Zinc
UK background checking software covering DBS, right to work and criminal records in 195 countries, with ISO 27001 and a Greenhouse integration
Quick Overview
| Company | Zinc Work Ltd |
|---|---|
| Category | Background Screening Software |
| Headquarters | England (city not stated), United Kingdom |
| Founded | Not stated |
| EU Presence | Yes - United Kingdom (outside the EU, adequacy decision) |
| Data Location | Not stated on the pages checked |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | No |
| Main Features | Criminal checks, DBS, right to work, references, financial checks, social media review, employment verification, CV comparison, qualification checks, integrations |
| Pricing | Not published; free account sign-up, quote for volume |
| Best For | UK employers in regulated sectors such as finance, care and education |
| Replaces | Checkr, Sterling |
Detailed Review
Zinc builds its offering around UK regulation, with sector pages for the FCA, CQC and Ofsted and a DBS service covering Basic, Standard and Enhanced checks including Barred List search. It also lists country pages for the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, India and the US.
Zinc Work Ltd is registered in England and Wales under 10961635 and shows an ISO 27001 certificate number (267532) in its footer.
Global Criminal Checks
The criminal check page states coverage in 195 countries with turnaround up to 3 days and 10% of checks completing in 2 days. Turnaround times are published on separate pages for criminal and education checks.
Sector Packages and Integrations
Sector pages for financial services, health and social care, childcare and public sector describe pre-built packages, and a built-in DBS eligibility checker routes job titles to the right level. The homepage names a Greenhouse integration in a Pleo case study.
Plans
The pages checked name size bands (under 20 hires a year, 20+ hires, enterprise) and a Create free account button, but no price list, so costs have to be requested.
Limitations to Consider
No prices were found, the city and hosting region are not stated on the pages checked, and its depth is strongest in UK regulation. This review rests on Zinc's own pages, not a hands-on test.
Who Should Use Zinc
Compliance-driven UK employers, and companies with a few international hires that want one portal for DBS, right to work and overseas criminal checks.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Regulator-specific pages for FCA, CQC and Ofsted
- DBS at all three levels with Barred List
- Criminal checks in 195 countries
- ISO 27001 certificate number shown
- Greenhouse integration named
Cons
- No public pricing
- Hosting region not stated
- City of operation not stated on pages checked
- Focus on UK rules
Alternatives to Zinc
Other European background screening software worth comparing before you decide:
Pescheck
Netherlands · Dutch screening platform with euro per-screening prices and DACH coverage
Veremark
United Kingdom · London-based screening with 40+ check types across 180 countries
Validato
Switzerland · Zurich provider storing screening data on servers in Switzerland
EveryCheck
France · French CV, diploma and reference verification hosted in France
See all European background screening software or compare them directly against Checkr on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, its UK page says it supports Basic, Standard and Enhanced DBS checks, including Barred List search, and helps decide which level applies.
The criminal check page states 195 countries, with up to 3 days turnaround and 10% of checks complete in 2 days.
Not on the pages checked. Sign-up is free, and costs are given on request.