IRBsearch and TLOxp are two heavyweight investigative platforms built for credentialed professionals. Both sell deep identity, asset, and association records to users who pass a strict permissible-use review. They are peers in the public records space, meaning the decision rarely comes down to raw data capability.
This guide compares IRBsearch and TransUnion’s TLOxp (now marketed as TruLookup) on the dimensions that drive a buying decision: licensing requirements, pricing models, and how they handle high-volume work.
Disclosure: Scout Data is our product. We sell bulk homeowner data for sales teams, not investigative search tools for private investigators. We evaluate these platforms based on how they fit into a high-volume outbound workflow.
Two platforms for the same credentialed lane
IRBsearch and TLOxp share a core theory: an investigator needs the deepest possible file on a single subject. They aggregate addresses, phone histories, relatives, corporate affiliations, and licenses into comprehensive reports. Because this data is regulated by the GLBA and DPPA, both vendors require an intensive credentialing process.
If you are a licensed private investigator, a process server, or a corporate fraud department, both tools fit your use case perfectly. You will likely evaluate both, alongside idiCORE, and make a decision based on contract minimums and user experience.
However, if your goal is to feed thousands of owner-matched phone numbers into a dialer for solar or home-services sales, neither platform is the right tool for the job.
How to decide
- You run a licensed investigation or legal firm: Choose based on contract terms. IRBsearch is known for offering flexible pricing models (transactional, per-seat, or flat-rate) that can fit smaller investigator shops, while TLOxp is a standard enterprise choice. Neither publishes pricing, so you must get quotes from both. You can also compare TLOxp vs Accurint for another enterprise perspective.
- You are doing bulk homeowner outbound: You are in the wrong software category. Per-search investigative pricing scales poorly for marketing lists, and their permissible-use rules generally prohibit bulk telemarketing. A call center needs a provider that handles bulk skip tracing with DNC scrubbing built in.
Neither IRBsearch nor TLOxp publishes pricing publicly. Both require credentialing before they will quote a rate, which is based on volume and industry. Any figures found online are estimates and should not be used for budgeting.
Frequently asked questions
Is IRBsearch or TLOxp better for skip tracing?
Both platforms are highly capable, credential-gated investigative databases that pull from deep public and proprietary records. Your choice usually comes down to contract terms, required monthly minimums, and which platform’s interface your team prefers. Neither is built for cheap, bulk marketing lists.
How much do IRBsearch and TLOxp cost?
Neither publishes pricing publicly. Both require you to pass a credentialing process before quoting a rate. IRBsearch offers transactional, per-seat, and flat-rate models, while TLOxp pricing depends heavily on search volume and industry. Expect monthly minimums for both.
Do I need a license to use IRBsearch or TLOxp?
Yes. Both require a strict permissible-use review under laws like the GLBA and DPPA. They are restricted to credentialed professionals such as licensed private investigators, attorneys, law enforcement, and recognized corporate risk departments.