Top 10 KYB (Know Your Business) Tools: Features, Pros, Cons & Comparison

Introduction

Know Your Business (KYB) refers to the mandatory due diligence process used by financial institutions, marketplaces, and B2B service providers to verify the legal existence of a business entity and identify its Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs). Unlike standard KYC (Know Your Customer), which focuses on individuals, KYB entails navigating a maze of secretary of state filings, tax records, and complex ownership trees that often span multiple jurisdictions.

KYB is important because it serves as the first line of defense against “shell companies” used to hide criminal proceeds. Real-world use cases include fintechs onboarding new merchants, banks establishing correspondent relationships, and global supply chains vetting new vendors for ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) compliance. When choosing a KYB tool, evaluators should prioritize registry coverage (how many countries the tool can access), auto-decisioning rates (the ability to approve a business without human intervention), and UBO discovery (how accurately it maps out ownership).

Best for: Compliance officers, risk managers, and operations teams in fintech, traditional banking, crypto exchanges, and B2B marketplaces. It is essential for mid-market and enterprise-level companies that handle high volumes of business onboarding and need to meet strict AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and CDD (Customer Due Diligence) regulations.

Not ideal for: Small businesses with extremely low onboarding volume (e.g., 1–2 partners a year) who can perform manual checks, or companies operating in a single, local jurisdiction where public records are easily accessible for free through government portals.

Top 10 KYB (Know Your Business) Tools

1 — Middesk

Middesk is a premier business identity platform specifically optimized for the U.S. market. It focuses on providing high-fidelity, real-time data directly from authoritative sources like the Secretary of State offices and the IRS to simplify the onboarding of domestic businesses.

• Key features:
  • Real-time SOS (Secretary of State) connectivity across all 50 U.S. states.
  • TIN/EIN (Tax Identification Number) verification directly with the IRS.
  • Automated document retrieval for Articles of Incorporation and Good Standing certificates.
  • Industry classification and “web presence” validation to detect high-risk businesses.
  • Ongoing monitoring for status changes or bankruptcy filings.
  • Integrated litigation and lien searches for enhanced due diligence.
• Pros:
  • Unrivaled accuracy and freshness of data for U.S.-based entities.
  • Extremely clean API and dashboard that reduce engineering time for integration.
• Cons:
  • Limited international coverage; primarily a U.S.-centric solution.
  • Can be more expensive than generalist tools for high-volume, low-risk checks.
• Security & compliance: SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, and CCPA compliant. Supports SSO and robust audit logging for all decisions.
• Support & community: Exceptional documentation, proactive customer success teams, and an active community of fintech developers.

2 — Sumsub

Sumsub offers an “all-in-one” verification platform that seamlessly blends KYC, KYB, and AML screening into a single user journey. It is highly regarded for its customizable workflow builder and “legal-as-a-service” approach to compliance.

• Key features:
  • Global registry access covering 220+ countries and territories.
  • Automated UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Owner) identification and verification.
  • No-code workflow builder for creating custom onboarding logic.
  • Integrated AML screening against 10,000+ sanctions and PEP lists.
  • Legal entity document extraction and translation using AI.
  • Centralized case management for manual reviews of high-risk entities.
• Pros:
  • Excellent value for money with tiered pricing that scales with volume.
  • Highly intuitive user interface that reduces friction for both admins and applicants.
• Cons:
  • The back-office dashboard can feel cluttered for very simple use cases.
  • Heavy reliance on AI may occasionally lead to false positives in complex ownership structures.
• Security & compliance: SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, and HIPAA compliant. Data is encrypted at rest and in transit.
• Support & community: 24/7 technical support, multilingual documentation, and a strong presence in the global fintech community.

3 — Trulioo

Trulioo is a global giant in the identity space, providing a single API to verify millions of businesses and billions of individuals worldwide. It is designed for large enterprises that require massive geographic reach and deep data intelligence.

• Key features:
  • Access to 700 million+ verifiable business entities globally.
  • Real-time connection to 400+ government registries.
  • Advanced UBO graphing that visually maps out complex corporate hierarchies.
  • Automated business document translation and standardization.
  • Integration with global watchlists and adverse media screening.
  • Customizable risk scoring models based on jurisdiction and industry.
• Pros:
  • Unmatched global footprint; perfect for companies expanding into emerging markets.
  • Consolidates dozens of data providers into a single, reliable endpoint.
• Cons:
  • Implementation can be complex for smaller teams due to the sheer volume of options.
  • Pricing is generally opaque and aimed at larger enterprise contracts.
• Security & compliance: SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, and regional compliance standards for over 190 countries.
• Support & community: Enterprise-grade support with dedicated account managers and extensive implementation consulting.

4 — Moody’s Analytics (KYC/KYB Suite)

Moody’s Analytics provides a sophisticated suite of tools (incorporating PassFort and Orbis data) designed for heavy-duty risk assessment. It is the gold standard for institutions requiring deep “golden record” entity data.

• Key features:
  • Integration of the Orbis database, containing information on 400 million+ companies.
  • Intelligent orchestration via the PassFort platform for end-to-end automation.
  • Perpetual monitoring of entity risk through the Grid screening database.
  • Automated LEI (Legal Entity Identifier) checks and validation.
  • Deep adverse media screening using AI to categorize risk types.
  • Collaborative workflow tools for large compliance teams.
• Pros:
  • The most comprehensive data sets available for corporate hierarchies and “shadow” ownership.
  • Excellent at handling complex, multi-layered international structures that stymie simpler tools.
• Cons:
  • High cost of entry; strictly an enterprise-level investment.
  • The user interface has a steeper learning curve compared to more modern “SaaS-native” startups.
• Security & compliance: ISO 27001, SOC 2, and compliant with all major global financial regulations (FinCEN, MiFID II).
• Support & community: World-class consulting, white-glove onboarding, and a massive community of institutional risk professionals.

5 — ComplyAdvantage

ComplyAdvantage specializes in real-time risk intelligence. It uses AI and machine learning to constantly update a global database of companies and people, helping firms stay ahead of evolving sanctions and financial crimes.

• Key features:
  • Real-time sanctions and PEP (Politically Exposed Persons) screening.
  • Automated KYB checks integrated with a dynamic risk database.
  • Adverse media monitoring that filters out “noise” to find genuine threats.
  • Continuous monitoring that alerts teams to risk changes within seconds.
  • Advanced transaction monitoring for detecting suspicious corporate behavior.
  • Flexible API that supports integration into almost any tech stack.
• Pros:
  • Superior at identifying “connected” risks (e.g., an owner connected to a sanctioned entity).
  • Very low rate of false positives compared to traditional static databases.
• Cons:
  • Implementation for complex transaction monitoring can be time-consuming.
  • Focuses more on “risk screening” than on “registry document retrieval.”
• Security & compliance: SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, and ISO 27001. All data is handled with bank-grade encryption.
• Support & community: Robust developer portal, technical email support, and a highly regarded industry blog on financial crime.

6 — iDenfy

iDenfy is a versatile identity platform known for its “all-in-one” approach. It provides a cost-effective way for businesses to handle KYC, KYB, and AML screening without needing multiple vendors.

• Key features:
  • Automated business registration verification in 180+ jurisdictions.
  • UBO identification with automated individual KYC for the owners.
  • Adverse media and sanctions screening updated daily.
  • Integrated document management and storage system.
  • Risk scoring engine that flags businesses based on jurisdiction and activity.
  • Customizable white-label onboarding for a consistent brand experience.
• Pros:
  • One of the most user-friendly dashboards on the market.
  • Flexible, usage-based pricing that is highly attractive to startups and SMEs.
• Cons:
  • Data depth in certain niche international registries may not match Moody’s or Trulioo.
  • Lacks some of the advanced “orchestration” features of PassFort.
• Security & compliance: SOC 2, ISO 27001, and GDPR compliant. iBeta certified liveness detection.
• Support & community: High support ratings on review sites, quick response times, and a dedicated Slack channel for some clients.

7 — Vespia

Vespia is a modern, AI-powered KYB platform that prides itself on speed and simplicity. It is designed to turn the “weeks-long” process of onboarding a corporate client into a matter of minutes.

• Key features:
  • Instant connection to 300 million+ businesses across 100+ countries.
  • AI-driven UBO discovery that cuts through shell company layers.
  • Automatic risk scoring and report generation.
  • Integrated KYC for business representatives and shareholders.
  • One-click PDF audit reports for regulatory compliance.
  • Real-time registry data to ensure the business is still active and in good standing.
• Pros:
  • Exceptional speed; the “Instant Verify” feature is a game-changer for conversion rates.
  • Very simple, modern UI that appeals to digital-first fintech teams.
• Cons:
  • Geographic coverage is growing but currently smaller than legacy competitors.
  • Fewer integrations with enterprise CRMs compared to older platforms.
• Security & compliance: GDPR compliant and SOC 2 (in process). Uses 256-bit encryption for all data handling.
• Support & community: Direct access to founders/technical leads for early-stage clients; highly personalized support.

8 — Veriff

Veriff is primarily known for its world-class identity verification, but its KYB offering leverages the same high-accuracy AI to extract and verify business data from complex legal documents.

• Key features:
  • AI-powered document extraction (OCR) for business registries and tax forms.
  • Integrated liveness and biometric checks for legal representatives.
  • Support for 10,000+ document types globally.
  • Automated cross-referencing between individual KYC and corporate KYB.
  • Decision engine that flags inconsistencies and potential fraud indicators.
  • Hosted verification pages for a no-code implementation.
• Pros:
  • Best-in-class document verification technology; handles blurry or poor-quality photos well.
  • High automation rate significantly reduces the need for manual review teams.
• Cons:
  • The tool is heavily optimized for “document-driven” verification rather than “registry-driven” verification.
  • Pricing can be high for low-volume users.
• Security & compliance: SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, GDPR, and CCPA compliant.
• Support & community: Dedicated account management for enterprise, extensive developer documentation, and a global support presence.

9 — Onfido

Onfido (now part of Entrust) uses advanced machine learning to help companies scale their business onboarding. It is particularly strong in biometric verification and fraud detection for the individuals behind the business.

• Key features:
  • “Onfido Studio” for drag-and-drop workflow orchestration.
  • AI-driven verification of business documents and individual IDs.
  • Global screening for sanctions, PEP, and adverse media.
  • Sophisticated fraud detection that identifies synthetic identities.
  • Integration with over 2,500 government-issued ID types.
  • Mobile-first SDKs for a seamless applicant experience on smartphones.
• Pros:
  • The “Studio” tool makes it easy for non-technical teams to change compliance rules on the fly.
  • Extremely high accuracy in detecting sophisticated fraud and deepfakes.
• Cons:
  • The KYB-specific registry connectivity is often handled through partners rather than native feeds.
  • Integration can be a heavy lift for very small development teams.
• Security & compliance: ISO 27001, SOC 2, GDPR, and UK DIATF certified.
• Support & community: Global 24/7 support, a wealth of webinars and whitepapers, and a highly mature ecosystem.

10 — Signzy

Signzy is an AI-driven “no-code” platform that excels in markets with complex or non-digitized registries (like India, SE Asia, and Latin America). It focuses on making “unstructured” data structured.

• Key features:
  • AI-driven extraction from complex legal documents like “Acta Constitutiva” or “Poder Notarial.”
  • Real-time verification for tax IDs (VAT/GST/RFC) and business licenses.
  • Automated UBO mapping in jurisdictions without centralized registries.
  • Video KYB options for verifying legal representatives in high-risk markets.
  • Integration with core banking systems and legacy workflows.
  • Support for “physical” address verification through geo-tagging and AI.
• Pros:
  • The best option for businesses operating in regions where digital government records are patchy.
  • High level of customizability for local regulatory requirements.
• Cons:
  • The dashboard interface can feel less “polished” than Western-centric competitors.
  • Can have longer setup times for bespoke international workflows.
• Security & compliance: SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, and PCI DSS compliant.
• Support & community: Strong regional support in Asia and the Middle East; growing developer community.

Comparison Table

Evaluation & Scoring of KYB (Know Your Business) Tools

Choosing a KYB tool requires balancing technological capability with the specific geographic needs of your business. The following weighted rubric is used by compliance experts to evaluate these platforms.

Which KYB (Know Your Business) Tool Is Right for You?

Selecting the “best” tool depends entirely on your operational scale and geographic focus.

For Solo Users & Startups

If you are just starting and need to verify a few businesses a month, iDenfy or Vespia offer the best combination of “pay-as-you-go” pricing and ease of use. You won’t be bogged down by complex enterprise contracts.

For SMBs & Mid-Market Fintechs

If you are growing quickly and need a tool that can handle both KYC and KYB in one place, Sumsub is the clear winner. Its no-code builder allows you to scale your compliance rules as you enter new countries without hiring a massive dev team.

For U.S.-Only Operations

If your business is exclusively focused on American entities, Middesk is vastly superior to global generalists. Their direct feeds to the IRS and SOS offices provide a level of data freshness that others simply can’t match.

For Global Enterprises & Banks

If you are an institutional player like a bank or a global payment processor, you need the data depth of Trulioo or Moody’s Analytics. These tools are built for high-concurrency environments and can handle the “heavy lifting” of complex cross-border ownership mapping.

For Emerging Markets

If your expansion targets regions like India, Latin America, or SE Asia, Signzy is indispensable. They have built the AI necessary to handle the “messy” data and physical document requirements common in those jurisdictions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the difference between KYC and KYB?

KYC (Know Your Customer) verifies an individual’s identity. KYB (Know Your Business) verifies a company’s legal status, its registration details, and the identities of the people who ultimately own or control it (UBOs).

2. Why is UBO identification so difficult?

Businesses often have layers of ownership involving parent companies, trusts, and subsidiaries across multiple countries. “Shell companies” are intentionally designed to be opaque, requiring KYB tools to cross-reference multiple registries to find the actual person in control.

3. Does every KYB check require a human to review it?

No. Top-tier tools like Middesk or Vespia can achieve “auto-approval” rates of over 80% by matching registry data with applicant info instantly. Only high-risk or mismatched cases require manual review.

4. How does a KYB tool help with AML compliance?

By identifying the owners of a business, the tool can then screen those individuals against global sanctions, PEP, and adverse media lists to ensure the business isn’t a front for money laundering.

5. Can I use a KYB tool to verify international companies?

Yes, but coverage varies. Tools like Trulioo and Sumsub have global reach, while Middesk is specifically optimized for the United States. Always check the “registry coverage” list of a provider.

6. What is a “Good Standing” certificate?

It is an official document from a government body (like a Secretary of State) stating that a company has met its filing requirements and is authorized to do business. Most KYB tools can retrieve these automatically.

7. Are KYB tools expensive?

Pricing is usually usage-based. For small volumes, it might be $10–$50 per check. For enterprise volumes, prices drop significantly but usually require a minimum annual commitment.

8. Can I integrate KYB into my own website or app?

Yes. All the tools listed here provide REST APIs or SDKs that allow you to build the verification flow directly into your customer onboarding process.

9. How long does a KYB check take?

An automated check against a digital registry takes seconds. However, if a tool has to “pull” a document from a non-digitized registry or requires manual review, it can take 24–48 hours.

10. What is a “False Positive” in KYB?

This happens when a legitimate business or owner is incorrectly flagged as a risk (e.g., sharing a name with a sanctioned person). Good tools use “fuzzy matching” and AI to minimize these errors.

Conclusion

The era of “checking the box” for compliance is over. In 2026, regulators expect organizations to have a deep, real-time understanding of their business relationships. Choosing the right KYB tool isn’t just about staying legal; it’s about building a friction-free onboarding experience that turns compliance into a competitive advantage.

Whether you need the surgical precision of Middesk for the U.S. market, the global scale of Trulioo, or the AI-driven speed of Vespia, the right choice depends on your specific risk appetite and geographic footprint. Remember, the “best” tool is the one that allows your business to grow safely without slowing down.