IDShield vs. LifeLock vs. Aura: What's Best For You?

IDShield vs. LifeLock: Head-to-Head Comparison

While IDShield and Norton LifeLock are both on many lists of the best identity theft protection services, there are unique differences that you should be aware of when considering which provider is right for you:

• IDShield proactively monitors your identity, credit, and finances to keep you ahead of fraudsters. This platform is backed by licensed private investigators and offers full-service identity restoration, 24/7 support, and up to $1 million in identity theft insurance. 
• LifeLock offers proactive protection through its integration with Norton 360. For a higher monthly fee, you can access advanced digital security tools, including antivirus software, a virtual private network (VPN), password manager, cloud backups, and parental controls.

While these two services are leaders in digital security, there are others worth considering.

Aura combines the best of both worlds, delivering comprehensive identity and financial protection along with advanced features — including the fastest fraud alerts in the industry. 

Why Aura May Be a Stronger Choice

Aura is an all-in-one digital security solution that safeguards the identities, finances, assets, and sensitive data of everyone in your family. 

Aura’s platform combines award-winning identity theft protection, three-bureau credit monitoring, powerful digital security tools, and comprehensive fraud resolution support. 

While Aura is a relatively new name in identity theft protection, it’s already been rated #1 by Forbes, Money.com, TechRadar, Security.org, and more. 

Whereas many identity theft protection companies focus on fraud resolution and restoration services, Aura has a holistic approach — offering robust protection to prevent you from becoming a victim of identity theft while also providing unbeatable support if you do.

Below, you’ll find a deeper comparison between IDShield vs. LifeLock. But first, here are six reasons why Aura is a better option than LifeLock and IDShield:

• Stronger online security. Aura's AI-powered spam protection completes an unmatched suite of advanced digital security tools — including antivirus software, password manager, and military-grade VPN.
• Fast fraud alerts. Based on a 2022 study, Aura detected the most credit inquiries and delivered credit alerts in minutes — up to 250x faster than the competition³. 
• Better support (that’s available when you need it). All Aura plans include 24/7 access to White Glove Fraud Resolution Specialists who help you navigate issues with banks, vendors, and government agencies. Plus, every adult member is covered by $1 million in identity theft insurance (up to $5 million total for families).
• More comprehensive family protection. Aura has a Family Plan that covers up to five adults and unlimited kids — even if you live in different households. This family protection is bolstered by award-winning parental controls powered by Circle.
• Generous free trial and guarantee. All Aura premium plans come with a 14-day free trial and a 60-day money-back guarantee. You can test out the premium features of the mobile app before committing to a paid subscription, or get a refund if you’re not happy after the first two months. 
• Better value and no price increases. Aura offers more features, robust protections, and comprehensive coverage and support — at a better price than comparable plans from IDShield and LifeLock.

No identity theft protection provider can completely remove the risk of having your identity stolen. Aura takes a more modern approach to protecting you and your family, and will be on hand to guide you through the fraud resolution process if you become a victim.

IDShield Overview: What’s Included, Pros and Cons

IDShield is a well-established identity theft protection service that was founded in 1972. Initially a product of Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc., the company evolved to become LegalShield and developed IDShield in response to the growing privacy concerns of the digital age. 

By combining its legal expertise and cutting-edge technology, IDShield has won many accolades, including Gold Winner status for Identity Theft Resolution Service, Fraud Prevention, and Social Media Security. 

Here are some key features of IDShield:

• Threat monitoring. With 24/7 monitoring and timely fraud alerts, IDShield provides constant protection against identity theft.
• Defense partnership. In collaboration with Trend Micro, IDShield offers protection against malware, ransomware, and various cyber threats.
• Access to private investigators. IDShield’s unique offering is its team of licensed investigators who help restore your identity if you fall prey to fraud.
• Online privacy guidance. IDShield builds a profile of your online presence and shows you how to adjust your security settings across 20+ major sites. 
• ID specialist program and service guarantee. Another key feature is IDShield’s unlimited guidance to prevent identity theft, which includes comprehensive monitoring across all three major credit bureaus (TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian).

How much does IDShield cost?

Here are IDShield’s pricing and plans as of May 2024:

• 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

What do real customers say about IDShield?

IDShield has a 4.6-star rating on Trustpilot [*]. But while most customers are satisfied, some users have complaints about issues with the service and support:

• Worth the peace of mind: It's a great system! I have peace of mind, knowing things are being monitored. Getting a summary of where I am once a month keeps me informed and on track. I love it!‍
• Disappointed by the lack of agent support: I'm very disappointed with this Website; navigation is so confusing, lacks flow, and, of course, there's no LIVE support to help on weekends. You don't know that until you pay, even though they advertise 24/7 support multiple times. Waste of money!‍
• Not sure if it’s better than LifeLock: Was a little shocked when I called to check on an alert that I received that the agent did not see any of the data breaches that Credit Karma had notified me about. She said the only things she saw were late payments and over-my-limit alerts. I had switched from LifeLock to IDShield because I thought it might be better, but I may have been wrong.

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

Who should choose IDShield?

• You want the help of a private investigator. If you’re the victim of a scam or identity theft, IDShield offers the unique feature of private investigators to help you recover from the impact of fraud.
• ‍You only need to protect family members under the age of 18. IDShield's Family plan only covers dependent minors. If you also need to protect adult children or elderly family members, they must pay for their own IDShield Individual plans.

💡 Related: Is IDShield Worth It? What You Need To Know →

LifeLock Overview: What’s Included, Pros and Cons

LifeLock is a well-established identity theft protection provider that monitors personal information, financial accounts, and credit scores for signs of identity theft. Founded in 2005 by Robert J. Maynard and Todd Davis, LifeLock was acquired by Symantec (makers of Norton 360) in 2017.  

However, the company’s reputation took some hits recently, as hackers compromised thousands of customer accounts in January 2023 [*].

Another concern is that Norton previously installed crypto mining software — which they claim users must keep enabled to meet system requirements. Many users have reported it is difficult to remove, fueling the controversy [*].

Some top LifeLock features:

• AARP discount. If you are a member of AARP, you can get a discount of up to 25% if you get LifeLock in a Norton360 bundle, which includes a VPN, antivirus software, and password manager. 
• Antivirus software. The Norton 360 add-on includes antivirus software that guards your devices against malware and other forms of hacking. Norton 360 also includes a VPN to protect you when using public Wi-Fi. 
• Dark Web monitoring. Cybercriminals buy and sell stolen personal information on the Dark Web. Like Aura and IDShield, LifeLock monitors the underbelly of the internet to scan illicit forums and marketplaces and alert you if any of your personal information is at risk, including your passwords, SSN, or driver’s license.
• Monitoring for three credit bureaus. LifeLock will warn you of most changes to your credit report, which can reflect some of the earliest signs of fraud. But, beware that LifeLock Ultimate Plus is the only plan that monitors your credit reports at all three major credit bureaus. 
• Phone takeover monitoring. This is a useful feature in the mobile age, which helps protect your smartphone and linked financial accounts if someone attempts a SIM swap scam.

How much does LifeLock cost?

While LifeLock offers a generous discount for the first year, the subscription price increases when you renew. This increase makes LifeLock a more expensive option in the long run.

Here are LifeLock’s pricing plans as of May 2024:

• LifeLock Standard plan (Individual): $11.99 per month (renews at $124.99 per year)
• LifeLock Advantage plan (Individual): $22.99 per month (renews at $239.99 per year)
• LifeLock Ultimate Plus plan (Individual): $34.99 per month (renews at $339.99 per year)

What do real customers say about LifeLock?

LifeLock currently has a 4-star rating on Trustpilot from 1,700 reviews. However, many users complain about poor customer support, buggy software, and missing fraud alerts [*].

Here are a few LifeLock reviews from real customers:

• Daily updates helped: I love the daily updates concerning my credit and transactions. Because of this system, I was able to prevent theft from a hacker who bought two airline tickets with one of my credit cards. 
• Issues adding a second adult to my plan: Tried numerous times to enroll a second adult to account but were unsuccessful. One customer service rep said we were good, but the account info still could not be updated. Final call was a hang-up on Norton's end.
• Had LifeLock for several years: At one point, it would not stay connected to one of my banks. I tried calling to figure out why, and that was a waste of time. They have very poor service and I can't talk to anyone. The only way I could cancel was to take the credit card they had stored for renewal off their website. There has to be a better choice than LifeLock.

Who should choose LifeLock?

LifeLock offers comprehensive identity theft protection plans that include antivirus software, phone monitoring, stolen wallet protection, and TransUnion credit lock. But the caveat is that the most affordable plans have limited features, such as lower insurance coverage and monitoring for only one credit bureau. 

You should choose LifeLock if:

• You don’t have the time to monitor your credit and accounts. As a comprehensive provider that includes Dark Web monitoring, LifeLock helps you detect and respond to suspicious activity without having to do everything manually.
• You are at higher risk of identity theft. If you’ve already been a victim, or you’re a vulnerable target — like a wealthy older person — it’s good to have a reliable service protecting you.

💡 Related: Aura vs. LifeLock: 2023 Comparison for ID Theft Protection →

Consider Aura for Peace of Mind

All it takes is one phone call or visit to the wrong website, and your family's identity and savings could be at risk. Many users compare IDShield vs. LifeLock; but the best way to protect your entire family is by signing up for Aura.

Here’s how Aura keeps you safe:

• Award-winning identity theft protection that includes Social Security number monitoring, as well as protection for your personal data, bank accounts, home title, and more. 
• 24/7 three-bureau credit monitoring with rapid fraud alerts up to 250x faster than other digital security providers along with monthly credit scores.
• Dark Web monitoring scans the internet in real-time and alerts you if any of your personal data is circulating on the Dark Web.
• Digital security tools including a secure password manager, parental controls, and email aliases to protect your family across all of your devices. 
• VPN and antivirus software to secure your devices against e-skimming and malware, spyware, and ransomware threats.
• $1,000,000 insurance policy for each adult on your plan to cover eligible losses due to identity theft, such as stolen money, credit cards, and passports.
• White Glove Fraud Resolution Specialists who provide U.S.-based 24/7 support to help you navigate challenges with banks, creditors, and government agencies.

Keep your entire family safe from online threats. Try Aura free for 14 days →