CASParser vs Account Aggregator: Speed, Cost, and Simplicity

The Portfolio Import Dilemma

Every fintech platform in India that needs portfolio data faces a choice: Account Aggregator or alternative solutions like CASParser. Both serve the same fundamental need - getting investor portfolio data into your platform - but they differ dramatically in approach, cost, and timeline.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Implementation Time

• CASParser: 5 minutes (API integration) to 1 hour (full SDK integration)
• Account Aggregator: 5-10 months (regulatory approvals, integration, testing)

Cost

• CASParser: ₹999-10,500/month (usage-based)
• Account Aggregator: ₹5-25 lakhs+ upfront + ₹2-10 lakhs+ annually

Regulatory Requirements

• CASParser: None. It’s a pure API service - no regulatory approvals needed
• Account Aggregator: Requires FIU registration, compliance setup, consent management

Data Coverage

• CASParser: Investment portfolios (equities, MFs, bonds, AIFs, insurance, NPS)
• Account Aggregator: All financial data (banking, insurance, investments, tax)

Data Freshness

• CASParser: Point-in-time (CAS statement date)
• Account Aggregator: Near real-time

When to Use CASParser

1. You need portfolio import immediately (days, not months)
2. Your budget is limited (starting at ₹999/month)
3. You only need investment data (not banking or insurance)
4. You want to avoid regulatory complexity
5. You need features like Gmail inbox import or CAS generation

When to Use Account Aggregator

1. You need comprehensive financial data (banking, insurance, tax)
2. You need real-time data access
3. You have 5-10 months and ₹5-25 lakhs+ budget
4. Regulatory compliance is a core business requirement

The Best of Both Worlds

Many platforms use CASParser as a bridge while implementing Account Aggregator. This approach gives you:

• Immediate capability through CASParser
• Long-term comprehensiveness through Account Aggregator
• Zero gap in user experience during the transition

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