Yodlee Pricing Explained

The information provided in this blog is based on available insights as of 2025. Pricing structures and services may vary. Please confirm details directly with Yodlee for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

If you’re evaluating the costs of setting up open banking payments for your business, you’re in the right place. For startups and small businesses in the UK, understanding how open banking providers structure their pricing is a crucial step toward building cost-effective financial solutions.

Envestnet | Yodlee is a prominent player in open banking, known for its comprehensive tools that connect businesses to financial institutions and provide access to critical financial data. However, with an activity-based pricing model and multiple tiers, understanding the total cost can seem challenging. That’s why this guide is here.

Lets explore:

We’ll simplify Yodlee’s pricing structure to give you a clear picture of what to expect. By the end, you’ll also explore a better alternative for startups, designed to offer cost-effective solutions and a more tailored approach to open banking needs.

What Does Yodlee Offer?

Yodlee is a leading provider of open banking solutions, giving businesses access to financial data from over 17,000 institutions worldwide. Its platform is packed with features designed to help businesses:

• Aggregate Financial Data: Combine data from multiple accounts for a unified financial picture.
• Verify Accounts: Confirm account ownership quickly and securely.
• Access Real-Time Insights: Leverage analytics to make informed financial decisions.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, Yodlee’s tools are built to support a wide range of business needs.

How Does Yodlee’s Pricing Work?

Yodlee’s pricing model is based on activities, meaning you pay for the specific actions performed on the platform. This structure allows businesses to control costs by scaling usage as needed. Let’s explore the available tiers:

1. Sandbox Access (Free):
   • Perfect for testing the platform before committing.
   • Includes predefined test users and sample data.
   • Allows developers to explore APIs and evaluate features without incurring costs.
2. Engage Tier (For Startups):
   • Designed for businesses in the development phase.
   • Offers 100 free activities per month, such as account aggregation and verification.
   • Provides access to real financial data for 90 days to help build and test products.
3. Enterprise Tier (For Scaling Businesses):
   • Tailored for companies handling higher transaction volumes.
   • Offers unlimited activities to accommodate large-scale operations.
   • Includes advanced features like data enrichment, analytics, and premium support for uninterrupted service.

What Counts as an Activity?

Understanding what constitutes an activity is key to managing costs with Yodlee. Examples include:

• Linking Bank Accounts: One activity per user per month, regardless of the number of linked accounts.
• Verifying Accounts: Each verification request is counted as an activity.
• Balance Refreshes: The first 100 refreshes per billing period are included for free, with charges applying beyond that.

This flexible approach lets startups start small and expand usage as their business grows, ensuring they only pay for what they need.

Yodlee: Limitations to Consider

While Yodlee is a trusted name in open banking, there are certain limitations that Startups in the UK should consider when evaluating it as a provider. These factors may impact cost, operations, or the ability to meet specific business needs:

1. Limited Service Scope (AIS Only)

Yodlee focuses on Account Information Services (AIS), which is valuable for accessing and aggregating financial data. However, it does not offer Payment Initiation Services (PIS), a critical feature for startups enabling direct payments. Businesses requiring both AIS and PIS may need to integrate additional providers, leading to increased complexity and costs.

📚 Learn more about AIS vs PIS

2. Pricing Complexity

Yodlee’s activity-based pricing model can become expensive for startups as they scale. Each action, such as account linking or verification, counts as an activity, and while the Engage Tier offers 100 free activities per month, these limits can be quickly exceeded. This may result in unexpected costs, particularly for businesses with high transaction volumes or frequent data refresh needs.

3. Legal and Privacy Concerns

Yodlee has faced scrutiny over its data handling practices. Allegations of inadequate consumer consent for data sharing and lawsuits related to privacy violations have raised questions about its compliance with data protection regulations. Startups must carefully evaluate whether Yodlee’s practices align with their security and compliance standards.(source)

4. Integration Complexity

Although Yodlee provides robust documentation, integrating its platform can require significant technical expertise. For startups with limited technical resources, the time and effort required for setup, testing, and optimisation may delay their time-to-market.

Key Takeaway

While Yodlee is a powerful platform, these limitations highlight why it may not be the ideal choice for all startups—particularly those requiring PIS capabilities, cost-effective scaling, or a UK-centric approach. Exploring alternatives that address these gaps could provide a more tailored solution for businesses in the UK.

What UK Startups Need in an Open Banking Provider

Open banking provides UK startups with opportunities to innovate and deliver exceptional financial services. However, finding the right provider is more than just comparing features—it’s about choosing one that aligns with your business needs and growth plans. Here’s what startups should look for in an open banking provider:

1. Cost-Effective Pricing

For startups, managing costs is critical. A provider with transparent pricing that grows with your usage ensures you can allocate resources effectively. Look for plans that let you pay only for what you use without unexpected fees or rigid commitments.

2. Simplicity and Speed of Integration

Startups often operate with limited technical resources. Providers offering easy-to-use platforms with straightforward APIs and fast deployment times can save valuable time and effort. Rapid integration ensures your product can reach the market sooner, giving you a competitive edge.

3. Compliance and Security

Navigating the regulatory landscape can be daunting for startups. An open banking provider with built-in compliance, such as FCA-authorised infrastructure, helps you meet legal requirements without the need for extensive internal resources. Additionally, strong security features are essential to protect sensitive customer data.

4. Scalability for Growth

Startups need solutions that grow with their business. A provider should offer scalable infrastructure that can handle increasing transaction volumes and evolving business requirements without adding unnecessary complexity or costs.

5. UK Market Focus

For startups primarily operating in the UK, a provider with strong domestic coverage is invaluable. Direct connections to UK banks and localised support help streamline operations and eliminate barriers to entry in the domestic market.

By focusing on these priorities, UK startups can ensure they choose an open banking provider that supports their growth while keeping costs manageable. While Yodlee offers robust tools, exploring alternatives tailored specifically to the needs of startups can often yield better results.

Why Finexer is the Ideal Choice for UK Startups

While Yodlee offers a robust platform, UK startups often benefit from a provider tailored to their specific needs. This is where Finexer, a startup-focused open banking provider, stands out. Designed specifically for growing businesses, Finexer combines affordability, ease of use, and UK market expertise to deliver unmatched value.

1. Saves Startups Up to 90% on Transactional Costs

Finexer’s pricing is built with startups in mind. Its consumption-based model eliminates large upfront fees and enterprise-level commitments, ensuring you only pay for what you use. Independent analysis shows that UK startups can save up to 90% on transaction costs compared to traditional providers, making Finexer an incredibly cost-effective solution for businesses just starting out.

2. Instant Access to 99% of UK Banks

Finexer provides direct connections to 99% of UK banks through a single integration. This comprehensive domestic coverage allows startups to serve their target market from day one, without the complications often associated with global providers. By focusing on the UK banking ecosystem, Finexer ensures smoother implementations and higher connection reliability.

3. Faster Deployment

Time is crucial for startups, and Finexer delivers with deployment times up to 3x faster than traditional providers. Its straightforward integration dashboard allows businesses to get up and running quickly, enabling them to enter the market faster and gain a competitive edge.

4. Transparent and Scalable Pricing

Finexer’s pricing grows with your business. Whether you’re handling a few transactions or scaling to thousands, the platform’s infrastructure supports growth without additional technical investments. Startups can confidently scale operations without worrying about surprise costs or hidden fees.

5. Built-In Compliance and Security

Navigating financial regulations can be overwhelming for startups, but Finexer’s FCA-authorised infrastructure automatically handles all compliance requirements. This removes the burden of audits, certifications, and ongoing monitoring, allowing startups to focus on building their business while ensuring customer trust.

6. Dedicated Startup Support

Finexer goes beyond basic customer support. With a team of fintech experts, the platform provides tailored guidance on integration, growth strategies, and system optimisation. This hands-on approach ensures startups have the tools and insights they need to succeed in the competitive UK market.