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Top 10 Best Third Party Due Diligence Services of 2026

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Top 10 Best Third Party Due Diligence Services of 2026

Compare third party due diligence services from EY, Kroll, and Deloitte, mapping fit and tradeoffs for legal, finance, and compliance teams.

18 min readUpdated Editorially scoped research
How we ranked these tools
01Editorial Scope

Vendors set the topic, but our editors set the inclusion criteria and the evaluation framework before research starts.

02Source Research

Agents extract product evidence with provenance, then collect written reviews and transcribe video reviews and podcasts.

Read our full methodology →

Framework: Features 40% · Ease 30% · Value 30%

Gitnux may earn a commission through links on this page — this does not influence rankings. Editorial policy

Third-party due diligence vendors help compliance and risk teams assess suppliers and intermediaries using sanctions screening, beneficial ownership research, and investigative checks tied to underwriting and contract controls. This comparison helps firms weigh tradeoffs between advisory-led due diligence and data and automation delivery models, so data owners can align KYC, credit signals, and risk screening outputs to their existing data model, RBAC, and audit log requirements.

EY is the best pick for enterprise teams dealing with complex counterparties because its consulting-led evidence collection produces governance-ready decision memos tied to risk ratings, whereas Kroll fits when you need investigator-built, evidence-backed case reporting on principals, ownership, and integrity findings.

Editor’s top 3 picks

Three quick recommendations before you dive into the full comparison below — each one leads on a different dimension.

Editor pick
1

EY

Consulting-led evidence collection and decision memos that translate diligence findings into governance-ready risk recommendations.

Best for: Fits when complex counterparties need governance-grade due diligence and consistent risk methodology mapping.

2

Kroll

Editor pick

Investigator-led case development that connects screening signals to adjudicated findings for principals, ownership, and affiliates.

Best for: Fits when teams need evidence-backed diligence for complex counterparties and governance-heavy decisions.

3

Deloitte

Editor pick

Evidence-led diligence program design that ties screening outcomes to remediation planning and governance documentation.

Best for: Fits when enterprise teams need defensible due diligence governance and remediation alignment for complex vendor ecosystems.

Comparison Table

1
EYBest overall
enterprise_vendor
9.3/10
Overall
2
specialist
8.9/10
Overall
3
enterprise_vendor
8.6/10
Overall
4
enterprise_vendor
8.3/10
Overall
5
enterprise_vendor
8.1/10
Overall
6
specialist
7.7/10
Overall
7
specialist
7.4/10
Overall
8
enterprise_vendor
7.3/10
Overall
9
enterprise_vendor
6.8/10
Overall
10
6.5/10
Overall
#1

EY

enterprise_vendor

EY delivers third-party risk assessments, anti-bribery due diligence, and supplier compliance services.

9.3/10
Overall
Features9.3/10
Ease of Use9.5/10
Value9.1/10
Standout feature

Consulting-led evidence collection and decision memos that translate diligence findings into governance-ready risk recommendations.

EY typically runs due diligence engagements with structured workplans that cover counterparty background, ownership and control inquiries, and risk-relevant fact gathering for specific diligence scopes. Teams can expect engagement governance artifacts like issue logs, evidence requests, and decision memos that map findings to contract and compliance recommendations.

A clear tradeoff is that EY relies on human-led delivery for most value rather than a fully self-serve dashboard workflow. EY fits well when a firm needs evidence-grade documentation for audit or regulatory inquiries, and it also fits situations where third-party risk reviews must align with internal risk-rating methodology and remediation tracking expectations.

Pros
  • +Method-driven diligence outputs tied to risk-rating decisions
  • +Evidence-oriented documentation supporting remediation and governance review
  • +Global delivery capability for multi-jurisdiction counterparties
  • +Structured inquiry workflow for ownership, conduct, and regulatory exposure
Cons
  • –Less suited to high-volume self-serve screening at procurement pace
  • –Requires clear scope definitions to avoid rework during evidence requests
  • –API and automation surface is limited versus software-first tooling
  • –Longer cycle times when counterparties delay information returns
Use scenarios
  • Global procurement risk teams

    High-stakes supplier onboarding diligence

    Better approval consistency

  • Compliance and third-party risk

    Adverse media and enforcement exposure review

    Clear remediation paths

Show 2 more scenarios
  • Internal audit and governance

    Audit-ready vendor risk evidence pack

    Reduced audit friction

    EY produces evidence-aligned documentation that supports review of diligence scope and conclusions.

  • Legal and contracting teams

    Counterparty diligence for contract clauses

    Stronger contractual controls

    EY maps diligence findings into negotiation and governance guidance for contractual compliance expectations.

Best for: Fits when complex counterparties need governance-grade due diligence and consistent risk methodology mapping.

#2

Kroll

specialist

Kroll provides third-party due diligence, investigations, sanctions screening, and beneficial ownership research.

8.9/10
Overall
Features8.9/10
Ease of Use8.9/10
Value8.9/10
Standout feature

Investigator-led case development that connects screening signals to adjudicated findings for principals, ownership, and affiliates.

Kroll’s core capability is operational diligence work that blends screening outputs with case development, document review, and risk narrative construction for specific counterparties. This depth tends to fit engagements where internal teams need defensible findings, including beneficial ownership verification and litigation or regulatory enforcement research tied to the entity and its principals. Kroll also fits organizations that require consistent deliverables across multiple geographies rather than relying only on automated screening results.

A tradeoff appears in the time-to-deliver for investigation-heavy work compared with screening-only providers that return faster outputs. Kroll works best when governance teams can provide entity inputs early and define the risk questions for principals, ownership layers, and affiliates before evidence collection begins.

Pros
  • +Investigator-led investigations with structured, evidence-backed reporting
  • +Strong coverage for entity, principals, ownership, and integrity findings
  • +Deliverables that map to contracting and risk committee decisioning
  • +Repeatable diligence refresh workflows for changing counterparties
Cons
  • –Investigation scope can slow turnaround versus screening-only providers
  • –Automation and API coverage is typically limited compared with software-led vendors
  • –Requires clear intake of entities, jurisdictions, and principal relationships
  • –Broader engagements can increase internal coordination effort
Use scenarios
  • Legal and compliance teams

    Vendor integrity investigation for contracting

    Audit-ready due diligence packet

  • Third-party risk managers

    Due diligence refresh across ownership changes

    Updated risk narrative

Show 1 more scenario
  • Procurement risk owners

    Supplier risk assessment across jurisdictions

    Comparable supplier risk view

    Kroll delivers jurisdiction-specific research for multi-country suppliers and their beneficial ownership.

Best for: Fits when teams need evidence-backed diligence for complex counterparties and governance-heavy decisions.

#3

Deloitte

enterprise_vendor

Deloitte advises organizations on third-party risk, supplier due diligence, controls, and remediation.

8.6/10
Overall
Features8.6/10
Ease of Use8.6/10
Value8.6/10
Standout feature

Evidence-led diligence program design that ties screening outcomes to remediation planning and governance documentation.

Deloitte works through structured diligence programs that combine counterparty screening coverage with compliance-oriented assessment of operational, regulatory, and third-party obligations. Typical deliverables include risk assessment narratives, remediation roadmaps, and oversight guidance for vendor onboarding, refresh, and fourth-party disclosure expectations. This approach fits organizations that need accountable decision support and defensible methodology, not just data pulls or screening output.

A key tradeoff is that Deloitte delivery is service-led, so throughput and automation depth depend on engagement design and staffing rather than self-serve provisioning. Deloitte is a strong fit when deals require rapid governance decisions, complex evidence mapping, or integration between diligence outcomes and contract and monitoring processes.

Pros
  • +Advisory-led risk-rating methodology suited to high-stakes vendor decisions
  • +Evidence mapping supports defensible diligence packages for governance
  • +Specialists align diligence findings with contractual compliance expectations
  • +Delivery design supports periodic refresh cycles and oversight workflows
Cons
  • –Service-led execution can limit throughput versus automation-first vendors
  • –Data integration depth depends on engagement scoping and tooling boundaries
  • –Rapid self-serve configuration is not the primary operating model
  • –Governance coverage may require separate add-on work for monitoring
Use scenarios
  • Procurement governance teams

    High-risk supplier onboarding diligence

    Faster approval with audit trail

  • Third-party risk managers

    Quarterly vendor refresh program

    Consistent risk ratings

Show 1 more scenario
  • Compliance and legal teams

    Contractual compliance alignment

    Tighter compliance requirements

    Deloitte maps diligence findings to contract obligations and governance expectations.

Best for: Fits when enterprise teams need defensible due diligence governance and remediation alignment for complex vendor ecosystems.

#4

PwC

enterprise_vendor

PwC provides third-party risk management, supplier due diligence, compliance reviews, and investigations.

8.3/10
Overall
Features8.3/10
Ease of Use8.3/10
Value8.3/10
Standout feature

PwC engagement teams produce decision-grade due diligence packages with remediation-ready narratives and documented evidence trails.

PwC brings large-firm due diligence delivery to vendor risk management with a workflow that combines counterparty inquiry, evidence handling, and risk narrative outputs for internal governance. Its strength centers on end-to-end advisory execution for KYC and risk screening programs that require coordinated workstreams across compliance, legal, and operational stakeholders.

Pros
  • +Works across legal and compliance workstreams to produce governance-ready findings
  • +Evidence collection and remediation tracking support structured follow-up
  • +Experienced teams support complex beneficial ownership and adverse media fact patterns
  • +Risk narratives map findings to residual risk and control expectations
Cons
  • –Automation depth depends on engagement scope rather than a fixed product workflow
  • –API and data integration are not the primary delivery surface for most engagements
  • –Response cycles can slow for high-volume onboarding without dedicated resourcing
  • –Screening coverage and evidence requirements can vary by industry and entity type

Best for: Fits when governance-heavy third-party risk programs need consistent evidence, legal review, and remediation tracking.

#5

KPMG

enterprise_vendor

KPMG supports third-party risk governance, supplier due diligence, compliance monitoring, and remediation.

8.1/10
Overall
Features8.1/10
Ease of Use8.2/10
Value8.0/10
Standout feature

Investigation-driven findings paired with remediation tracking deliverables for vendor risk governance decisions.

KPMG delivers third-party due diligence as a managed advisory service that combines KYC and sanctions screening with risk-focused investigations and remediation guidance for counterparties. The firm can execute beneficial ownership verification and adverse media and litigation or regulatory enforcement checks as part of wider vendor risk management workflows.

Pros
  • +Structured due diligence reports with evidence trails for legal and compliance review
  • +Strong coverage of counterparty risk themes tied to procurement and contract decisions
  • +Experienced investigators for adverse media and enforcement-focused findings
  • +Clear remediation tracking artifacts for follow-up actions and audit readiness
Cons
  • –Execution is service-led, so throughput depends on staffing and intake quality
  • –Less suited to teams that need a product-like API and automated data provisioning
  • –RBAC and audit log controls are not the primary delivery surface
  • –Beneficial ownership and source quality can require more client document coordination

Best for: Fits when regulated procurement, finance, or legal teams need investigation-led due diligence outputs.

#6

TRACE

specialist

TRACE provides anti-bribery due diligence and screening services for third-party intermediaries.

7.7/10
Overall
Features7.7/10
Ease of Use7.7/10
Value7.7/10
Standout feature

Evidence-linked case management that keeps screening outputs tied to decisions, remediation actions, and due diligence refresh cycles.

TRACE supports third-party due diligence and vendor risk management with a workflow focused on counterparty screening and evidence-led case building. Its distinct angle is the way it packages investigation results for audit-ready sharing, including remediation tracking and ongoing refresh workflows.

Pros
  • +Case workspace keeps investigation evidence together for internal governance reviews
  • +Screening workflows align with procurement and compliance decision trails
  • +Remediation tracking supports documented follow-up after risk findings
  • +Review refresh routines support periodic due diligence updates
Cons
  • –Automation breadth depends on consistent input data and defined workflows
  • –Complex org policies can require governance discipline for repeatability
  • –Admin configuration effort increases with multi-team case ownership
  • –Less suited to ad hoc research needs outside formal due diligence cases

Best for: Fits when compliance and procurement teams need evidence-led diligence cases and repeatable outputs.

#7

Ankura

specialist

Ankura conducts investigative due diligence, forensic analysis, and risk advisory engagements.

7.4/10
Overall
Features7.4/10
Ease of Use7.4/10
Value7.4/10
Standout feature

Analyst-driven evidence collection and remediation tracking designed to turn screening findings into governance-ready actions.

Ankura is a due diligence and investigations firm that differentiates itself through structured case execution and evidence-led workflows across complex cross-border risk. It typically combines counterparty and adverse media screening deliverables with financial health and regulatory or litigation checks that map to vendor risk questions.

Pros
  • +Evidence-led diligence packages with clear linkage to risk questions
  • +Works through complex jurisdictions with consistent analyst production
  • +Supports remediation tracking workflows tied to findings
  • +Often integrates information security and privacy questionnaire responses
Cons
  • –Less suited to fully automated continuous monitoring without staff support
  • –Workflow depth can require governance coordination on intake and evidence
  • –Admin control and audit log visibility depends on engagement design
  • –API-driven automation is not the primary delivery shape

Best for: Fits when large enterprises need analyst-led diligence, remediation follow-through, and governance-ready evidence across high-risk vendors.

#8

RSM

enterprise_vendor

RSM advises on third-party risk management, supplier due diligence, compliance, and internal controls.

7.3/10
Overall
Features7.3/10
Ease of Use7.3/10
Value7.3/10
Standout feature

Diligence playbooks that standardize evidence collection and risk-rating application across vendor and counterparty engagements.

RSM delivers third-party due diligence services that combine credit, risk screening, and investigative analysis into structured vendor and counterparty outputs. Delivery teams typically manage evidence collection, third-party risk questionnaires, and remediation follow-through as part of the diligence workflow.

Pros
  • +Methodical diligence workflow that turns findings into decision-ready deliverables
  • +Evidence collection support that reduces sourcing burden for internal teams
  • +Clear linkage between risk scope and risk-rating logic across engagements
  • +Dedicated governance for diligence refreshes and remediation tracking
Cons
  • –Tooling and API surfaces are limited versus vendors that productize workflows
  • –Automation depth depends on engagement scope and data access provided
  • –Strong consulting delivery can raise coordination overhead for stakeholders
  • –Breadth across specialized deep dives varies by region and assignment

Best for: Fits when diligence decisions require structured consulting governance and evidence-led findings more than an API-first workflow.

#9

FTI Consulting

enterprise_vendor

FTI Consulting performs investigative due diligence, forensic research, and compliance assessments.

6.8/10
Overall
Features6.8/10
Ease of Use6.8/10
Value6.8/10
Standout feature

Case-level evidence management that keeps screening results tied to documented findings for governance review.

FTI Consulting delivers third-party due diligence and risk analytics built around structured evidence collection, counterparty screening, and documented risk-rating methodology. The firm is strongest in complex investigations that mix regulatory and litigation checks with reputation and integrity signals, then translate findings into remediation tracking and decision-ready summaries.

Pros
  • +Strong evidence traceability for governance and audit-ready diligence packages
  • +Experienced adjudication across sanctions, adverse media, and litigation signals
  • +Clear risk-rating methodology that feeds decisioning and remediation planning
  • +Well-documented workpapers suitable for internal review and repeat refreshes
Cons
  • –Engagement-style delivery can limit self-serve speed for high-volume onboarding
  • –Requires active sponsor input to keep questionnaires and evidence requests aligned
  • –Automation depth is constrained compared with SaaS-first due diligence workflows
  • –Less suitable for teams seeking deep operational API integration

Best for: Fits when regulated decisions require defensible evidence and adjudicated findings across complex counterparties.

#10

The Risk Advisory Group

specialist

The Risk Advisory Group provides enhanced due diligence, investigations, and political risk analysis.

6.5/10
Overall
Features6.5/10
Ease of Use6.5/10
Value6.5/10
Standout feature

Evidence-centered diligence deliverables that map findings into decision-ready narratives for procurement and legal review.

The Risk Advisory Group delivers third-party due diligence and vendor risk management for organizations that need counterparty screening, evidence-backed risk writeups, and decision-ready reporting. The firm’s work centers on practical risk assessments across compliance, financial stability signals, and operational risk considerations used in vendor selection and ongoing oversight.

Pros
  • +Structured risk writeups support procurement and legal decision meetings
  • +Document-led evidence collection helps align diligence outputs to policies
  • +Counterparty screening workflows fit vendor onboarding and refresh cycles
  • +Clear deliverable formats reduce rework between teams
Cons
  • –Automation and API integration are not a primary selling point
  • –Execution quality depends on scope clarity and response quality from vendors
  • –Governance controls like RBAC and audit-log views are not emphasized
  • –Continuous monitoring workflows may require separate engagement design

Best for: Fits when teams need evidence-backed third-party due diligence reports for onboarding and periodic refreshes.

Conclusion

After evaluating 10 third party due diligence, EY stands out as our overall top pick — it scored highest across our combined criteria of features, ease of use, and value, which is why it sits at #1 in the rankings above.

Our Top Pick
EY

Use the comparison table and detailed reviews above to validate the fit against your own requirements before committing to a tool.

Frequently Asked Questions About Third Party Due Diligence

How do Deloitte and Kroll handle evidence collection for governance-ready onboarding files?
Deloitte builds evidence-led diligence program design that ties screening outcomes to remediation planning and governance documentation across onboarding and periodic refresh cycles. Kroll runs investigator-led case development that connects sanctions and adverse media signals to adjudicated findings for principals, ownership, and affiliates.
Which providers support ongoing due diligence refresh cycles without restarting the entire process?
EY supports consistent decision support across complex counterparties by translating investigation outputs into actionable risk ratings and governance-ready documentation during structured review cycles. TRACE packages evidence-linked case management so screening outputs stay tied to decisions, remediation actions, and due diligence refresh workflows.
How do PwC and FTI Consulting structure risk-rating methodology outputs for procurement and legal teams?
PwC produces decision-grade due diligence packages that translate inquiry work into remediation-ready narratives with documented evidence trails for procurement, compliance, and legal review. FTI Consulting delivers documented risk-rating methodology in its case-level evidence management so regulated decisions have adjudicated findings and traceable support.
When does analyst-led delivery like Ankura matter more than tool-first automation?
Ankura centers on analyst-driven production with evidence-led workflows for complex cross-border risk where remediation and governance follow-through are required. RSM leans toward structured consulting governance and evidence-led findings with disciplined mapping to a repeatable risk-rating methodology rather than an API-first workflow.
What onboarding artifacts do KPMG and TRACE produce to support audit rights and contractual compliance review?
KPMG produces structured outputs that support ongoing due diligence refresh cycles and governance decisions such as audit rights and contractual compliance review. TRACE focuses on audit-ready sharing with evidence-linked case management that keeps screening outputs tied to remediation tracking and refresh work.
Which providers work well when counterparty diligence requires multi-workstream coordination across stakeholders?
PwC coordinates workstreams across compliance, legal, and operations using a workflow that combines counterparty inquiry, evidence handling, and risk narrative outputs for internal governance. Deloitte runs industry specialist engagement teams that design defensible due diligence governance aligned to portfolio needs and contract expectations.
What technical integration requirements arise when diligence outputs must feed internal systems like GRC or case management?
TRACE is positioned for repeatable documentation and consistent outputs across business units, which reduces manual reshaping before ingestion into risk systems. RSM and Ankura typically deliver evidence and findings through analyst-led production, so internal teams often need a defined data model and configuration mapping to translate outputs into existing workflows.
How do sanctions and adverse media findings get handled differently between Deloitte and Kroll?
Deloitte provides engagement teams that package documentation packages supporting sanctions, adverse media, and beneficial ownership checks alongside integrity and remediation alignment. Kroll focuses on investigator-led risk work with jurisdiction-specific research coverage that feeds adjudication outputs tied to underwriting and contracting decisions.
What breaks when a firm inputs incomplete counterparty information to providers like the Risk Advisory Group and EY?
The Risk Advisory Group’s turnaround and depth depend on scope definition and the completeness of information provided by the counterparty, which can slow onboarding and periodic refresh reporting. EY translates inquiry outputs into actionable risk ratings, so gaps in counterparty research inputs reduce the fidelity of decision memos and remediation guidance.

Tools reviewed

Primary sources checked during evaluation.

Referenced in the comparison table and product reviews above.

How to Choose the Right Third Party Due Diligence

We separate options by how well third party due diligence output becomes usable work: you want a repeatable evidence trail and a clear way to review, refresh, and export findings. Focus on whether Audit log and evidence attachments match how your team actually documents decisions.

Evidence attachments for each conclusion

Why it matters

Evidence attachments for each conclusion reduce disputes when stakeholders ask “what did you rely on.” For third party due diligence, the output needs traceable source context, not just a label.

How to check

Open a sample due diligence case and click into a finding to see whether it includes linked source evidence, captured notes, and timestamps. Ask for an export and confirm the evidence is included with the record you can share internally.

Review workflow with approvals and notes

Why it matters

A review workflow with approvals and notes keeps decisions consistent across reviewers. In third party due diligence, the difference between “draft” and “approved for use” matters when you refresh or audit decisions.

How to check

In a demo, start a case, complete one investigation step, and show how a second user can review and approve with comments. Check whether you can restrict who can finalize the outcome for a case.

Audit log of changes and status

Why it matters

Audit log of changes and status helps you reconstruct what changed and when—critical for third party due diligence records that evolve. It also supports internal governance without relying on tribal knowledge.

How to check

Create a case, update an assessment field, then change status (for example, draft to approved). Verify the audit log captures user, timestamp, field/value changes, and any edits to the evidence attachments.

Refresh cadence and rerun controls

Why it matters

Refresh cadence and rerun controls determine whether due diligence stays current without manual rework. If third party due diligence refreshes are vague, teams either miss updates or spend too long rerunning everything.

How to check

Ask how the tool handles a “refresh” for an existing case: what gets rerun, what stays, and what triggers notifications. Provide a sample schedule and show how you can configure per vendor/case refresh timing.

Exportable report bundle with metadata

Why it matters

Exportable report bundle with metadata lets you store third party due diligence outputs in your document system and share with internal stakeholders. Portability matters when teams need a stable record beyond the app UI.

How to check

Generate a report for a sample case and download it in the format you plan to keep (PDF and/or data export). Confirm the export includes: case identifiers, review status, evidence links or attachments, and timestamps.

Red flags

  • Conclusions without linked evidence artifacts
  • Approvals that do not lock outcomes to a clear status
  • Audit logs that miss field-level edits or timestamps

Fit by situation

  • If you need a defensible record for internal review, prioritize Evidence attachments for each conclusion.
  • If multiple reviewers finalize outcomes, prioritize Review workflow with approvals and notes.
  • If cases must stay current and reviewable over time, prioritize Refresh cadence and rerun controls.
Commissioned Research

Funding and competing interests

This study was co-funded by several of the vendors assessed in it. No single vendor funded it. Funders could propose the market studied.

They had no role in selecting vendors, setting or weighting criteria, analysing data or drawing conclusions, and they received the same factual-accuracy check as every other vendor assessed.

Market definition, inclusion rules and criteria weights were fixed by an editor before research began and did not change afterwards. Editorial process →

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