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AML FinderAU
SubjectTwo records, worked side by side
Records checked to8 October 2026

First AML vs FreeAML

There is no universal winner. The question is which kinds of buyer should prefer which. These pages are built from the same source-checked data as every other page on AML Finder.

First AML

Full AML/CTF platform

Entry price
On application
Evidence
65%
Marketed to
Accounting, Real estate, Legal, Conveyancing, Financial services
Data residency
australia

FreeAML

Verification layer

Entry price
$20.00/check
Evidence
55%
Marketed to
Accounting, Real estate, Conveyancing, Legal
Data residency
Not established

Choose First AML when...

  • Enhanced due diligence is verified — FreeAML has not established it.
  • API access is verified — FreeAML has not established it.
  • Escalation to AMLCO or manager with outcome recorded is verified — FreeAML has not established it.
  • Expired document alerts is verified — FreeAML has not established it.
  • Reliance CDD requests sent and received is verified — FreeAML has not established it.

Choose FreeAML when...

  • AML/CTF program creation is verified — First AML has not established it.
  • Staff training is verified — First AML has not established it.
  • Document Verification Service (DVS) access is verified — First AML has not established it.
  • Adverse media screening is verified — First AML has not established it.
  • AUSTRAC SMR XML export is verified — First AML has not established it.

Where both fit

Risk assessmentCustomer due diligenceKnow-your-business (entity checks)Beneficial ownership and controlElectronic identity verificationBiometric liveness and face matchPEP and sanctions screeningOngoing customer monitoringEvidence pack export

Biggest differences

FieldFirst AMLFreeAML
AML/CTF program creationNoVerified
Staff trainingNoVerified
Enhanced due diligenceVerifiedNot established
Document Verification Service (DVS) accessNot establishedVerified
Adverse media screeningPartialVerified
AUSTRAC SMR XML exportNot establishedVerified
API accessVerifiedNot established
Escalation to AMLCO or manager with outcome recordedVerifiedNot established
Expired document alertsVerifiedNot established
Reliance CDD requests sent and receivedVerifiedNot established
Product typePlatformVerification
Named integrations12 named0 named
Data residencyaustraliaunknown

Capabilities, section by section

Program & governance

First AMLFreeAML
  • AML/CTF program creation Not agreed Agreed
  • Program maintenance and review Not obtained Not obtained
  • Risk assessment Agreed Agreed
  • Independent evaluation support (s84) Not obtained Not obtained
  • Staff training Not agreed Agreed

CDD & entity work

First AMLFreeAML
  • Customer due diligence Agreed Agreed
  • Know-your-business (entity checks) Agreed Agreed
  • Beneficial ownership and control Agreed Agreed
  • Enhanced due diligence Agreed Not obtained
  • Reliance arrangements Not obtained Not obtained

Identity verification

First AMLFreeAML
  • Electronic identity verification Agreed Agreed
  • Biometric liveness and face match Agreed Agreed
  • Document Verification Service (DVS) access Not obtained Agreed

Screening & monitoring

First AMLFreeAML
  • PEP and sanctions screening Agreed Agreed
  • Adverse media screening Queried Agreed
  • Ongoing customer monitoring Agreed Agreed
  • Automated transaction monitoring (bank-style rules) Not obtained Not obtained

Reporting & control

First AMLFreeAML
  • Suspicious matter report workflow Not obtained Not obtained
  • AUSTRAC SMR XML export Not obtained Agreed
  • Tipping-off controls (s123) Not obtained Not obtained
  • Threshold transaction reporting Not obtained Not obtained

Evidence & extensibility

First AMLFreeAML
  • Evidence pack export Agreed Agreed
  • Immutable audit log Not obtained Not obtained
  • API access Agreed Not obtained

Tranche 2 operations

First AMLFreeAML
  • Risk assessed per designated service Queried Queried
  • Ongoing monitoring triggered by designated service and risk Queried Queried
  • Program obligations calendar Not obtained Not obtained
  • Versioned AML program and CDD records Queried Queried
  • Escalation to AMLCO or manager with outcome recorded Agreed Not obtained
  • Expired document alerts Agreed Not obtained
  • Reliance CDD requests sent and received Agreed Not obtained

Unknowns to confirm

Not established for at least one of these two — ask before relying on it.

Program maintenance and reviewIndependent evaluation support (s84)Reliance arrangementsDocument Verification Service (DVS) accessAutomated transaction monitoring (bank-style rules)Suspicious matter report workflowAUSTRAC SMR XML exportTipping-off controls (s123)

Which one fits your requirements?

These two are compared on every field we track. Tell us what matters to you and we’ll recalculate this comparison against your own requirements.

Tell us what matters to you

Provider facts checked through 8 October 2026. Source records: First AML on AML Directory · FreeAML on AML Directory