The Top 5 Identity Theft Protection Apps (2023 Recommendations)

What App Does The Best Job of Protecting Your Identity?

Identity theft has quickly become one of the most common crimes in America. According to the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) 2023 data [*]:

5.2 million Americans were victims of identity theft and fraud last year — with losses of almost $8.8 billion.

Identity theft protection apps promise a level of safety and peace of mind against this growing threat — all from your phone or mobile device.

These apps monitor your personal and financial information, alert you to changes to your credit report, and secure your data and devices. They can also include insurance and restoration services in case you become a victim of fraud or identity theft.

Unfortunately, few identity theft protection apps live up to their promises — especially when it comes to offering all of these tools in a single, easy-to-use tool.

In this guide, we’ve reviewed the top identity theft protection apps on the market today with recommendations on which one is right for you.

5 Best Identity Theft Protection Apps (2023)

1. Aura
2. LifeLock
3. IdentityForce
4. IDShield
5. PrivacyGuard

Identity theft protection apps combine a ton of features and functionality into apps you can use on your Android or iOS devices. When reviewing these different products, we judged them on a few critical aspects:

• How does the service differ from the competition? We looked for services that offer a higher-level of security, more insurance coverage, or better proactive protection against digital threats.
• What digital security features does it include? Modern identity theft tools need to prevent criminals from accessing your data. We looked for all-in-one apps that include antivirus software, a VPN, password manager, and other tools.
• How easy is the app to use? These apps are only valuable if you actually use them. We looked at ease of use, the set up process, and user reviews.
• What level of support and insurance do you get? If the worst happens, you don’t want to be left alone. We judged products based on their level and availability of support as well as how much insurance coverage they included.
• Is it affordable for your budget? The price of identity theft protection can vary greatly, with some products charging premium prices or using confusing plans to get you to pay more.

Based on this criteria, here are our top picks for the best identity theft protection apps:

1. Aura: All-in-one Identity Theft Protection App for the Whole Family

Aura is an all-in-one intelligent safety solution that combines award-winning identity theft protection with comprehensive financial account protection, a full suite of digital security tools, plus $1 million in identity theft insurance and 24/7 access to U.S.-based Fraud Resolution Specialists.

Aura is also one of the only identity theft protection apps to offer AI-powered spam call and text protection.

While Aura is a relatively new product in the identity theft protection space, it’s already been rated as a top choice by Money.com, Tech Radar, Forbes, Security.org, and more.

Aura’s easy-to-use identity theft protection app is available on both iOS and Android mobile devices.

Here are some of Aura’s standout features:

• Comprehensive identity theft protection with Dark Web monitoring. Aura monitors your full name, Social Security number (SSN), and hundreds of other pieces of sensitive information across the internet, Dark Web, and public records. You’ll get notified if anyone is trying to use your personal information (such as when applying for payday loans, changing your home title, and more).
• Three-bureau credit monitoring with the industry’s fastest fraud alerts. Aura tracks changes to your credit report across all three bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. You also get access to a one-click credit lock for your Experian credit file. A 2022 mystery shopper study found that Aura caught more credit report changes and sent alerts up to 250x faster than other services [*].
• AI-powered spam call and text blocking tools. Aura’s AI-powered Call Assistant screens calls and texts on your behalf and blocks dangerous messages or calls from identity thieves.
• Parental controls and family identity theft protection. Aura’s family plans include powerful parental controls that let you monitor and control how your kids use their devices and protect them from predators and online threats.
• Fully featured mobile app. Aura’s app is available on both Android and iOS devices and gives you access to the same features as we the web app. (Note: A few features aren’t yet available on both operating systems).
• Financial account monitoring (bank, credit and debit cards, investment accounts). Aura also monitors your financial accounts and can alert you in near real-time to suspicious activity or over-limit transactions.
• Powerful digital security tools. Aura protects your devices and data from hackers with an included military-grade VPN, antivirus, and Safe Browsing tools that block malicious and dangerous websites — with coverage for up to 50 devices.
• 24/7 access to Fraud Resolution Specialists. If you fall victim to identity fraud or lose money to a scam, the last thing you want is to go through it alone. Aura’s team of specialists is available 24/7/365 via phone or email to help answer your questions or facilitate three-way calls with you and your bank, lenders, credit bureaus, or government agencies.
• Up to $5 million in identity theft insurance on family plans. If the worst should happen, every adult member of an Aura plan is covered for up to $1 million in eligible losses due to identity theft. This includes reimbursement for stolen funds, lost wages, lawyer fees, and other costs.
• 14-day free trial and a 60-day money-back guarantee on annual plans. You can try Aura risk free for 14 days or cancel anytime within the first 60 days (on annual plans) for a full refund.

What are customers saying about Aura?

At the time of writing, Aura has a 4.5-star rating on the Apple App store [*] and a 4.3-star rating on the Google Play Store [*].

Aura also has a 4.7-star rating on TrustPilot [*] — a third-party review site.

Here’s what a few customers had to say about the Aura app and service:

• Customer service went above and beyond. “[Aura’s] service is over and beyond what I expected. With one phone call, [the Aura representative], called each creditor and checked my credit reports and offered great follow-up advice. If you want peace of mind, you need Aura.”
• Fast fraud alerts saved me money. “Aura caught several fraud attempts early on and were able to mitigate the damage almost immediately. I will not be without this service. It is a very wise investment!”
• Shut down fraudsters in seconds. “I received a suspicious credit inquiry alert from Aura and followed the instructions to call customer service. They got the credit card company on the line and assisted me in shutting down a fraudulent cash advance credit card application filed under my credentials. Very kind and very helpful! I recommend Aura to my friends and family now!”

Aura plans and pricing

Aura offers simple and transparent pricing that doesn’t increase after your first year of service (unlike other options on this list).

Every Aura plan comes with all of the listed features (except for Call Assistant, which comes with Family plans and can be added to the Individual or Couple plan).

Here are Aura’s plans and pricing as of May 2023:

• Individual Plan: $12 per month (or $6 per month using the link below)
• Couple Plan (two members): $22 per month (or $11.49 per month using the link below)‍
• Family Plan (five adults and unlimited children): $37 per month (or $20 per month using the link below)

Aura’s Family Plan includes additional features such as parental controls, Safe Gaming tools to protect against predators and cyberbullies, and child identity monitoring.

2. LifeLock: Highly rated protection (but more expensive)

LifeLock is a well-known name in identity theft protection. Since the company’s 2017 acquisition by Symantec (the makers of Norton), it also includes a full suite of digital security tools — for an additional fee.

LifeLock’s mobile app lets you view and respond to fraud alerts, access your credit score and credit report from your mobile device, and contact their member services team.

If you bundle LifeLock with Norton 360, you will also have access to antivirus software and their Identity Lock feature. While the name might sound like you can prevent thieves from using any of your personal identification, Identity Lock simply lets you lock and unlock your TransUnion credit report.

It’s also worth noting that bundling LifeLock with Norton 360 requires an entirely different app.

Here are some of LifeLock’s standout features:

• Up to $3,000,000 in coverage (Ultimate Plus plan only). LifeLock’s most-expensive plan includes up to $3,000,000 in coverage. Specifically, members are covered for a maximum of $1,000,000 each for lawyers and experts, stolen funds reimbursement, and personal expenses. While it’s highly unlikely you’ll ever need this much coverage, it can be a bonus for people with lots of assets to protect.
• All-in-one service. Like Aura, LifeLock is an all-in-one solution that combines identity theft protection, credit monitoring, and digital security. However, you’ll need to bundle LifeLock with Norton 360 to get these benefits — which can add up.
• 24/7 support. LifeLock offers 24/7 “Live Member Support” with a “Priority” tier of support available on the most-expensive Ultimate Plus plan. Be warned that many recent reviews call out LifeLock’s use of apparently outsourced customer support.

Before you choose LifeLock, be aware of these issues:

• LifeLock data breach in the news: The company recently disclosed that sensitive information from thousands of LifeLock customers — including passwords — was compromised in a December, 2022 data breach [*]. If you're looking for a secure LifeLock alternative, consider trying Aura free for 14 days.
• $100 million FTC fine for failing to secure user data. In 2015, the Federal Trade Commission issued LifeLock with the largest fine (at the time) for failing to properly secure user data.
• Shady pricing plans (with high renewal fees after your first year): LifeLock offers complicated pricing plans with tiered services and add-ons that make it hard to know what you really need. To make matters worse, LifeLock plans renew at a significantly higher rate after your first year of service — with some plans costing 40–70% more in your second year.

What are customers saying about LifeLock?

At the time of writing, LifeLock has a 4.3-star rating on the Apple App Store (for the LifeLock Identity app) [*] and a 4.4-star rating on the Google Play Store [*].

LifeLock also has a 4-star rating on TrustPilot [*] — with many users complaining about poor customer support, buggy software, and missing fraud alerts:

• Unprofessional customer service: “The customer service is not as professional as before Norton took over and the price increase is absolutely ridiculous. Every time we get a notification, customer service has no idea what we’re talking about. I don’t even waste my time calling them anymore…”‍
• Buggy software: “If LifeLock worked, it would be ideal for me. Unfortunately, it doesn't! The software/website is buggy and ‘customer service’ is a joke — totally inept and incomprehensible (what happened to ‘US-based specialists’ who can speak english?)”‍
• Missed clear signs of fraud: “In the past 4 months I have had two issues with accounts that were attempted to be open in my name. LifeLock did not notify me of either fraud accounts. When I contacted customer service the first response was, we can't catch them all.”

LifeLock plans and pricing

Here are LifeLock’s pricing plans as of May 2023:

• LifeLock Standard plan: $9.99 per month (renews at $14.99/month)
• LifeLock Advantage plan: $17.99 per month (renews at $24.99/month)
• LifeLock Ultimate Plus plan: $23.99 per month (renews at $34.99/month)

You can also choose to add an additional adult to your plan or opt for the family plan (two adults and up to five children). Each is more expensive than the last. For example, LifeLock Ultimate Plus with Norton 360 for a family costs a staggering $48.99 per month (and renews at $81.99/month!)

3. IdentityForce: Premium price for lower-rated identity protection app

TransUnion is one of the three major credit bureaus, and IdentityForce is their identity theft protection solution. IdentityForce’s mobile app includes threat alerts, a VPN, your credit score (you may need to log in on a laptop or desktop to view your annual credit report), and an identity vault where you can store passwords, email addresses, etc.  

It’s also worth mentioning that IdentityForce updated the UI for their app. So, while many reviews mention an outdated interface, the new version may be more user-friendly.

Here are some of IdentityForce’s standout features:

• Credit score simulator and tracking tools. If you’re thinking of applying for credit, these tools can help you understand where you stand. Note: these tools are only available on the most-expensive “UltraSecure+Credit” plan.
• 30-day free trial. Every IdentityForce account comes with a 30-day trial, giving you time to see if it’s right for you.
• Mobile Attack Control. This feature scans your mobile device for potential threats, such as rogue apps, spyware, and unsecured or spoofed Wi-Fi networks.

Before you choose IdentityForce, be aware of these issues:

• Limited digital security tools for your mobile devices. IdentityForce offers a limited set of online protection tools for your mobile device, leaving you potentially vulnerable to hackers.
• Mixed user reviews on app usability and customer support. Many customers have complained about the IdentityForce app’s usability as well as the company’s customer support.
• It’s more expensive than most options. IdentityForce charges a premium, but doesn’t necessarily offer premium features.

What are customers saying about IdentityForce?

IdentityForce currently has a 3.1-star rating on the Apple App Store [*] and a 2.5-star rating on Google Play [*].

Here’s what real users had to say about IdentityForce on Trustpilot [*]:

• Missed data breach notifications: “I found out my phone number was on the Darknet through another protection service. We were getting calls and texts regarding this breach. When I called IdentityForce, I was told they did not catch this and could not tell me why.”
• Good customer support but poor app experience: “I would rate the representative I spoke with 5 stars. However, the wait time on hold was long all three times and my call was dropped twice. I had to wait and call back because the website had not been updated with my credit card information from last year.”

IdentityForce plans and pricing

IdentityForce offers two pricing plans: The first one only includes identity theft monitoring features, and the second package adds on credit monitoring services. The types of alerts you receive through the mobile app will depend on the plan you choose.

Here are IdentityForce’s plans as of May 2023:

• IdentityForce UltraSecure plan: $17.95 per month
• IdentityForce UltraSecure+Credit plan: $23.95 per month

On its pricing page, IdentityForce doesn’t offer coverage for families, but you can inquire about custom family plans by calling them directly. While its plans are a bit pricier than many other identity protection providers, IdentityForce does offer a free 30-day trial.

💡 Related: Aura vs. IdentityForce: 2023 Comparison →

4. IDShield: Social media monitoring and other family features

IDShield’s mobile app lets you assess your creditworthiness with a credit score tracker and respond to identity theft alerts.

These alerts include standard Dark Web monitoring and public records alerts as well as social media monitoring and sex offender list alerts (so you can see registered sex offenders within a 5-mile radius of your home address). They also provide a section with documentation on FAQs, tips for keeping your information safe, and general information about identity theft.

Here are some of IDShield’s standout features:

• Licensed private investigators. If you become the victim of fraud, IDShield employs a team of trained private investigators to help you recover.
• All-in-one protection. IDShield recently partnered with Trend Micro to offer more digital security tools, including a VPN, password manager, and parental controls.

Before you choose IDShield, be aware of these issues:

• No 401(k) or retirement account monitoring. IDShield doesn’t monitor your retirement accounts, so if you have a lot of assets in your 401(k), you might want to look for a different service.
• Digital security only protects up to 3 devices. IDShield only protects up to 3 devices on an individual plan (vs. 10 devices on Aura).
• Three-bureau credit monitoring costs extra on all plans. IDShield’s plans only offer one-bureau credit monitoring, which could cause you to miss early signs of fraud. For three-bureau credit monitoring, you’ll have to pay extra.
• No free trial or money-back guarantee. IDShield doesn’t advertise a free trial or money-back guarantee. To cancel your membership, you need to reach out to them in writing and wait for a response.

⛳️ Related: Aura vs. IDShield: 2023 Comparison and Review →

What are customers saying about IDShield?

IDShield has 4.8-star rating on the Apple App Store [*] and a 4.6-star rating on the Google Play Store [*]. While user reviews are generally good for IDShield, some users have complained about poor customer support and issues logging in to their accounts.

Here’s what real customers on Trustpilot have to say about being an IDShield customer [*]:

• Went from good to horrible in the past year: “I don't understand what happened to ID Shield. I've been a member for several years now and had no issues with them. Now they updated their site and locked me out. The customer service rep I finally managed to get ahold of was abysmally unprepared to help me on what should be a very simple matter.”
• Missed critical signs of fraud: “They failed to notify us or protect us when both my husband and my Social Security numbers and IDs [were] used to open fraudulent accounts and damaged our credit. Very disappointed in the service.”

IDShield plans and pricing

IDShield plans cover either individuals or families with the choice of one-bureau or three-bureau credit monitoring (at an additional cost).

Here are IDShield’s plans as of May 2023:

• Individual (one credit bureau monitoring — only TransUnion): $14.95/month
• Individual (three-bureau monitoring): $19.95/month
• Family (one credit bureau monitoring — only TransUnion): $29.95/month
• Family (three-bureau monitoring): $34.95/month

⛳️ Related: IDShield vs. LifeLock – Which One Is Right For You? →

5. PrivacyGuard: Customizable protection plans based on your needs

PrivacyGuard’s mobile app offers three-bureau credit monitoring, SSN monitoring for you and up to 10 children, identity theft notifications, and bank account monitoring.

Depending on which plan you choose, you’ll also have access to their financial calculator suite which helps you plan future financial decisions. Although they advertise that you’ll be assigned a dedicated fraud specialist if you do become a victim of identity theft, they don’t advertise 24/7 customer support or U.S.-based identity restoration.

Here are some of PrivacyGuard’s standout features:

• Highly rated customer support. PrivacyGuard advertises that their resolution team was rated #1 by Contact Center World (although there’s no mention of this on the Contact Center World website).
• Basic plan available for just ID theft protection. PrivacyGuard offers a budget-friendly Identity Protection plan that offers just the essential identity theft monitoring and coverage.

Before you choose PrivacyGuard be aware of these issues:

• You won’t get proactive protection features (VPN, password manager, etc.) PrivacyGuard only offers a “secure keyboard” and “secure browser” for digital security.
• Doesn’t offer credit lock. Unlike most other premium services, you won’t be able to lock and unlock your credit file from the PrivacyGuard app.
• No mention of 24/7 customer support. Despite its high rating, PrivacyGuard doesn’t advertise that it offers 24/7 support on its plans.

What are customers saying about PrivacyGuard?

PrivacyGuard doesn’t have any customer reviews or ratings on Trustpilot. However, the PrivacyGuard mobile app has a 4.8-star rating on the Apple App Store [*] and a 4.7-star rating on Google Play [*].

Users are split on the usability of the app (some say it’s easy to use while others complain that they can’t access their credit histories or scores).

PrivacyGuard plans and pricing

PrivacyGuard offers total protection, which includes identity theft and credit protection. Or, you can choose just identity theft protection or just credit protection.

Here are PrivacyGuard’s pricing plans as of May 2023:

• Identity Protection: Starts from $9.99/month — only offers basic identity protection
• Credit Protection: Starts from $19.99/month — includes monthly three-bureau credit scores
• Total Protection: Starts from $24.99/month — offers everything in both plans (above)

3 More Identity Theft Protection Services You Should Consider

1. Identity Guard. Identity Guard is an award-winning identity theft protection service that has helped protect over 38 million Americans. Identity Guard provides comprehensive identity theft protection, credit monitoring, and insurance — but fewer digital security features than Aura or other options. A redesigned Identity Guard mobile app is in development.
2. Experian IdentityWorks. Experian is one of the three main credit bureaus and IdentityWorks is its ID theft protection service. IdentityWorks provides daily FICO credit scores and a basic free plan for Experian credit file monitoring only. While it doesn’t offer an app, you can track your credit score using the Experian CreditWorks app.
3. Complete ID. Complete ID is identity theft protection for Costco members. It offers many of the same features as other providers, but can be overly expensive if you’re not already a Costco member. The Complete ID app has a 2.1-star rating on the Apple App Store [*] and a 2.2-star rating on the Google Play Store [*]

⛳️ Related: The 7 Best McAfee Alternatives in 2023 →

Is ID Theft Protection Really Worth It?

One of the main criticisms of identity theft protection is that few services offer features or protection that you can’t do yourself. But this is only half true.

Yes, you can monitor your own credit, use strong passwords, check public records, scan the Dark Web for your personal information, and keep up with data breach notifications. But all of this takes time. And there’s no guarantee that warning signs of fraud won’t slip past you.

Identity theft protection apps do the work for you. And if the worst should happen, you won’t be stuck going through identity theft alone or being stuck with thousands of dollars of fraudulent debts.

The bottom line: Identity theft protection equals peace of mind — at a monthly fee.

How You Can Help Prevent Identity Theft

Identity theft protection apps do the work for you when it comes to monitoring, alerts, and digital security. But there are plenty of small changes you can make today that will ensure you’re less vulnerable to identity thieves and cybercriminals.

Here are a few ways you can help protect yourself against identity theft:

• Use strong and unique passwords. Secure your online accounts with complex passphrases that aren’t easy to guess and are unique to each account.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all of your accounts. This is an added level of security that requires a secondary code or authentication method to access your accounts. 2FA is one of the best ways to keep your online accounts secure.
• Freeze your credit with all three bureaus. A credit freeze stops anyone from legally accessing your credit information. This means that scammers won’t be able to take out loans or open new accounts in your name.
• Regularly check your credit report and bank statements. Look for anything that seems suspicious or out of place. If you see anything, contact your bank, lender, or the credit bureau.
• Keep social accounts private and regularly remove personal details from the internet. The less information that’s publicly available about you, the harder of a target you become. Here are some tips on how to remove your personal information from the internet.
• Learn to spot the warning signs of a phishing attack. Don’t react to emails, texts, or calls without slowing down and looking for the signs of a phishing attack.

Our Final Verdict: Choose Comprehensive Protection

In order to find the best identity theft protection app for you and your family, we recommend signing up for free trials of a few services. This lets you try multiple options at once and test each feature before committing to one service.

You can try Aura free for 14 days and get access to all of its features — including award-winning protection, the industry’s fastest fraud alerts, AI-powered digital security and spam blockers, $1 million insurance plan, and more.

Secure your identity against scammers. Try Aura free for 14 days.