Live Bank Feeds for Accountants: Plaid vs Tink vs Finexer— What Works in the UK?

Live bank feeds for accountants are no longer a nice-to-have, they’re a daily essential. In the UK, where HMRC’s Making Tax Digital rules and real-time reporting are pushing firms toward automation, getting instant, accurate bank data can mean the difference between smooth month-end and days of chasing errors.

A recent survey by Accountancy Daily found that 78% of UK accountants say delays in bank data create reconciliation backlogs, and nearly half admit this slows down client reporting. That’s why the choice of provider matters, not all feeds are built with UK accounting needs in mind.

In this blog, we compare Finexer, Plaid, and Tink to see which works best for UK firms. We’ll look at bank coverage, refresh speed, compliance, integration flexibility, and the practical differences that can impact your day-to-day work. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of which platform suits your firm’s size, client base, and workflow priorities.

What Makes a Good Live Bank Feed for Accountants?

Not all live bank feeds are equal. For UK accountants, these are the essentials to look for:

1. UK Bank Coverage

The provider should connect to almost all UK banks including Barclays, Lloyds, NatWest, Starling, and Monzo. Missing even one client’s bank means more manual work.

2. Real-Time Updates

The feed should show transactions and balances within minutes, not the next day. This keeps reconciliation and reporting on track.

3. FCA Authorisation

Only choose providers authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority for Account Information Services (AIS) or Payment Initiation Services (PIS). This ensures compliance and builds client trust.

4. Accounting Software Integration

The feed should connect directly to platforms like Xero, QuickBooks, and Sage without extra steps or manual uploads.

5. Data Security

Look for strong encryption (AES-256 or higher), TLS 1.2+, and Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) to keep client data safe.

6. Clear Pricing

Understand how you’ll be charged per connection, per transaction, or usage-based. This helps control costs when managing multiple client accounts.

Comparing Open Banking Providers for Accountants

Criteria	Finexer UK-focused, AIS + PIS in one API	Plaid Global-first with UK support	Tink EU-first with UK support
UK Bank Coverage	✅ 99% coverage, incl. high street & digital banks	✅ Major UK banks	✅ Major UK banks
Real-Time Data Refresh	✅ Instant updates, no overnight delays	⚠ Varies by bank; some next-day updates	⚠ Near real-time for supported banks
FCA Authorisation	✅ AIS + PIS fully authorised	✅ AIS; PIS limited in UK	✅ AIS + PIS authorised
MTD Compliance	✅ Yes — built for HMRC submission standards	✅ Possible via integrations	✅ Possible via integrations
Accounting Workflow Fit	✅ Designed for VAT prep, payroll, and UK compliance	⚠ General AIS feeds; not tailored to UK accounting	⚠ Broad EU focus; UK workflows may need adjustments
Integration with Xero/QuickBooks/Sage	✅ Direct and simple	✅ Available	✅ Available
White-Label Client Portals	✅ Yes	⚠ Limited	⚠ Limited
Onboarding Support	✅ 3–5 weeks of hands-on assistance	⚠ Standard documentation & support	⚠ Standard documentation & support
Deployment Speed	✅ 2–3x faster than market average	⚠ Standard	⚠ Standard
Pricing Model	✅ Usage-based, no setup fees	⚠ Subscription	⚠ Subscription or volume-based
Best Fit for Accounting Firms	✅ Mid-size & scaling UK firms needing MTD-compliant live bank feeds	⚠ Firms with global client base	⚠ Firms with UK + EU clients

1. Finexer

For UK accounting firms, not all live bank feeds are created equal. You need more than a connection to client accounts; you need accuracy, speed, compliance, and a setup designed for UK workflows. This is where Finexer stands out.

1. UK-First Design and Coverage

Finexer is built exclusively for the UK market. It connects to 99% of UK banks, from high street names like Barclays, Lloyds, and HSBC to digital-first banks such as Starling and Monzo. That means no gaps in bank coverage and no manual workarounds when a client’s bank isn’t supported.

2. Real-Time Data You Can Rely On

With Finexer’s live bank feeds, transactions and balances refresh instantly. There’s no waiting for overnight batches, so you can reconcile accounts, process payroll, and prepare VAT returns without delays. This real-time accuracy keeps your reporting on point and your clients informed.

3. FCA Authorised and MTD Compliant

Finexer is FCA-authorised for both Account Information Services (AIS) and Payment Initiation Services (PIS), ensuring you meet UK regulatory requirements. It’s also Making Tax Digital (MTD) compliant, making it easier to meet HMRC submission standards directly from your connected data.

4. Integrated Payment Capabilities

With both AIS and PIS in one API, you can pull bank data and initiate payments including payroll, supplier invoices, and contractor fees from a single platform.

5. Hands-On Onboarding and Branding

Finexer provides 3–5 weeks of hands-on assistance during onboarding, guiding your firm through integrations, client consent flows, and accounting software connections. You can also use white-labelled consent and verification portals so clients see your branding, not a third-party provider’s.

6. Fast Deployment and Flexible Pricing

Deployment is 2–3x faster than the market average, helping you get operational quickly. The usage-based pricing model means no large upfront costs or locked-in commitments, making it easy to scale without financial risk.

Best for: Mid-size and scaling UK accounting firms that want MTD-compliant live bank feeds, instant data refresh, and both AIS + PIS in a single UK-focused integration supported by dedicated onboarding and full UK bank coverage.

2. Tink

Tink is a Sweden-based open banking provider, now owned by Visa, with a strong presence across Europe. For UK accounting firms, Tink offers Account Information Services (AIS) and Payment Initiation Services (PIS) with coverage of most major banks.

Tink’s platform is particularly well-known for its data enrichment and categorisation tools, which can help firms that want deeper insights into client transactions. For accountants working with clients who operate across the UK and EU, Tink’s multi-country coverage can be an advantage.

That said, Tink’s focus is broader than the UK. While it does support UK accounting workflows, it’s designed to serve financial services across multiple European markets. This can mean that UK-specific needs like Making Tax Digital processes, certain payroll integrations, or HMRC reporting flows may require extra configuration or third-party tools.

Deployment speed can also vary depending on the complexity of your use case, and pricing models are generally suited to firms with higher transaction volumes or enterprise-level needs.

Tink works best for accounting firms that:

• Have a mix of UK and EU clients.
• Need both AIS and PIS across multiple markets.
• Value advanced transaction categorisation alongside bank feeds.

Best for: Larger accounting firms with cross-border operations that want one provider for both UK and EU coverage.

3. Plaid

Plaid is one of the most recognisable names in open banking, especially in the US, and it’s gained traction in the UK through integrations with popular fintech apps. For accounting firms, Plaid offers live bank feeds through its Account Information Services (AIS), allowing you to pull client transactions from most major UK banks straight into your accounting systems.

Where Plaid fits well is in firms that have international clients or operate across multiple markets. Its multi-country coverage allows accountants to manage overseas accounts, cross-border reporting, and UK data from the same provider.

However, Plaid’s model is global-first rather than UK-specific.

For UK accounting firms focused solely on domestic clients, this can mean:

• Payment Initiation Services (PIS) in the UK are more limited, so payroll or supplier payments may require a separate solution.
• While the AIS-based live bank feeds work well for general transaction retrieval, they’re FCA compliant but not focused on UK accounting workflows like MTD submissions, VAT calculations, or UK payroll cycles.
• Deployment timelines can be longer if you require features configured exclusively for UK compliance and reporting needs.

Plaid is a strong option for firms needing live bank feeds across multiple countries. But if every client you serve is UK-based, you may benefit more from a provider built specifically for UK banking and accounting requirements.

Best for: Accounting firms with international client portfolios or multi-market operations that require consistent bank feed capabilities across regions.

How to Choose the Right Provider for UK Accounting Firms

Choosing the right live bank feed provider comes down to how well it fits your firm’s client base, workflows, and compliance needs. While all three providers we’ve covered, Finexer, Plaid, and Tink, can connect to UK banks, their strengths differ.

Key Questions to Ask

1. Is it UK-first or global-first?
   UK-first providers like Finexer are built around local compliance (including MTD) and have complete UK bank coverage. Global-first platforms like Plaid and Tink bring broader reach, but UK-specific features may be secondary.
2. Does it cover the banks your clients use?
   Missing just one client’s bank can lead to manual workarounds that break your automation flow.
3. How fast is the data refresh?
   Real-time or near real-time updates are essential for VAT returns, payroll runs, and month-end reporting.
4. Is it FCA-authorised for both AIS and PIS?
   This ensures you can both pull transaction data and initiate payments without juggling multiple systems.
5. What’s the onboarding and support like?
   Finexer, for example, offers 3–5 weeks of hands-on assistance, which can make a big difference in getting your team operational quickly.
6. Does the pricing match your usage?
   Usage-based pricing works well for firms scaling their client list without locking into high fixed costs.

Bottom Line

• If you’re a UK-only accounting firm, Finexer’s UK-first focus, MTD compliance, and instant refresh speed make it a strong choice.
• If you serve international clients, Plaid or Tink’s multi-country coverage might be useful, but consider whether you’re trading UK-specific functionality for global reach.