5 Instant Checkmate Alternatives Able to Identify Phone Numbers Immediately

Ever gotten a call or text from a number you don’t recognize and instantly felt that gut-wrenching feeling?  That’s where number lookup tools come in. Instant Checkmate is an option, but not the only one. 

There are faster, simpler, and cheaper tools that can identify a phone number immediately, effortlessly, and for much less. Here are 5 alternatives so you can decide whether to pick up, block, or call them out.

Tool	Strengths	Weaknesses	Pricing	Works Best In	Extra Features
CatfishNumr	No account needed, fast, accurate, private, scam-proof, finds carriers and social media	None mentioned beyond regional accuracy differences	$5.95 for 2 lookups$9.95 for 5 lookups(no expiry)	US, UK, Canada, Switzerland (global coverage)	Finds socials connected numbers, emails, addresses
TrueCaller	Real-time spam alerts, accurate ID, blocks spam, detailed caller habits, incognito mode	User-submitted names can be faked, keeps your data unless unlisted	$1.15 or $2.89 monthly$10.43, $17.28, or $58 yearly	Best in India (global coverage)	Shows pickup rates, top countries, peak hours
NumLookup	Fast, free (no sign-up), private, no credit card required	Info can be outdated, opt-out not instant	Free for basic searches	US numbers (global coverage)	People search, image search, plagiarism detection
ClarityCheck	user-friendly, quick results (name, address, social links)	Accuracy depends on region/data, auto-renews unless canceled	$1 trial (7 days)$15 weekly / 4 lookups$40 monthly / 20 lookups	Varies by data availability	Social media lookup focus
Spokeo	All-in-one people search, broad data sources, detailed profiles	Some outdated data, extra costs for certain info, unused searches vanish	$0.95 trial (7 days)$14.95/month (quarterly)$20/month (100 searches)$69.95/month (500 reports)	US (best results)	Finds contact info, property history, criminal records, social profiles, family connections

1. CatfishNumr – Speedy and Reliable

CatfishNumr is a number lookup tool that prioritizes privacy, safety, and practicality. There’s no need to open accounts: just quick, accurate results.

To ID the person behind the phone, it pulls data from everywhere possible: carrier records, scam databases, and public social media.

And you won’t be left guessing if the number’s fake because CatfishNumr flags it. You might even find their socials, like Instagram, Telegram, or LinkedIn, no matter how well-hidden.

It works globally, but it provides better results for some places like the US, UK, Canada, Switzerland, and more. Your data doesn’t get stored, and it doesn’t have access to your contacts or private matters.

Pricing’s simple: 

• $5.95 – 2 lookups
• $9.95 – 5 lookups

There’s no need to hurry and finish your searches as they don’t expire…use them wherever you want!

You will basically get every juicy info linked to their number or name: websites, telegram accounts, exact addresses, other connected numbers, and emails.

2. TrueCaller – Scary Accurate and Affordable

TrueCaller is a great number search engine. It keeps its clients safe by identifying unknown numbers and blocking spam.

It works worldwide but is mostly used in India as it works best there. Real-time spam and identity alerts are what make TrueCaller a solid option. 

You can tag calls manually or by granting the app access to your contacts. Forget basic spam tags. TrueCalle shows red flags, call habits, pickup rates, top countries, and peak hours. You’ll know if it’s trouble instantly.

TrueCaller Pricing:

• Monthly plans: $1.15 or $2.89
• Yearly plans: $10.43, $17.28, or $58.00

*(Prices are originally in INR, so currency conversion may vary)

It’s quick on iOS and Android, and there’s a web version too. The free tier is basic, but still powerful – you can block telemarketing numbers and even hide your own caller ID with Incognito Mode.

The catch is that names are user-submitted, so scammers can fake them. And unless you unlist yourself, your data can hang around even after you delete the app.

To sum it up, it’s a great tool if you get lots of unknown calls. Just tweak your settings if privacy matters to you.

3. NumLookup – Fast, Private, and Free (sometimes)

If you’ve got an annoying caller, NumLookup can tell you who it is in seconds. It works worldwide, but it’s especially great with US numbers. Best part…there’s no need to create an account or credit card.

It pulls from public records, social media, and marketing lists, then checks names, addresses, and ages to match the right person.

On top of phone lookups, it offers people search, image search, and plagiarism detection. So, it’s a good go-to for quick, private checks. Just remember: info can be old or slightly off, and opting out isn’t instant.

If you want fast, free, and private lookups with bonus features, NumLookup is a great pick, just take the results with a grain of salt.

4. ClarityCheck – Great for Quick Trials

ClarityCheck keeps things simple. Type in a number, and you might get a name, address, and social media links in seconds. For some, that’s the goal: to find social media accounts.

But it’s not perfect. Your results can depend on where the number’s from, where you live, and what kind of info is out there. Sometimes, the data just isn’t there or isn’t right.

And watch the fine print because subscriptions auto-renew. If you don’t want surprise charges, cancel early and talk to actual human support.

Pricing:

• 7-day trial – $1.00. 
• Weekly – $15, 4 lookup credits
• Monthly – $40, 20 lookup credits

Overall, it’s a mid tool, but don’t underestimate it. If you’re not using it for top-secret-spy stuff, ClarityCheck will do.

5. Spokeo – An All-in-One People Finder

Spokeo is an all-in-one people search engine that hunts through public records, private databases, social media, and marketing lists. You can search by name, number, email, or address, and it’ll build a complete profile.

It can uncover contact info, property history, criminal records, social profiles, and even family connections. Useful if you’re reconnecting with someone, screening an unknown caller, or digging into property info.

Plans & Pricing:

• Trial: $0.95 for 7 days, then $24.95/month
• $20/month for 100 searches
• $14.95/month (quarterly prepaid)
• $69.95/month for 500 reports (business)

Heads-up: Some records may be outdated and certain info costs extra. Any unused searches disappear the moment your subscription ends. 

And since it puts its nose into everyone’s business, it probably has info on you too. Use it to its full capacity. While Spokeo is powerful and fast, its results should be treated as a starting point, not the final word.

What Are the Best Alternatives for Each Category?

InstantCheckmate is to searchers what instant ramen is to broke college students: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Meaning it can be used for different kinds of lookups:

• People Search;
• Reverse Phone Lookup;
• Criminal & Traffic Records;
• Inmate Search.

If you want to utilize the People Search feature, Spokeo is the best alternative as it doesn’t focus on only one type of search.

If you’re here for Reverse-Phone Searching (or the zipline), CatfishNumr is what you need since it can identify unknown callers and other available info.

Criminal Background Checks are a bit tricky. Spokeo should work if information is online (mugshots, misdemeanors, offenses, etc.), but don’t put 100% of your faith in such services.

Contact your country’s government sites (ending in .gov) that provide reliable information on legal matters, if available. For instance, if you’re from the US, you have the U.S. Department of Justice site.