Over the past decade, open banking has fundamentally transformed the financial industry by enabling secure access to banking data and facilitating seamless payment initiation via APIs. As financial institutions and fintech companies continue to harness these capabilities, many businesses are exploring options beyond traditional providers.
One well-known player in this space is Saltedge, an open banking API platform that connects businesses with financial institutions around the globe. Despite its established presence, some companies seek a Saltedge alternative due to challenges with pricing transparency, integration complexity, and region-specific coverage.
In this blog series, we will examine:
What Is Saltedge and How Does It Work?

Saltedge is an open banking API platform that helps businesses access banking data, verify financial details, and initiate payments. It connects with over 5,000 banks in 50+ countries, making it a widely recognised player in the industry.
Key Services Offered by Saltedge
- Account Information Services (AIS): Secure access to real-time financial data, including bank balances and transaction history.
- Payment Initiation Services (PIS): Direct bank-to-bank transfers for businesses looking to reduce reliance on card payments.
- Verification APIs: Instant bank account verification and transaction categorisation for fraud prevention and risk assessment.
- Compliance & Security: GDPR and PSD2 compliance, strong encryption, and ISO 27001 certification to protect user data.
How Secure Is Saltedge?
Security remains a paramount concern in open banking. Saltedge is fully compliant with PSD2 and GDPR, and it implements robust security measures, including:
- Strong encryption to safeguard sensitive financial data
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA) to enhance security
- ISO 27001 certification to ensure adherence to high data protection standards
While Saltedge offers a secure and comprehensive solution, some businesses explore alternatives due to factors such as pricing flexibility, ease of integration, and the need for more regionally focused solutions.
Why Businesses Are Looking for a Saltedge Alternative in 2025
Saltedge has built a strong presence in open banking, but it’s not always the best fit for every business. Companies exploring a Saltedge competitor in 2025 are often looking for:
1. Transparent Pricing & Cost Flexibility
Saltedge operates on a custom, usage-based pricing model, but it does not publicly disclose detailed pricing. This makes it difficult for startups and small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to estimate costs before committing.
Alternative providers offer:
- Pay-as-you-go pricing models with no hidden fees
- Startup-friendly plans that allow businesses to scale as they grow
- No enterprise-level commitments for better budget management
2. Faster Deployment & Integration
Integration complexity is a common challenge with Saltedge, as its setup often requires dedicated developer resources. Businesses that need quick and easy deployment may prefer an alternative provider that offers:
- 3x faster API deployment for quicker time to market
- Pre-built integrations for accounting and financial platforms
- User-friendly dashboards to simplify implementation
3. UK-Focused Market Coverage
While Saltedge has global bank coverage, its strongest market focus is in Europe. For businesses that primarily operate in the UK, finding a provider with Strong UK bank connectivity is crucial.
Alternative providers offer:
- Instant connection to 99% of UK banks
- Faster transaction updates and real-time insights
- Full PSD2 and FCA compliance for UK-based fintechs
4. Dedicated Support & Customisation
Businesses with specific industry needs often require tailored open banking solutions. Saltedge provides standardised services, but some alternatives offer:
- Customisable API solutions for different business models
- Dedicated account managers for seamless integration
- White-label platforms that allow businesses to use open banking under their own brand
Analysis of Saltedge Competitors in the UK
Company Name | Finexer | TrueLayer | Plaid | Tink | GoCardless |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Key Takeaways | A strong Saltedge alternative designed for UK businesses, offering 3x faster deployment, startup-friendly pricing, and instant access to 99% of UK banks. Ideal for fintech startups and SMBs needing cost-effective open banking APIs. | A Europe-focused open banking provider offering a wide range of data and payment services. Strong in European markets but with limited presence outside of them. | A leading North American open banking provider with strong bank connectivity in the US. Less comprehensive in Europe compared to other competitors. | An open banking provider focused on data enrichment and financial insights. Best for businesses needing personalised financial data and risk assessment tools. Less global coverage compared to some competitors. | A specialist in recurring payments and direct debits, primarily serving subscription-based businesses. More limited in scope compared to full-service open banking providers. |
Key Features | Open banking payments and AIS APIs | Real-time payment initiation | Account linking and verification | Personal finance management tools | Global bank debit network |
99% UK bank coverage | Extensive European bank coverage | Strong North American presence | Risk insights for lenders | Instant bank pay for one-off transactions | |
3x faster deployment than market standard | Strong focus on developer experience | Transaction data enrichment | Pan-European coverage | Integrated with major billing and CRM platforms | |
Startup-friendly, transparent pricing | Account information services | Identity verification | Payment initiation services | Direct debit processing for businesses |
Finexer vs. Saltedge: Key Differences
Both Finexer and Saltedge provide open banking solutions, but they cater to different business needs. While Saltedge is a well-established provider with global bank connectivity, Finexer offers a UK-first approach with faster deployment and startup-friendly pricing.
Ease of Integration
Finexer is designed for quick and easy integration, making it ideal for businesses with limited developer resources. Its pre-built APIs and user-friendly documentation allow startups and SMBs to integrate open banking services 3x faster than traditional providers.
Saltedge, on the other hand, requires a more complex setup and dedicated developer resources for full integration. While it offers extensive customisation options, its setup time can be longer, making it more suitable for enterprises with in-house development teams.
Pricing
Finexer offers transparent, pay-as-you-go pricing, making it more accessible for startups and small businesses. Its pricing structure allows companies to scale without upfront enterprise commitments, ensuring cost efficiency.
Saltedge follows a custom pricing model, with limited public information on costs. This can make it difficult for smaller businesses to estimate expenses and budget effectively.
Developer Experience
Finexer prioritises simplicity, providing clear API documentation and low-code integration options to help businesses go live faster. Its platform is designed for both technical and non-technical teams, reducing the time required for setup and testing.
Saltedge, while feature-rich, may require more technical expertise to implement. Businesses with smaller development teams may face a steeper learning curve, whereas Finexer’s streamlined approach makes it easier to adopt and scale.
Which One Is Right for Your Business?
- Choose Finexer if you need faster deployment, cost transparency, and full UK bank coverage.
- Choose Saltedge if you require global bank coverage and have the technical resources for integration.
For UK-based businesses, Finexer is the better Saltedge alternative due to its 99% UK bank coverage, startup-friendly pricing, and simplified integration process.
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Winding Up
For businesses looking for a faster, more cost-effective open banking provider, Finexer stands out as a strong Saltedge alternative in 2025.
While Saltedge is a well-established platform, Finexer offers a more tailored approach for UK businesses by providing:
- 3x faster deployment, allowing companies to go live quickly
- 99% UK bank coverage, ensuring seamless access to financial data
- Startup-friendly pricing, with a transparent cost structure
one increases default risks. Open banking allows lenders to access real-time affordability insights before issuing loans.
Does Finexer offer better UK bank coverage than Others?
Yes. Finexer connects to 99% of UK banks, ensuring businesses have instant access to real-time financial data, payments, and verification services.
What types of businesses benefit the most from using Finexer?
->Fintech startups looking for fast deployment and cost-effective open banking services
->SMBs that need real-time bank data access and affordable transaction processing
->Accounting platforms that require automated bank feeds and reconciliation
->Lenders & BNPL services that need instant affordability checks and account verification
->E-commerce and marketplaces seeking faster and cheaper payment processing
Is Finexer compliant with open banking regulations?
Yes. Finexer is fully FCA-regulated and PSD2-compliant, ensuring businesses meet all UK financial and data security regulations. It offers:
->Secure bank connections with encrypted data transfers
->Real-time account verification to prevent fraud
->Regulatory support for businesses needing compliance solutions

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