Global Database vs. Bureau van Dijk (Moody’s Orbis): Which Business Data Provider is Right for You?
Introduction: Why Choosing the Right Business Data Provider Matters
Accurate, real-time business intelligence is essential for companies in sales, compliance, financial risk assessment, and market expansion. Two well-known providers in this space are:
✔Global Database: A first-party data provider, sourcing business information directly from government registries and enriching it with firmographics, financials, and UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Ownership) data.
✔Bureau van Dijk (BvD), acquired by Moody’s, and its flagship platform Orbis, which relies on third-party data partnerships to compile business information globally.
While both platforms provide business intelligence, they differ significantly in data sourcing, ownership, licensing, restrictions, and flexibility.
This comparison will help you decide which provider is the best fit for your business needs.
1. Who Really Owns the Data?
Many companies assume that when they subscribe to a business intelligence platform, they own the data they receive. But that’s not always true.
✅ Global Database: You Have Full Ownership
✔ Data is sourced directly from 100+ government registries → No third-party intermediaries.
✔ Real-time updates ensure companies always get the most current data.
✔ No licensing limitations—businesses can resell, integrate, or modify data however they like.
✔ Firmographics, financials, UBO, and contact data are enriched in-house, giving deeper insights than raw registry data.
❌ Bureau van Dijk (Moody’s Orbis): You’re Renting Licensed Data
❌ Does not own the data—it licenses company records from third-party providers in different regions.
❌ Dependent on data suppliers → Updates are delayed and vary based on the local partner’s refresh schedule.
❌ Strict resale and licensing rules—businesses can only use the data under strict legal agreements.
❌ No true data ownership → You are paying for access, not control.
Why This Matters
📌 If your business needs real-time accuracy, first-party data matters. Aggregators like Orbis cannot update their records faster than their data suppliers.
📌 If you want to integrate data into AI models or SaaS tools, licensing matters. Orbis users often face legal barriers that prevent them from integrating company records into automated systems.
2. Strict Licensing, Territorial Restrictions & Legal Limitations
✅ Global Database: No Restrictions on Data Use & Resale
✔Global Database gathers data directly from government registries—it does not purchase data from third parties, ensuring:
*Full ownership of sourced data with no resale restrictions.
*Businesses can use, integrate, and modify the data without legal barriers.
*Unrestricted API access for AI, CRM, and fintech applications.
*No royalties or territorial limitations—businesses can distribute the data globally.
❌ Bureau van Dijk (Moody’s Orbis): Licensing & Legal Restrictions
-Customers cannot resell, modify, or use the data for derivative products.
-Strict licensing agreements prevent companies from integrating Orbis data into AI models, automation tools, or CRM platforms without additional approvals.
-Data resale is highly restricted, often requiring separate licensing agreements per use case.
3. Territorial Restrictions: Where Can You Sell Data?
✅ Global Database: No Geographic Restrictions
✔Because Global Database sources data directly from official registries, businesses can:
*Sell, distribute, and integrate data in any country.
*Provide data for AI, compliance, and analytics tools without restrictions.
*Avoid third-party agreements that limit resale rights.
❌ Bureau van Dijk (Moody’s Orbis): Country-Based Restrictions
-BvD does not own most of its data—it buys business information from local data vendors.
-This means that in countries where they rely on third-party providers, resale is restricted, including:
*Spain → Data is sourced from Informa.es.
*Italy → Data is sourced from CRIF.
*Germany → Data is sourced from Creditreform.
*Other regions → Data is acquired from multiple local data partners.
-Companies that license data from Orbis cannot resell it in these regions without additional approvals and royalties.
Key Takeaway:
✔Bureau van Dijk imposes country-based restrictions, making it difficult for businesses to operate across multiple regions without additional agreements.
✔Global Database allows full data distribution without territorial limitations.
4. Innovation & Adaptability: Traditional vs. Modern Business Intelligence
✅ Global Database: A Modern, API-Driven Approach
✔ Designed for AI, automation, and fintech integrations.
✔ Open API with no licensing restrictions, making it ideal for SaaS, fintech, and AI-driven companies.
✔ User-friendly platform with advanced filtering, search, and data export capabilities.
❌ Bureau van Dijk (Moody’s Orbis): Legacy Data Aggregation Model
❌ Built for financial analysis, not real-time integrations.
❌ Limited API flexibility—many companies need to purchase additional licensing for integrations.
❌ Complex user interface, making it harder for non-financial users to navigate.
📌 Why This Matters: If you need real-time data that integrates seamlessly into AI, fintech, and automation, Global Database is the better option.
5. Flexibility & Usage: Unlimited Access vs. Pay-Per-Record
✅ Global Database: Unlimited Access & Downloads
✔ No pay-per-record fees – Users get unlimited data searches, views, and downloads.
✔ Fully integrated API access – Automate workflows without additional costs.
✔ Best for companies that need continuous, large-scale data access.
❌ Bureau van Dijk (Moody’s Orbis): Pay-Per-Record Model
❌ Data is segmented into different categories, requiring separate purchases for different insights.
❌ Charges per data request, meaning businesses pay for each financial report, UBO record, or company verification.
❌ Additional costs apply for API usage and bulk data access.
📌 Why This Matters: If your company needs continuous data access, Global Database offers unlimited scalability without additional fees.
6. Web Extension: Instant Business Insights Anywhere
✅ Global Database Web Extension: Advanced Features
✔Check Company Activity Status: Verify a company’s registration number, VAT, and tax ID to ensure they are legitimate and active.
✔Access 20 Years of Financials: Dive into detailed financial reports to assess a company’s stability and growth potential.
✔View Shareholder & Group Structure: Understand a company’s ownership structure and subsidiaries.
✔Get Credit Scores & Limits: Quickly assess the financial health and creditworthiness of any company.
✔Find Contact Data for Key Executives: Access emails and phone numbers of decision-makers for outreach.
✔Send Emails & Automate Sequences: Streamline your email marketing with personalized and automated communication flows.
❌ Bureau van Dijk (Moody’s Orbis): No Web Extension Available
-No browser extension exists for real-time company lookups while browsing the web.
-Users must manually log in to Orbis to search for company information.
Final Verdict: Which Provider is Best for Your Business?
Final Thoughts: Which Provider is Right for You?
🚀 Choose Global Database if you need:
✅ First-party, government-sourced business data with real-time updates.
✅ Unrestricted data access, resale, and territorial flexibility.
🏢 Choose Bureau van Dijk (Moody’s Orbis) if you need:
✅ Financial benchmarking and credit scoring tools.
📩 Want to see how Global Database works? Request a demo today! 🚀
