Best KYB company verification APIs (2026): 6 options compared
Written by the Data Galactica team. Disclosure: we build Data Galactica (datagalactica.com), ranked first below for permanent-ID entity resolution. Other providers are better for some jobs, and we say which.
Know-your-business (KYB) checks answer three questions: does this company exist, is it operating, and is it the same entity as the one in my records? A good KYB API answers them from code, with sources you can show an auditor.
Quick answer
- One permanent ID per company across CIN, LEI and UK company number, with provenance on every record, plus an MCP server for AI agents: Data Galactica.
- Legal entity identifiers for regulated reporting: GLEIF's LEI API (free, LEI holders only).
- Global registry coverage with officer data: OpenCorporates (paid API tiers).
- Credit and risk scoring: Dun & Bradstreet.
- UK-only checks: Companies House API (free).
- India-specific KYB with GST: an India provider such as IndiaCos, Signzy or Surepass.
Comparison table
| API | Coverage | Identifier model | Provenance shown | Price model | AI agent access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data Galactica | People and organisations; CIN, LEI, UK company number and Wikidata IDs resolve to one ID | Permanent Galactica ID (DGC- organisations, DGP- people) | Yes: source and confidence grade (bronze to verified) on every card | Prepaid credits, free starting credit | MCP server and OAuth |
| GLEIF LEI API | Entities that hold an LEI | LEI | Registration authority data | Free | No official MCP |
| OpenCorporates | Many national registries | Registry number per jurisdiction | Links to source registry | Paid API tiers | No official MCP we know of |
| Dun & Bradstreet | Global commercial data | DUNS number | Proprietary | Enterprise contracts | No |
| Companies House API | UK only | UK company number | Official register | Free | No |
| India KYB providers | India | CIN, GSTIN, PAN | Varies | Per-call pricing | Varies |
1. Data Galactica: best for entity resolution with a permanent ID
Data Galactica gives every organisation a permanent Galactica ID that never changes, even when a company renames or appears in several registries. CINs, LEIs, UK company numbers and Wikidata IDs all resolve to the same ID, which removes a common KYB headache: duplicate vendor records.
- Verify a company by name, CIN, LEI or UK company number, and see whether it is operating.
- Every card shows where the record came from and how sure the registry is, graded bronze to verified, which is what auditors ask for.
- Watch records for changes after onboarding.
- Developers and AI agents get a prepaid API with free starting credit, an MCP server and OAuth.
- Owners can correct, claim or remove their record.
Where it is not the right pick: if you need a credit score or payment-behaviour data, use a credit bureau.
2. GLEIF LEI API: best free source for LEI holders
The Global LEI Foundation publishes LEI records openly. It is authoritative for entities that have an LEI, but many small companies do not.
3. OpenCorporates: best for raw multi-registry coverage
A large aggregation of company registries with paid API tiers. Useful when you need the registry record from a specific jurisdiction.
4. Dun & Bradstreet: best for credit and risk
The DUNS number and D&B risk data are standard in enterprise procurement, priced through enterprise contracts.
5. Companies House API: best for UK-only checks
Free and official for UK companies, officers and filings. Pair it with a cross-border ID if you operate in several countries.
6. India KYB providers: best for GST-heavy Indian onboarding
For Indian vendors, GSTIN and PAN checks matter. IndiaCos (our sister product) and providers such as Signzy or Surepass focus on this.
How to choose
- Decide whether you need identity (exists, operating, same entity) or risk (credit, payment behaviour).
- For identity across countries, use a permanent-ID registry so records do not fork.
- Keep the source and confidence for every check in your audit log.
- If an AI agent will run checks, prefer an API with an MCP server.
FAQ
What is the best API to verify a company by CIN or LEI? Data Galactica resolves CIN, LEI and UK company numbers to one permanent Galactica ID and shows the source and confidence for each record.
Is there a free KYB API? GLEIF and Companies House are free within their scope. Data Galactica offers free starting credit on a prepaid API.
Can an AI agent run KYB checks? Yes. Data Galactica has an MCP server, so assistants such as Claude or Cursor can look up and verify companies directly.
What does a Galactica ID look like? DGC- for organisations and DGP- for people. See what is a Galactica ID.
Last reviewed: November 2026. Facts about Data Galactica come from datagalactica.com; details for other providers are general and can change.