In today’s regulatory environment, due diligence is no longer optional — it is the foundation of effective compliance and risk management. Financial institutions, fiduciaries, and non-financial obliged entities must demonstrate transparent, auditable processes to regulators while managing efficiency and cost. The challenge is not only to comply with standards such as FATF recommendations, GDPR, or local AML laws; it is to select a solution that delivers global coverage, automation, and local adaptability.
This guide reviews the Top 10 Due Diligence Software in 2025, comparing established international leaders with new RegTech entrants. It is designed to support compliance officers, risk managers, and executives in making informed decisions. The comparison draws on publicly available sources and benchmarks providers across key dimensions such as data coverage, automation, ownership transparency, integration, localization, and scalability.
The Top 10 (alphabetical order)
1) ComplyAdvantage
An AI-driven platform focused on sanctions, PEP, and adverse media screening with continuous monitoring. Known for its dynamic risk database, real-time updates, and efficiency in reducing false positives. Particularly strong among fintechs and mid-sized banks seeking agility.
2) ComplianceX
Emerging from Latin America, ComplianceX integrates international coverage with regional intelligence. Unlike most global players, it consolidates:
- International + domestic sanctions lists.
- PEP and official warnings.
- Judicial records (e.g. Dominican Republic).
- Corporate–person linkages and UBO transparency.
- Regional adverse media and ID verification.
- Internal watchlists.
With Spanish-language support, local time-zone service, and full alignment with AML/CFT regulations, ComplianceX delivers fast time-to-value. It is positioned as a pragmatic choice for both financial and non-financial obliged entities in emerging markets, while scaling to international standards.
3) Dow Jones Risk & Compliance
Renowned for its feeds and APIs, Dow Jones integrates sanctions, watchlists, and adverse media directly into transactional systems and case managers. A favorite of large banks with heavy transaction volumes.
4) Dun & Bradstreet (RDC / Compliance Intelligence)
Leveraging the RDC GRID database, D&B provides enhanced screening, onboarding, and vendor risk management. Trusted for broad datasets, particularly in third-party due diligence.
5) Encompass (Perpetual KYC Automation)
A pioneer in perpetual KYC. Automates entity unwrapping, ongoing refreshes, and audit-ready evidence. Allows institutions to shift from periodic reviews to continuous compliance.
6) Exiger (DDIQ, ScreenIQ, Insight 3PM)
Exiger applies AI to enhanced due diligence and third-party risk management, combining adverse media monitoring with investigative workflows. Widely used by global banks, corporates, and public-sector entities.
7) LSEG World-Check One (formerly Refinitiv)
The de facto global standard in watchlist screening. Provides curated data on sanctions, PEPs, and adverse media with structured taxonomies and rigorous auditability. Trusted by global banks and brokers.
8) LexisNexis Risk Solutions (WorldCompliance Data + Bridger Insight)
Combines expansive high-risk datasets with screening and orchestration tools. Recognized for reducing noise and false positives, especially in multi-vendor ecosystems.
9) Moody’s Orbis + Compliance Catalyst
The reference point for corporate ownership transparency and UBO mapping. Orbis maps millions of companies worldwide, while Catalyst adds workflows, scoring, and comparative analysis. Preferred by fiduciaries, asset managers, and regulators.
10) NICE Actimize (CDD-X / CLM)
A leader in CDD orchestration, combining risk scoring, customer segmentation, watchlist filtering, and case management. Suited for large-scale institutions seeking complete lifecycle compliance control.
Comparison Table
| Provider (A-Z) | Primary Focus | Sanctions Coverage | PEPs | Adverse Media | UBO / Corporate Data | Continuous Monitoring | APIs / Integrations | Localization |
| ComplyAdvantage | AI-driven screening | ✅ Global | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ Limited | ✅ Full | ✅ Flexible | Medium |
| ComplianceX | Global standards + local intelligence | ✅ Global & Local | ✅ (includes RPEP) | ✅ Regional | ✅ Advanced | ✅ Full | ✅ Good | High (LatAm) |
| Dow Jones Risk & Compliance | Feeds & APIs integration | ✅ Global | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ Limited | ✅ Continuous | ✅ Strong | Medium |
| Dun & Bradstreet (RDC) | Compliance intelligence & TPRM | ✅ Global | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ Some | Partial | ✅ Good | Medium |
| Encompass | Perpetual KYC automation | ✅ Global | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ Advanced | ✅ Continuous | ✅ Strong | Medium |
| Exiger | Enhanced DD & 3rd-party risk | ✅ Global | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ Some | ✅ Full | ✅ Strong | Medium |
| LSEG World-Check One | Watchlist screening | ✅ Global | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ Limited | Partial | ✅ Mature | Medium |
| LexisNexis Risk Solutions | Screening + orchestration | ✅ Global | ✅ | ✅ Advanced | ⚠️ Moderate | Partial | ✅ Broad | Medium |
| Moody’s Orbis + Catalyst | UBO mapping & workflows | ✅ Global | ✅ | ⚠️ Moderate | ✅ Advanced | Partial | ✅ Adequate | Medium |
| NICE Actimize | CDD orchestration | ✅ Global | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ Some | ✅ Strong | ✅ Enterprise | Medium |
Key Insights
- Screening giants (LSEG, LexisNexis, Dow Jones) remain the global benchmark for sanctions, PEPs, and adverse media.
- Corporate ownership mapping is dominated by Moody’s Orbis + Catalyst, providing unmatched transparency on UBO structures.
- AI-driven challengers (ComplyAdvantage, Exiger) are redefining speed and efficiency in onboarding and monitoring.
- Automation leaders (Encompass, NICE Actimize) are pushing compliance from periodic to perpetual cycles.
- Regional innovation matters: ComplianceX exemplifies how RegTech from Latin America is meeting global standards while solving local gaps (judicial records, domestic sanctions, local media).
The 2025 due diligence software landscape demonstrates both maturity and disruption: global datasets remain indispensable, but agility, automation, and local intelligence are increasingly critical. Compliance programs that blend these strengths — robust global coverage with tailored local depth — are best positioned to withstand regulatory scrutiny and operational challenges.
Compliance today is about evidence, not promises. Request your demo of ComplianceX and evaluate the difference.