OpenCorporates covers 140+ countries with thin data. UKDataAPI goes deep on the UK with scoring, cross-referencing, and enrichment.
OpenCorporates is the world's largest open database of companies — over 200 million records across 140+ jurisdictions. Its strength is breadth: if you need to check whether a company exists in Colombia, Nigeria, or Luxembourg, OpenCorporates is the place to start. But for UK-specific intelligence, the data is thin. OpenCorporates mirrors Companies House basics but doesn't cross-reference the FCA Register, The Gazette, or Contracts Finder. It has no risk scoring, no enrichment, and limited depth on officers and PSCs. UKDataAPI is built exclusively for UK data — it goes deep where OpenCorporates goes wide. If your use case is UK company due diligence, compliance, or risk assessment, UKDataAPI delivers richer data from a single call.
| Feature | UKDataAPI | OpenCorporates |
|---|---|---|
| UK company profile | ✓Full Companies House data | Basic profile from Companies House |
| Global company coverage | UK only | ✓200M+ companies across 140+ jurisdictions |
| Officers & directors | ✓Full list with appointment dates and other directorships | Basic officer data |
| Beneficial ownership (PSCs) | ✓Full PSC declarations | Limited PSC data |
| FCA regulatory status | ✓Cross-referenced automatically | Not included |
| Gazette notices (insolvency warnings) | ✓Real-time from The Gazette | Not included |
| Risk score | ✓Corporate Distress Score (0-100) with factor breakdown | No scoring |
| Open data / free tier | 200 free credits/month | Free web access, API from $99/month |
| Output format | Structured JSON API | JSON API + web interface |
| Batch processing | ✓Up to 500 req/min | Rate-limited, bulk via enterprise |
| Reconciliation and matching | Exact company number lookup | ✓Fuzzy name matching across jurisdictions |
| AI agent access (MCP/x402) | ✓Native support | Not available |
UKDataAPI
From £0.002/call (summary) to £0.03/call (full). Pay-as-you-go. Free tier: 200 credits/month.
OpenCorporates
Free web access with rate limits. API plans from $99/month. Enterprise bulk access by negotiation.
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ "https://www.ukdatapi.com/api/v1/entity/00445790?depth=standard" # Returns: company profile, officers, PSCs, filings, charges, # FCA status, Gazette notices, Distress Score (0-100) # Cost: 8 credits (£0.015)
200 free credits. No contract. No credit card.
What Is a Company Credit Check? The Developer's Guide
Learn how to run UK company credit checks via API. Understand Corporate Distress Scores, red flags, and how to automate due diligence. Guide with free tool and code examples.
BusinessHow to Check if a UK Company Is Solvent
Learn how to check if a UK company is solvent. Understand insolvency warning signs, Gazette notices, Companies House status codes, and Corporate Distress Scores.
vs Creditsafe
Same underlying data. 100x cheaper. API-native instead of PDF reports.
vs Landmark / Groundsure
Same Environment Agency and BGS data. API instead of 40-page PDF. 99% cheaper.
vs Companies House API
Same Companies House data at the core. Enriched with scoring, cross-referencing, and signals you'd otherwise build yourself.
vs Beauhurst
Beauhurst is a research platform for analysts. UKDataAPI is an API for developers. Same underlying patent and grant data, 100x cheaper for programmatic access.
vs CACI Acorn & Experian Mosaic
Same ONS Census and IMD data at the core. API-native. No annual licence. £0.025/call instead of thousands per year.
vs Endole
Same Companies House data. API-first instead of web reports. Risk scoring included. 99% cheaper at scale.
vs DueDil
DueDil is an enterprise sales intelligence platform. UKDataAPI is a developer API. Same core data, pay-per-call instead of annual contracts.
vs Dun & Bradstreet
D&B is the global enterprise standard. UKDataAPI is the developer-friendly UK alternative — same core data, no DUNS numbers, 100x cheaper.
vs Experian Business
Experian adds proprietary credit data. UKDataAPI adds FCA, Gazette, and transparent scoring — at a fraction of the cost for developers.
vs PropertyData.co.uk
PropertyData is a research dashboard for property professionals. UKDataAPI is an API for developers. Overlapping data, different delivery models.
vs Hometrack
Hometrack is an AVM for lenders. UKDataAPI is a property intelligence API for developers. Different products, overlapping data sources.
vs HPI Check
HPI Check covers stolen, finance, and write-off checks. UKDataAPI covers MOT history and mileage verification — free DVSA data, API-native, 99% cheaper.
vs Clarivate
Clarivate is the global patent analytics standard. UKDataAPI is the UK-focused developer alternative — IPO patents + UKRI grants in one call.
vs The Lens
The Lens is a global open patent/scholarly search engine. UKDataAPI aggregates UK patents + grants into a company-level intelligence API.
vs ONS Nomis
Nomis is the authoritative free source. UKDataAPI makes it postcode-queryable with scoring — one call instead of navigating a 1990s-era data portal.
vs EPC Register
The EPC Register is the free source. UKDataAPI adds area-level aggregation, grid carbon, and ESG scoring — API-native instead of CSV downloads.
vs NHS Digital
NHS Digital is the authoritative free source. UKDataAPI aggregates multiple NHS datasets into one postcode-queryable API with health indicators.
vs Fingertips (OHID/PHE)
Fingertips is the definitive free public health tool. UKDataAPI adds CQC ratings, postcode queries, and API-native delivery for developers.
vs Ofwat Discover Water
Discover Water is a consumer comparison site. UKDataAPI is a developer API with storm overflow data, EA water quality, and scoring.
vs FAME / Bureau van Dijk
FAME is the academic and enterprise standard for UK company research. UKDataAPI is the developer API — director risk scoring, network analysis, and API-native.
vs GrantFinder / Idox
GrantFinder is a curated grants database for researchers. UKDataAPI aggregates UKRI, Contracts Finder, and grants data via API with scoring.
vs Rightmove Planning
Rightmove Planning is a free map viewer. UKDataAPI delivers planning constraints, approval rates, and development scoring via API.
vs ISPreview
ISPreview is a free editorial broadband checker. UKDataAPI delivers Ofcom data with mobile coverage and scoring via API for developers.