Aura vs. Identity Guard: What You Need To Know Before Buying

Which Is Better — Identity Guard or Aura? It Depends.

Aura and Identity Guard are two of the best identity theft protection providers on the market. Both offer robust security, fraud monitoring, and dedicated support. Yet, while they share some core features and tools, each takes a different approach to online safety.  

The main differences between Aura and Identity Guard are that: 

• Aura is an all-in-one online safety platform with a special focus on proactive digital security, online privacy, and robust family protection. All Aura plans include digital security tools (such as an antivirus, VPN, and data broker removal services) and three-bureau credit monitoring. Family plans add parental controls, family online safety tools, and more. 
• Identity Guard focuses on identity theft protection with flexible plan options. For example, Identity Guard offers different levels of protection, such as a value-focused plan that does not include credit monitoring.

Here’s an in-depth guide covering what these services offer and how to decide which one is right for your needs, personal situation, family, and budget. 

Note: Aura and Identity Guard are independent brands owned by the same parent company — Aura Sub, LLC. Identity Guard was founded in 1996; the company was acquired by Aura’s parent company in 2019. Although Identity Guard and Aura belong to the same company, their products, features, plans, apps, and offerings are markedly different.

{{show-toc}} 

Aura vs. Identity Guard: Feature Comparison and Review

Aura and Identity Guard offer many similar features, but there are differences between the services, particularly in the areas of digital security and parental controls.

Most noticeably, Aura provides all features on all plans — including three-bureau credit monitoring and bank account fraud detection. Identity Guard reserves those features for its more expensive plans (Total and Ultra). 

Here's a side-by-side feature comparison to help you see how they differ:

When making a decision between such comparable services like Aura and Identity Guard, understanding even the most minor differences can help you make the right choice for your unique needs.

What Are the Key Differences Between Aura and Identity Guard?

Digging deeper, here's a breakdown of the key differences that set Aura and Identity Guard apart.

Aura provides more digital security and online privacy tools (for all-in-one protection)

Aura is a true “all-in-one” online protection app. Every plan includes antivirus software to safeguard against malware, a military-grade virtual private network (VPN), Safe Browsing tools, a password manager, and more. 

Aura also invests heavily in protecting its customers’ online privacy — with automatic data broker opt-outs for over 80 data brokers, anti-track and ad blocking tools, and email aliases. 

Identity Guard offers a password manager and Safe Browsing tools to shield against phishing websites, but that’s the extent of its digital security features.

All Aura plans include three-bureau credit monitoring

Every Aura plan monitors credit files at all three bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion).  Aura has also been found to provide the fastest and most reliable credit alerts, when compared to competitors³.

Identity Guard offers three-bureau monitoring, but only on its Total and Ultra plans. 

Identity Guard offers a budget-friendly identity-monitoring-only product

For users who don't want or need credit monitoring, Identity Guard's Value plan offers basic identity protection and digital security for a low price. 

Aura offers parental controls and more robust family protection

Aura's family plans come with parental controls, screen time limits, and Safe Gaming functionality that can warn you if your child is being threatened or abused when gaming online. 

Aura also recently launched a suite of online balance features for families, which gives parents deeper insights into their children’s online activities and any potential health risks that could arise from them. 

Aura offers simpler plan options

Aura's plans make it easy to choose between them because they all provide the same features (except for Family plans). Identity Guard's plans include different features and levels of protection.

Aura Review: Features, Pricing, and Whom It’s Best For

Aura was founded in 2017, and has since catapulted to the forefront of the identity theft protection industry — winning praise and awards from top publications like USA Today, Forbes, CNET, and Mom's Choice Awards.

Unlike many of its competitors, Aura’s plans only differ in the number of people you're protecting. Every package comes with the same high level of protection against identity theft, fraud, hacking, and scams. 

Here’s a rundown of Aura’s different plan offerings: 

• Aura Individual: Total protection for one person — including identity monitoring, three-bureau credit monitoring, financial fraud protection, full digital security suite, 24/7 U.S.-based support, and up to $1 million in identity theft insurance. 
• Aura Couple: Same coverage as the individual plan (with up to $2 million in identity theft insurance coverage) but with a slight discount for couples. 
• Aura Family: Same features as the individual plan for up to five adults and unlimited children (with up to $5 million in insurance coverage), plus parental controls, Safe Gaming tools, child identity theft protection, and AI spam call protection.
• Aura Kids: A special plan for families who only want parental controls and child online safety tools. 

Aura offers both a mobile app and a web app for desktop devices, so you can access its features on the digital devices that you and your family use the most. 

Standout features you get with Aura

Aura's biggest advantage is in being a true all-in-one identity protection solution. Aura's plans combine cybersecurity, comprehensive monitoring, and identity restoration services in a single package.  

Here are some of the features included with every Aura plan: 

• Three-bureau credit monitoring with the industry’s fastest fraud alerts³. Unlike many other providers, Aura includes three-bureau monitoring on all of its identity theft protection plans. A 2022 Mystery Shopper survey also found that Aura provided the most reliable and fastest credit fraud alerts, when compared to other services.
• Online privacy protection. Aura helps you remove your private information from the internet with automatic data removal from over 80 data broker sites, as well as anti-tracker and ad blocking technologies. 
• Included digital security suite. Aura's security features help proactively protect against hackers and online scammers. Plans come with antivirus software, a VPN, password manager, Safe Browsing tools, and more.
• Family-focused protection. Aura's Family plans include parental controls that help you safeguard your kids (and elderly relatives) online.
• Optional AI-powered Call Assistant. Aura can screen your calls, block robocallers and known spammers, and filter out harmful text messages before they reach you. 
• Data broker opt-out with automated requests. Aura protects your online privacy and reduces your exposure to spam and scams by requesting that data brokers remove your information. 
• Up to $5 million in total identity theft insurance coverage. Every adult member on an Aura plan is insured for up to $1 million — covering eligible losses and expenses resulting from identity theft. 

Aura pricing: How much does it cost? 

Despite Aura's extensive feature list, its packages remain affordable. You can lower your monthly price even more if you sign up for an annual plan. While this requires a bigger upfront investment, all annual plans come with a 60-day money-back guarantee. 

Here's a rundown of Aura's plan pricing as of May 2025 (when using this special discount link):

Who is Aura best for? 

Aura is a great choice for anyone looking for comprehensive ID theft protection.

For individuals, Aura is ideal for those looking for complete coverage, including identity theft prevention, protection, and remediation. The included three-bureau credit monitoring features and near real-time fraud alerts offer particularly strong financial protection. 

Plus, Aura provides 24/7 U.S.-based support to help victims of identity theft recover quickly. 

For families, Aura identity theft protection offers coverage for up to five adults and unlimited children — more than most competitors. This can include family members living in different households, such as grandparents or kids away at college. Aura's included parental controls and new online balance features are among the best available.

The bottom line: Aura is best for people who want to tackle identity theft from all angles with fully integrated prevention, protection, and support. 

📚 Related: Aura vs. LifeLock: What You Need To Know Before You Buy →

Identity Guard Review: Features, Pricing, and Whom It’s Best For

For nearly 30 years, Identity Guard has been a staple in identity theft protection. Identity Guard has serviced nearly 50 million customers and won recognition from leading industry voices, such as U.S. News & World Report, Security.org, and Javelin Strategy & Research.

Identity Guard focuses on providing flexible protection that fits different needs and budgets. This differs from Aura’s “all-in-one” approach on all plans. 

Here’s how Identity Guard structures its plan offerings: 

• Value: Basic identity theft protection — including Dark Web monitoring, high risk transaction monitoring, data breach notifications, and U.S.-based customer support, plus Safe Browsing tools, a password manager, and a $1 million ID theft insurance policy.
• Total: Same coverage as the Value plan, plus bank account monitoring, three-bureau credit monitoring, and monthly credit scores. 
• Ultra: Same protection features as the Total plan but with social media monitoring, public records monitoring, and credit card and investment account monitoring — as well as an Experian Credit Lock, annual credit reports, and White Glove Fraud Resolution support. 
• Family: Whatever plan you choose, Identity Guard offers package features for up to five adults and unlimited children. 

Standout features included with Identity Guard

Identity Guard's services range from entry-level identity monitoring to comprehensive protection.

While the coverage you get depends on your plan, here are some of Identity Guard’s standout features:

• Identity monitoring and alerts. All Identity Guard plans include monitoring of personal data, such as your Social Security number (SSN) and driver's license. 
• Financial account protection. Identity Guard offers varying levels of financial account protection. All plans include high-risk transaction monitoring, while more expensive plans add on bank account monitoring — along with debit, credit, and investment account monitoring. 
• Public records monitoring. Identity Guard closely monitors your public records to ensure that identity thieves don't make any changes to your home title or use your name when registering as a criminal or sex offender. 
• Social media monitoring. Identity Guard checks your social media accounts for suspicious activity, including tagged posts, malicious content, and account takeover threats.
• Experian Credit Lock. With the Credit Lock feature, you can instantly lock your Experian credit file. You'll also receive near-instant alerts if someone tries to access your file while it's locked. 

Identity Guard pricing: How much does it cost? 

Identity Guard offers some of the most accessible identity theft protection plans available. The budget-friendly Value plan is especially attractive for people who want protection without a heavy price tag. Similar to Aura, annual plans offer steeper discounts and a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Here's a rundown of Identity Guard’s pricing plans as of May 2025:

Who is Identity Guard best for? 

Because of Identity Guard's tiered plan structure, it offers services for different types of individuals and families. 

Specifically, Identity Guard is a great option for anyone who wants identity monitoring without costly extras. Perhaps you already have an antivirus software package or manage your own credit monitoring responsibilities and only want help keeping track of your personally identifiable information (PII). 

For those looking for all-in-one protection, Identity Guard’s Ultra plan is more in line with what Aura offers. However, it comes with a higher price tag and fewer digital security features — making Aura a better choice in most scenarios. 

The bottom line: Identity Guard's flexibility is why it's probably best suited for people who want more control over their services (and their wallets). You can find a package that gives you only what you need, so that you're not paying for anything you don't want or won't use.  

📚 Related: Is Identity Guard Worth It? Here’s What You Need To Know →

The Bottom Line: How To Choose Between Aura and Identity Guard

Aura and Identity Guard both offer a high level of protection, reliable support, and generous insurance policies. However, the different approaches they take to online safety could help guide your decision when choosing between them.  

• Aura excels at family online protection and also includes some of the most feature-packed plans on the market.
• Identity Guard offers flexible plans with a range of features for users who want different levels of protection. 

If you're still unsure which service is right for you, the best thing you can do is try them out for yourself.