AML Buddy vs Credas
Credas Technologies Ltd (Companies House 10429398) has been owned by SmartSearch since January 2026. Facts checked on 24 October 2026, with sources.
How Credas and AML Buddy differ
Credas sells packages priced on request. Its entry package, Gateway, is billed monthly with a flat fee per search, is limited to five users and charges on invite. AML Buddy publishes one price, £4.50 + VAT per check, with no monthly billing.
Credas covers more: NFC and passive liveness, Right to Rent, source of funds, KYB and case-management integrations. AML Buddy suits small firms that want to start today at a known price.
AML Buddy wrote this page. We’ve tried to be fair and like-for-like; if anything is out of date, email hello@amlbuddy.com.
AML Buddy and Credas side by side
Credas serves: Estate & letting agents, Solicitors & conveyancers, Accountants & bookkeepers. Numbers in brackets link to the sources below.
| Feature | AML Buddy | Credas |
|---|---|---|
| Published price | £4.50 + VAT (£5.40 inc. VAT) per check | Not published; pricing on request[1] |
| Entry package | Prepaid packs of 10 / 20 / 50 / 100 checks (£54–£540 inc. VAT) | Gateway: monthly billing, one flat fee per search[1] |
| Monthly fee / subscription | None | Gateway and ENTRY billed monthly; PRO/Enterprise terms not published[1] |
| Users | Unlimited team members, no per-user fee | Gateway five users, single branch; ENTRY and above unlimited[1] |
| When a check is charged | When the client starts verification, not on invite | Gateway on invite; ENTRY and above on completion[1] |
| Free checks | 5 free checks, once, on sign-up | None published[1] |
| ID document + selfie | ID document + selfie via one secure link (no liveness check) | Yes (biometric facial recognition with passive liveness)[2] |
| NFC chip reading | Not offered | Yes[2] |
| PEP and sanctions screening | Included in every check | Yes, with configurable tolerance levels[3] |
| Adverse media | Included in every check | Available within PEP and sanctions screening; automatic runs enabled on request[4] |
| Ongoing monitoring | Ongoing re-screening | Yes[3] |
| Ambiguous matches | AI asks the client clarifying questions | Credas+ managed service returns PASS or FAIL, with indemnity cover against HMRC financial penalties (adverse media not included)[5] |
| Source of funds (open banking) | Not offered | Yes[3] |
| KYB / beneficial owners | Coming soon | Yes, including UBO reports[6] |
| Right to Rent | Not offered | Yes[3] |
| Integrations | None yet | Minerva, Smoove, DPS, Visualfiles, API; property CRMs[2] |
| Security certifications | None | ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials Plus[7] |
Where Credas is stronger
- Source of funds by open banking, KYB with beneficial ownership reports, and Director ID checks.
- Integrations with legal case-management systems and property CRMs, and an API for larger firms.
- Credas+, a managed review service that returns PASS or FAIL, with indemnity cover against HMRC financial penalties.
- Letting extras: Right to Rent, tenant affordability and landlord checks.
Where AML Buddy is different
- One published price, £4.50 + VAT per check, with no monthly billing.
- Adverse media included in every check.
- Unlimited team members from the first pack, and 5 free checks on sign-up without a demo.
- AI asks the client clarifying questions on ambiguous PEP or address results.
Who should choose which
- Multi-branch agencies and conveyancers that need CRM or case-management integration.
- Letting agents that want Right to Rent, affordability and AML in one place.
- Firms that need source of funds, KYB or a managed remediation service.
- Small independent estate and letting agents, sole practitioners, bookkeepers and IFAs.
- Firms running a handful of checks a month who want a published price and no monthly billing.
- Firms that want to start today without a sales demo.
AML Buddy vs Credas: questions
How much does Credas cost?
Credas doesn’t publish prices; you request pricing and a demo. Its packages are Gateway, ENTRY, PRO/Enterprise and Partners. Gateway is billed monthly with one flat fee per search, and Credas says it offers low-volume users a monthly package with no setup fees. AML Buddy costs £4.50 + VAT per check with no monthly fee.
Does Credas charge per user?
Credas doesn’t list a per-user fee, but Gateway is limited to five users and a single branch. ENTRY and above allow unlimited users. AML Buddy has no user limit on any pack.
When is a check charged?
On Credas Gateway a check is charged on invite; on ENTRY and above it is charged on completion. AML Buddy charges a check when your client starts verification, not when you send the link.
Is Credas part of SmartSearch?
Yes. Dye & Durham sold Credas to SmartSearch, and the sale closed on 6 January 2026. Companies House lists Solace Bidco as Credas’s controlling shareholder from 8 January 2026.
Can I switch from Credas to AML Buddy?
Yes. Keep your existing Credas reports for at least five years after the business relationship ends (MLR 2017 regulation 40), then send new clients an AML Buddy link. Your first 5 checks are free.
Which is better for letting agents?
If you need Right to Rent, affordability and landlord checks in one place, Credas covers more. If you need AML checks on landlords and tenants for lets of £10,000 or more a month at a fixed per-check price, AML Buddy is simpler. See AML for letting agents.
Does AML Buddy integrate with my CRM like Credas?
Not yet. AML Buddy works through a secure link and a dashboard. Credas offers an API and integrations with legal case-management systems.
Sources
All accessed 24 October 2026. Credas is a trademark of its owner; prices and features as published on its website on that date.
Comparing Credas and AML Buddy?
Try AML Buddy with 5 free checks. No subscription, contract or monthly minimum.