for other paid services
- Results are not unique to CocoFinder
- Appears to be a lead portal affiliate site
More insight: CocoFinder markets itself as free, but according to its disclaimer, it makes money through referral fees when you purchase from its partner sites.
8. CheckPeople
Best for: Users testing a low-cost trial.
Pricing: $1 trial (no free trial offered); then auto-renews at $35.17/month unless canceled.
Pros:
Low entry point for first-time users
Cons:
- Automatic renewal has drawn many complaints on BBB
- Results can be hit or miss
More insight: Many customers sign up thinking they can cancel after the trial, but complaints show unexpected charges when the subscription kicks in.
9. Social Catfish
Best for: Online dating safety and identity verification.
Pricing:
- $6.48–$6.87 for a 3-day trial
- Then $28.94–$28.97/month
- Specialist service at $397 one-time
Pros:
- Offers reverse phone, email, and even reverse image search
- Helpful for spotting fake dating profiles
Cons:
- More expensive than other options for regular use
- Mixed customer reviews about billing
- Not for business use
More insight: Social Catfish stands out for its image search option, which is especially helpful for people dating online who want to confirm someone’s identity.
10. ClarityCheck
Best for: Subscription-based phone lookups and background reports.
Pricing: $1 for 7-day trial, then $29.99/month.
Pros:
- Affordable trial offer
- Simple setup and interface
Cons:
- High ongoing cost after trial
- Reports may not go beyond basic contact details
- Not for business use
More insight: ClarityCheck is a newer option in this space, positioned as an alternative to Intelius or TruthFinder but with fewer advanced features.
11. Instant Checkmate
Best for: Unlimited reports at a low monthly cost.
Pricing: $5.99/month.
Pros:
- Extremely affordable for heavy users
- Unlimited report access during subscription
Cons:
- Accuracy and freshness of data vary
- Low cell phone accuracy
- Limited international data
More insight: Instant Checkmate is priced competitively compared to others, but some reviewers note inconsistencies in results, making it less reliable for professional use.
12. ReversePhone.com
Best for: Trial-based reverse phone reports.
Pricing: $1 for 7-day trial, then $29.99/month.
Pros:
- Low-cost entry trial
- Provides basic owner details
Cons:
- Steep jump in price after trial
- Limited information compared to larger providers
More insight: ReversePhone.com is appealing if you only want to run a quick search during the trial period, but the subscription cost makes it less attractive for long-term use.
Why You Should Choose Searchbug as Reverse Phone Lookup Site
Among all the services, Searchbug stands out because it delivers more than just caller ID.
1. Comprehensive Data: Searchbug doesn’t just label spam—it shows owner names, addresses, and relatives.
2. Flexible for Everyone: Individuals can use number lookup free for basic results, while businesses can scale with batch and API tools.
3. Beyond Phone Numbers: The platform also offers people search, email validation, background checks, and skip tracing.
4. Compliance Awareness: Built-in add compliance tools help businesses avoid TCPA and National and State Do Not Call risks.
5. Transparent Pricing: Searchbug’s model is straightforward. At $1.95 per successful lookup, you only pay when data is found. Bulk and API users can access discounted rates. You don’t need to perform a search to find out how much you would be charged.
Key Takeaway
A reverse phone lookup helps individuals and businesses stay informed, protect themselves from scams, and save time.
Free apps like Truecaller or NumBuster are good for quick checks. Paid options like Intelius, TruthFinder, and BeenVerified provide deeper background reports. Tools like Social Catfish specialize in online identity safety.
For the best mix of accuracy, compliance, and flexibility, Searchbug is the standout choice. Whether you want a simply find out who owns a phone number or advanced background checks with API access, Searchbug gives you reliable results to help you make better decisions every time an unknown number shows up.
When it comes to Contact Data, it’s often true that you get what you pay for. If it’s free or really inexpensive, you’ll probably notice low accuracy and minimal services. While it might be okay for some, we suggest you compare if accuracy and thoroughness is important.
Want to try the Searchbug reverse phone look up free? All new users who complete the sign up receive their first search free and qualify for 500 free $T with any $T purchase.