Top UK Address Validation Providers

Comparison of the UK’s leading address lookup services 

Making sure addresses are correct might not sound exciting, but it’s one of the most important parts of running an online business, logistics system, or CRM. Incorrect or incomplete addresses can mean a parcel never arrives, a service engineer can’t find the property, or a new customer leaves a complaint. That’s why address validation tools are so widely used on customer forms. By checking and completing addresses as they’re typed, these tools make sure you capture clean, accurate data from the start. In the UK, most providers build on Royal Mail’s Postcode Address File (PAF), which is updated daily with thousands of changes. 

If you’re researching providers, you’ll quickly find there are many options. To save you time, here’s a round-up of the Top 5 UK Address Validation Providers for 2026, comparing their data, pricing, integrations, and support.

How We Evaluated Providers

To ensure a fair comparison, we reviewed each provider using publicly available documentation and tools, alongside our own testing. We focused on four key areas:

• Data Quality: inclusion of datasets and frequency of updates

• Integrations: Plugin availability for platforms like Shopify, Magento, Salesforce, and API quality

• Pricing Transparency: Whether providers offer clear, accessible pricing and contract requirements

• Support and Usability: Developer resources, and support

Quick Comparison Table

1. Ideal Postcodes

Overview 
Ideal Postcodes is a UK-focused address validation provider trusted by thousands of businesses. Every lookup includes UPRN (Unique Property Reference Number) and rooftop geocodes at no extra cost, which makes it easy to match addresses precisely to properties. The service is ISO 27001 certified and updated daily, ensuring accuracy and compliance. 

Pricing 
A straightforward pay-as-you-go model. Credits last for 12 months, so you don’t lose unused lookups if your volume fluctuates. 

Integrations 
Plugins are available for leading ecommerce platforms, CRMs, and form builders. The developer-friendly API is well documented. 

Limitations 

• Support hours are focused on UK and EU time zones 

• UK-first focus may not be ideal for global deployments

2. Loqate

Overview 
Loqate, part of GBG, is known for its global coverage and enterprise reach. It provides address capture and verification for both the UK and international markets, and is widely adopted by large organisations. 

Pricing 
Businesses can choose between pay-as-you-go or longer-term contracts, depending on volume and support needs. 

Integrations 
Loqate integrates with a wide range of platforms including Shopify, Salesforce, and Microsoft Dynamics 365, along with SDKs and APIs for custom setups. 

Limitations 

• Some extras, such as UPRN and geocodes, are only available via paid add-ons 

• Contract terms can feel less flexible for smaller businesses 

3. Fetchify

Overview 
Fetchify, formerly Crafty Clicks, is a long-standing UK provider that focuses on ease of use. It offers postcode lookup, autocomplete, and enrichment services such as UPRN and rooftop geocodes as optional extras. 

Pricing 
Public pricing with credit packs or subscriptions. Different types of lookups use different credits, so costs can vary depending on features used. 

Integrations 
Fetchify offers a Shopify app, a WooCommerce plugin, and other platform integrations. Developers can also use the API directly. 

Limitations 

• UPRN, geocodes, and MR require add-ons 

• Credit system can feel complex for users 

4. Postcoder

Overview 
Postcoder is developed by Allies Computing, a long-established PAF solutions provider. It includes Multiple Residence coverage as standard, making it useful for businesses handling large volumes of flat addresses. 

Pricing 
Pay-as-you go and monthly plans are available to choose from. Higher-volume bundles come with service level agreements (SLAs). 

Integrations 
Primarily an API-first solution with strong developer documentation and endpoints. 

Limitations 

• Few ready-made ecommerce integrations 

• Best suited for teams comfortable working with APIs 

5. AFD Software

Overview 
AFD Software, often referred to as “The Postcode People,” has been delivering UK address lookup services for decades. Their products are powered by Royal Mail’s PAF and can be enhanced with Ordnance Survey’s AddressBase for geolocation. 

Pricing 
AFD typically provides custom quotes but does offer free trials which makes it possible to test the service before committing. 

Integrations 
Integrations exist for Microsoft Dynamics 365, Magento, Salesforce, and Shopify, along with APIs for developers. 

Limitations 

• Pricing is not transparent and usually quote-based 

• Interface and onboarding are less modern than newer providers 

Buyer's Checklist

Choosing the right address validation provider isn’t just about picking the biggest name. The best fit depends on your data needs, the platforms you use, your budget, and the kind of support you expect. Here’s a quick checklist to help you decide what really matters for your business. 

Data 

• Do you need UPRN included in every lookup for property-level matching? 

• Will you need Multiple Residence (MR) coverage for flats and shared buildings? 

• Do you need Not Yet Built (NYB) properties for new developments? 

• How often is the data refreshed — daily, weekly, or monthly? 

Integrations 

• Does the provider have a ready-made plugin for your platform (Shopify, Magento, Salesforce, Dynamics)? 

• If not, are the APIs simple enough to integrate with your systems? 

Pricing 

• Do you prefer simple pay-as-you-go or a contracted model? 

• Are extras like UPRN or rooftop geocodes included in the price, or billed separately? 

• What SLA and uptime guarantees do you need? 

Support 

• Are there multiple ways to get help (chat, phone, email)? 

• Is there a public status page to monitor uptime and incidents? 

• Does the provider offer onboarding or developer assistance?

   

FAQs

What’s the difference between Loqate and Ideal Postcodes?
Loqate offers broader international coverage and is widely used by large enterprises. Ideal Postcodes focuses on UK-specific data, is more affordable, and offers a simpler, developer-friendly experience.

Do all providers include UPRNs?
No. Some providers (like Ideal Postcodes and Postcoder) include UPRNs as standard. Others require add-ons.

Do I need MR coverage for UK addresses?
If you serve customers in flats or shared buildings, MR coverage helps ensure more accurate delivery. It’s available by default on Postcoder and Ideal Postcodes.

What’s the best address validation service for Shopify?
Ideal Postcodes, Loqate, and AFD Software all offer Shopify integrations. Ideal Postcodes is a good fit for smaller teams seeking quick setup.

Final Thoughts

The UK has a strong choice of address validation providers. While they all build on the same core datasets, the way they package, enrich, and support that data makes the difference. 

Loqate and AFD Software are trusted by enterprises that need global reach and long-standing reliability. Fetchify and Postcoder are developer-friendly options with useful add-ons. 

Ideal Postcodes combines daily-updated UK data, UPRN and rooftop geocodes included as standard, transparent pricing, and accessible support. This balance makes it a strong choice for businesses that want accuracy without complexity. 

At the end of the day, the best address validation service is the one that fits your organisation data needs, and technical stack. Take advantage of free trials, test with your own data, and use the checklist above to guide your decision. 

Start free and test your address forms with Ideal Postcodes.