Certivus vs Credas: which AML and KYC software is right for UK accountants?
Certivus is a structured AML compliance workflow built for UK accountants; transparent pricing with no subscription, same-day setup, and an evidence trail designed for HMRC-supervised practices. Credas specialises in biometric identity verification and Open Banking, serving property, legal, and financial services as well as accountancy.
Answer-first summary
How does Certivus compare with Credas?
Certivus is purpose-built for UK HMRC-supervised accountancy practices. It provides a structured AML checklist, CDD workflow, risk scoring, evidence vault, and one-click PDF audit export; all with transparent public pricing and same-day setup. Credas is an identity verification and Open Banking platform that serves property, legal, financial services, and accountancy. It excels at biometric ID and source-of-funds checks but is not structured around the AML workflow an accountancy practice needs to meet HMRC supervision requirements.
- Choose Certivus for a complete AML compliance workflow with transparent pricing built around UK accountants.
- Consider Credas if Open Banking verification or a white-label client app across multiple sectors is a priority.
- Verify Credas's current pricing and workflow configuration options direct with their team.
TL;DR: Quick Summary
- •Certivus is public and self-serve; Free (4 full checks) then from £2.49 for a full KYC and AML check; Credas doesn't publish pricing (third-party listings suggest ~£60/mo for 40 credits; verify directly).
- •Both include ongoing monitoring; Certivus also lets firms bill a recommended ~£15/client/yr charge back to their clients.
- •Certivus provides a structured AML checklist and is accountancy-native; Credas is built around estate & letting agents with Open Banking source-of-funds.
- •Certivus has free credit to start and unlimited users for every firm; Credas offers a free trial and API / white-label integration.
Feature
Certivus
Credas
Pricing
Public, self-serve; £10 free credit (4 full checks) then from £2.49 for a full KYC and AML check. Unlimited users. Standard identity + AML check included.
Not published on Credas's site; third-party listings suggest ~£60/mo (40 credits); credit-based, verify directly.
Primary focus
AML compliance workflows; identity, CDD, checklist, risk, evidence; accountancy-native.
Identity verification and Open Banking, with strong estate & letting agent focus.
Free to start
£10 of free credit, no credit card. 14-day money-back.
Free trial available; no free credit to start.
Ongoing monitoring
£0.99 per client per year, billable back to your clients (recommended ~£15/client/yr).
Monitoring included in the platform.
AML checklist
Structured checklist; every step tracked with status and owner.
Identity verification focused; AML workflow depends on use case.
Open Banking
Manual evidence capture and review.
Open Banking source of funds and address verification.
Target sectors
UK accountants and law firms; AML-supervised practices.
Property, legal, financial services, and accountancy.
Audit export
1-click PDF; timestamped, HMRC-ready.
Reports available; verify HMRC suitability for accountancy AML.
Setup
Same-day; no integration project required.
API and white-label integration; setup time varies.
When to choose each platform
Choose Certivus if...
- Your primary focus is AML compliance workflow, not just identity verification.
- Transparent monthly pricing matters; you want to budget without a sales call.
- You need an AML checklist with evidence trail and MLRO oversight built in.
- Accountancy is your only regulated sector and you need HMRC-specific workflow design.
Consider Credas if...
- Open Banking source of funds verification is a priority for your client base.
- You operate across property, legal, and financial services alongside accountancy.
- A white-label client app is important for your client onboarding experience.
- You need API integration with existing systems and have resource for an integration project.
What you actually pay
Credas doesn't publish pricing on its own site; third-party listings suggest around £60/month for 40 credits (indicative, not Credas-published; verify directly). It is built for property, estate, and letting agents. Certivus is £2.49 for a full KYC and AML check, accountancy-native, with source-of-funds records, KYB at £5.99 a check, and ongoing monitoring at £0.99 per client per year, with unlimited users for every firm.
Who should compare Certivus with Credas?
The best AML software choice changes depending on who carries the risk, who controls the budget, and who has to run the work every week.
Managing partner
Compare predictable cost, inspection exposure, client acceptance risk, and whether the tool will be adopted across the firm.
ContinueMLRO / MLCO
Compare evidence quality, risk decisions, escalation routes, sanctions audit trail, and SAR-ready record keeping.
ContinueOperations lead
Compare setup time, client friction, staff training load, exports, and how cleanly the workflow fits day-to-day onboarding.
ContinueDecision checklist before choosing Certivus or Credas
- Ask for the current pricing model in writing, including checks, screening, users, exports, and support.
- Run one realistic client file through each workflow: individual, company, higher-risk client, and evidence export.
- Check whether the AML record would satisfy HMRC, SRA, or professional-body inspection without manual reconstruction.
- Use Credas where estate or letting agency is your core market, or Open Banking source-of-funds checks, white-label onboarding, and multi-sector identity verification are the main requirements; use Certivus where UK-accountancy workflow, transparent pricing, and audit-ready evidence are the deciding factors.
Certivus vs Credas: common questions
Is Certivus cheaper than Credas?
Certivus publishes its pricing publicly: £10 of free credit (4 full checks), then no subscription at all: £2.49 for a full KYC and AML check, falling to £1.13 on a retainer, with unlimited users and ongoing monitoring at £0.99 per client per year. Credas does not publish pricing on its own site; third-party listings indicate around £60 per month for 40 credits (credit-based), so verify current pricing directly with Credas. If pricing transparency and a flat monthly spend matter to your practice, Certivus is the clearer choice; Credas is a strong fit for estate and letting agents.
Does Credas have an AML checklist?
Credas is primarily an identity verification and Open Banking platform rather than a structured AML workflow tool. It covers biometric ID and source-of-funds checks, but the AML workflow structure you would need for a UK accountancy practice; intake, CDD, risk scoring, evidence vault, and export; depends on how you configure it. Certivus provides that checklist structure out of the box.
Which is better for accountancy practices?
Certivus is built specifically for UK HMRC-supervised accountancy practices. Every part of the workflow; the checklist, risk scoring, evidence vault, and one-click PDF export; is designed around the requirements accountants face under the Money Laundering Regulations. Credas serves a broader range of sectors, including property and financial services, and is better suited to firms that need Open Banking verification or a white-label client app across multiple regulated activities.
Can Certivus replace Credas for identity verification?
Certivus covers the identity verification steps required for AML compliance in an accountancy practice; document checks, PEP and sanctions screening, and risk assessment; combined with the workflow structure to manage, track, and evidence each check. If your primary need is AML compliance for UK accountants, Certivus handles it end-to-end. If you also need Open Banking source-of-funds verification or a white-label client app for property or financial services work, Credas may still have a role alongside Certivus.