Best Credit Monitoring Services
Discover the top credit monitoring services that provide comprehensive credit reports, score tracking, identity theft protection, and real-time alerts to safeguard your financial information and identity.
Written by
Grace Lemire
Grace Lemire is a full-time content writer and part-time social media creator with a passion for helping people navigate life's toughest financial decisions – from moving out of your parents' house to buying a home.
Last Update on Dec 13, 2023
Table Of Contents
Credit monitoring services differ in the depth of services they provide, the price, and the number of bureaus they monitor. The best service for you is the one that matches your needs best.
| Credit Monitoring Service | Rating | Best For… | Number of Bureaus Monitored | Monthly Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Sesame | 5 | Free credit monitoring | 1 | Free |
| Credit Karma | 4 | Free credit monitoring with frequent updates | 2 | Free |
| Experian | 3.9 | Free FICO score tracking | 2 | Free |
| Identity Guard | 4.3 | Most comprehensive service | Up to 3 | $5.39 to $29.99 |
| IdentityForce | 4.5 | Three-bureau monitoring | 3 | $17.99 to $23.99 |
| ID Watchdog | 4.2 | Strong customer support | 1 or 3 | $14.95 to $21.95 |
| IdentityIQ | 3.7 | Affordable family plans | 1 or 3 | $9.99 to $29.99 |
Best for most comprehensive service
Identity Guard
Credit Bureaus Monitored
Up to 3
Unique Features
$1 million of identity theft insurance on all plans
Monthly Fee
$5.39 to $29.99
Package Options
3
Show More Details
Identity Guard provides both credit monitoring and comprehensive identity theft insurance for just $5.39 to $29.99 per month — which is affordable for the service it provides.
Pros:
- Comes with $1 million of identity theft insurance
- Each user gets a U.S.-based case manager
- User-friendly mobile app and online dashboard
Cons:
- No free plan
- The low-level plan doesn’t include credit monitoring. You’ll need to upgrade to get all the services.
Additional Details
There are three plans offered: Value, Total, and Ultra. The Value plan does not include credit monitoring, but the other two do.
Best for free credit monitoring with frequent updates
Credit Sesame
Credit Bureaus Monitored
1
Unique Features
Comes with up to $50,000 of identity insurance
Monthly Fee
Free
Package Options
1
Show More Details
Credit Sesame offers a simple, free credit monitoring service, but it doesn’t have all the features of some of its competitors.
Pros:
- Free
- Upgrade available for more features
- Comes with up to $50,000 of identity insurance
- Simple, easy mobile app alerts
Cons:
- Only monitors one credit bureau
- Only provides users’ VantageScore
Additional Details
Credit Sesame’s app is user-friendly, highly-rated, and secure. It provides a detailed breakdown of your credit score, complete with tips for how to improve the areas of your score that aren’t up to par.
Best for free FICO score tracking
Experian
Credit Bureaus Monitored
1
Unique Features
FICO score tracking
Monthly Fee
Free
Package Options
1
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Experian is one of the three major credit bureaus, making it a reliable option for monitoring your credit score. It also provides FICO score tracking, which most free options don’t.
Pros:
- Free
- Option to upgrade to a paid version for more features
- Tracks your FICO score
- Tracks spending and notifies you of increases and decreases
Cons:
- Only monitors one credit bureau
Additional Details
If you want to track your score at all three credit bureaus, you’ll need to upgrade to Experian’s CreditWorks plan, which costs $19.99 per month. For the most comprehensive option, you can upgrade to Experian IdentityWorks for $24.99 to $34.99 per month, which includes both identity theft insurance and credit monitoring.
Best for three-bureau monitoring
IdentityForce
Credit Bureaus Monitored
3
Unique Features
Monitors all three bureaus
Monthly Fee
$17.99 to $23.99
Package Options
2
Show More Details
IdentityForce is offered through TransUnion, one of the other major credit bureaus. They offer two packages, both with strong identity theft insurance.
Pros:
- Comes with $1 million of identity theft insurance
- Offers a family plan
- Monitors credit at all three bureaus
Cons:
- No free option
- Credit monitoring is only included in the UltraSecure+Credit plan
- Basic plans are more expensive than some competitors
- Doesn’t publish the pricing for the family plan
Additional Details
There are two plan options: UltraSecure and UltraSecure+Credit. If you want credit monitoring included, you’ll need to opt for the latter.
Best for strong customer support
ID Watchdog
Credit Bureaus Monitored
1 or 3
Unique Features
24/7 customer support
Monthly Fee
$14.95 to $21.95
Package Options
2
Show More Details
ID Watchdog is offered by Equifax, the last of the three major credit bureaus. They stand out from competitors because of their 24/7 customer support.
Pros:
- Comes with $1 million of identity theft insurance
- 24/7 customer support
- Affordable pricing for the value provided
- Offers family plans for up to four children
Cons:
- Family plans capped at four children
- Cheaper plan only monitors one credit bureau
Additional Details
There are two package options: Select and Premium. The Select plan monitors your credit score at one bureau, while the Premium plan provides three-bureau monitoring.
Best for affordable family plans
IdentityIQ
Credit Bureaus Monitored
1 or 3
Unique Features
Family plan at no additional cost
Monthly Fee
$9.99 to $29.99
Package Options
3
Show More Details
IdentityIQ offers three-bureau credit monitoring with family plans at no additional cost. This makes it incredibly affordable to provide comprehensive coverage for the whole family, without the massive price tag.
Pros:
- Affordable family plan option
- Three bureau credit monitoring for two plans
Cons:
- No free option
- Cheapest plan only monitors one credit bureau
Additional Details
There are three plan options: Secure Plus, Secure Pro, and Secure Max. The Secure Plus plan only monitors one credit bureau, while the other two plans monitor all three.
What Is Credit Monitoring?
Credit monitoring is like a security system for your credit reports. It keeps an eye on any changes and lets you know if something fishy is happening that might suggest identity theft. It even provides updates on your credit score and helps you manage your credit profile.
How Does Credit Monitoring Work?
- Watching Your Credit: Credit monitoring checks major credit bureaus for changes in your credit. Some services check all three, while others just one or two.
- Alerts for Suspicious Activity: You’ll be alerted if something unusual happens, like a large balance change or a new account.
- Identity Protection: Many services offer extra features like identity theft protection and dark web scanning.
- Cost: These services usually charge monthly fees, generally ranging from $7 to $40.
When Should You Consider Credit Monitoring?
The need for this service might arise in several situations. If your credit card company doesn’t offer integrated monitoring, you might want to seek an external service. It may also be particularly relevant if you’ve had identity theft problems in the past, as a monitoring service can provide added security. Additionally, if the idea of tracking your credit on your own feels overwhelming or inconvenient, a credit monitoring service can handle this for you, giving you peace of mind and freeing up your time.
How to Choose the Right Service?
Follow these easy steps:
- Identify Your Needs: If you’ve been a victim of identity theft, go for a company that monitors all three credit bureaus and offers identity theft insurance.
- Think About the Cost: Monthly fees vary, but annual payment often gets you a discount. Some services are free but provide fewer features.
- Number of Bureaus Monitored: The best services watch all three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion). Some cheaper or free services may monitor fewer.
- Credit Score Model: Choose the one that provides your FICO Score if you’re planning a big purchase like a house. It’s the most commonly used model.
- Identity Theft Insurance: Many services offer up to $1 million in coverage. Free services might offer less.
- Look for Dark Web Scanning: This feature helps protect personal information for you and your family.
- Check Reviews and Complaints: Look up the service on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if people have had issues with it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Paid Credit Monitoring Worth It?
It depends. Paid credit monitoring is worth it if you’ve experienced identity theft or inaccurate credit reporting in the past. Otherwise, a free service will likely suffice.
Are There Any Cons Of Credit Monitoring Services?
The one con is that some credit monitoring services cost money. If you opt into a paid service and your score and identity remain okay, you will have paid for something a free service could’ve covered. However, if something does go awry with your credit or identity, having a paid service to detect it is valuable.
Do I Need To Monitor All 3 Credit Bureaus?
Not necessarily. While it’s good practice to check your information from all three bureaus periodically, it’s most recommended if you’re about to make a purchase in which your credit will be examined. Otherwise, using a free service to monitor one credit bureau is enough.
Find out more
- Credit Score Limits – Understand what the lowest credit score means for your financial life.
- Credit Repair Expenditure – Learn about the financial aspect of credit repair.
- Updating Credit Report Information – How to keep your credit report information current and accurate.
- Credit Checks Decoded – Discover the impact of different types of credit inquiries.
- Choosing a Credit Repair Company – Key considerations for selecting a credit repair service.
- Determinants of Credit Score – Explore the factors that influence your credit score.
- Targeting a Good Credit Score – Define and strive for a healthy credit score.
- Insights into Credit Monitoring – The importance of keeping a watchful eye on your credit.
Grace Lemire
Author
Grace Lemire is a full-time content writer and part-time social media creator with a passion for helping people navigate life's toughest financial decisions – from moving out of your parents' house to buying a home.
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