> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.argyle.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Verifications vs. Data APIs

> Choose a report workflow or retrieve the individual records your application needs.

Applicants share payroll data, banking information, or documents through Argyle.

* Choose **Verifications** when your application needs a completed report.
* Choose **Data APIs** when it needs individual payroll records, uploaded files, or OCR and authenticity results for its own workflow.

## Choose your path

| What you need | Use |
| - | - |
| Payroll income or employment reports | Verifications — [Payroll](/verifications/verification-types/payroll) |
| Banking income, asset, or transaction reports | Verifications — [Banking](/verifications/verification-types/banking) |
| Mortgage income reports from uploaded documents | Verifications — [Doc VOI](/verifications/verification-types/document-voi) |
| Individual payroll records for your own workflow or income calculations | [Data APIs](/data-apis/overview) |
| Original paystubs, tax forms, and other files from connected payroll accounts | Data APIs — [Payroll Documents](/api-reference/payroll-documents) |
| Uploaded files and their OCR or authenticity results | Data APIs — [User Uploads](/api-reference/user-uploads) |

## Compare the workflows

| | Verifications | Data APIs |
| - | - | - |
| **Result** | A report PDF and, when supported, report JSON. | Individual records and document metadata, with links to available source files. |
| **Workflow** | Order a verification, complete the required account-connection or document steps, and retrieve the report. | Let applicants connect payroll accounts or share documents, then retrieve the resources your application needs. |
| **Readiness** | Track `verifications.updated` and the verification status. | Track payroll synchronization or document-processing webhooks for the resources you need. |
| **Implementation guide** | [Verifications Quickstart](/verifications/quickstart) | [Data APIs](/data-apis/overview) |

## Payroll reports and paystub records

Payroll reports summarize income or employment information.

For detailed payroll records and source files, use these **Data APIs**:

* **[Paystubs](/api-reference/paystubs):** Individual payments, including pay dates, pay-period dates, and gross and net pay. Use these records to calculate income over the period your workflow requires.
* **[Identities](/api-reference/identities):** Employer and employment details associated with the connected account.
* **[Payroll Documents](/api-reference/payroll-documents):** Original paystubs, tax forms, and other source files, when available.

Field availability and history depend on the connected payroll account.

## Tenant screening

For tenant screening, we recommend:

* **Payroll:** Use Data APIs to retrieve individual payroll records and calculate income for your screening process.
* **Banking:** Use Verifications for income or asset reports.
* **Uploaded documents:** Use [User Uploads](/api-reference/user-uploads) to retrieve files and OCR or authenticity results when enabled.

See the [Tenant Screening guide](/verticals/tenant-screening) for implementation steps.