Plaid vs GoCardless: The Privacy & Security Debate
Discover how US-based Plaid and UK's GoCardless tackle your data privacy concerns. Learn why security-conscious users are re-evaluating their options.
Should You Switch to GoCardless?
Gain full GDPR compliance and enhanced privacy protections.
Lose advanced features like transaction data and identity verification.
Switch if privacy and GDPR compliance are priorities; otherwise, stay with Plaid.
At a Glance
US data laws
GDPR protected
Plaid
freemium
GoCardless
freemium
Privacy & Compliance Comparison
Critical data sovereignty factors at a glance
| Criteria | Plaid | GoCardless |
|---|---|---|
Server Location | US (AWS), EU (optional) | EU |
GDPR Compliance | Partial (SCCs) | Full |
Open Source | ||
E2E Encryption | Optional | Optional |
Data Portability | Partial | Full export |
CLOUD Act Notice
Plaid is a US company and must comply with CLOUD Act data requests, even for data stored in EU data centers. GoCardless is not subject to US jurisdiction.
Plaid
🇺🇸Plaid Inc.
GoCardless
🌍GoCardless Ltd
US Data Storage
Data subject to US CLOUD Act and may be accessed by US authorities
EU Data Protection
Data protected under GDPR with EU-only data residency
Certifications & Compliance
No certifications listed
Reasons to Switch
- ✓GoCardless offers direct debit, ideal for recurring payments.
- ✓Retry intelligence reduces payment failures by up to 20%.
- ✓GoCardless is GDPR compliant, ensuring data protection in the EU.
- ✓Global reach allows transactions in multiple currencies easily.
Things to Consider
- !Migrating from Plaid may require significant integration work.
- !GoCardless lacks certain features like transaction data insights.
- !Learning curve for teams familiar with Plaid's interface.
Migration Overview
Depends on data size and complexity
Quick Steps
Create GoCardless account and configure settings
Export and prepare data from Plaid
Import data, test integrations, and migrate users
Note: GoCardless offers direct debit and open banking features similar to Plaid, making it a strong alternative for recurring payments.
Other alternatives to Plaid
Ready to make the switch?
Start using GoCardless today and take control of your data privacy.