Model Match vs The Work Number

What the rubric says

Model Match and The Work Number are both scored in Verification & Data. Model Match carries an overall of 4.8, The Work Number an overall of 3.4. The widest gap between them is Return on spend, at 3.1 of a point. That axis measures what the spend returns, which is not the same as being cheap. Model Match takes it, 4.9 to 1.8.

Where the five axes separate

On Return on spend the record favours Model Match, 4.9 against 1.8. On Adoption and support the record favours Model Match, 4.9 against 3.5. On Functionality and depth the record favours Model Match, 4.8 against 3.6. On Production impact the record favours Model Match, 4.9 against 4.1. Integrations and ecosystem is level at 4.3 for both.

Pricing posture

Model Match publishes pricing. Its listed model is published per-seat monthly tiers from $49 to $199, plus custom enterprise. The Work Number does not publish pricing. Its listed model is quote only, priced per verification. One of the two can be costed before a sales call, the other cannot.

Deployment and who each one targets

Deployment for Model Match: Cloud, self-serve with a 14-day trial and month-to-month billing. Deployment for The Work Number: Cloud, reached by REST API, batch SFTP, web portal or direct LOS integration. Segment focus for Model Match: Mortgage recruiters, branch managers and originators sourcing talent and agent partners on a small budget. Segment focus for The Work Number: Any lender that needs instant employment and income data with GSE rep and warrant. The two entries name different buyers.

What each record credits

Model Match: Rates published outright, from $49 to $199 monthly, with trial and no annual contract. Model Match: Search plus built-in outreach, calling, notes and email, so recruiters skip the spreadsheet. Model Match: Founded by working mortgage recruiters, so it matches how recruiting actually runs. The Work Number: Authorized for Fannie Mae DU validation and Freddie Mac AIM, so hits bring relief. The Work Number: Equifax states 839 million-plus employee records from over five million contributing employers. The Work Number: Named Encompass and Empower connections, plus REST API, batch SFTP and portal access.

What each record holds against them

Model Match: Transaction history starts in 2017, shorter than the deepest rival datasets. Model Match: No CRM or LOS integration named, no applicant tracking either; API sits top-tier. Model Match: The 25,000-professional user figure and client logos are self-reported, without third-party confirmation. The Work Number: Highest per-verification cost in the category; a class action alleges $17.85 rose to $66.45. The Work Number: The same complaint puts historical record pulls at up to $200 each. The Work Number: No pricing published; the site only splits card payment from monthly invoicing.

Which one fits which shop

Best fit for Model Match: A recruiter who wants originator production data and a pipeline CRM in the same seat. without an enterprise contract. Best fit for The Work Number: Lenders who need the highest instant hit rate and have decided to pay.

What each entry concludes

Model Match: Model Match grew out of the recruiting agency Hammerhouse, and it shows. Model Match: This is a recruiter’s tool first and a market data product second. The Work Number: The Work Number is Equifax’s employer-contributed payroll database, and for most lenders a default rather. The Work Number: Equifax states it holds more than 839 million employee records from over five million contributing employers.

The short answer

Model Match finishes ahead on the published rubric, 4.8 to 3.4. The margin comes mostly from Return on spend. Same rubric, same weights, no sponsorships.