AML Buddy vs IRIS Elements AML
IRIS Elements AML is sold by IRIS Capital Limited (Companies House 06266887, Slough) as part of the IRIS Elements accountancy suite. IRIS says its biometric checks are powered by Veriphy. Facts checked on 24 October 2026, with sources.
How IRIS Elements AML and AML Buddy differ
IRIS Elements AML combines a licence priced by number of clients (from £250 for 30 clients on a 12-month contract) with per-check fees from £4.00 for a UK ID check. IRIS’s general terms say its charges exclude VAT. AML Buddy has no licence: £4.50 + VAT per check.
IRIS suits practices on IRIS Elements that want risk assessment, KYC and SAR tools with their checks, and a biometric check with liveness. AML Buddy suits low-volume users and firms outside accountancy.
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 We’ve tried to be fair and like-for-like; if anything is out of date, email hello@amlbuddy.com.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 IRIS Elements AML side by side
IRIS Elements AML serves: Accountants & bookkeepers. Numbers in brackets link to the sources below.
| Feature | AML Buddy | IRIS Elements AML |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Per check, prepaid packs | Licence by number of clients + per check[1] |
| Licence fee | None | £250 (30 clients), £460 (70), £522 (100), £854 (175), £1,057 (250) up to £4,578 (3,000): starting prices on a 12-month contract[1] |
| UK ID check | £4.50 + VAT (£5.40 inc. VAT) per check | From £4.00, billed separately; IRIS’s general terms say charges exclude VAT[1] |
| Other checks | Company checks coming soon | International ID £3.75, credit screen £3.75, UK company report £8.50, non-UK company report £25.00, HR screen £7.50[1] |
| ID document + selfie | ID document + selfie via one secure link (no liveness check) | Veriphy-powered biometric check: facial recognition, document capture and liveness; the client needs a UK passport or driving licence[1] |
| PEP and sanctions | Included in every check | Not listed on the current AML page; IRIS’s help centre (Elements v.0, updated January 2024) says ID checks screen against sanctions and PEP registers[2] |
| Adverse media | Included in every check | Not listed on IRIS’s AML page[1] |
| Ongoing review | Ongoing re-screening | Reminders when KYC reviews are due, and bulk ID checks for annual refreshes[1] |
| Risk assessment, KYC and SAR tools | Free Word templates (not in the app) | Firm-wide and client risk assessments, KYC questionnaires, SAR workflow[1] |
| Bulk checks | Not offered | Yes, filtered by entity type, expiry date or previous risk rating[1] |
| Set-up fee | None | None: “no setup fees and no usage caps”[1] |
| Free trial | 5 free checks, once, on sign-up | 30 days, no card needed, with 10 free ID checks[3] |
| Contract | None — no subscription, contract or monthly minimum | 12 months, paid monthly or annually; checks invoiced monthly in arrears[4] |
| Renewal | Nothing to renew | Renews automatically for an equal period unless ended; charges may rise at renewal[5] |
| Integrations | None yet | Native to IRIS Elements: practice management, proposals, tax, accounts production and company secretarial[4] |
Where IRIS Elements AML is stronger
- Native to IRIS Elements, so AML sits on the same client list as proposals, practice management, tax and accounts.
- Firm-wide and client risk assessments, KYC questionnaires, a SAR workflow and bulk ID checks of existing clients.
- A Veriphy-powered biometric check with liveness.
- UK and non-UK company reports, credit screens and HR screens.
- A 30-day trial with 10 free ID checks and no card needed.
Where AML Buddy is different
- No licence fee and no 12-month contract.
- PEP, sanctions and adverse media stated as part of every check.
- AI asks the client clarifying questions on ambiguous PEP or address results.
- Dedicated guidance for estate and letting agents, solicitors and IFAs as well as accountants.
Who should choose which
- Practices already on IRIS Elements or other IRIS software.
- Firms that want risk assessment, KYC and SAR tools with their checks.
- Firms that need a biometric check with liveness.
- Sole practitioners, bookkeepers and firms with few new clients a year.
- Firms that don’t want a 12-month, auto-renewing licence.
- Firms outside accountancy.
AML Buddy vs IRIS Elements AML: questions
Is AML Buddy cheaper than IRIS Elements AML?
At low volumes it usually costs less, because there’s no licence. For 30 clients a year, IRIS costs £250 for the licence plus 30 × £4.00 = £370 + VAT (our calculation from IRIS’s published prices; its terms say charges exclude VAT). 30 AML Buddy checks cost £135 + VAT (£162 inc. VAT), and you get 5 free checks once on sign-up. The IRIS licence also includes risk assessment, KYC and SAR tools, and its biometric check includes liveness.
Do I need IRIS software to use AML Buddy?
No. AML Buddy is stand-alone and browser-based. It doesn’t integrate with IRIS yet, so you save the PDF report to the client file.
Which ID provider does IRIS use?
IRIS says its biometric checks are powered by Veriphy. Its general terms say the AML service may also use TransUnion, a UK credit reference agency, for identity validation.
Can I cancel IRIS Elements AML at any time?
IRIS prices its licence on a 12-month contract, and its general terms say a contract renews automatically for an equal period unless it’s ended. AML Buddy has no contract.
Does IRIS include adverse media?
It isn’t listed on IRIS’s AML page. AML Buddy includes adverse media in every check.
Is either provider approved by HMRC or the ICAEW?
No. Regulators and professional bodies don’t approve AML software. Your firm remains responsible for its own risk-based approach.
Can I switch from IRIS to AML Buddy?
Yes. Keep your IRIS records for five years after the business relationship ends (MLR 2017 regulation 40), then run new checks in AML Buddy. Check your IRIS renewal date first, because the licence renews automatically.
Sources
All accessed 24 October 2026. IRIS Elements AML is a trademark of its owner; prices and features as published on its website on that date.
- IRIS Elements AML (pricing, process, FAQ)
- IRIS help — AML checks (Elements v.0)
- IRIS Elements (trial, 10 free ID checks)
- IRIS Elements AML 1.0 to 2.0 (contract and billing FAQ)
- IRIS general terms and conditions (updated 4 May 2026; S.1 Charges, S.2 cl. 7.4 and 11.1, S.5)
- Companies House — IRIS Capital Limited
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