Key takeaways
- Free apps like Credit Karma and Experian offer solid credit monitoring at no cost.
- Premium services add identity theft protection and full 3-bureau coverage.
- The best option depends on your goals: credit building, security or both.
Best 6 credit monitoring services
Here are our top picks for the best credit monitoring services based on price, features, ease of use and real-time alerts.
| Credit Karma | Free plan, credit score simulator, credit card and loan recommendations | $0 |
| Identity Force | Dark web monitoring, financial account tracking, ID theft insurance | $34.90/month |
| Experian® | Free access to Experian credit report and FICO Score, Experian Boost, credit lock, FICO score tracking | $0 |
| PrivacyGuard | Online access to all three credit bureau reports and scores | $9.99/month |
| Aura | Family and individual plans, parental controls, antivirus, VPN, dark web scans | $12.99/month |
| myFICO | Industry-specific FICO scores, simulator tools | Starts at $0/month |
Hot tip: Checking your own credit score with a monitoring app is a soft pull — it won’t hurt your credit. But applying for a loan or credit card triggers a hard pull, which can temporarily lower your score by a few points.
Methodology
Finder’s experts compare multiple credit monitoring services and narrow down on key factors including monthly fees, plan options, variety of credit bureau monitoring, credit score tools and more. We also factored in user reviews, Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings and overall reputation to create this curated list of the best credit monitoring services and apps.
Key features weighed include:
- Credit bureau coverage
- Real-time fraud alerts
- Mobile app usability
- Cost and free plan availability
- Additional tools (e.g., dark web scans, identity insurance)
How much does credit monitoring cost?
Credit monitoring services vary widely in price.
On the low end, you may not have to pay a monthly fee at all, with Experian and Credit Karma offering basic identity theft protection with no monthly fees.
If you want extra bells and whistles, such as identity theft insurance and dark web scans, you may have to pay anywhere from $10 to $35 per month — or more if you want to protect multiple individuals.
Paid credit monitoring services often include extras like:
- New credit inquiry alerts
- Account openings or closures
- Late payments or accounts in collections
- Changes to your credit score
So I don’t have to pay for credit monitoring?
Not if you don’t want to. There are plenty of free services available.
However, premium options like IdentityForce or myFICO may be worth it for more serious credit watchers or those needing identity protection.
Don’t pay to view your credit reports
“You don’t have to pay anyone to get access to your credit reports and scores. In fact, it’s your protected right to view your credit reports under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and under federal law, you’re allowed to request your free reports once every 12 months. Additionally, viewing your own credit reports and scores does not impact your credit score at all.
Currently, the three major credit bureaus are offering free weekly reports (a response to the Covid-19 pandemic). You can request copies of your credit reports from AnnualCreditReport.com at no cost.”
Do I need credit monitoring?
Credit monitoring helps you spot fraud early, stay aware of your credit status and avoid unpleasant surprises when applying for a loan or credit card.
You may want to consider a credit monitoring service if you:
- Are you actively rebuilding or improving your credit
- Want early detection of identity theft or fraud
- Plan to apply for a mortgage or auto loan soon
- Have been affected by a data breach
- Just want peace of mind and score tracking
Alternatives to credit monitoring services
If you’re not ready to pay for credit monitoring, here are some alternatives:
- AnnualCreditReport.com. This trusted site offers free access to your credit reports from all three bureaus, which you can request weekly.
- Bank or credit card alerts. Some banks offer free credit tracking as a perk, including Chase Bank.
- Freeze your credit. If you suspect an identity theft breach, you can freeze your credit reports to prevent any new accounts from being opened in your name.
Hot tip: There are multiple ways you can request your credit reports, and most methods don’t cost anything.
Bottom line
The best credit monitoring service for you depends on your goals — whether it’s tracking your score, protecting against identity theft or preparing for a major loan. Free options like Credit Karma work great for everyday monitoring, while premium services like IdentityForce or Aura offer peace of mind with added protections.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free credit monitoring service?
Credit Karma and Experian are two of the most popular free services, offering real-time updates and helpful tools at no cost.
What’s the difference between credit monitoring and a credit freeze?
Credit monitoring alerts you to changes, while a credit freeze prevents new accounts from being opened using your credit profile.
Does checking my credit score with these services hurt my credit?
No — using credit monitoring apps to check your own score is a soft inquiry and has no impact on your credit.
