Thirdfort is a UK market leader in property and legal due diligence. OnBoardNow is an all-in-one, multi-sector onboarding platform. Here’s how they compare.
Quick answer
Thirdfort is one of the UK’s best-known client due diligence platforms, with particular strength and scale in property and legal. OnBoardNow is an all-in-one client onboarding platform built for six regulated sectors, with a proprietary mobile ID app and sector-specific forms. Both verify identity, run AML/KYC and source-of-funds, and cut onboarding to minutes. Thirdfort’s strength is its market scale and property/legal integrations; OnBoardNow’s is sector breadth and an end-to-end owned onboarding flow.
Thirdfort has earned a strong reputation — it’s widely described as a UK market leader in property and legal due diligence, working with more than 1,500 regulated firms and having verified millions of individuals.[1] This comparison respects that, while being open that we’re the team behind OnBoardNow. Both are good platforms; the question is which suits your firm.
What they have in common
- Digital ID verification with facial biometrics and liveness detection.
- AML/KYC with PEP, sanctions and ongoing monitoring.
- Open Banking-powered source-of-funds and a clear audit trail.
- A client-friendly app that cuts onboarding from days to minutes.
Where Thirdfort shines
- Significant market scale — 1,500+ firms and millions of verifications, with strong brand recognition in conveyancing and legal.
- Deep property/legal integrations and a rebuilt, AI-enhanced 2026 platform.
- Meets HM Land Registry’s Digital ID Standard and is certified under the UK DVS trust framework, with FCA authorisation.
- Flexible pay-as-you-go or credit-based commercial model with a monthly platform fee.
Where OnBoardNow shines
- Built for six regulated sectors — beyond property and legal to recruiters, financial advisers and accountants.
- A proprietary mobile ID app owned end-to-end, plus sector-specific forms (TA-series, Right to Rent/Right to Work).
- AML-native, all-in-one onboarding — information, documents, identity and screening in one guided flow.
- Backed by Lycium Limited and DPS Software expertise, with structured output into case-management systems including Clio.
Side by side
| Thirdfort | OnBoardNow | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Client due diligence (property, legal) | All-in-one onboarding across 6 sectors |
| Sector breadth | Property, legal (finance added) | Law, estate/letting, recruiters, advisers, accountants |
| Scale & brand | Market leader, 1,500+ firms | Newer, focused challenger |
| ID verification | App-based, high-assurance biometrics | Proprietary mobile ID app + liveness |
| Sector-specific forms | Property/legal-oriented | Multi-sector (TA-series, RTR/RTW) |
| Source of funds | Open Banking | Yes, in-flow |
Details for both platforms are from their public materials at the time of writing. Thirdfort’s scale figures are its own published numbers. Confirm current features and pricing directly with each provider.
Which should you choose?
If you’re a conveyancing or property firm that wants the reassurance of the category’s most established, widely-integrated market leader, Thirdfort is an excellent, safe choice with deep property/legal roots.[2]
If you operate across several regulated sectors, or want an all-in-one onboarding flow with your own mobile ID app and sector-specific forms beyond property and legal, OnBoardNow is likely the stronger fit — you get breadth and end-to-end ownership of the onboarding journey in one platform.
Our honest take
Thirdfort is a genuinely strong market leader, and for pure property/legal due diligence it’s hard to fault.
We believe OnBoardNow is the better choice for multi-sector firms and those wanting an all-in-one, app-owned onboarding experience — but if you’re property-only, demo both and pick the fit that’s right for you.
See how OnBoardNow onboards across every sector you serve
Book a demo to see identity, AML and sector forms handled in one flow — then compare it directly with any market incumbent.Book a demo →
Frequently asked questions
Is OnBoardNow or Thirdfort better?
Both are strong. Thirdfort is a market leader for property and legal due diligence; OnBoardNow is better for multi-sector, all-in-one onboarding with its own mobile ID app. It depends on your sector and scope.
Does OnBoardNow do source of funds like Thirdfort?
Yes — both provide source-of-funds capability, and both run AML/KYC with PEP and sanctions screening and a full audit trail.
Which is better for conveyancing?
Thirdfort is very strong in conveyancing given its scale and integrations; OnBoardNow also serves conveyancing with TA-series forms and adds broader sector coverage. Demo both.
Is OnBoardNow a Thirdfort alternative?
Yes — OnBoardNow is a credible alternative, especially for firms that want multi-sector onboarding and a fully owned mobile ID app rather than a property/legal-focused tool.
Sources & further reading
- Today’s Conveyancer — Thirdfort rebuilt platform & scale: todaysconveyancer.co.uk
- Thirdfort — official site: thirdfort.com
- OnBoardNow — official site: onboardnow.co.uk
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