Certivus vs. Firmcheck: Which AML Software Is Right for You?
How does Certivus compare with Firmcheck?
Certivus offers monthly plans or pay as you go with no platform fee: £5.99 for a full KYC and AML check after 2 free checks, no per-seat fees, ongoing monitoring at £1.49 per client per year on pay as you go. The standard check includes identity and AML (biometrics included); Firmcheck charges a per-client subscription (around 50p per client per month, indicative) plus biometric checks (£4 to £8 each) and has strong Xero pedigree; so buyers should compare flat vs per-client cost, workflow fit, and support before choosing.
- Use Certivus for a flat plan that does not scale with your whole client list
- Firmcheck's per-client meter plus per-check biometrics suits some Xero-based firms
- Certivus monitoring is £1.49 per checked client per year, billable back to your clients
In short
- Certivus offers monthly plans or pay as you go, from £0.99 for AML screening to £7.99 for EDD (Enhanced due diligence); Firmcheck meters ~50p/client/mo plus £4 to £8 per biometric check (indicative).
- Certivus includes the standard identity + AML check (biometrics included) in one published price.
- ongoing monitoring is £1.49 per client per year on pay as you go, and billable back to your clients (~£15/client/yr recommended).
- Both offer a free start; Certivus offers 2 users on pay as you go; 2 users on Starter; 10 users on Professional; unlimited users on Scale; no per-seat fees, plus a 14-day money-back guarantee.
- Firmcheck's Xero integration and per-client model suit firms already deep in the Xero ecosystem.
Feature
Certivus
Firmcheck
Pricing
£5.99 for a full KYC and AML check, no platform fee on pay as you go; monthly plans also available. 2 free checks, no card.
Per-client subscription ~50p/client/mo plus biometric checks £4 to £8 each (£8 standard, £4 discounted tier; verify current pricing).
Pricing model
Pay per check, monthly plans also available. 2 users on pay as you go; 2 users on Starter; 10 users on Professional; unlimited users on Scale; no per-seat fees.
Per-client metered; cost scales with your whole client list.
Standard check
Identity + AML check included (biometrics included).
Biometric checks charged per check (£4 to £8 each, indicative).
Ongoing monitoring
Monitoring included on every plan; £1.49 per client per year on pay as you go, billable back to your clients.
Monitoring included in the ~50p per client per month.
Free to start
2 free checks, no credit card. 14-day money-back.
Free plan available (verify current terms).
PEP/sanctions
Included on every check.
Included.
Best fit
UK accountancy practices wanting flat, predictable pricing.
Firms already deep in the Xero ecosystem; per-client model suits some.
The Verdict
Choose Certivus if:
- •You want predictable monthly pricing
- •You prefer a founder-led UK practice workflow
- •You're a small/mid-sized practice (50-500 clients)
Choose Firmcheck if:
- •Your practice is already built around Xero and its integration matters
- •You prefer a per-client subscription model and have checked the current pricing for your client count
What you actually pay
Firmcheck's ~50p per client per month scales with your whole client list, and biometric checks are £4 to £8 each (indicative; verify current pricing). Certivus offers monthly plans or pay as you go, from £0.99 for AML screening to £7.99 for EDD (Enhanced due diligence), with the standard identity + AML check (biometrics included), and ongoing monitoring at £1.49 per client per year on pay as you go rather than 50p a month. 2 users on pay as you go; 2 users on Starter; 10 users on Professional; unlimited users on Scale; no per-seat fees.
Who should compare Certivus with Firmcheck?
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 Firmcheck
- 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 Firmcheck where your practice is built around Xero and a per-client subscription model fits your client base, and you have verified the current pricing; use Certivus where UK-accountancy workflow, transparent pricing, and audit-ready evidence are the deciding factors.
Certivus vs Firmcheck questions
Is Certivus or Firmcheck better for small accounting practices?
Certivus is positioned for small and growing UK practices that want pay as you go or monthly plans (£5.99 for a full KYC and AML check, with 2 free checks to start), fast onboarding, PEP and sanctions screening, and audit-ready records. Ongoing monitoring is £1.49 per client per year on pay as you go. Firmcheck charges a per-client subscription (around 50p per client per month, indicative) plus biometric checks (£4 to £8 each), which suits firms already built around Xero. If you want predictable spend that does not scale with your whole client list, Certivus is usually the simpler choice.
What should I verify before switching AML software?
Check current pricing, verification limits, export formats, audit-trail detail, ongoing monitoring, team access, migration support, and how existing client evidence can be retained.