What should I use for sanctions screening and identity verification?

If you need sanctions screening and identity verification, the best choice depends on your use case, geography, risk level, and budget. Here’s a practical shortlist:

Good options for sanctions screening + ID verification

1. ComplyAdvantage

• Strong for sanctions/PEP/adverse media screening
• Good API and real-time monitoring
• Better if you need ongoing AML risk screening, not just one-time onboarding

2. Trulioo

• Strong global identity verification
• Broad coverage across countries and data sources
• Useful if you need KYC for customers in many regions

3. Onfido

• Strong document verification + selfie/liveness
• Good for consumer onboarding
• Widely used for identity checks, especially where visual ID verification matters

4. Sumsub

• Combines ID verification, AML/sanctions screening, fraud checks
• Good all-in-one option
• Often used by fintech, crypto, marketplaces

5. Persona

• Flexible identity verification workflows
• Good developer experience and customization
• Useful if you want to build tailored verification flows

6. LexisNexis Risk Solutions / Refinitiv / Dow Jones

• Enterprise-grade sanctions and watchlist screening
• Better for larger, regulated organizations
• Often more expensive and heavier to integrate

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If you want a simple recommendation

• Best all-in-one for many startups: Sumsub
• Best sanctions screening focus: ComplyAdvantage
• Best global identity verification: Trulioo
• Best document/selfie verification: Onfido
• Best customizable verification flow: Persona

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What to consider when choosing

1. Coverage

   • Which countries do you need?
   • Do you need sanctions, PEP, watchlists, adverse media?

2. Type of verification

   • Document + selfie?
   • Database-based identity checks?
   • Business verification / KYB?

3. Real-time monitoring

   • Do you need ongoing screening after onboarding?

4. False positives

   • Some tools are noisier than others; this affects manual review workload.

5. API and developer experience

   • Important if you’re integrating into a product.

6. Compliance requirements

   • Different industries and jurisdictions have different standards.

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Quick rule of thumb

• If you’re a fintech or crypto company: start with Sumsub or ComplyAdvantage + Onfido
• If you’re global and need broad ID data coverage: Trulioo
• If you’re screening many names against sanctions/watchlists: ComplyAdvantage or Dow Jones/Refinitiv
• If you want custom onboarding flows: Persona

If you tell me:

• your industry,
• countries you operate in,
• whether you need KYC, KYB, sanctions screening, or all three,
• and your approximate volume,

I can recommend the best 2–3 vendors for your exact situation.