The 6 Best Credit Monitoring Apps (Reviewed and Rated)

What’s the Best App For Monitoring Your Credit?

Credit monitoring apps can help you keep track of your credit score and monitor your credit reports for errors or unexpected changes — including new hard inquiries, loans, and accounts.

Most people start looking for a credit monitoring app for one of two reasons:

• To track their credit score before making a big purchase. Some apps are more geared toward financial health and report on credit scores (either FICO® or VantageScore®), as well as help educate users about building credit. However, there are hundreds of different credit scores used by lenders — so you may not be getting the most accurate information with these apps. 
• To monitor credit reports for signs of fraud. If scammers get ahold of your personal information after a data breach, they can attempt to open new accounts or take out loans in your name. Credit monitoring apps track your credit files with one, two, or all three of the major credit bureaus, and inform you of suspicious activity. 

While credit score apps are nice to have if you’re making a large purchase or trying to get a better interest rate on a loan, credit monitoring apps are essential tools for anyone whose information has been compromised in a data breach or is at risk of identity theft. Some apps even do both — but not all of them are worth your time and money. 

{{show-toc}}

What To Look For in a Credit Monitoring App

The best credit monitoring apps combine regular credit score updates, comprehensive credit monitoring, and additional fraud protection features.

When evaluating the best options on the market in 2025, we asked these questions:

• How comprehensive is the credit monitoring? Ideally, you should be monitoring your credit reports with all three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) to ensure that nothing gets missed.
• What type of credit score is supplied? Many apps only provide VantageScore® credit scores — despite the majority of lenders using FICO® scores.
• Can you trust the company with your private data? Credit monitoring apps require sensitive information to operate. You want to be sure that companies will protect your data, keep it private, and won’t sell it.
• Does it include fast fraud alerts and additional identity theft protection? Credit monitoring and identity theft protection should go hand-in-hand. We also looked for the level of support and any identity theft insurance offered.

• Does the app offer good value for money? Credit monitoring apps can range from limited free services to upwards of $19.95/month — but more expensive doesn’t always mean better service.

Remember: Credit monitoring apps act as an alert system only — they can’t stop fraud from happening or meaningfully help you build good credit. That’s why it’s important to look at the additional features and protection that each service provides. 

The 6 Best Credit Monitoring Apps Right Now

Do you need to pay for credit monitoring or credit score updates?

Not always. If you’re just looking to check your credit scores, many lenders and credit card companies provide free credit scores to customers. You can also get free online weekly copies of your credit reports from all three bureaus by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com. 

You may even be able to get free credit monitoring if you’ve been the victim of a data breach.

However, these methods often require significant manual work and lack additional protection. In many cases, you’re better off choosing one of the credit monitoring apps listed below.

1. Aura

Why we picked it: Aura is an all-in-one intelligent safety app that provides award-winning identity, credit, device, and data protection — along with 24/7 U.S.-based support and up to $5 million in insurance coverage for eligible losses due to identity theft and fraud. Aura is available on Android, iOS, and desktop devices.

Aura sends you monthly credit score updates based on the VantageScore® 3.0 model, monitors your credit reports at all three major bureaus, provides one-click CreditLock for your Experian credit file, and even uses artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor your linked bank accounts for unusual transactions. 

A 2025 mystery shopper survey found that Aura detects credit fraud faster — and more accurately — than its competitors³.

For questions about credit reports (or any other concerns), all Aura members get 24/7 access to a dedicated team of U.S.-based fraud remediation specialists. 

Key features:

• Three-bureau credit monitoring is included on all plans
• Independently verified to have the industry’s fastest and most reliable fraud alerts — for all updates to your credit reports
• Award-winning identity theft protection, including Dark Web monitoring and data breach alerts
• Integrated digital security suite — including antivirus, virtual private network (VPN), password manager, ad-blocker, and more
• Enhanced family plans (with parental controls and other family safety features) cover five adults and unlimited children
• 24/7 U.S.-based customer support and up to $5 million in identity theft insurance 
• Transparent privacy policy provides clear details about minimal data collection, as well as high levels of data security — including ISO 27001 certification

Potential downsides:

• Currently only available in the United States
• Provides VantageScore 3.0 credit scores, not FICO® scores
• Credit scores are updated monthly

App store ratings (as of June 2025):

• Apple App store: 4.7 stars (61.8K ratings)
• Google Play store: 4.5 stars (19.2K reviews)

Best plan and pricing: Aura individual plan — $9.99/month using this special discount link.

Aura doesn’t limit protection by plan type. Instead, you choose the number of people you want to protect in selecting your plan — individual, couple, or family. Unless you need additional protection for a spouse or family members, the individual plan is the best basic option.

Our final verdict: Aura is a comprehensive solution for individuals and families who want to keep their credit, identities, and personal finances safe. With identity theft protection and digital security tools bundled on all plans, it’s a more powerful and cost-effective option than many competitors.

However, for users whose main priority is detailed credit score information for lending purposes, the exclusive reliance on VantageScore® (updated monthly) could be seen as a drawback.

2. myFICO (Advanced or Premier plans)

Why we picked it: myFICO is the credit score and credit monitoring app offered by the company that provides your FICO® credit score. It is best for individuals who require detailed and specific FICO® score information, particularly when preparing for major loan applications such as mortgages, auto loans, or new credit cards.

In addition to being a credit monitoring service, myFICO also offers plans that include identity theft insurance, identity restoration, and identity monitoring.

myFICO has three packages to choose from: Free, Advanced, and Premier. However, the Free plan only includes credit monitoring from Experian. The Advanced package adds identity monitoring and includes three-bureau credit monitoring — at an additional cost. 

Key features:

• Provides access to multiple different FICO® scores, including those used for mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards
• Three-bureau monitoring (on Advanced and Premier plans only)
• FICO score simulator shows how certain decisions could impact your credit score
• Minimal identity theft protection 

Potential downsides:

• More expensive than almost every other option
• No digital security tools are included to protect you against hacking or scams
• Your personal information could be used for marketing purposes

App store ratings (as of June 2025):

• Apple App store: 4.8 stars (34.5K ratings)
• Google Play store: 4.4 stars (10.2K reviews)

Best plan and pricing: myFICO Advanced — $29.95/month. 

myFICO’s mid-tier plan provides the most bang for your buck, but it’s still more expensive than other options, such as Aura. Unless you need more frequent score updates, it’s generally not going to be worth upgrading to the Premier plan.

Our final verdict: myFICO's strength is its access to a comprehensive range of FICO® scores. This level of detail, however, comes at a premium price and without the broader digital security features offered by providers such as Aura. Ultimately, it’s a specialized service that’s most valuable to those looking to make credit applications in the near future.

3. Credit Karma

Why we picked it: When it comes to credit insights and monitoring, there are few names as recognizable as Credit Karma. 

Credit Karma’s free plans provide estimates of your credit score based on information gathered from your TransUnion and Equifax credit reports — with insights into what’s affecting your credit score and how you might be able to fix it. You’ll also get basic two-bureau credit monitoring (from Equifax and TransUnion).

How does Credit Karma provide these features for free? Simply put, Credit Karma uses your credit profile to provide personalized recommendations for credit cards, personal loans, auto loans, and other financial products — and then takes a commission when you purchase one.

However, this business model has gotten the company in trouble. In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) fined Credit Karma $3 million for deceptive marketing tactics.

Key features:

• Free credit reports and VantageScore 3.0 credit scores — from TransUnion and Equifax only
• Credit monitoring alerts notify users about significant changes only
• Personalized recommendations for credit cards, personal loans, and other financial products
• Basic identity monitoring (only checks your data against known data breaches)
• Credit Karma Money™ offers checking and savings account options

Potential downsides:

• Kredit Karma has incurred FTC fines due to deceptive marketing tactics
• Only monitors your credit at two bureaus
• Your personal data is used for targeted advertising of credit and financial products
• Provides limited identity theft protection and no digital security tools to protect you against hacking or scams
• Credit Karma’s privacy policy confirms that the company collects device information, log information (including IP addresses), and location information

App store ratings (as of June 2025):

• Apple App store: 4.8 stars (7.2M ratings)
• Google Play store: 4.6 stars (3M reviews)

Best plan and pricing: Credit Karma free account.

While Credit Karma offers some paid features, its most basic, free app offers the best value for the majority of users.

Our final verdict: For simple, free credit monitoring and credit score updates, Credit Karma is a great choice for most people. However, it’s important to remember that the company’s business model relies on monetizing user data. 

While Credit Karma serves as a useful educational tool for basic credit awareness, budgeting, and even DIY credit repair, it falls short in providing robust identity theft protection or FICO® scores.

📚 Related: The 6 Best Credit Karma Alternatives You Should Consider →

4. CreditWise by Capital One

Why we picked it: CreditWise is Capital One’s product for monitoring user credit scores. However, you don’t have to be a member or have a Capital One credit card to sign up — the service is available to all adults in the United States.

CreditWise allows you to view your FICO® score by using the generalized FICO Score 8 model. You’ll also get alerts about “noteworthy changes” to your TransUnion and Experian credit reports — such as new inquiries or delinquent accounts.

One of the main attractions to CreditWise is its credit score simulator. You can type in any financial decision you’re thinking of making (such as paying down a credit card or taking out a new loan) and a simulation will show you how it would impact your credit score.

Key features:

• Free FICO Score 8 updates based on TransUnion credit report data
• Sends credit monitoring alerts for “noteworthy changes” only
• Basic Dark Web monitoring looks for your Social Security number (SSN) and email address
• Credit score simulator, which also uses FICO score 8 

Potential downsides:

• Only provides a single generalized FICO® score (derived from TransUnion data only)
• Limited fraud alerts — only covers “noteworthy changes” and only from two bureaus
• No identity theft insurance, and minimal identity monitoring is included
• Users are bound by Capital One’s privacy policy, which includes extensive data collection

App store ratings (as of June 2025):

• Apple App store: 4.8 stars (285.6K ratings)
• Google Play store: 4.6 stars (111.1K reviews)

Best plan and pricing: Credit Wise free account.

CreditWise and all of its features are completely free to use, whether or not you’re a Capital One customer.

Our final verdict: Since CreditWise is free, it can be a good option for tracking your FICO score — especially if you’re already a Capital One customer. The inclusion of alerts for changes on both TransUnion and Experian reports, along with Dark Web scanning, add value for a no-cost service. 

However, the limited scope of credit alerts and identity protection features puts it significantly behind more comprehensive paid services.

5. IDShield (three-bureau plan)

Why we picked it: IDShield offers identity theft protection services with the option of either one-bureau or three-bureau credit monitoring (and VantageScore 3.0 credit score updates). IDShield is another all-in-one service provider — bundling together digital security tools, identity theft insurance, and customer support.

One of IDShield’s key features is access to licensed private investigators for identity restoration. While the value of this service is questionable, it can provide peace of mind for those who place a high value on comprehensive identity restoration services.

Key features:

• Optional three-bureau credit monitoring (for an additional monthly charge)
• Bundled identity, credit, and device security
• Access to licensed private investigators to help with identity restoration
• Up to $3 million in identity theft insurance coverage

Potential downsides:

• Only provides VantageScore 3.0 credit scores (with monthly updates only)
• Three-bureau credit monitoring costs extra
• Digital security is accessed via a separate app

App store ratings (as of June 2025):

• Apple App store: 4.8 stars (950 ratings)
• Google Play store: 3.7 stars (863 reviews)

Best plan and pricing: Three-bureau plan — $19.95/month.

IDShield offers plans for individuals and families, with the option to pay extra for three-bureau credit monitoring on both.

Our final verdict: IDShield provides some of the highest identity theft insurance coverage in the industry — as well as the unique option to engage with private investigators if your identity is stolen. However, compared to other all-in-one services (including Aura), IDShield costs more and provides a disjointed user experience due to users needing multiple apps to access all features.

📚 Related: Aura vs. IDShield Detailed Review and Comparison →

6. Credit Sesame

Why we picked it: Credit Sesame is another free option that offers several interesting credit history and score simulator features, with one major caveat.

Credit Sesame was hit with a major data breach in April 2025 that leaked sensitive personal data from users.

At this point in time, it’s difficult to promote Credit Sesame’s services until the full extent of the data breach and the company’s remediation efforts are made public.

Key features:

• Free plan with daily TransUnion VantageScore 3.0 updates and $50,000 in identity theft insurance
• Credit health analysis, including breakdowns of credit score factors such as credit utilization
• Paid premium plan option includes three-bureau credit monitoring
• Sesame Cash digital bank account helps you build your credit

Potential downsides:

• Major data breach in April 2025 that exposed users’ sensitive personal information
• Limited monitoring and features on free plan
• Includes product recommendations based on your credit history and information
• Conflicting user reviews between app stores and third-party review sites, including a 1.2-star rating on Trustpilot

App store ratings (as of June 2025):

• Apple App store: 4.8 stars (429.9K ratings)
• Google Play store: 4.7 stars (189.8K reviews)

Best plan and pricing: Free plan. 

Our final verdict: Credit Sesame’s free plan offers basic credit monitoring and score updates, as well as $50,000 in identity theft insurance coverage. However, because of the company’s recent data security issues, you should be especially cautious before signing up.

Final Verdict: Which Credit Monitoring App Is Best for You?

If you’re looking to monitor your credit health and protect against financial fraud, you’ll need more than a simple credit score monitoring app.

These days, fraudsters aren’t just after your credit. Scammers may target your phone number, social media, and bank accounts in their efforts to steal your money or identity — which basic credit monitoring tools won’t necessarily detect. 

Choosing an all-in-one financial fraud and identity monitoring solution like Aura offers comprehensive protection against the most sophisticated scams and threats.