Top 7 Reverse Phone Lookup Sites & Services In 2025
Have you ever received a call from an unknown number, answered it, and instantly realized there was someone on the other end with radio silence or a robotic voice? If so, you’re not alone. Americans receive a staggering 4.8 billion robocalls a year. These services cut through the clutter and help you get calls by telling you who is behind suspicious numbers – whether it’s a scammer, telemarketer or even a long-lost friend.
This guide compares the top reverse phone lookup services of 2025! Both free and paid services will offer protection for your family’s privacy.
What Is a Phone Number Lookup Tool?
A phone number lookup tool, which is sometimes referred to as a reverse phone lookup service, helps you discover information on your unknown caller by checking their number against public records, social media profiles, and telecom databases.
This is like having a digital detective – you enter the digits and the lookup tool will return names, locations, carrier information, and even tell you whether the number has been flagged by prior users as a scam.
Phone number lookup tools can be particularly useful for parents. Imagine your child receives a call from a number that you do not recognize. Are they being contacted by a classmate, spammer, or worse? A telephone number lookup can help answer these questions in seconds.
Most services report scanning billions of records when gathering information for you; paid tools may even scan criminal databases to report back the most relevant information for a clear indication of who is on the other end of the number.
Thousands of users report being able to avoid scams or unwanted calls by using some of the best reverse cell phone lookup tools available.
7 Best Reverse Phone Lookup Services in 2025
With so many reverse phone lookup services to choose from, how do you know which one to trust? We tried 15+ reverse phone lookup services, and these 7 services stood out based on their accuracy, features, and overall value. If you are looking for caller ID or background checks, let’s find the best phone number lookup tool for 2025!
1. Searqle – A Reliable Phone Number Lookup Tool
Searqle has access to over 1.3 billion records, and is arguably one of the most powerful reverse phone lookup services for identifying unknown numbers. Searqle can search for and find available information about a person, like an email, address, and even the person’s previous employment history if available in public records.
Whether you want to flag telemarketers or confirm business contacts, Searqle will tell you the identification of who’s calling. Within the service, you also get a useful spam score, which tells if a number is linked to fraud/scam databases – which helps in understanding if you want to interact with the person on the other end of the phone.
If you wish to verify a person more, Searqle does background checks – especially useful if you are going to start a new relationship, personal or business, with someone you did not previously know.
Pros
- Returns fast and accurate results for US numbers (94-96% success).
- Provides a simple user interface that is easy to use.
- Utilizes a very large database of over 1.3 billion phone numbers.
- Provides useful spam risk scoring based on scam databases.
Cons
- Limited searches for free; most features require paid subscriptions.
- Sometimes provides old information in the results.
- Only returns results primarily for US numbers, with limited international searches.
Price:
$9.99/month, or $69.99/year (40% savings for yearly subscription).
2. Detectico – A Powerful Background Check Tool
Detectico has access to law enforcement databases and proprietary sources to go beyond standard reverse phone lookups and provide detailed background reports. These websites to look up phone numbers will provide criminal records plus social media profiles, and potential dark web exposure tied to phone numbers.
Whether you’re getting a new neighbor, checking a potential employee, or being cautious about online dating matches, Detectico delivers critical safety information. Its unique selling point is that it reveals serious red flags that most phone lookup services miss.
The platform also includes reverse email lookup for free, making it great for digital investigations. However, these advanced features come with longer wait times than basic phone lookup services.
Pros
- Provides criminal record checks in permitted jurisdictions.
- Free reverse email search with every report.
- 24/7 customer support for urgent inquiries.
- Scans the dark web for compromised information.
Cons
- More expensive than standard phone lookup services
- Reports can take up to 24 hours to generate
- Limited effectiveness outside North America
Price:
$14.99 per individual report, $99.99 per year for unlimited searches.
3. Scannero – Unlimited Lookups for Cheap
With Scannero budget-conscious clients can enjoy unlimited reverse telephone number lookup at much lower prices than competing services. Although it does not offer comprehensive background checks, it does provide a consistent and accurate rundown of the caller’s name, location, and whether they are a telemarketer.
This service is particularly helpful for monitoring persistent spam callers or screening unsolicited business contacts. The interface is simple: type in the phone number, and call information will populate instantly.
Although lacking features such as criminal record checks, Scannero’s unlimited basic searches make it appealing for users looking for frequent, simple checkups at no ongoing costs.
Pros
- Unlimited searches with paid plan.
- Simple, no-frills interface.
- Effective telemarketer identification.
- Most affordable unlimited option available.
Cons
- Limited detail in reports.
- No background check capabilities.
- Free version shows minimal information.
Price:
$4.99 per month $34.99 per year.
4. CocoFinder – A Free Reverse Phone Lookup Option
CocoFinder’s – top reverse phone lookup are basic and free, making it perfect for checking unknown callers. The service uses public records to extract names, their approximate locations, and carrier information.
As compared to paid services, CocoFinder does not work as well when trying to identify pending telemarketer calls or verifying local business calls. Their free version does show some details, although limited, but can be upgraded for full reports, complete with possible relatives, lineage, and address history.
Pros:
- No payment is needed for basic searches.
- User-friendly ad-supported site.
- Fast and efficient caller identification help.
- No account registration required.
Cons
- Reports that require payment are often pushed.
- Inferior to premium services when it comes to accuracy.
- Services restricted to the U.S. Numbers only.
Price:
Free basic searches and $9.99/month for premium reports.
5. AnyWho – AT&T’s Free Directory Service
AnyWho is a free landline reverse phone lookup service from AT&T using the same call model as landline directories, specifically the white pages. AnyWho is a very basic, no-frills service, and it’s useful if you’re looking for a business number or very old landline listing.
AnyWho will provide accurate listings for landlines, but note the glaring limitations with mobile numbers (due to mobile carrier blocking) and caller ID and other associated apps telling you “spam” or “special telemarketer.” You won’t be using this site for any investigations/screening unknown callers; it may be useful to identify legitimate businesses.
Pros
- 100% free.
- Dependable landline lookups.
- No registration required.
- Backed by trusted AT&T.
Cons
- Next to nothing for cell phone numbers.
- No spam calls identification.
- Very basic interface.
Price:
Completely free
6. Zlookup – Free Global Phone Lookups
Zlookup is a free international best reverse phone search, making it quite different amongst its other basic lookup tool parties. While Zlookup lacks certain tools for depth, Zlookup can identify carriers and approximate location for phone number searches for over 50 countries worldwide.
This service works really well for determining the validity of international business contacts, or identifying potential overseas spam calls. As with almost all free services, Zlookup lacks detailed background information, and no spam scoring or fraud rating
Pros
- Free international number lookups.
- No registration required.
- Basic format easily usable with ads.
- Ideal for identifying foreign carriers.
Cons
- Shows only basic carrier/location info.
- Too many ads.
- No spam or fraud alerts.
Price:
Completely free
7. Spy Dialer – Instant Caller Identification
Spy Dialer uses its own database to provide free voicemail and caller identification. Basically, users of such best reverse phone lookup can hear the voicemail from these unknown numbers without having to return their calls first.
Spy Dialer works best for identifying frequent telemarketer numbers or verifying shady number(s). However, it is a U.S. service only and doesn’t provide detailed background checks either.
Pros
- Free voicemail preview feature.
- Instant basic caller ID.
- Completely free.
- Effective for telemarketer identification.
Cons
- Only works for U.S. numbers.
- Frequently outdated information.
Price:
Free basic service and $9.95/month for premium features
How to Choose the Best Reverse Phone Lookup Service?
Selecting the right reverse phone lookup service can make a significant difference in identifying unknown callers and keeping your private information safe. There are a lot of options available, and for your search, you will want to focus on accuracy, usability, and the protection of your privacy.
Here are several fundamental considerations to take into account while reviewing a service:
- Accuracy of Search Results
You will want to use some type of service that has a large, regularly updated database of public records so you can get the most accurate information from your search.
- Time to Return Lookup Results
Some tools will provide you a mostly instant result. Most services will have a time delay, generally ranging from a couple of minutes to a few hours – really just give you a level of service to expect.
- Protection of Your Privacy
Aim to use a service that protects the privacy of their clients by not storing/searching information, or recording the results of any individual search.
- Costing & Subscription Plans
There are free reverse phone lookup services, but paid plans are generally going to provide deeper detail and service.
- Ease of Use & Navigation
Want to be sure your search is quick and seamless? Be sure to take the time to check out the services interface for ease of use and usability.
- Extra Features
Some services will include additional features (other than basic phone lookup) such as social media profiles, criminal record searches, etc.
Using the right best reverse phone lookup service will provide you with peace of mind. Look for actual results and usefulness without sacrificing your own privacy.
How to Look Up Unknown Numbers Using Searqle?
If you receive a call from an unknown number, online reverse phone lookup services like Searqle can help you identify it. Whether you’re being scammed or trying to recollect an acquaintance, it’s easy and fast. Here’s how to use Searqle to look up a phone number:
- Visit the Searqle website – Go to the official Searqle website.
- Login or Create an Account – Create an account if you do not have one already.
- Type in the Phone Number – Enter the unknown number into the provided search box.
- Click Search – Wait a few moments while Searqle finds all the information linked to that phone number.
- Check for Results – The name of the caller and their location will be presented.
Using Searqle gives you an easy and fast way to find out information about an unknown caller and ensures your privacy.
What Else Can a Reverse Phone Lookup Reveal?
A reverse phone lookup service like Searqle can provide more than just the name and location of a caller. Other than personal details, you can also find an assortment of details that would allow you, the user, to validate where the call comes from and identify fraudulent calls to avoid.
An example could be finding social media accounts traceable to the unknown number. If the call is public, then you would be able to find profiles that are made public and any possible social connections.
This best reverse phone search service may even provide background information on previous possible addresses or parties, which could help confirm legitimate identity. Other than personal information, reverse lookup tools can alert you to spam or fraudulent reported numbers from other service users.
FAQ
Yes, there are very few, which includes CocoFinder and Zlookup, which offer basic caller information (carrier/location). Also, AnyWho covers only landlines. If you require a detailed report (name, addresses), paid services will be required to retrieve that type of report.
The free options will typically only be basic look-ups and no spam alerts, no background checks, etc. They are meant to be used for fast verification purposes only.
Searqle has the best accuracy; 94% success rate on identifying U.S. numbers. A paid reverse phone number lookup app has more sources for verified data, which allows such to be more accurate than free services.
Conclusion
In our assessment of the best reverse phone number search services, we recommend Searqle as the best general-use number lookup service, with up to 94% accuracy for U.S. phone numbers. Detectico is also a very good option for a full background criminal record search. If it is legal in your state.
Please keep in mind that free services come with considerable limitations, and paid subscription options obviously cover you much more completely. With phone scams on the rise, tools like these are becoming increasingly necessary for today’s digital safety.
