AML Buddy vs TaxCalc AML
TaxCalc (Acorah Software Products Limited, Companies House 03948264, Wokingham, incorporated 2000) sells AML Centre, an Equifax-powered AML Identity Checking Service and Biometric ID Checks to accountancy practices. Facts checked on 24 October 2026, with sources.
How TaxCalc and AML Buddy differ
TaxCalc sells up to three AML products: Equifax e-ID searches with PEP and sanctions screening, an annual Biometric ID Checks licence and AML Centre. AML Buddy sells one check at £4.50 + VAT that covers ID document, selfie, PEP, sanctions and adverse media.
TaxCalc suits TaxCalc practices that want AML inside Practice Manager, or NFC checks for Companies House verification. AML Buddy suits firms that want one product with no registration fee or annual licence.
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 We’ve tried to be fair and like-for-like; if anything is out of date, email hello@amlbuddy.com.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 TaxCalc side by side
TaxCalc serves: Accountants & bookkeepers. Numbers in brackets link to the sources below.
| Feature | AML Buddy | TaxCalc |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Per check, prepaid packs | Prepaid search bundles + annual licences[1] |
| Entry price | £0 (5 free checks), then £54 inc. VAT for 10 | £85 registration + 15 Equifax searches; biometric licence £35 for 10 checks (ex VAT)[1] |
| Electronic ID, PEP and sanctions | Included in every check | Equifax search: name, address, date of birth, sanctions, PEPs, relatives and close associates, with a PASS or REFER result; 10 for £48 up to 1,000 for £1,744 (ex VAT)[2] |
| ID document + selfie | ID document + selfie via one secure link (no liveness check) | Biometric ID Checks (separate annual licence): document check, face match and liveness; 10 for £35 up to 1,000 for £3,000 (ex VAT)[3] |
| NFC chip | Not offered | Yes, in Biometric ID Checks[3] |
| Adverse media | Included in every check | Not listed on TaxCalc’s AML pages[2] |
| Search + biometric check together | £4.50 + VAT (£5.40 inc. VAT) per check | £8.30 + VAT on 10-packs (£4.80 + £3.50) after the £85 registration, or £4.74 + VAT on 1,000 of each (£1.744 + £3.00); no adverse media listed — our calculation from published prices[1] |
| Credit expiry | Checks don’t expire while your account is open | Search credits expire 12 months after purchase and aren’t refundable; unused biometric checks don’t carry over to the next licence period[2] |
| Registration | None | ICO registration and a paid Equifax registration before the first search[2] |
| Company checks | Coming soon | The e-ID service checks individuals only[2] |
| Risk assessment | Free Word templates (not in the app) | AML Centre: firm-wide and client risk assessments, policies, KYC records; £110 a year (24 AML clients) to £620 (unlimited)[4] |
| Integrations | None yet | Runs in TaxCalc Practice Manager and AML Centre; TaxCalc lists integrations including Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent and Companies House[5] |
| Security certification | None | ISO/IEC 27001:2022 (certified in 2025)[6] |
| VAT | Prices shown inc. and ex VAT | Prices for business products shown ex VAT[1] |
Where TaxCalc is stronger
- Native to TaxCalc Practice Manager and AML Centre.
- Biometric checks with liveness and NFC chip reading, positioned for Companies House identity verification by ACSPs.
- AML Centre for firm-wide and client risk assessments, policies and KYC records.
- A lower price per Equifax search at higher volumes, and ISO/IEC 27001:2022.
Where AML Buddy is different
- One product: a single check covers ID document, selfie, PEP, sanctions and adverse media.
- No registration fee and no annual licence.
- Checks don’t expire while your account is open.
- Dedicated guidance for estate and letting agents, solicitors and IFAs as well as accountants.
Who should choose which
- TaxCalc practices that want AML inside Practice Manager.
- Firms acting as ACSPs that want NFC checks for Companies House verification.
- Firms that already pay for AML Centre.
- Firms not on TaxCalc, and low-volume users.
- Firms that don’t want registration fees, annual licences or expiring credits.
- Firms outside accountancy.
AML Buddy vs TaxCalc: questions
Do I need to register with Equifax to use AML Buddy?
No. You sign up and send your client a link. TaxCalc’s e-ID service needs your firm’s ICO registration and a paid Equifax registration before the first search.
Do TaxCalc AML credits expire?
Yes. TaxCalc says search credits expire 12 months after purchase and aren’t refundable, and unused biometric checks don’t carry over to the next licence period. AML Buddy checks don’t expire while your account is open.
Is TaxCalc cheaper per check?
For an Equifax search alone, yes at volume: £1,744 + VAT for 1,000 searches. For a document and selfie check as well, you also need a Biometric ID Checks licence. A search plus a biometric check costs £8.30 + VAT on 10-packs, or £4.74 + VAT on 1,000 of each (our calculation from TaxCalc’s published prices). TaxCalc’s biometric check includes liveness and NFC chip reading; AML Buddy’s check includes adverse media.
Does TaxCalc include adverse media?
It isn’t listed on TaxCalc’s AML pages. AML Buddy includes it in every check.
Can I use AML Buddy if I use TaxCalc Practice Manager?
Yes, as a stand-alone tool. There’s no integration yet, so you save the PDF report to the client file.
Does any regulator approve these tools?
No. HMRC, the ICAEW and other supervisors don’t approve AML software.
Can I switch from TaxCalc to AML Buddy?
Yes. Keep your TaxCalc records for five years after the business relationship ends (MLR 2017 regulation 40), then run new checks in AML Buddy. TaxCalc search credits aren’t refundable, so use them before they expire.
Sources
All accessed 24 October 2026. TaxCalc is a trademark of its owner; prices and features as published on its website on that date.
Comparing TaxCalc and AML Buddy?
Try AML Buddy with 5 free checks. No subscription, contract or monthly minimum.