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KYC Provider Landscape (2025)

Last Updated: 2025-12-28 Status: Complete

This page provides a comprehensive comparison of identity verification providers for PayFac implementations.

Provider Comparison​

ProviderStrengthsPricing ModelKey FeaturesGlobal Coverage
JumioHigh accuracy AI/ML$55,850/year median (enterprise)95%+ auto-approval, deepfake detection200+ countries
OnfidoEU leader, complianceVolume-based tiersGDPR compliance, ISO 30107-3 Level 2Global, strong EU
PersonaCustomizable workflowsAPI usage-based150+ registry connections, orchestration200+ countries
AlloyOrchestration platform$62,012/year median160+ data providers, single APIU.S. focus
SocurePremium accuracy$10k/year mid-marketSSA-approved eCBSV, graph analyticsU.S. focus
SumsubReusable KYC$299/month + $1.85/verificationMulti-jurisdiction, ongoing monitoring220+ countries
FACEKIBudget option$0.95/verificationBasic document + liveness150+ countries
Didit CoreFree tierFree base + $0.15/add-onOpen-source integrationLimited coverage

Per-Verification Cost Breakdown​

Service ComponentCost Range
ID Document Verification$0.10 - $1.50
Liveness + Facial Match$0.20 - $1.00
Credit Bureau Check$0.10 - $1.00
KBA (Knowledge-Based Authentication)$1.00 - $3.00
Full KYC Suite$1.85 - $5.00

Selection Criteria​

When evaluating KYC providers, consider:

Core Requirements​

  • Volume: High-volume PayFacs negotiate volume discounts
  • Geography: Match provider coverage to merchant base
  • Risk profile: High-risk industries need advanced deepfake detection
  • Integration: API quality, documentation, webhooks
  • Compliance: PCI DSS if storing card data, SOC 2, ISO 27001

Technical Considerations​

  • API documentation quality
  • Webhook support for async results
  • Batch verification capabilities
  • Rate limits and SLAs
  • Sandbox environment for testing
  • SDK availability (mobile, web)
  • White-label options

Compliance Features​

  • GDPR data handling (for EU operations)
  • Data residency options
  • Audit trail generation
  • Record retention capabilities
  • SAR filing integration

Recommendations by PayFac Size​

Provider Selection for PayFacs

Startup PayFac (<1,000 merchants/year):

  • Consider: FACEKI, Didit Core, Persona (pay-as-you-go)
  • Budget: $2-5 per merchant

Growth PayFac (1,000-10,000 merchants/year):

  • Consider: Sumsub, Onfido, Alloy
  • Budget: $30k-100k/year

Enterprise PayFac (>10,000 merchants/year):

  • Consider: Jumio, Socure, Onfido
  • Budget: $100k-500k/year
  • Negotiate custom pricing

Provider Deep Dives​

Jumio​

Best for: Enterprise PayFacs requiring highest accuracy

  • Accuracy: 95%+ auto-approval rate
  • Deepfake detection: Industry-leading AI/ML
  • Global coverage: 200+ countries, 5,000+ ID types
  • Pricing: Enterprise contracts, typically $50k+/year

Onfido​

Best for: EU-focused operations, compliance-heavy environments

  • Compliance: GDPR-first design, ISO 30107-3 PAD Level 2
  • Flexibility: Modular product suite
  • Integration: Strong APIs, extensive documentation
  • Pricing: Volume-based tiers

Persona​

Best for: Technical teams wanting customization

  • Orchestration: Build custom verification flows
  • Data sources: 150+ global registries
  • Developer experience: Excellent API and SDK
  • Pricing: Usage-based, predictable scaling

Alloy​

Best for: Multi-provider orchestration strategy

  • Integration: 160+ data providers in one API
  • Decisioning: Rules engine for custom logic
  • Analytics: Risk scoring and monitoring
  • Pricing: Mid-market friendly

Socure​

Best for: U.S.-focused operations requiring premium accuracy

  • Accuracy: Industry-leading for U.S. identities
  • eCBSV: SSA-approved Social Security verification
  • Graph analytics: Fraud network detection
  • Pricing: Premium positioning

Sumsub​

Best for: International operations, cost-conscious scaling

  • Global: 220+ countries
  • Reusable KYC: Cross-platform verification sharing
  • Ongoing monitoring: Built-in AML screening
  • Pricing: Transparent, entry-level friendly
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