Comparing KYB APIs

When comparing KYB APIs, the decisive factors are where the data comes from (live from the official registry or aggregated from a dataset), how many jurisdictions are covered, whether ownership is resolved recursively, whether the original documents are returned, and whether you can test it for free. The Know Your Customer Limited KYB API is differentiated on each of these: live-from-source data across 147 jurisdictions, recursive multi-level UBO, original registry documents, built-in AML, and a free high-fidelity sandbox.

This page states our differentiators factually so you can compare on the merits. It does not disparage other providers; many are strong in their chosen niche.

How should I compare KYB APIs?

Compare KYB APIs on six dimensions:

1. Data source: live from the official register at request time, or cached/aggregated from a dataset collected earlier.
2. Jurisdiction coverage: how many countries, and where (US-only, region-only, or global).
3. Beneficial ownership: a flat list of first-level shareholders, or a recursive org-chart traced to individuals.
4. Source documents: parsed fields only, or the original registry documents.
5. Built-in screening: AML and sanctions as part of the case, or a separate product.
6. Developer access: sales-gated demo, or a free self-serve sandbox.

The right choice depends on your markets and your audit standard. If you onboard only US businesses, a US-specialist may suffice; if you onboard internationally, breadth and live-from-source data matter more.

Live registry data vs aggregated data: what is the difference?

Live registry data is read from the official company register at the moment of verification. Aggregated data is collected from registries and other sources in advance, stored, and served from that store. The practical difference is freshness and provenance: live data reflects the register now and links back to the source document; aggregated data can lag the register and is one step removed from the authoritative source. For onboarding and compliance, where a company’s status or ownership can change between data refreshes, live-from-source data is more defensible. The Know Your Customer API reads the register live and returns the original document.

How does Know Your Customer compare on coverage?

The differentiator is the combination: few providers offer truly global registry breadth, APAC depth, live-from-source data, and a free self-serve sandbox together from one API.

Is Know Your Customer a Middesk alternative for non-US verification?

Yes. Middesk is a strong US business-verification API with direct connections to US Secretaries of State and the IRS, and it is well suited to US-only onboarding. Its coverage is US-focused. If you need to verify businesses outside the US, or alongside US entities, the Know Your Customer API covers 147 jurisdictions live from source, including deep APAC and offshore centres such as the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands, from one integration. For international and cross-border KYB, it is a direct alternative; for US-only KYB, Middesk’s US specialisation is a fair fit.

Is it an alternative to registry-data providers like Kyckr or Moody’s?

For teams that want live registry data and original documents with a developer-first, self-serve experience, yes. Registry-data and enterprise providers such as Kyckr and Moody’s offer broad, authoritative company data and are well established with large regulated FIs, often through sales-led, enterprise engagements. The Know Your Customer API competes on jurisdiction breadth (147), APAC depth, recursive UBO, original documents, built-in AML and monitoring, and a free high-fidelity sandbox that lets developers evaluate before any commercial conversation. The right fit depends on whether you value enterprise breadth and incumbency or developer-first self-serve and APAC depth.

What about open-data company APIs?

Open-data and bulk company-data APIs are excellent for research, discovery, and large-scale analysis. They are typically lookup or bulk datasets rather than live, document-backed verification with UBO resolution, screening, and monitoring. The Know Your Customer API is built for verification: live-from-source data, the original document, recursive ownership, AML, and perpetual KYB, suited to onboarding and compliance rather than research.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best KYB API for international or APAC coverage? An API with live-from-source data and broad jurisdiction coverage. The Know Your Customer API covers 147 jurisdictions with deep APAC depth from one integration.

Is there a Middesk alternative for non-US business verification? Yes. The Know Your Customer API covers 147 jurisdictions live from source, suited to international and cross-border KYB where US-only specialists do not reach.

Which KYB API gives live registry data, not cached? The Know Your Customer API reads the official register at verification time and returns the original document.

Which KYB APIs have a free developer sandbox? Free self-serve sandboxes are uncommon among KYB vendors. The Know Your Customer sandbox is free, high-fidelity, and pre-loaded with over 980 sample companies and individuals.

Does it return recursive (multi-level) ownership? Yes. Ownership is a recursive org-chart traced through holding companies to individual UBOs, where many providers return a flat list.