Metro2 by Switch Labs vs The Service Bureau
TSB's Credit Manager is a reliable legacy desktop application with a 30+ year track record, but its $599–$2,999/year pricing, desktop-only deployment, and lack of API or cloud capabilities make it poorly suited for modern businesses. Metro2 by Switch Labs offers cloud access, API automation, and automated bureau delivery starting at just $19/month.
Metro2 by Switch Labs
Modern, cloud-based Metro 2 credit reporting software
The Service Bureau
The Service Bureau (TSB), founded in 1992, offers Credit Manager — a Windows desktop Metro 2 reporting application with ...
Pricing Comparison
Flat-rate pricing. No per-account fees. Month-to-month billing with no long-term contracts.
Pro: $599 first year, $395/yr renewal (up to 50,000 accounts, 1 user). Elite: $1,999 first year, $1,199/yr renewal (millions of accounts, unlimited users, SQLite import). Elite+: $2,999 first year, $2,199/yr renewal (adds Experian Member Identifier File support). Additional workstation licenses: $499 each.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
See how Metro2 by Switch Labs stacks up against The Service Bureau across key capabilities.
| Feature | Metro2 by Switch Labs | The Service Bureau |
|---|---|---|
Metro 2 Format Generation Generate compliant Metro 2 format files for credit bureau submission | ||
All Three Bureaus Submit to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion | Plus Innovis and D&B (5 total) | |
Real-time Validation Instant validation of data before submission | CRRG-aligned validation engine | Hundreds of CRRG-aligned checks |
API Access REST API for programmatic integration | Full REST API from $29/mo | |
Bulk Upload Upload multiple accounts via CSV or Excel | Drag-and-drop field mapping | CSV, TXT, XML, Excel, Access, SQLite (Elite) |
Error Correction Built-in tools to fix rejected records | Live editor with bulk updates | |
Audit Trail Complete history of all submissions and changes | Comprehensive log files | |
Modern UI Clean, intuitive user interface | ||
No Long-term Contract Month-to-month billing without commitment | Cancel anytime | Annual lease required |
Transparent Pricing Clear pricing without hidden fees | Published on website | Must navigate to lease page |
Automated Bureau Delivery Automated SFTP delivery to credit bureaus on a schedule | Included from SMB plan ($29/mo) | Manual SFTP upload |
Dedicated Support Direct access to support team | Mon-Fri 8AM-5PM MST |
Try Metro2 by Switch Labs today
Generate your first Metro 2 file in minutes. Plans start at $19/month.
The Service Bureau: Pros & Cons
Pros
- Over 30 years of market presence — longest track record alongside Hutchins
- Supports 5 bureaus: Equifax, Experian, TransUnion, Innovis, and Dun & Bradstreet
- Hundreds of built-in CRRG-aligned compliance checks
- AES-256 encrypted database storage
- In-house (non-outsourced) support staff in Utah
- 30-day free demo available
- Imports from CSV, TXT, XML, Excel, MS Access, Metro 2 426 format, and SQLite (Elite+)
Cons
- Desktop-only — Windows required, no cloud, no Mac, no mobile access
- No API for automation or integration with external systems
- Annual lease model — you never own the software
- Dated user interface reflecting 1990s-era architecture
- File delivery requires manual SFTP/HTTPS upload initiation
- Major version upgrades cost extra (unspecified 'discounted rate')
- Stacking service requires non-refundable 3-month deposit ($375–$1,050); batch processing runs $125–$275/batch with $15/MB overage above 2MB (~1,200 accounts)
When to Choose The Service Bureau
- 1High-volume furnishers with 50,000+ accounts on Windows infrastructure
- 2Organizations needing Dun & Bradstreet commercial credit reporting
- 3Companies with existing TSB relationships since the 1990s
Why Choose Metro2 by Switch Labs Over The Service Bureau
- Cloud-based — access from any device, any browser, no installation
- Full REST API for automation and integration (TSB has no API at all)
- Automated SFTP delivery to bureaus instead of manual uploads
- Starting at $19/month vs. $599/year first-year cost
- Month-to-month billing — no annual lease commitment
- Modern interface reduces training time and data entry errors
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Metro2 by Switch Labs and credit reporting
Ready to switch from The Service Bureau?
See why businesses are choosing Metro2 by Switch Labs for their credit reporting needs. Plans start at $19/month.