ClearDebit vs London & Zurich Direct Debit

ClearDebit provides Direct Debit processing services, software, and training for businesses collecting payments through Bacs. Its Mosaic options address different levels of involvement: Mosaic Submit sends files to Bacs and returns reports with an audit trail, while Mosaic Managed supports the wider Direct Debit cycle, including advance notice letters and transaction codes before processing. Businesses can collect one-off, regular, or variable payments and manage payment timing and changes in the software. Mosaic reporting includes payer and payment details, customer and Bacs reports, historical data, and automatically applied Bacs messages. ClearDebit says its Bureau, Mosaic software, and training are Bacs Approved, and that its Bureau and software follow data-protection rules set out by the FCA and Bacs. For in-house software users, processed collections go directly to the business’s bank account; ClearDebit says it does not hold funds. Bureau integrations can use SFTP or an API to submit files and retrieve reports. The service requires a Service User Number (SUN), and ClearDebit says it cannot support businesses without one. Pricing is on request.

London & Zurich Direct Debit provides collection services and administration software for businesses. It supports regular, recurring, and one-off payments after customers authorise Direct Debit collection. The DDMS portal handles mandate creation, Bacs submission, compliance, reporting, failed payments, reconciliation, accounting, and scheduling. Businesses can use their own Service User Number or operate under London & Zurich’s; the company says it can obtain one through its sponsor bank for organisations without a SUN. Integration options include a RESTful API, accounting connections, a test environment, developer documentation, and specialist integration support. API access is included within a solution, with costs depending on integration needs and setup. The service can be white labelled so bank statements show the customer business’s name. London & Zurich describes AWS hosting, UK-based servers, multi-factor authentication, 24/7 monitoring, Cyber Essentials Plus, FCA authorisation, and Bacs Approved Bureau status. Pricing is on request, with Business, Foundation, and Enterprise/Reseller options.