AML Buddy vs Xama
Xama Technologies Limited (Companies House 11398708, Bristol, incorporated 2018) says it is trusted by over 2,000 professional firms across the UK. Facts checked on 24 October 2026, with sources.
How Xama and AML Buddy differ
Xama prices each part of a check in credits at £0.525 + VAT each. Its cheapest electronic check is £2.10 + VAT. A check with the same parts as AML Buddy’s (ID document, biometric, PEP, sanctions and adverse media) uses 14 credits: £7.35 + VAT at the standard credit price (our calculation from Xama’s published table). Xama’s table marks the biometric check as a Core feature (£13/month).
Xama gives accountants a full AML framework, liveness and NFC checks, and practice-software integrations. AML Buddy gives one fixed price per check, with no plan fee, across five sectors.
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 We’ve tried to be fair and like-for-like; if anything is out of date, email hello@amlbuddy.com.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 Xama side by side
Xama serves: Accountants & bookkeepers, Solicitors & conveyancers, Estate & letting agents. Numbers in brackets link to the sources below.
| Feature | AML Buddy | Xama |
|---|---|---|
| Plan fee | None | Starter free; Core £13/month (10% off billed annually); Enterprise by quote[1] |
| How checks are priced | One price per check, prepaid packs | Credits per check item, £0.525 + VAT each[1] |
| Check with ID document, biometric, PEP, sanctions and adverse media | £4.50 + VAT (£5.40 inc. VAT) per check | 14 credits = £7.35 + VAT at the standard credit price (ID document 5 + biometric 2 + AML check 4 + 12-month monitored PEP, sanctions and adverse media 3) — our calculation[1] |
| Same check on bulk credits | Same price in every pack | £6.62 + VAT on 1,000 credits (£473) or £5.88 + VAT on 2,500 credits (£1,050) — our calculation[1] |
| Cheapest check | £4.50 + VAT (£5.40 inc. VAT) per check | £2.10 + VAT: electronic AML + identity & address check with PEP/sanctions, no document or selfie[1] |
| ID document + selfie | ID document + selfie via one secure link (no liveness check) | ID document check (5 credits) + biometric check with “cryptographic & enhanced liveness” (2 credits); the biometric check is marked Core[1] |
| Adverse media | Included in every check | In the 12-month monitored PEP, sanctions and adverse media item: 3 credits (£1.58 + VAT), an annual fee[1] |
| Ongoing monitoring | Ongoing re-screening | PEP, sanctions and adverse media monitoring with real-time alerts[2] |
| NFC chip | Not offered | Yes, on NFC-enabled iPhones through the Xama Verify app[3] |
| Credit expiry | Checks don’t expire while your account is open | 12 months from purchase (90 days for free trial credits); expired or unused credits aren’t refunded[4] |
| Minimum purchase | Pack of 10 checks (£54 inc. VAT) | 10 credits (£5.25 + VAT)[1] |
| Users | Unlimited team members, no per-user fee | Unlimited[1] |
| Risk assessments, policies, training | Free Word templates (not in the app) | Unlimited risk assessments and compliance templates on the free plan; AML Academy (1 member on Core)[1] |
| KYB / Companies House | Coming soon | Companies House link, company credit report (8 credits), company monitoring (up to 20 companies on Core)[1] |
| Integrations | None yet | Karbon, Pixie, FYI, Socket, Engager, QuickBooks Practice Manager, Sodium, PracticeFlow, Zapier, Make; open API[5] |
| Security certification | None | ISO/IEC 27001:2022[6] |
| Contract | None — no subscription, contract or monthly minimum | No long-term contract; a paid package renews automatically each billing period; fees are non-refundable[4] |
Where Xama is stronger
- A full AML framework for accountants: risk assessments, policy templates, staff management and an AML Academy.
- Integrations with Karbon, Pixie, FYI, Socket, Engager, QuickBooks Practice Manager and FreeAgent, plus Zapier, Make and an open API.
- Cheaper electronic-only checks (£2.10 + VAT) for clients who don’t need a document and selfie check.
- A biometric check with liveness, NFC chip reading through its iPhone app, and ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification.
- Company credit reports and company monitoring.
Where AML Buddy is different
- One price, £4.50 + VAT, for ID document, selfie, PEP, sanctions and adverse media.
- No plan fee, no subscription package and no auto-renewal.
- Checks don’t expire while your account is open.
- Dedicated guidance for estate agents, letting agents and IFAs.
- AI asks the client clarifying questions on ambiguous PEP or address results.
Who should choose which
- Accountancy practices that want a full AML compliance framework in one tool.
- Firms on Karbon, Pixie, FYI, Socket or FreeAgent.
- Firms that mostly run electronic checks, or need liveness or NFC checks.
- Firms that want a document + selfie check with screening at one price.
- Firms that don’t want to add up credits or renew a package.
- Estate agents, letting agents and IFAs.
AML Buddy vs Xama: questions
Is Xama cheaper than AML Buddy?
It depends on the check. Xama’s cheapest electronic AML check is £2.10 + VAT, with no document or selfie. A check with an ID document, biometric, PEP, sanctions and adverse media uses 14 Xama credits: £7.35 + VAT at the standard credit price, or £5.88 + VAT on Xama’s 2,500-credit bundle (our calculation from Xama’s pricing page). Xama’s table marks the biometric check as Core, a £13/month plan, and that check includes liveness, which AML Buddy’s selfie check doesn’t. AML Buddy charges £4.50 + VAT.
Does Xama have a free plan?
Yes. Xama Starter has no subscription fee and includes unlimited users, clients and risk assessments, but checks are paid for with credits. AML Buddy has no plan fee and gives 5 free checks once on sign-up.
Do Xama credits expire?
Yes. Xama’s terms say credits expire 12 months after purchase (free trial credits after 90 days) and aren’t refunded. AML Buddy checks don’t expire while your account is open.
Which integrates with my practice software?
Xama lists integrations with Karbon, Pixie, FYI, Socket, Engager, QuickBooks Practice Manager, Sodium and PracticeFlow, plus Zapier, Make and an open API. FreeAgent also lists a Xama integration. AML Buddy has no integrations yet.
Does either include risk assessments and AML training?
Xama includes risk assessments and compliance templates on its free plan, and AML Academy training on Core. AML Buddy focuses on the client check and the report, and offers free Word templates.
Can estate and letting agents use either?
Both can. Xama has a real-estate page with pay-as-you-go checks; its client portal is marked “Coming Soon”. AML Buddy has dedicated estate agent and letting agent guidance.
Can I switch from Xama to AML Buddy?
Yes. Keep your Xama records for five years after the business relationship ends (MLR 2017 regulation 40), then run new checks in AML Buddy. Xama’s terms say unused credits aren’t refunded, so use them up or check your renewal date first.
Sources
All accessed 24 October 2026. Xama is a trademark of its owner; prices and features as published on its website on that date.
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