Why most “free” crypto AML tools are not
Search “free KYT” or “free crypto AML” and you will find plenty of results. Follow them through and the free part is usually one of three things.
A free trial
Free for a week or a month, then a card on file starts billing when it ends.
A capped freemium tier
A small number of checks per month, then paid — usually behind an API key and an account.
An enterprise “demo”
Free means a sales call. Pricing is a contract, often six figures a year.
PublicAML is none of those. It is a non-profit: screening is free because it is run as a public good, not as a funnel to a paid plan. No trial to expire, no monthly cap to hit, no key required to start.
Free crypto AML tools compared
Each tool by its own published pricing model. Pricing changes — verify current terms with each provider before relying on this.
| Tool | Model | To start | API key | Ongoing cost | Non-profit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PublicAMLFREE | Free, non-profit | $0 — no card | No key to start | $0, no limits to begin | Yes |
| Chainalysis / Elliptic / TRM Labs | Enterprise, contact sales | Sales call | Contract | Enterprise licence (est. $120k+/yr) | No |
| AMLBot | Per-check / subscription | 1 free check on sign-up | Yes | ~$0.50 per address; API from ~$99/mo | No |
| GoPlus Security | Freemium (rate-limited) | Free tier with limits | Yes | Paid above the free limits | No |
| Didit | Freemium | 500 free/month | Yes | Paid per screening above the cap | No |
What you get, free
Address Check
Paste any wallet and see a risk score, sanctions status, entity attribution, source of funds and counterparties.
Free KYT API — no key
POST to intelapi.publicaml.org/v1/enrich with no API key. An optional key only raises the rate limit.
SDKs and webhooks
JavaScript/TypeScript, Python and Go for pre-transaction screening; webhooks when a score changes.
Telegram bot
Instant checks with no integration, at t.me/publicamlbot.
Coverage: Bitcoin, Ethereum, BNB Chain and TRON.
Frequently asked questions
Is PublicAML really free, or is it a free trial?
It is genuinely free, with no trial and no expiry. PublicAML is a non-profit initiative — there is no paid tier that the free version pushes you toward. You can screen crypto addresses against sanctions and scam databases with no account, no credit card and no API key, and keep doing so indefinitely.
What is the difference between "free" here and "free" elsewhere?
Most crypto AML and KYT tools advertised as free are either a time-limited trial that starts billing when it ends, a freemium tier capped at a small number of checks per month, or an enterprise product where "free" means a sales demo. PublicAML charges nothing because it is run as a public good, not a funnel to a paid plan.
Do I need an API key or an account to use the free KYT API?
No. The public enrich endpoint accepts requests without a key: POST to https://intelapi.publicaml.org/v1/enrich and you get a risk score, sanctions status, category and counterparties back. An optional key only raises the rate limit; it is not required to start.
Which chains does the free AML screening cover?
Bitcoin, Ethereum, BNB Chain and TRON, across web, REST API, SDKs (JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, Go) and a Telegram bot.
How can it be free — what is the catch?
There is no catch and no data resale. PublicAML is a non-profit: its thesis is that AML screening should be a public good so that individuals and small services can check an address before sending funds, not only institutions who can afford commercial tooling. It does not custody funds and does not require users to identify themselves.
Can I use the free tool for business or compliance?
Yes — wallets, OTC desks, DeFi protocols and payment flows integrate it via the REST API, SDKs, webhooks or on-chain. It is a risk signal, not a legal compliance guarantee, so keep running your own KYC/AML process alongside it.
Check an address now — free
No account, no card, no key. See what PublicAML knows about any wallet.