KYC Providers in the UK: Top Solutions and How to Choose the Right One

Zarema Plaksij

Copywriter

If your business onboards customers in the UK, applying Know Your Customer (KYC) checks is mandatory, as they help prevent fraud, as well as avoid sanctions risks and regulatory scrutiny. Yet, choosing the wrong provider can mean costly integrations, compliance gaps, and a painful customer experience.

The good news is that there are excellent identity verification solutions that fit well into the UK regulatory environment. This guide explains the AML/KYC requirements in the UK, how to pick a KYC provider that fits UK compliance, and offers a shortlist of leading KYC providers commonly considered by UK-facing businesses.

1. Ondato
2. Entrust
3. Jumio
4. Trulioo
5. Shufti Pro
6. Veriff
7. ComplyCube

AML Compliance and KYC Requirements in the UK

The UK has one of the world’s most rigorous financial crime systems. The country’s KYC obligations sit inside a wider Anti-Money Laundering (AML) framework, where regulators expect you to know (a) who you’re dealing with, (b) why the relationship makes sense, and (c) whether risk changes over time.

Serving as the foundation of the UK’s KYC regulation is the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 (MLRs), which require businesses in regulated sectors to carry out Customer Due Diligence (CDD) before onboarding customers.

In fact, the UK government guidance summarizes the day-to-day expectations in a very practical way. You must carry out CDD to verify that customers are who they say they are, risk-assess your business, and implement internal controls and monitoring appropriate to your firm’s size and complexity.

The UK has 25 AML/CTF supervisors, each with sector-specific expectations, and the main KYC requirements include:

• Customer Due Diligence (CDD) – Businesses must verify their customers’ identity using reliable, independent sources.
• Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) – Businesses must perform deeper checks for high-risk customers, for example, Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs).
• Ongoing Monitoring – Businesses must continuously screen customers against sanctions lists, PEP, and adverse media lists.
• UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 – All personal data processed during KYC must meet data protection standards.
• UK DIATF (The Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework) – Sets standards for certified digital identity service providers.

The UK government claims that £100 billion is laundered through or within the UK each year, with £12 billion laundered using cash, and that fraud now accounts for 43% of all crime in England and Wales.

How to Choose a KYC Provider for UK Compliance

Choosing a KYC provider is a very important decision, as this provider will eventually become part of your compliance operating model, affecting your audit trail and overall customer experience.

Here’s what a UK-facing business needs to evaluate before committing to a KYC/AML solution:

Regulatory “must-haves”

Start by writing down what you must be able to demonstrate under the UK’s MLRs. For example, you may need to have a documented identity verification process: KYC policies, controls, and procedures that are reviewed and updated, apply CDD at the right times, and keep records for the required period.

A good provider should support all these obligations and offer configurable workflows and audit-friendly reporting, as well as make it easy for your business to prove what you did, when you did it, and why you accepted the residual risk.

Regulatory fit

Make sure you find out whether the provider supports the specific frameworks that apply to your sector. In particular, look for UK DIATF certification, OFSI sanctions screening, Companies House integration for KYB, and alignment with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) supervisory requirements.

Verification methods

It’s important to check what document types are supported. Can the platform handle UK passports, photocard driving licenses, and eVisas? Does the solution offer biometric liveness detection to combat deepfakes? Can the provider help you screen individuals and businesses for sanctions?

And don’t forget about data protection. If the provider uses biometrics, ask how it supports:

• lawful basis and transparency requirements (your privacy notice)
• storage limitation and retention controls (including deletion workflows)
• DPIA-friendly documentation (especially when biometric recognition is involved)

Exception handling possibilities

Sometimes your customers will not have standard IDs, they may provide blurry images made in poor lighting, have name variations and address mismatches, etc. All these real-life circumstances must be accommodated in a good KYC solution. So, your ideal provider should support fallback routes, for example, step-up verification, document re-capture, or manual review, while still keeping a consistent audit trail.

Integration and scalability

You need a provider that fits into your existing tech stack: whether that’s a REST API, mobile SDK, no-code workflow, or CRM integration. A poor integration will slow the onboarding process and frustrate your team. Also consider what happens after go-live, you may need webhooks, reporting exports, role-based access, and the ability to adjust flows without breaking production.

Make sure the solution can grow with you. A startup onboarding 100 users a month has different needs than an enterprise processing 50,000. Look at pricing models (per-check vs. subscription), throughput limits, and workflow configurability.

Data privacy 

KYC involves handling some of the most sensitive personal data imaginable: passport scans, facial biometrics, proof of address, etc. That makes your provider’s data privacy posture a compliance issue in its own right. Therefore, it’s critical to ask where customer data is going to be stored and processed. Ensure the provider is ISO 27001 certified and fully GDPR-compliant, with clear data retention policies. SOC 2 Type II certification is also worth looking for, as it demonstrates that security controls have been independently audited over time, not just once.

Support and SLAs 

When something breaks at 11 pm before a product launch, you need responsive support. Check whether the provider offers dedicated account managers, or only email ticketing.

Practical Checklist for Selecting a KYC provider

To help you in your search for a leading KYC provider for your UK-facing business, we have created a comprehensive checklist you may use. It will tell you what criteria to prioritize, why they matter, and even what questions to ask yourself when weighing your KYC/identity verification options.

Top KYC Providers for UK Businesses

#1 Ondato

Ondato is a KYC/AML compliance platform, recognized by the Financial Times as one of Europe’s fastest-growing companies. It provides a full-stack compliance suite covering identity verification (KYC), business onboarding (KYB), AML screening, and ongoing customer lifecycle monitoring within a single platform.

Designed with a strong European foundation, Ondato supports compliance across the EU and UK regulatory frameworks, enabling businesses to meet requirements such as CDD, PEP/sanctions screening, and audit-ready record keeping.

With coverage across 190+ countries and support for thousands of document types, Ondato enables companies to scale compliance operations internationally while maintaining consistent regulatory standards.

• Key KYC features: AI-powered document verification, biometric liveness detection, video KYC, age verification, and AML screening
• Compliance coverage: Aligned with eIDAS, GDPR, ISO/IEC standards; supports PEP and sanctions screening
• Integration options: REST API + SDK; no-code onboarding workflows
• Scalability: Handles increasing verification volumes and geographic expansion via modular services and API-first architecture, enabling consistent onboarding and compliance across products
• Certification: ISO/IEC 27001:2013; ISO/IEC 30107-3 (Level 1 & 2); GDPR compliance

#2 Entrust IDV (Onfido)

Originally UK-founded, Onfido was acquired by Entrust in 2024 and is now offered as Entrust Identity Verification. It remains one of the most widely adopted IDV/KYC platforms in the UK, known for its developer-friendly SDK and configurable verification flows. The solution is AI-powered but also incorporates human review where needed. It’s a strong fit for FinTechs and digital banks that are scaling rapidly across jurisdictions.

• Key KYC features: Document verification, facial biometrics, liveness detection, Workflow Studio (no-code flow builder), SDK-based capture for document photos and selfies
• Compliance coverage: ISO 27001, SOC 2; supports 195+ countries
• Integration options: REST API, iOS/Android SDKs, web SDKs
• Scalability: Supports scaling from startup to enterprise volumes via API-driven architecture, enabling high-throughput identity verification across multiple markets and use cases.
• Certifications: SOC 2; GDPR; ISO 27001

#3 Jumio

Jumio is a US-headquartered enterprise-grade platform that processes over 500 million verifications annually. Suitable for large organizations that need scale, accuracy, and fraud resilience, Jumio offers an identity verification platform designed for eKYC and AML use cases. Overall, Jumio’s technology is driven by machine learning, trained on billions of data points, ensuring high assurance and broad global coverage across thousands of ID types.

• Key KYC features: AI-powered document verification, passive liveness detection, deepfake detection, identity graph (30M+ profiles), KYX orchestration
• Compliance coverage: Supports 5,000+ document types globally; strong AML screening integration
• Integration options: API, SDKs, pre-built UI components
• Scalability: Built to handle large-scale, high-risk verification volumes globally, with infrastructure and risk engines designed for enterprise-grade throughput and compliance complexity
• Certifications: SOC 2; ISO 27001; PCI DSS

#4 Trulioo

Trulioo is a Canadian-headquartered global identity platform with unmatched geographic coverage, verifying individuals across 195 countries using 450+ data sources and 14,000+ ID types, unified through a single API and orchestration layer. Trulioo allows businesses to meet rigorous due diligence requirements by cross-referencing user data against authoritative UK and global sources. And its ability to handle Electronic ID Verification (eIDV) aligns well with the UK’s shift toward digital-first compliance frameworks.

• Key KYC features: Electronic IDV, document verification, KYB (700M+ business entities), sanctions and PEP screening
• Compliance coverage: GlobalGateway single-API access; supports UK and international regulatory needs
• Integration options: RESTful API with SDKs; Workflow Studio for low-code/no-code onboarding workflows; an orchestration layer for multi-source matching
• Scalability: Enables global scaling with extensive data sources, supporting high-volume verification and expansion into new markets without additional infrastructure
• Certifications: SOC 2 Type II; ISO 27001; GDPR compliance

#5 Shufti Pro

An AI-powered identity verification platform designed for speed, global coverage, and accuracy, Shufti Pro is built to offer journeys designed around UK primary ID documents (passport and photocard driving license) and has direct integration with UK-specific compliance requirements. It specializes in automating onboarding for high-risk, highly regulated industries such as fintech, crypto, and iGaming.

• Key KYC features: Document verification, biometric checks, video KYC, KYB (Companies House validation, director/PSC checks), OFSI sanctions screening
• Compliance coverage: UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 compliant; OFSI, PEP, and global watchlist screening; ISO certified
• Integration options: RESTful APIs, mobile and web SDKs, CRM integrations
• Scalability: Supports growing verification volumes and geographic expansion through global document coverage and real-time processing, suitable for scaling from startup to enterprise use
• Certifications: GDPR compliance; AML/KYC regulatory compliance, ISO/IEC 27001:2022

#6 Veriff

Veriff is an IDV platform trusted by financial services, marketplaces, and sharing economy platforms globally. Providing secure, scalable identity verification and using AI for fast and accurate results, Verify supports 12,000+ document types across 230+ countries. The key strength is its user-centric verification flow, which guides users in real time and incorporates passive liveness detection, validated through iBeta Level 2 biometric liveness compliance.

• Key KYC features: Document verification, passive liveness detection (iBeta Level 2 certified), device and network intelligence, optional AML screening
• Compliance coverage: ISO 27001, SOC 2; supports global regulatory requirements, including UK
• Integration options: REST API, iOS/Android SDKs, no-code via Zapier
• Scalability: Handles high verification volumes across web and mobile channels with automated decisioning and fallback processes, supporting consistent onboarding at scale
• Certifications: SOC 2 Type II; ISO 27001; GDPR compliance

#7 ComplyCube

Founded in 2020, ComplyCube is headquartered in the UK. It won RegTech Partner of the Year at the British Bank Awards in both 2024 and 2025, and holds the highest level of UK DIATF accreditation, including real-time DVLA checks. This provider positions itself as an API platform for automating identity verification and AML/KYC workflows, with REST-style APIs and developer resources.

• Key KYC features: Document verification, biometric liveness, AML screening, multi-bureau address checks, KYB, ongoing monitoring
• Compliance coverage: UK DIATF certified, ISO 27001, SOC 2, GDPR, eIDAS; OFSI sanctions screening; 250+ countries
• Integration options: API, mobile and web SDKs, no-code workflows, CRM integrations; claimed fastest integration turnaround in the market
• Scalability: API-first, modular platform that scales across products, regions, and verification volumes, allowing businesses to expand compliance capabilities as they grow
• Certification: SOC 2; ISO 27001; GDPR compliance

Comparison of KYC Providers in the UK

There is no such thing as the “best” KYV provider for the UK market. But there is definitely the best fit for your specific business need, regulatory obligation, customer type, and product experience.

*G2 scores are based on user reviews and are subject to change

KYC Use Cases Across UK Industries

KYC looks different depending on the industry and customer type. However, in the UK, there are repeating compliance themes such as CDD at onboarding, EDD when risk increases, ongoing monitoring, and strict record-keeping.

Fintech and payments

Fintech firms, particularly Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs) and Payment Service Providers (PSPs), operate in a high-speed, digital-first environment. Their KYC processes must balance strict regulatory compliance with the user experience (UX) demands of modern consumers.

FinTechs usually perform automated, real-time digital customer onboarding, which they achieve through biometric liveness checks (selfie-to-ID verification) and API-based database checks to verify identity instantly.

Transaction monitoring is critical here to detect velocity patterns or structuring, where users break down large transfers into smaller amounts to avoid triggering reporting thresholds.

Banking and lending

Traditional banks and lending institutions maintain the most robust KYC protocols due to the systemic importance of their services.

Their approach is characterized by tiered due diligence. Banks employ a risk-based approach – Simplified Due Diligence (SDD) for low-risk, everyday consumer banking and enhanced due diligence for high-net-worth individuals, PEPs, or clients from high-risk jurisdictions. Banks also focus heavily on “Source of Wealth” (SoW) and “Source of Funds” (SoF) to ensure that the capital moving through accounts is legitimate and not proceeds of crime.

Estate agents and property-related businesses

The UK property market is a significant target for money laundering. Estate agents are supervised by HMRC and are required to exercise stringent vigilance regarding the provenance of funds.

The key approach for real estate businesses is the chain-of-custody verification. Unlike digital-only services, property transactions involve high-value assets and often complex corporate structures. That’s why agents must verify the identity of the beneficial owners of purchasing entities (for example, shell companies) and demand documented evidence of funds, such as inheritance, salary, or property sale proceeds, before a transaction can proceed.

Crypto and digital assets

Crypto-asset businesses operating in the UK must register with the Financial Conduct Authority. They face unique challenges due to the pseudonymous nature of blockchain transactions.

They abide by the CryptoTravel Rule compliance. Crypto exchanges must share originator and beneficiary information for transactions above a certain value.

The KYC focus is on wallet screening and address clustering. KYC in crypto extends beyond user identity; firms must use blockchain analysis tools to ensure that the digital assets interacting with their platform have not originated from illicit sources like darknet markets or sanctioned wallets.

In crypto, the operational reality is that KYC must handle remote onboarding, high fraud attempts, and rapid growth. That’s why the quality and exception handling of the solution should be your primary concern.

Gambling and gaming

Regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, this sector has moved away from “back-end” verification to “front-end” compliance. These industries must ensure age checks and mandatory identity verification before their customers are allowed to gamble or play. 

The main focus is on protecting vulnerable individuals, particularly minors. KYC in gaming also checks for self-exclusion status (e.g., GAMSTOP) and monitors for “problem gambling” behaviors, which are often legally intertwined with anti-money laundering monitoring.

Since KYC in gambling is often tied to thresholds, triggers, and ongoing monitoring of customer behavior, choosing a provider that supports repeat checks and monitoring signals can reduce manual workload while keeping records defensible.

Legal services

Solicitors and accountants face AML obligations under both the MLRs and their professional body supervisors (overseen by OPBAS). So, Know Your Business (KYB) checks to verify client companies and their ultimate beneficial ownership (UBO) structure are routine requirements.

Key Takeaways

The right KYC solution can protect your customers, satisfy your regulator, and remove friction from your onboarding flow. That’s why it’s important to start by mapping your specific UK compliance obligations, such as the FCA, HMRC, Gambling Commission, etc., then shortlist the providers that can demonstrate UK regulatory alignment, not just global coverage.

The cost of choosing the wrong solution provider, whether through a regulatory fine, a data breach, or simply a high customer drop-off rate, is far greater than the cost of choosing thoughtfully from the start.

*Not legal advice: This article is for business and product planning only. For final decisions, align with your MLRO/compliance leadership and legal counsel using the MLRs, OFSI guidance, and your sector supervisor’s expectations.

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Published May 7, 2026

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