Astra vs SDK.finance
A fair, detailed comparison of two source-code fintech platforms built for regulated institutions.
Fintech Platform Comparison
How Does Astra Compare to SDK.finance?
SDK.finance is one of the closest alternatives to Astra — both are licence-based fintech platforms that provide full source code access and flexible deployment. This comparison is deliberately fair. Where SDK.finance leads, we say so. Where Astra leads, here is why it matters for regulated financial institutions.
19
Astra Wins
2
SDK.finance Wins
12
Comparable
| Feature | Astra | SDK.finance |
|---|---|---|
| MNG Portal | ✓ Full management dashboard: real-time transaction metrics, active users, fees, flagged transactions | Back-office admin panel; operational dashboards less granular |
| Client Portal | ✓ Self-service portal: transfers, conversions, cards, reports, account management | White-label customer UI available; customisable but requires additional setup |
| Transaction Management | Payin, Payout, Conversions, Operational, Fees, Partner Bank Fees, Reversals — full action set per type | Comprehensive transaction types; operational workflow depth comparable |
| Bulk Processing | ✓ CSV bulk transfers, payment file upload, multi-transaction batch processing | Bulk transfers supported; file upload UI availability varies by version |
| Account Management | Client, internal, partner bank, designated accounts; participants & invitations | Multi-account structures; account hierarchy management available |
| Multi-Currency | Real-time FX rates, conversion settlement, currency blocking, FX operations | Multi-currency wallets, FX conversion, and exchange rate management |
| 4-Eyes Maker-Checker | ✓ Mandatory dual-approval for high-value and sensitive transactions | Approval workflows available; maker-checker not enforced natively at system level |
| Ledger | ✓ High-performance optimised double-entry accounting engine with full audit trail | Double-entry ledger present; performance optimisation less documented |
| Universal Transaction Types | ✓ Payin, Payout, Card standardised under one unified transaction framework | Multiple transaction types; unified framework less explicit |
| Recurring Payments | Automated scheduling with configurable rules and failure handling | Recurring payments and standing orders supported |
| Invoice Generation | Native invoice creation, sending, and tracking | Invoice functionality available as part of broader billing module |
| Service Fees | Configurable fees, spreads, commissions, and partner bank fees per corridor | Fee management and commission configuration available |
| Reports | ✓ 18 report types: FX, Ledger, Safeguarding Balance, Screening Alerts, Balances, and more | Standard financial reports; fewer dedicated regulatory report types |
| Corridor Services | ✓ Automatic service selection based on destination and currency with integration corridor linking | Payment routing and gateway management; corridor automation less structured |
| Roles & Permissions | Role management with action-based permissions for MNG and Client portals | Role-based access control; permission granularity comparable |
| Mobile Apps | Web-based management and client portals accessible from any device; responsive design for mobile access | Mobile apps available with white-label customisation |
| Deployment | Private cloud, on-premise, or hybrid | On-premise, cloud, or SaaS deployment options available |
| Payment Method Breadth | Core payment rails: SEPA, SWIFT, card, and integration-ready for additional methods | ✓ 200+ payment methods and integrations out of the box |
| Card Issuing & Acceptance | Prepaid card application and tracking; card framework via portal | ✓ Comprehensive card issuing and acceptance, virtual and physical cards |
| Pricing Model | Licence-based, predictable, volume-independent costs | Approximately €150K licence fee; volume-based components may apply |
| Source Code Access | Full source code access, unlimited customisation | Full source code provided with licence |
| Compliance | ✓ ISO 27001:2022 certified, 17 jurisdictions | Compliance frameworks available; ISO 27001 certification not publicly confirmed |
| API | Full REST API with developer portal, documented and versioned | 400+ API endpoints; comprehensive developer documentation |
| Security | ✓ ISO 27001:2022 certified security controls, encryption at rest and in transit, MFA, and immutable audit trail | Encryption and security standards applied; automated CI/CD security testing not specified |
| AI Chatbot | ✓ Built-in AI assistant for instant operational answers | No native AI chatbot |
| System Logs | ✓ API request logs, incoming webhook logs, full operational audit trail | Activity and audit logs available; webhook log depth varies |
| Payment Processor Network | ✓ 12+ payment processor integrations with unified routing, failover, and corridor-based selection | Payment processor integrations available; 200+ payment methods but processor network architecture differs |
| Admin Portal | ✓ Full admin portal with system configuration, user management, institution settings, and operational controls | Back-office admin panel available; dedicated admin portal with full system-level configuration not explicitly documented |
| IBAN & SWIFT Validation | ✓ Built-in IBAN and SWIFT/BIC validation on all payment inputs with real-time format and checksum verification | IBAN and SWIFT support available; real-time validation integration depth not specified |
| Conversion Settlement | ✓ Dedicated conversion settlement module with real-time FX execution, settlement tracking, and reconciliation | FX conversion supported; dedicated settlement module and reconciliation workflow not documented |
| Compliance Screening | ✓ Built-in BRIDGER integration for real-time sanctions, PEP, and adverse media screening on transactions | Compliance screening capabilities available; dedicated real-time screening integration not documented |
| Transaction Monitoring | ✓ Native ORION integration for real-time suspicious activity detection and transaction monitoring | Transaction monitoring for compliance; no dedicated rule-based monitoring engine documented |
| Email & SMS Templates | ✓ Client-specific email and SMS notification templates with configurable triggers and branding per institution | Notification system available; client-specific template customisation depth not specified |
The Astra Advantage
Why Choose Astra
ISO 27001 Certified — Provably Secure
Astra is ISO 27001:2022 certified across 17 jurisdictions. For regulated financial institutions, certification is a non-negotiable requirement for audits, partnerships, and licensing — not just a marketing claim.
Regulatory Reporting at Depth
18 dedicated report types — including Safeguarding Balance, Screening Alerts, FX, and Negative Balance reports — give compliance and finance teams the visibility they need without custom BI development.
Purpose-Built Portals
Astra ships with a fully operational MNG Portal and Client Portal with real-time dashboards, action-based permissions, and maker-checker controls — capabilities that require significant custom development in most alternatives.
Security Baked In
Automated security testing in CI/CD, end-to-end encryption, and biometric mobile authentication mean security is part of Astra's delivery process — not bolted on after the fact.
Ready to See Astra in Action?
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