Fire Payments API vs Plaid
Fire Payments API
fire.com
Plaid
plaid.comSide by side
| Figure | Fire Payments API | Plaid |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 4 |
| Spec score · Open Banking Payment Platforms | 7.7 (#5) | 7.5 (#9) |
| Integrations | Fire provides an OpenAPI specification that developers can use with their preferred programming language to build a client library for backend integration. | Plaid's partner directory lists partners including Dwolla, Checkout.com, and Humble Devs. |
| Security | Fire says its payment services use a security framework designed to meet PSD2 technical standards, including authorisation and authentication of payment batches through the Fire for Business mobile app. | Plaid's security portal lists SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, and ISO 27701 certifications. |
| Support | Fire directs prospective customers to [email protected] and existing customers to [email protected]. | Plaid customers can use self-service resources and its Dashboard AI assistant; enhanced support tiers may be available to Custom plan customers. |
Plans
Plaid
- TrialFree
- CustomPriced on request
- GrowthPrice not published
- Pay as You GoPrice not published
In their own words
Fire Payments API
Fire Payments API connects Fire’s digital payment services to applications and back-office systems, letting fintechs and corporate clients automate payment processes. It can initiate batches of internal transfers and local or cross-border payouts, issue cards, and manage card blocks and limits. Businesses can create bank-transfer payment requests with added information for reconciliation, retrieve transaction, payee, user and balance data, and move funds between Fire accounts in real time. Developers can use Fire’s OpenAPI specification to build backend integrations in their preferred programming language. Customers need to contact sales to open a Fire account before configuring an API application and its permissions. Fire says payment batches are authorised and authenticated through the Fire for Business mobile app, within a framework designed to meet PSD2 technical standards. Fire-EU is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, while Fire-UK is authorised by the FCA. Customer funds are held separately from operational funds; this is not a bank deposit guarantee. Pricing is paid, from €10/mo, with corporate pricing available on request.
Plaid
Plaid connects financial accounts to apps and services people choose, and lets them manage those connections. Its products cover payments, fraud and risk, financial management, and onboarding. Plaid Link connects users to more than 12,000 financial institutions, while Transactions offers up to 24 months of categorized transaction data. Plaid Transfer processes bank payments through ACH, RTP, and FedNow. Available data includes account and routing numbers, balances, identity, transactions, investments, liabilities, income, and statements, with statements in PDF format. Connections can use credentials, OAuth, app-to-app OAuth, or manual and micro-deposit flows; refreshes are on demand. Developers can use official API libraries for Node, Python, Ruby, Java, and Go, plus Link SDKs for web and mobile. Plaid Portal lets users see connected apps, manage permissions, and disconnect accounts. Plaid lists SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, and ISO 27701 certifications. Pricing is on request; there is no general free plan, though an eligible free Trial plan is listed for certain US and Canada teams created on or after April 15, 2026.