Introduction
With new age verification laws coming into force across the UK from July 25, 2025, businesses with 18+ content or products must implement a compliant age assurance system. While many companies are scrambling to integrate expensive pay-per-verification solutions, 18Verified offers an affordable, subscription-based alternative that protects both users and businesses. In this post, we explain exactly how 18Verified works and why it’s the most cost-effective solution for staying compliant.

Why Age Verification Matters More Than Ever

The UK’s Online Safety Act and enforcement by Ofcom mean that any business providing age-restricted services or content online must verify a user’s age using Highly Effective Age Assurance (HEAA) methods. This includes industries like adult content, gambling, vaping, CBD, alcohol, escorts, weapons, and more.

Non-compliance can lead to fines of up to £18 million or 10% of annual turnover, as well as domain blocks. For businesses, getting this right is not optional – it’s essential.

How 18Verified Works

18Verified is an age verification gateway designed to be simple, secure, and scalable. It works in three core steps:

1. User Verifies Once

Users choose between two HEAA-compliant methods to verify their age:

• Credit Card Check: A quick, discreet way to confirm a user is 18+ without needing to upload personal documents. Only adults can own credit cards, making this a legally reliable method.
• ID Upload: Users can also choose to upload a photo of a government-issued ID (e.g., passport or driving licence) for verification.

2. One Subscription = Unlimited Access

Once verified, users pay a simple £2/month subscription fee to maintain access. This gives them instant entry to any website that uses 18Verified – no need to re-upload ID or verify again.

For users, it’s fast, private, and hassle-free. For businesses, it shifts the cost of compliance away from the company and onto the user.

3. Business Integration

Businesses can integrate 18Verified using one of two affordable options:

• Plug-and-Play (£300/year): Designed for quick and easy setup with no developer required. Ideal for smaller businesses or platforms looking for rapid deployment.
• API Integration (£500/year): A more customisable solution for larger websites or apps wanting to embed verification directly into their platforms.

In both options, the business never handles or stores user documents or data – 18Verified manages the verification securely and privately.

Why 18Verified Is the Most Cost-Effective Option

Many age verification providers charge businesses on a pay-per-check model. This can quickly add up:

• 100 checks/month at £1.50 = £1,800/year
• 1,000 checks/month = £18,000/year
• 5,000+ checks/month = £90,000+/year

With 18Verified, you pay a single low flat fee per year. Whether you have 100 users or 100,000, your cost stays the same. That means your business can grow without penalty.

Cost Comparison Example:

Verification Provider	Model	Estimated Cost (1,000 checks/month)
Yoti	Pay-per-check (£1.44)	£17,280/year
IDnow	Pay-per-check (£2.00)	£24,000/year
VerifyMy	Pay-per-check (£1.25)	£15,000/year
18Verified	Flat-rate subscription	£300–£500/year

Built for Privacy and Compliance

Unlike some providers who require facial recognition or store user data, 18Verified is fully GDPR-compliant and privacy-first. No facial scans. No unnecessary tracking. Verification is handled securely, and user data is never shared or sold.

That means your business meets all HEAA, Ofcom, and Online Safety Act requirements with minimal risk.

Perfect for All Age-Restricted Industries

18Verified is ideal for any business that needs to restrict access to under-18s:

• Adult content websites
• Escort directories
• Live streaming & cam sites
• Online vape retailers
• CBD and cannabis e-commerce
• Alcohol & tobacco sales
• Gambling & lottery platforms
• Knives, hunting gear, and weaponry shops

No matter the size of your business or traffic levels, you can use 18Verified to stay compliant without draining your budget.

How to Get Started

1. Choose your integration: Plug-and-Play or API
2. Sign up at: 18Verified.com
3. Add our gateway to your website in minutes
4. Inform your users that they must verify from July 25

Conclusion

As the new laws roll in, you don’t need to choose between compliance and cost. 18Verified delivers a fast, affordable, and privacy-preserving solution that protects your business while giving users a simple way to verify once and access many websites.

Don’t pay per check. Don’t scare away your users. Choose the smarter way to verify.

Visit 18Verified.com to get started today.