First ACH API vs GoCardless Bank Account Data

First ACH API connects a business’s own interface to the First ACH payment gateway, allowing transactions to move through an existing sales process. Businesses can manage transactions from their account database, submit them as they occur, and receive updates for monitoring inside their own system. The API supports recurring ACH payments and ACH credits. Listed applications include embedding ACH payments in another product, depositing across multiple accounts, and consolidated processing for distributed networks. First ACH describes it for businesses integrating payments with existing systems, merchants adding customer-initiated payments to software or websites, and companies needing custom features. Integration requires a live Internet connection to begin. A 30-day ACH processing trial has no cancellation penalty or termination fee, although processed-payment fees still apply. Technical support is free by phone and email from trained US-based professionals. First ACH cites managed firewalls, encrypted account data, 128-bit SSL web traffic, intrusion detection, NACHA standards, and PCI requirements. Pricing is on request.

GoCardless Bank Account Data is an API for businesses that need account details and transaction data from connected bank accounts. It connects through bank PSD2 APIs and can return account holder names, account identifiers, IBANs, transaction dates, counterparties, descriptions and amounts, plus current and available balances. It can retrieve up to 24 months of transaction history, with continuous access lasting up to 90 days. Data refreshes on demand, and responses use JSON. To connect, an end user chooses a supported financial institution, accepts a GoCardless-hosted consent screen and authenticates through the institution. API requests use an authorization token created with a Bank Account Data portal user secret. GoCardless provides a quickstart guide and instructions for importing the API schema into Postman. Availability is limited to EEA countries subject to PSD2 where GoCardless operates as an authorized AISP. Banks may restrict requests to as few as four calls per account per day. Account verification is available only to paying customers; new accounts are unverified by default. The service is paid, with pricing on request, and is available via API and web.