Economics

Cryptocurrency trading has never been more accessible — or more complex. Whether you’re a first-time investor curious about bitcoin or an experienced trader hunting for low fees and advanced tools, choosing the right crypto exchange can make or break your experience. The best platforms don’t just let you buy and sell digital currencies; they also offer strong security measures, clear pricing and features that match your trading style. From simple mobile apps to sophisticated charting dashboards with automated trading bots, here are the six best crypto exchanges of October 2025. What to know about crypto exchanges Crypto exchanges in the US face much stricter regulation than elsewhere because they must comply with SEC, CFTC, FinCEN and sometimes even state-level regulators. Most crypto exchanges run on a maker-taker fee model, meaning you are charged differently depending on whether you add or take liquidity from the market. There are two main types of crypto exchange: centralized and decentralized. The former are operated by a single entity, whereas the latter run as a peer-to-peer network. Centralized crypto exchanges don’t provide control of your private keys, meaning you don’t technically “own” your coins until you withdraw it to an independent crypto wallet. Storing your crypto on an exchange is possible, but it’s far from a best practice when it comes to securing your assets. If you’re looking for somewhere to hold your cryptocurrency, not just trade it, read our piece on the Best Crypto Wallets. How we chose our top picks Our team has spent hundreds of hours researching crypto, including how it’s stored and traded. To pick the best crypto exchanges, we evaluated 22 companies based on their security, trading features and user experience. We also studied current crypto regulation and compliance reports, compared fee schedules and spoke to our in-house crypto experts for further guidance. Read our full methodology to learn more. Money is not a client of any investment adviser featured on this page. The information provided on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Money does not offer advisory services. Our top picks for the best crypto exchanges Kraken – Best Crypto Exchange Overall Coinbase – Best for Beginners Crypto.com – Best for Crypto Rewards Uphold – Best for Altcoins Pionex.US – Best for Automated Trading Uniswap – Best Decentralized Exchange Pros Wide range of supported cryptocurrencies Low fees and transparent fee schedule Reliable security track record Margin trading available Cons Unavailable in Maine, New York and Washington state High fees for instant purchases HIGHLIGHTS Trading fees 1% for general trades; 0.25% – 0.00% | 0.40% – 0.10% for Kraken Pro CER Security Rating ??? | AAA CoinGecko Trust Score 10/10 Why we chose it: Kraken has been around for a while now, being well-beloved and trusted by many crypto traders. The exchange supports more than 400 cryptocurrencies and has arguably the safest digital platform for trading your crypto, with high marks across all the security assessment platforms we looked at. In fact, Kraken has never suffered a large-scale hack since it first went online in 2011 — an accolade that very few others of its size can attest to. Kraken Pro, the exchange’s advanced trading platform, is especially notable for having some of the lowest spot trading fees and highly customizable, responsive dashboard that supports more than 25 trading and market data widgets. It also belongs to a handful of platforms that allow margin and derivatives trading, a practice that is heavily restricted in the U.S. Pros Educational tools that reward users with crypto Streamlined, easy to navigate interface Strong consumer protections 24/7 live customer support Cons More limited coin selection than other large exchanges High fees on standard Coinbase app HIGHLIGHTS Trading fees ~0.50% for general trades; 0.40% – 0.00% | 0.60% – 0.05% CER Security Rating ??? | AAA CoinGecko Trust Score 10/10 Why we chose it: Coinbase, one of the largest and most well-known exchanges in the U.S., does a great job of lowering the barrier to entry for new investors. Its straightforward onboarding process makes it easy to verify your identity and eases users into trading, while educational incentives like Coinbase Earn help you learn about crypto while earning small amounts. The exchange’s security features are worth mentioning as well. It offers six types of two-factor authentication, allows customers to store their funds in a vault with time delayed withdrawals, and has an insurance policy to protect custodial accounts of up to $250,000. This is why Coinbase is ultimately worth trying for beginners, despite its higher fees. Pros CFTC-regulated crypto options and derivatives High liquidity and market presence Cashback via Visa card rewards Zero-fee USD deposits Cons Most benefits require staking high amounts of CRO Tiered rewards model can be confusing HIGHLIGHTS Trading fees 0.25% – 0.08% | 0.50% – 0.18% CER Security Rating ?? | AAA CoinGecko Trust Score 9/10 Why we chose it: Crypto.com features competitive staking yields as well as several rewards programs, including referral bonuses, rebates based on trading volume and other special promotions like welcome offers and periodic token sales. Two standout programs are its VISA credit and debit card rewards, which offer cashback in Cronos (CRO), Crypto.com’s native token. The former’s rewards range from 1.5% to 6% cashback depending on your card tier, while the latter’s varies from 1.5% to 15% or 2% to 6% when spending on everyday items or travel, respectively. While its higher reward tiers require significant CRO staking, the sheer variety of rewards available puts Crypto.com on top when it comes to getting more out of your crypto. This is especially true when combined with the platform’s other advantages: high liquidity to ensure smoother transactions, robust security infrastructure and a sleek, beginner-friendly app. Pros Support for hard-to-find altcoins Highly transparent business model Simple interface for cross-asset conversions Staking for a broad range of coins Cons Lacks advanced trading tools No spot or margin trading HIGHLIGHTS Trading fees 2.5% – 2.95% for altcoins | 1.4%-1.6% for bitcoin and

*Rates and APYs may have changed. Use the provided links for the specific lenders to contact the lender and confirm current terms. What to Know About the Best Small Business Loans Biz2Credit matches small businesses with financing products based on their financial standing Bluevine has a quick funding time and a high credit line limit Fundbox provides cash flow predictions based on transaction history Lendio offers startup loans with terms of up to 25 years OnDeck rewards customers with prepayment and loyalty benefits How we chose our top picks Since 2020, our writers and editors have invested hundreds of hours finding the best small business loans. For this report, we vetted 29 lenders for more than 20 data points each, including their qualification requirements, application process and funding options. Based on this research, we selected five top companies, including BlueVine, OnDeck and Fundbox. Our Top Picks for Best Small Business Loans The companies listed below are in alphabetical order. Biz2credit – Best for Business Insights Bluevine – Best for Lines of Credit Fundbox – Best for Cash Flow Predictions Lendio – Best for Startup Loans OnDeck – Best for Prepayment and Loyalty Benefits Best Small Business Loans Reviews Pros Matches small business with bank and non-bank financing products No application fees Special lending programs for women, veterans and minorities Cons Charges origination or closing fee for most bank financing products Charges underwriting fee for most non-bank financing products Why we chose it: Biz2credit is an online business loan marketplace that stands out for its excellent analytics tool. BizAnalyzer gives business owners a scorecard based on their business’s creditworthiness and financial health while also providing personalized feedback and financial recommendations. Biz2cedit is an online marketplace that matches small business owners with a variety of funding options tailored to the business’s profile and needs. The scorecard features of the BizAnalyzer tool include metrics on how well the business is performing compared to competitors and suggestions on how to improve performance. Biz2credit also offers a broad selection of financing options from banks and online lenders, including special lending programs for women, minorities and veterans. The lending platform states you can apply in as little as four minutes, get approval in just 24 hours and obtain funding in as fast as 72 hours. Of course, this will depend on the lender and loan type you select, as will the specific qualification requirements for the financing type you choose. To qualify for a working capital loan through Biz2credit, you will need a minimum credit score of 575. Your business must also be at least six months old and have a minimum of $250,000 in annual revenue. For a term loan — available to only “a small percentage of our customers,” Biz2credit warns — you’ll need the same minimum revenue but a credit score of at least 650 and to have been in business for at least 18 months. Read full review See rates on Biz2credit’s Secure Website >> Pros No limit on deposits, withdrawals or ACH transfers No minimum deposit required Zero monthly fees or overdraft charges Cons $4.95 cash deposit fee Bill pay with credit card fee is 2.9% $10 fee applies to same-day bank wire transfers HIGHLIGHTS Types of loans: Lines of credit Rates: Starting at 6.2% (Disclaimer: This rate is a simple interest rate calculated from total repayments over 26 weeks) Terms: 6 or 12 months Min. credit score: 625 or 650 depending on payment plan Min. revenue: $120K annually Max. Line of credit: $250,000 Fees: 1.7% per week or 7% per month for line of credit draws, $15 for bank wires (same-day funding) Why we chose it: Bluevine’s quick funding time — of between one and three business days — and high credit line limit make it our top loan provider for lines of credit. Bluevine customers can get up to $250,000 in revolving credit. Bluevine offers business checking accounts and lines of credit. A line of credit can provide your small business with quick funding from which you can continue to draw as you repay the credit line. That said, consider that the Bluevine line of credit comes with high annual percentage rates and payments must be made weekly or monthly. To qualify for a Bluevine line of credit (issued by Utah-based Celtic Bank), your business must be an LLC or corporation that’s been in operation for at least 12 months. The business must also make at least $10,000 in monthly revenue and have a personal credit score of at least 625. Business owners interested in same-day funding should note that Bluevine charges a $15 fee for direct wire transfers. ACH transfers are free, but the funds may take up to three days to be reflected in your account. Read full review See rates on Bluevine’s Secure Website >> Pros Three-day grace period on line of credit payments No prepayment penalty or origination fee No inactivity fees for credit lines Cons Cash Flow Insights currently in beta and not available to all companies Charges draw fee for lines of credit Funds are available within two business days HIGHLIGHTS Types of loans: Lines of credit Rates: Starting at 4.66%-8.99% Terms: 12 or 24 weeks for lines of credit, 24 or 52 weeks for term loans Min. credit score: 600 Min. revenue: $100K annually Max. loan amount: Up to $150K for lines of credit Fees: Late payments, non-sufficient funds and credit line draws Why we chose it: Fundbox Insights provides cash flow predictions based on transaction history for qualifying businesses. This tool offers future revenue projections and sends alerts when cash flow drops below a predetermined threshold. Fundbox offers free access to an Insights feature that connects your compatible business accounts to see cash flow predictions based on historical data. You can also simulate business scenarios by adding potential future transactions and get alerts if your cash flow drops below the predetermined threshold. On the downside, the Insights feature is still in beta and may not be available to all companies.

When taxes go unpaid, they can quickly snowball. The more you owe, the more penalties may be added to your bill, making it even harder to pay off. Tax relief companies, often called tax resolution services, can help by investigating your situation, providing guidance and negotiating with the IRS on your behalf. Though you should always start by contacting the IRS directly, you may want to bring in a tax relief firm if you feel professional advice would help you manage the process better. Community Tax is one such option. To learn more about Community Tax and whether it’s a good fit for you or your business, read our review below. Best for affordability Among the tax relief companies we reviewed, Community Tax is our pick for affordability. The firm offers its services at affordable prices, with total fees ranging between roughly $2,000 to $7,000. Investigation fees are $295 for personal cases and $595 for business cases. These are averages, though — total costs will depend on a number of individual circumstances. You can get a case-specific estimate if you schedule a free consultation. Community Tax pros and cons Pros Affordable tax services Free consultation Educational resources and materials Cons Pricing not available on website Limited case studies available Pros, explained Here are a few of factors Community Tax customers have indicated they like about the firm, including its affordability and free consultation. Affordable tax services With Community Tax, you can expect low investigation fees and resolution costs. The company’s total fees range between $2,000 and $7,000 on average. Note that the total cost of Community Tax’s tax relief services will depend on the amount of debt you have and the complexity of your case. Free consultation provided As with many tax relief companies, your initial consultation with Community Tax is free. That’s when you’ll give the company a picture of your finances and tax burden so its staff can decide how it wants to approach your case. You’ll also get a quote for the total estimated costs. If needed, Community’s staff can advise you on how to file back taxes, suggest possible deductions you can take and point out other debt assistance options for you during the consultation. Provides a variety of educational resources Compared to other tax relief companies, Community Tax has an ample library of educational resources on tax debts and repayment options. For instance, its website has guides breaking down common tax terms and how to fill out a variety of tax forms. With this information, you can equip yourself with the necessary tools and knowledge to manage your taxes even after your case with Community Tax has wrapped up. Cons, explained There are a few drawbacks of Community Tax you should know about, like its lack of pricing transparency and limited available case studies. Pricing information not displayed on its website While Community Tax is known as an affordable option, there isn’t much information about its pricing on its website. This is typical of the industry. To get an accurate understanding of how much you may have to pay for services, you’ll need to do a free consultation. Limited published case results Though there are testimonials online, there isn’t much publicly available information about Community Tax’s cases on its website. These sorts of results can be helpful in illustrating other customers’ experiences and how much of an impact the company had. Community Tax offerings Community Tax offers a variety of financial services, including tax relief, tax prep, accounting and bookkeeping. Tax resolution The main feature of Community Tax is its tax relief services — in fact, the company claims to have resolved over $1.3 billion in debt. Note that tax resolution doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily get any debts or penalties reduced. In some cases, Community Tax will instead help you extend the amount of time to pay off your debts by negotiating an installment plan with the IRS. Below are some of the main outcomes Community Tax can help you obtain. Offers in compromise, or OICs, are typically best for taxpayers who have more expenses than income. The IRS determines the maximum amount eligible taxpayers are financially capable of paying and forgives the rest of the debt. On the other hand, installment agreements allow taxpayers to pay off their debt balance over time — generally in monthly installments over a period of six months to 10 years. The form of your installment agreement will depend on your assets, income, other financial responsibilities and the statute of limitations on your tax debt. Below are some of the main resolution options that Community Tax says it may be able to help you obtain: Stair-step agreements give you the option of paying off a larger debt first in low monthly payments for one year, then increasing the payment over time. Streamlined installment agreements help taxpayers with more substantial assets or income — those not suffering from the kind of hardship that would qualify for an offer in compromise — pay off their balance within a six-year period, as long as the balance is under $50,000. Partial pay installment agreements are installment plans that continue until the end of the 10-year statute of limitations on a given year’s tax debt. Conditional expense installment agreements allow you to pay off your debt in installments over a period of six years in case you don’t qualify for a streamlined installment agreement. What makes this agreement different is that you need to give more information about your assets and financial situation to the IRS. Then, based on this information, you will be approved or denied. Simple installment plans give you up to 10 years to pay your debt. Currently not collectible is a status that means a person is battling financial hardship and is relieved of their tax debt until they are able to pay. Penalty abatements can decrease or eliminate penalties on back taxes if you can prove you missed or made late payments for reasons you can’t control. Tax

Identity theft has evolved far beyond stolen wallets and phishing emails. Criminals are now using an ever-increasing variety of tools that include AI-powered scams and deepfake videos to open accounts, take over your social media accounts or even file fake tax returns in your name. The result? Millions of Americans each year face frozen bank accounts, wrecked credit scores, and long, stressful battles to reclaim their identities. To help you avoid that nightmare, we analyzed dozens of identity theft protection services and made it easier to pick a plan that fits your risk level and goals — be that keeping tabs on your credit, guarding your child’s Social Security number or securing a high-visibility online presence. What to know about identity theft protection Identity theft is as pervasive as ever. The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Fraud and ID Theft Maps shows 748,555 reports of ID theft in the first half of 2025 — that’s nearly 200,000 more reports than what they recorded in the same span of time for 2024. An identity theft protection service can’t prevent criminals from stealing your information, but it can alert you to their activities and warn you if your data has been exposed online. Credit services, such as three-bureau monitoring and credit score simulators or trackers, often show up in more expensive identity theft protection plans only. According to Javelin’s 2024 Identity Fraud Study, online identity fraud cases represent more than half of all cases. This makes cybersecurity tools more important than ever. How we chose our top picks Our team of writers and editors has spent years researching identity theft protection services. To accurately and fairly assess the companies we considered featuring on our list, we reached out to experts and gathered information from authoritative sources. We settled on 26 data points, including plan prices, monitoring types, identity restoration packages and cybersecurity tools. Read our full methodology to learn more. Our top picks for the best identity theft protection services Aura – Best Identity Theft Protection Overall LifeLock – Best Identity Theft Protection for Children EverSafe – Best Identity Theft Protection for Seniors IdentityForce – Best Identity Theft Protection for Families Bitdefender – Best Identity Theft Protection for Content Creators IDShield – Best Identity Theft Restoration Pros Comprehensive monitoring and cybersecurity tools Up to $5 million insurance coverage with the family plan Affordable three-bureau credit monitoring 14-day free trial Cons No social media monitoring High starting price HIGHLIGHTS Plan costs Starting at $15 per month Money-back guarantee 60 days on annual plans ID theft restoration coverage Up to $1 million per adult Three-bureau credit monitoring On all plans (other than the Kids plan) Why we chose it: Aura simplifies the decision-making process with a single, all-inclusive plan available for individuals, couples and families that excels in both protection and restoration services. Aura offers the most extensive monitoring service on our list, tracking public records, the dark web, high-risk transactions, and many more items, including less common ones like home and auto titles and investment accounts. It also comes with a VPN, an antivirus, an ad blocker and other cybersecurity tools that can help keep you safe online. Although Aura’s plan is relatively expensive, it’s also the most affordable way for individuals to net three-bureau credit monitoring — most plans that offer this feature start at $20+, whereas Aura is $15. Lastly, on the restoration side, the service includes competitive ID theft insurance coverage in addition to a U.S.-based white glove fraud resolution team available 24/7. Paid Monthly Paid Annually Individual $15/mo $12/mo (billed as $144) Couple $29/mo $22/mo (billed as $264) Family $50/mo $32/mo (billed as $384) Kids $13/mo $10/mo (billed as $120) Learn more by reading our full Aura review. Pros Offered by a reputable, well-established cybersecurity brand Excellent online security tools when bundled with Norton 360 Kids plan is more affordable than most family plans Unique types of identity theft monitoring and alerts Cons Child plan requires preexisting adult membership Plans prices increase significantly upon renewal HIGHLIGHTS Plan costs Starting at $4.99 per month Money-back guarantee 14 days on monthly plans, 60 days on annual plans ID theft restoration coverage Up to $3 million, depending on the plan Three-bureau credit monitoring On Advantage and Ultimate Plus tiers Why we chose it: LifeLock offers a dedicated add-on for children that provides additional insurance coverage and robust security at just $5.99 per month per child (for the first year). LifeLock’s monitoring is one of the most comprehensive in the industry, covering unique items like home and auto titles, utility account creation and even phone takeover attempts. LifeLock Junior adds onto the already comprehensive monitoring capabilities of the brand’s adult plans with child SSN monitoring, regular scans of file-sharing networks for any exposure of a child’s personal information, and an additional $25,000 insurance coverage, among other benefits. Individual Plans Paid Monthly Paid Annually Identity Advisor $4.99/mo $39.99 1st year, $49.99/yr after renewal Standard $11.99/mo $89.99 1st year, $124.99/yr after renewal Advantage $22.99/mo $179.88 1st year, $239.99/yr after renewal Ultimate Plus $34.99/mo $239.88 1st year, $339.99/yr after renewal Family Plans 2 Adults 2 Adults + up to 5 Kids Standard $23.99/mo or $149.87 1st year, $249.99/yr after renewal $35.99/mo or $221.87 1st year, $359.99/yr after renewal Advantage $45.99/mo or $287.88 1st year, $479.99/yr after renewal $57.99/mo or $359.88 1st year, $579.99/yr after renewal Ultimate Plus $69.99/mo or $395.88 1st year, $679.99/yr after renewal $79.99/mo or $467.88 1st year, $799.99/yr after renewal Learn more by reading our full LifeLock review. Pros Specialized monitoring for seniors and their family members Affordable prices and a 20% senior discount Tracks daily transaction for unusual activity Regularly provides educational material Cons Monitoring is not as thorough as competitors’ Doesn’t come with any cybersecurity tools HIGHLIGHTS Plan costs Starting at $7.49 per month Money-back guarantee 30-day free trial on all plans ID theft restoration coverage Up to $1 million Three-bureau credit monitoring On Gold tier Why we chose it: EverSafe is the only identity theft protection service designed specifically for

While government shutdowns typically don’t impact stock returns, they can delay the release of key economic data – including the monthly jobs report.

Falling behind on your debt to Uncle Sam can be stressful — but you’re far from alone. According to the latest IRS data, Americans owed more than $157 billion in back taxes, penalties and interest for the 2022 tax year. Another silver lining? Help is available. If you’re in this position, your first move should be to directly contact the IRS. The agency will help you come up with a plan. You can find the IRS’s contact information, plus summaries of its tax relief offerings and advice, on its website. But if you don’t have the time to do that, or you simply decide you need more help, you may want to consider hiring a tax relief company — a firm that helps taxpayers manage tax debt by negotiating with the IRS or state tax agencies on your behalf. Tread carefully, though: These firms can be predatory, or at the very least overconfident, often guaranteeing to resolve your debt issue when they don’t actually have the power to do so. You’ll need to do careful research. To help you navigate your options, we’ve reviewed and rounded up the seven best tax relief firms available today. What to know about tax relief We found the best tax relief companies generally offer rates starting at $2,000 for full representation, require minimum debts that are likely to make the fees worth your money, have money-back guarantees and boast positive customer reviews. All of our top picks are accredited by the Better Business Bureau and offer free consultations. Community Tax Relief is our best overall tax relief company, while Larson Tax Relief has comparatively affordable fees and Precision Tax Relief has the best customer service. How we chose our top picks Our editors and writers reviewed a variety of tax relief companies to ensure our content is precise and guided by editorial accuracy. We reached out to the companies listed to gather information and conducted interviews with experts. We ultimately decided our ranking based on 16 data points, including minimum debt relief required, fees, money-back guarantees and customer reviews. Read the full methodology to learn more. Our top picks for tax relief companies Community Tax Relief — Best Overall Precision Tax Relief — Best Customer Service Anthem Tax Services — Best Guarantee Larson Tax Relief — Most Affordable Fees Victory Tax Lawyers — Best for Large Tax Debts Optima Tax Relief — Best Mobile App Tax Defense Network — Best for Bilingual Services Pros Relatively affordable costs Bilingual services available Offers tax preparation, filing and assurance services Cons Not available in Minnesota Limited state tax relief options HIGHLIGHTS Minimum debt required: $10,000 Certifications and memberships: IRS Approved Continuing Education Provider Cost: $295 for investigation fees, $2,000 to $7,000 for total tax relief Money-back guarantee: 14 days Why we chose this company: Community Tax Relief secured its title as best overall tax relief company due to its affordable fees, money-back guarantee, positive customer reviews and bilingual services. Investigation fees are $295 for personal cases and $595 for business cases on average, and total fees for tax relief range from roughly $2,000 to $7,000. This is why the company has a minimum debt threshold of $10,000: “In most cases, if clients owe less than that amount, it does not make sense to work with us,” says David Goodley, Community Tax Relief’s director of marketing. The company is fully staffed with native English and Spanish speakers, and it has previously offered a money-back guarantee. There is also a mobile app, which is rare for these types of companies. Read Money’s full Community Tax Relief review. Pros 30-day money-back guarantee Positive customer review ratings Offers tax preparation and bookkeeping to help prevent future tax issues Cons Limited state tax relief options No minimum debt requirement means it may not be worth the money for some customers HIGHLIGHTS Minimum debt required: None Certifications and memberships: American Society of Tax Problem Solvers, National Association of Enrolled Agents, American Institute of CPAs Cost: Starts at $400 for clients only needing tax return help and $3,600 for those needing representation Money-back guarantee: 30 days Why we chose this company: Precision Tax Relief stands out for its customer service reviews, including a 4.9 rating out of 5 from TrustPilot and the BBB. The reviews say that clients are assigned to one person who becomes familiar with your situation as opposed to a team that might not know your particular case as thoroughly. They also mention that the tax professionals on staff are knowledgeable and helpful. While the company doesn’t have a minimum requirement for a balance owed to the IRS and will not turn away someone who owes less than $10,000, Precision Tax Relief tells Money that taxpayers who owe less than $10,000 often don’t find the value in hiring it. The fees start at $400 for clients only needing tax return help and $3,600 for those needing representation. Read Money’s full Precision Tax Relief review. Pros Money-back guarantee with no time limit Assistance with filing for wage garnishment and tax levy release Generally positive customer reviews Cons Monthly income requirement Some customers complained of waiting a long time to get their issue resolved HIGHLIGHTS Minimum debt required: $10,000 Certifications and memberships: National Association of Tax Professionals, National Association of Enrolled Agents, California Tax Education Council, American Society of Tax Problem Solvers Cost: Starts around $3,000 Money-back guarantee: 100% if your tax situation does not improve Why we chose this company: While money-back guarantees are common in this industry, most have a time limit. That’s not the case for Anthem Tax Services, which offers a 100% money-back guarantee if your tax situation does not improve. The company charges a flat rate fee upfront that can vary widely per individual customer. Generally, however, it starts around $3,000 (though the price can change if extra services are required along the way). In addition to having at least $10,000 in debt, clients cannot be in active bankruptcy; they also must have a monthly income of

Whether you’re a landlord vetting a potential tenant or a business owner hiring new staff, today’s background check services promise instant access to public records, credit information, social media profiles and much more. But while many are designed for casual people searches — perhaps for reconnecting with an old friend or vetting a potential suitor — only some comply with strict Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) rules, making them suitable for employment and housing decisions. In our list below, you’ll find a list of the top eight background sites that includes both types of services, with four picks for each one. What to know about background checks Nearly 77 million U.S. adults — about one in every three — have some form of a criminal record. This highlights why employers and landlords are increasingly relying on background checks to screen candidates. Only some types of background check are regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which places limits on the kind of information that you can obtain on others. People search sites can be a useful tool for finding relatives or doing reverse phone searches. For background checks on potential employees, domestic workers, or tenants, you’ll need to work with an FCRA-compliant company. Social media background checks have become a more common part of the recruitment process for many employers despite the ethical and privacy concerns surrounding them. How we chose our top picks Our editorial team draws on its extensive knowledge and experience in the background check industry to independently assess screening companies. We evaluated over 40 data points across 20 vetted background check companies to ensure readers have accurate and helpful information about this type of service. Read the full methodology below to learn more. Our top picks for the best background check sites People search background check sites Unlike FCRA-compliant companies, these background search sites cannot be used for employment or tenancy purposes. You can, however, use them to conduct personal searches. TruthFinder – Best Background Check Site Overall Instant Checkmate – Best for Unlimited Reports BeenVerified – Best for Vehicle Searches Spokeo – Best for Budget Searches FCRA-compliant background screening sites The following background screening sites all comply with FCRA regulation on consumer reporting agencies, namely the information they can provide and what it can be used for. This means you may use them for employment and tenancy purposes. Backgrounds Online – Best Background Screening Site Overall Checkr – Best for Pre-employment Screenings TransUnion SmartMove – Best for Tenant Screenings GoodHire – Best for Small Businesses Pros Comprehensive reports with detailed personal data User-friendly interface with mobile app support Add-on for report downloads and monitoring Sample report available Cons Flagged for FCRA violations and deceptive marketing practices Subscription required to access reports No free trial or single-report option Why we chose it: TruthFinder offers highly detailed reports that cover a wide range of information, from personal assets to criminal records and employment history. Its intuitive app with a straightforward interface makes starting new searches and viewing existing reports easy. Although the service only offers monthly plans — you won’t be able to pay for one-off reports — the price of TruthFinder’s services is slightly below that of other background check memberships. And for an additional $3.99/mo, it also lets you download reports as PDFs and monitor reports online for updates to their information. It bears mentioning that TruthFinder was one of two background check sites which were fined $5.8 million by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2023 for deceiving users about the accuracy of their reports. The company was asked to implement monitoring, disclose material connections and permanently comply with FCRA guidelines, among other things. TruthFinder Pricing Membership Price Benefits People Search $28.33/mo or $47.03 bimonthly Unlimited person reports, unlimited location reports Reverse Phone Lookup $4.99/mo Unlimited phone reports Reverse Email Lookup $29.73/mo Unlimited person reports, unlimited email reports Reports may include: first and last name, known aliases, physical address, photos, social media profiles, location history, associated persons, related persons, birth information, phone numbers, email addresses, employment history, educational history, possible associates, business ownership, assets, criminal records, traffic records, court records. *See disclaimer below for more information. Pros Unlimited person or phone reports Transparent pricing structure Sample report available Quick turnaround times Cons Flagged for FCRA violations and deceptive marketing practices Expensive people search membership No options for single reports Why we chose it: Instant Checkmate offers unlimited searches, making it ideal for anyone who needs to conduct background checks regularly. It’s especially thorough when it comes to criminal information, featuring search functions for inmates and traffic, criminal and arrest records. Another highlight of the platform is its streamlined interface that makes navigation easy — both on browsers and on the handy mobile app. On the other hand, Instant Checkmate’s lack of single-report purchase option means it isn’t as cost-effective for those who only need occasional searches. Like TruthFinder, Instant Checkmate was penalized by the FTC in 2023 for deceptive business practices. It also agreed to settle charges in 2014 for violating FCRA guidelines. While not necessarily a deal breaker — the company was placed under monitoring by the FTC both times — it’s something to consider when choosing a background check site. Instant Checkmate Pricing Membership Price Benefits Person Reports $35.47/mo or $85.13 every three months Unlimited person reports, unlimited location reports, report monitoring Phone Reports $5.99/mo Unlimited phone reports Reports may include: birth information, photos, phone numbers, social media profiles, email addresses, address history, employment history, educational history, business ownership, assets, criminal records, traffic records, court records. *See disclaimer below for more information. Pros VIN, license plate and owner detail lookup Mobile app designed for vehicle searches Well-organized reports with multiple data sources Niche services like unclaimed money search Cons Less comprehensive people searches Limited to 100 reports per month Lack of transparency in pricing Why we chose it: BeenVerified does VIN and license plate lookups, which provide valuable insight into a car’s past, including accidents, market value, recalls, warranty and

The share of U.S. homeowners with a mortgage rate of at least 6% is now at the highest level in a decade. About 1 in 5 homeowners had loans with interest rates of 6% or higher between the months of April and June, according to a new analysis by Redfin. That’s a stark increase from the low rates of the pandemic era, when as few as 7.3% of homeowners in 2022 had mortgage rates that high. For better or worse: “Americans are slowly growing accustomed to elevated mortgage rates,” the report says. Money’s daily survey shows mortgage rates for a 30-year fixed-rate loan are currently 6.53%. Rates have been stuck above 6% since late 2022, triggering a so-called “lock-in effect,” where homeowners with low rates largely avoided moving so they could keep their rate. Redfin’s report suggests the lock-in effect could be starting to thaw — and that’s largely good news for homebuyers. “More homeowners are deciding it’s worth moving even if it means giving up a lower mortgage rate,” Chen Zhao, Redfin’s head of economic research, says in the report. “As a result, more homes are hitting the market than we’ve seen in years, giving buyers a wider range of choices.” While prolonged and elevated mortgage rates are a drag on the housing market, more inventory can help lower home prices and improve affordability. At the end of August, the typical sales price for a home was $366,806 after edging down three consecutive months, according to Zillow data. Estimated monthly mortgage payments were also down to $1,855, the lowest point this year. Yet it’s not time to celebrate, as many homeowners are staying put — and many potential buyers are still priced out. “Fewer borrowers are locked in, but the effect is fairly marginal,” Laurie Goodman, founder of Urban Institute’s Housing Finance Policy Center, tells Money. “Remember, there are a lot of borrowers out there with very low rates.” For instance, as of July, 83% of homeowners have a rate of 6% or below, according to mortgage data that Urban shared with Money. And nearly a quarter of homeowners still have rates of 3% or below. Goodman says that until rates dip into the 5.8% range, she expects mortgage activity to “remain muted.” When will mortgage rates fall? According to a 2024 Realtor.com report, approximately one-third of potential homebuyers are waiting for rates to drop below 5%. That may be a long time off. While the Federal Reserve did deliver its first of potentially several interest rate cuts earlier this month, the reduction of the federal funds rate doesn’t directly move the needle on mortgage rates. (Mortgage rates actually increased following the Fed interest rate cut.) Instead, mortgage rates largely track the 10-year Treasury bond yield, which is the interest rate the government pays to borrow money for a decade. This metric also serves as a benchmark for how investors are feeling about inflation and economic growth. Because inflation is remaining stubborn, housing market economists are expecting mortgage rates to stay above 6% for the rest of 2025. If inflation picks up for September, rates may even rise before coming back down. According to Redfin, mortgage rates are expected to stay between 6% and 7% for the next 12 months. Meanwhile, Fannie Mae projects mortgage rates won’t tick below 6% until the end of 2026. For now, mortgage rates are at least down from their 2025 high of 7%, notched in January. “​​Every drop in rates helps restore affordability,” Goodman says, “particularly combined with near-zero home price appreciation in many parts of the country.” More from Money: 8 Best Mortgage Lenders of 2025 Social Security’s Confusing ‘Full Retirement Age’ May Get a Rebrand $1,000 Annual Fees on Premium Credit Cards Could Soon Be the New Normal

AI use cases now run the gamut. From early cancer detection and digital companionship to helping frustrated readers find Waldo, there seems to be an implementation for every aspect of life. That’s true for money management, too. While the efficacy of AI stock-picking remains a subject of debate, there is no denying that the technology’s applications in personal finance and investing are increasingly popular. Dozens of apps and websites offer AI stock advice, and even more aim to help users improve their financial skills. Accordingly, Money decided to tap into those platforms to see which stocks — and the sectors in which they operate — are being recommended by AI right now. Going one step further, we conducted our own research to determine whether any trends or notable takeaways could be gleaned from those suggestions (and then theoretically applied to retail investors’ portfolios). Here are some stocks that AI says could outperform the market in October. AI’s stock picks continue tapping into AI October is historically a volatile month for the market. That could be magnified by another rate cut from the Federal Reserve, a potential government shutdown, a jobs report suggesting the economy is slowing and newly announced tariffs on pharmaceuticals, furniture and movies filmed outside of the U.S. But that may not impact Gemini’s picks, two of which fall under the tech sector (with the other being an oil and natural gas exploration and development company). Its first choice, Microsoft, has a market capitalization that’s rapidly approaching $4 trillion. The Magnificent Seven lynchpin was chosen due to it being a “safe harbor when the broader market faces seasonal October volatility” while maintaining its dominant position in the AI and cloud races with Copilot and Azure. Gemini also picked AppLovin, which provides AI-powered software platforms that businesses use to acquire users and drive monetization, with Diamondback Energy rounding out its selections for October. The AI cites how the energy company “has recently been highlighted by analysts for its strong operational efficiency … and raising its production outlook.” All three of Gemini’s picks should be fairly insulated from volatility this month. But the tech sector, broadly, could pull back after posting a 6.81% gain last month. Meanwhile, crude oil prices are sitting well below their year-to-date high, which could continue to present headwinds for Diamondback Energy, a stock that has already lost 14.20% this year. On the other hand, ChatGPT — whose three picks last month blew the S&P 500 out of the water (see results below) — went all in on tech for October. With Nvidia, Microsoft and Broadcom, ChatGPT suggested stocks with exposure to the ongoing AI megatrend from three different angles. Whereas Nvidia is a “pure play,” Microsoft has exposure to AI across software, cloud and enterprise. Broadcom provides AI infrastructure. One big risk to these picks, as ChatGPT noted, is the potential for a market “rotation away from ‘growth’ names back to defensives,” like utilities, consumer staples and health care. Lastly, Danelfin’s top three picks saw a repeat from last month in Nokia, another telecom stock in Ericsson and what’s perhaps 2025’s biggest Magnificent Seven disappointment, Amazon. Communication services posted a gain of 6.43% in September, so that could pose pullback risks to Nokia and Ericsson. But Amazon is an intriguing buy-low choice as the stock is down 9.29% from its all-time high in February while losing 0.30% this year. Despite its struggles, Wall Street analysts assign the e-commerce and cloud services stock a Strong Buy rating, suggesting that it’s overdue for a rebound. How AI’s picks performed in September September tends to be the worst month for stocks, with an average loss of 1.2%. But this September defied that trend, with the index setting eight all-time highs. The Fed’s first rate cut since 2024 served as a catalyst, as did a rebound from the tech sector after it sold off in August. Hindsight is 20/20, but backtesting AI’s stock picks from last month can provide clues about its predictive abilities going forward. In September, the S&P 500 posted a gain of 4.25% — the benchmark that the stocks chosen by AI would have to outperform. Two of Gemini’s three picks succeeded to that end. Cialis- and Mounjaro-maker Eli Lilly came up short with a gain of 3.78%, but GE Vernova and Nvidia gained 6.08% and 9.25%, respectively. ChatGPT’s picks proved to be prescient. Utilities company NRG Energy gained of 11.60%, while AI darling Palantir gained 16.12% and Oracle surged 24.83%. All three stocks trounced the S&P 500 in September. Danelfin’s three picks — each of which received a proprietary AI Score of 9 out of 10 — also performed admirably. Communication services was the second-best performer of the S&P 500’s 11 sectors over the past month. That was reflected in the performance of Danelfin’s choice of Nokia, which saw shares rise by 13.71%. Walmart and Archer Aviation also did well, with gains of 5.32% and 11.40%, respectively. (Note: Danelfin’s AI aims to outperform the market over 90 days, so there is no guarantee that the stocks it recommends will outpace the S&P 500 in the any given month.) Aside from one of Gemini’s three picks, September would have proven fruitful for investors taking recommendations from the predictive AIs that Money profiled. In total, eight of the nine stocks they chose last month outperformed the market. As the calendar turns to October, which has a track record of volatility and played host to the market crashes of 1929 and 1987, we’ll see again in a month’s time whether AI’s stock picks can best the S&P 500. More from Money: I Let AI and My 5-Year-Old Pick My Stocks. Who Did Better? The Stock Market Is at Record Highs. So Why Is Investor Sentiment So Low? Are U.S. Stocks Overvalued? Everyday Investors and Experts Disagree