IdentityForce vs. LifeLock Head-to-Head: What You Need To Know
IdentityForce and LifeLock are two of the most well-known identity theft protection providers on the market today. Yet, while both companies offer a similar range of identity and credit protection features, they take slightly different approaches to how they offer their services.
The main differences between IdentityForce and LifeLock are that:
- IdentityForce offers more options when it comes to credit monitoring features and credit simulation tools. This makes sense, as IdentityForce is owned by TransUnion — one of the three major credit bureaus. However, these tools are only available on IdentityForce’s most expensive plan.
- LifeLock offers more robust digital security features through its integration with Norton 360 (also at an additional cost). LifeLock is also more convenient if you’re looking for protection and coverage for your family.
Ultimately, deciding which service is right for you depends on your specific needs, situation, and which brand you trust more with your sensitive personal data and online security.
Key takeaways
- IdentityForce promotes a “Personalized Action Plan” based on each customer’s exposure to hackers and scammers — but charges more than most similar services.
- LifeLock is a household name for identity theft protection — but the company has a checkered past when it comes to security, including a recent breach that exposed passwords for over one million users [*].
- Aura is a third option that provides a #1-rated all-in-one safety solution at a lower monthly price than comparable plans from both IdentityForce and LifeLock.
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How Do IdentityForce and LifeLock Compare on Critical Features?
Best for
Credit protection plans.
Robust identity and credit protection — at a cost.
Best price (monthly)
$19.90/month (individual) - $24.90/month (families).
$4.99/month (Identity Advisor) - $79.99/month (Ultimate Plus for families).
Best price (annually)
$199.90/year (individual) - $249.90/year (families).
$39.99/year (Identity Advisor) - $467.88/year (Ultimate Plus for families).
Identity monitoring
Personalized Action Plan based on your data breach history.
Identity and Social Security number (SSN) alerts.
Credit monitoring
Three-bureau credit monitoring costs extra.
One-bureau credit monitoring included on Standard plans.
Insurance coverage
$1 million in identity theft insurance (or $2 million if you pay for higher tier).
Up to $3 million on the Ultimate Plus Plan. Standard Plan only offers up to $25,000 in stolen funds reimbursement.
Online Safety
Standard plans include 24/7 Dark Web monitoring and a virtual private network (VPN) for mobile and online PC protection.
Higher tiers include phishing and botnet monitoring.
All plans include Dark Web monitoring and data breach notifications.
Higher tiers include advanced features like social media monitoring and phone takeover monitoring.
Support
24/7 customer support with dedicated restoration specialists.
24/7 live member support.
One of the major factors to consider when comparing IdentityForce and LifeLock is their plan options and pricing.
IdentityForce offers two tiers of plans — with and without credit monitoring — while LifeLock offers a wide range of plans — from the barebones Identity Advisor plan to the all-in-one Ultimate Plus plan.
With both companies, you’ll pay more for more protection; but LifeLock doesn’t stop there. The prices listed on its homepage only apply to your first year of service on an annual plan. After that, your plan price can increase upwards of 50% or more.
But pricing is only part of the equation when choosing an identity theft protection provider. Let’s look more closely at the features offered by both LifeLock and IdentityForce, and what you can expect as a new customer.
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Want award-winning protection at a fair price? Try Aura. Aura’s all-in-one app has been praised by everyone from tech reviewers at
TechRadar and
USNews.com to cybersecurity experts and scam baiters.
Try Aura risk free with a 60-day money-back guarantee.
LifeLock Overview: Pros and Cons, Features, and Pricing
LifeLock is one of the most recognized brands in identity theft protection. In 2017, LifeLock was acquired by Symantec — the makers of Norton cybersecurity tools — and became the first company to offer an all-in-one service to combat cybercrime and identity theft.
Unfortunately, that level of protection comes at a cost.
LifeLock’s most expensive Ultimate Plus plan (starting at $34.99/month or $239.88/year for your first year) is the only one to include critical features — such as three-bureau credit monitoring, home title monitoring, regular credit score updates, bank and credit card activity alerts, and up to $1 million in stolen funds reimbursement coverage.
If you want access to Norton 360’s digital security tools — including antivirus software, a secure virtual private network (VPN), and more — you’ll need to pay extra.
For budget-conscious customers, LifeLock offers a wide range of plans that include fewer protection features. But it’s hard to justify these plans — even the more affordable ones — when you can get a fully-featured plan from Aura for just $9.99/month.
Buyer beware: LifeLock has dealt with several security issues over the years. This includes a recent data breach that compromised the passwords of close to one million users [
*] and fines of over $100 million imposed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for failing to protect customer data [
*].
Extensive threat scanning scans “hundreds of millions of data points per second” for leaks, including forums and marketplaces on the Dark Web [
*].
High prices and even higher renewal fees increase by up to 70% after the first year.
Up to $3 million in ID theft insurance is available on the highest-priced plan.
More affordable plans offer limited protection and insurance. Basic plans only include one-bureau credit monitoring and a maximum of $25,000 in stolen funds reimbursement.
60-day money-back guarantee when you pay for the annual plans.
Multiple security issues, including a data breach that compromised the passwords of nearly one million users [
*].
Here’s what a few customers had to say about LifeLock on third-party review platform TrustPilot:
While many real users say that LifeLock has given them “a sense of security and peace of mind knowing that my accounts are being monitored” [*], others have complained about poor customer support when calling for assistance [*].
One recent reviewer went so far as to say that signing up for LifeLock isn’t worth the hassle [*]:
“The company needs a far better user experience and sign up process. It took no time at all to give $430 but forever to get all the info into the system… Aura, who I switched to, added a lot automatically. Also, I have to say LifeLock support was not helpful… and no help deleting my data which took 3 days.”
What you should know before signing up for LifeLock
- Price: LifeLock has a complex pricing structure that can confuse some people. LifeLock plans range from $3.33/month for the barebones Identity Advisor plan to $19.99/month or more for the Ultimate Plus plan — but only if you pay the full annual fee upfront. Be aware that LifeLock has a significant price hike after your first year of service with renewal fees that can be 50% or more higher.
- Best plan: LifeLock Ultimate Plus with Norton 360. While LifeLock’s top-tier plan will cost you nearly $300 (and more after your first year), it’s the only one to offer all-in-one protection that’s similar to Aura and other LifeLock alternatives.
- Why choose LifeLock? If you trust the LifeLock name (and aren’t concerned with the higher renewal prices after your first year), the company provides strong protection, some unique features, and high insurance coverage — at a cost.
- Why avoid LifeLock? While LifeLock offers a generous discount for the first year, the subscription price increases when you renew. This increase makes LifeLock a much more expensive option in the long run compared to other alternatives. Also, the company’s checkered past regarding data security raises a red flag at a time when hacking threats are growing.
💡 Related: Is LifeLock Worth It? What To Know Before You Buy →
IdentityForce Overview: Pros and Cons, Features, and Pricing
IdentityForce is an identity protection service owned by the credit bureau TransUnion, which means it should have a unique focus on credit protection. However, in reality, IdentityForce offers two different tiers of protection whether you want credit monitoring and protective features or not.
Both tiers include 24/7 Dark Web monitoring along with personalized risk scores, identity safety scores, and action plans to help you secure your identity. You’ll also be able to access your account from a mobile app but with very limited digital security tools (only a VPN for mobile and “online PC protection”).
IdentityForce’s “advanced fraud monitoring” tools check for suspicious activity — such as if lenders, banks, or mortgage companies request a copy of your credit report.
Should you become a victim of identity theft, you’ll also get access to a dedicated restoration specialist and at least $1 million in identity theft insurance coverage.
But the real value of IdentityForce comes from its more expensive UltraSecure+Credit plan ($34.90/month with no annual plan discounts). This plan layers on three-bureau credit monitoring along with daily TransUnion credit reports and scores to offer more robust protection.
Something to consider: IdentityForce will sell your data. Unfortunately, the company’s privacy policy states that it may sell or share your sensitive personal information with third parties, ranging from collection agencies and data brokers to government agencies, marketing companies, and more [
*].
Robust identity theft protection, including social media monitoring, a VPN, and online security tools.
The Family plan only covers two adults. You need to call to add children ― and pay additional expenses per child.
Up to $2 million in insurance coverage against lost wages, travel expenses, and some other costs per subscription plan.
Limited protection features — the cheapest plan doesn’t include credit monitoring. Also, some digital protection tools don’t work on mobile Android and iOS devices.
30-day free trial gives you time to try out the features (but only for the UltraSecure plan).
No money-back guarantee.
What do customers have to say about IdentityForce on third-party review platform TrustPilot?
IdentityForce customers have mixed reviews about the customer support teams — especially during times of need. While one user praised an IdentityForce support team member for “moving heaven and Earth to make sure her customers are well taken care of” [*], others have said they got no response from support for weeks after calling in [*].
But perhaps the most worrying reviews had to do with IdentityForce missing warning signs of identity theft. One customer complained that:
“My identity was stolen three times during the time I had IdentityForce coverage and IdentityForce never alerted me to any of them. I also had all of my accounts set to alert me to any purchases over $200 and any time my credit was pulled. I made multiple large purchases which IdentityForce never caught. I even took out a loan for $22,000 which IdentityForce didn't catch until 5 weeks later.”
What you should know before signing up for IdentityForce
- Price: IdentityForce charges more than many other ID theft protection services. Even its most basic Ultra package (which doesn’t include credit monitoring) is more expensive than many competitors. If you want credit monitoring, it costs $34.90/month for individuals and $39.90/month for two adults. The “Family” Plan doesn’t actually include kids — you need to call IdentityForce directly and pay extra for each child.
- Best plan: UltraSecure+Credit Individual Plan. IdentityForce’s top-tier plan offers robust protection — including credit monitoring, a Personalized Identity Safety Score, and up to $2 million in identity theft insurance.
- Why choose IdentityForce? With more feature-packed (and affordable) plans available from alternatives such as Aura or Identity Guard, you should really only choose IdentityForce if you want to benefit from its direct connection to TransUnion. If you’re on the fence, you can also take advantage of IdentityForce’s free 30-day trial.
- Why avoid IdentityForce? IdentityForce isn’t a great fit for anyone who wants robust protection on a budget. There are simply better options on the market that offer more value and coverage.
💡 Related: Aura vs. IdentityForce: 2024 Comparison →
Is Aura Better Than Both LifeLock and IdentityForce?
While LifeLock and IdentityForce are both strong products, they compromise on certain features or levels of protection that can put you and your family at risk.
Aura is an award-winning alternative to LifeLock and IdentityForce that offers simple plans, powerful protection, and affordable pricing.
Every Aura plan includes critical features that are only available on the most expensive plans offered by LifeLock and IdentityForce.
This includes Aura’s three-bureau credit monitoring with the industry’s fastest fraud alerts3, a full suite of digital security tools, one-click credit lock, U.S.-based White Glove Fraud Resolution support, and more. Even better, Aura plans start at just $9.99/month using this special discount link.
Here’s how Aura stacks up against comparable plans from LifeLock and IdentityForce:
Starts at $34.90/month.
Starts at $19.99/month, but increases to $34.99/month after your first year.
Awarded “best identity theft protection service” by USNews.com, TechRadar, Forbes, and others.
Offers Personalized Action Plan based on Dark Web monitoring — but includes limited online security features.
Has suffered several data security incidents, including ~1 million compromised user passwords.
Three-bureau credit monitoring with the industry’s fastest fraud alerts.
Three-bureau credit monitoring.
Three-bureau credit monitoring.
Full suite of digital security tools, such as a VPN, antivirus, phishing protection, and password manager.
Digital security is limited to a mobile VPN and online PC protection.
None — unless you pay extra for the Norton 360 add-on.
24/7 U.S.-based support, plus White Glove Fraud Resolution Specialists.
24/7 support with dedicated restoration specialists.
24/7 priority live customer support.
$1 million in identity theft insurance coverage for all adult members (up to $5 million).
Up to $2 million in total coverage.
Up to $3 million in total coverage.
If you’re still not sure which service is best for you, here are a few more reasons to consider Aura over LifeLock or IdentityForce:
- Award-winning identity theft protection and support. While Aura is a relatively new service, it has already won awards and been rated #1 by Money.com, Forbes, Security.org, and others. Aura tracks your most sensitive personal information — including your Social Security number (SSN), passport, driver’s license, name, address, and more — across the Dark Web, data breaches, court records, change-of-address requests, and other places where identity thieves may try to use it.
- Three-bureau credit monitoring — on every plan. Aura doesn’t limit your protection based on different plans. Instead, every plan includes 24/7 three-bureau credit monitoring with monthly credit scores and reports, Experian credit lock, and the industry’s fastest fraud alerts. Aura also protects your financial accounts by monitoring your bank accounts, credit and debit cards, and investment accounts — and sends risky transaction alerts (such as for payday loans being taken out in your name) to help you shut down fraud before it’s too late.
- AI-powered online safety tools. Aura takes a truly all-in-one approach to protection by providing a host of digital security tools — such as a military-grade VPN, a robust password manager, parental controls, child identity monitoring, and Safe Gaming tools to protect against predators and cyberbullies. Aura’s optional spam call protection uses artificial intelligence (AI) to block spam and scam calls, texts, and phishing attacks sent to your phone.
- Extensive child and family protection. Aura’s family plans cover up to five adults (who can reside in different households, such as grandparents or grown kids) along with unlimited children, and include advanced parental controls, child identity monitoring, and generous insurance coverage.
- Accredited fraud resolution support and insurance. If your identity is compromised, you’ll have 24/7 access to a U.S.-based team of White Glove Fraud Resolution experts. Aura offers up to $1 million in insurance coverage for each adult member on every plan (up to $5 million total coverage on family plans). This coverage includes reimbursement for stolen funds, lawyer fees, and more.
- Pricing. Unlike the complex plan structures of IdentityForce and LifeLock, Aura offers clear and transparent pricing plans. The Individual Plan starts at $9.99/month while family plans come in at $24.99/month for your first year.
💡 Related: Aura vs. LifeLock: Which One Is Right For You? →
Final Verdict: Aura Offers Peace of Mind at a Better Price
Yes, it’s worth investing in identity theft protection to safeguard your personally identifiable information (PII), online accounts, assets, and credit score. But the provider you choose to protect your identity, data, and finances makes all the difference.
While LifeLock is known for its recognizable brand name and IdentityForce has the backing of a major credit bureau, Aura has made a name for itself by providing robust protection, always-available support, and advanced tools that will keep you and your family safe from online threats and predators.