Online Credit Report Comparisons * Credit Monitoring Services * Scoring Models * Credit Bureaus * Comparison Chart * FICO Scores

Online Credit Reports & Credit Monitoring Services - Comparison Chart

Last Updated: February, 2011
*Costs subject to change without notice.

With so many choices for credit report and credit score services, which product to choose can be a difficult decision. We are bombarded by television, radio, and internet ads on a daily basis, particularly with the current economic conditions which have no doubt elevated the importance of individual credit scores. If you just want a quick look at your credit, choose a single credit report or a free credit report. The free credit reports usually come with a credit monitoring trial. A credit monitoring service can be a very valuable tool in your credit repair efforts, as well as the fight against identity theft, and there are many out there that are run by large, reputable companies. If you want a complete look at your credit reports and credit scores from all the credit bureaus, try a credit monitoring service or three bureau (tri-merged) credit report.

The reality is, that most of these are the same products and services "repackaged" by different companies, with some variation in pricing and included services. If you purchase a creditmonitoring product and you decide that the service is not useful for your personal situation, you typically can cancel within the trial period but still get free access to your credit report and score. Whatever your individual needs, we have researched many of the services out there and have constructed the table below to provide a convenient, side-by-side comparison of the products and services that they offer.

As of Jan 1, 2004, all credit bureaus are required to give out one free credit report per year. However, they are not required to give out your credit score for free. Most bureaus have a charge of $9 - $15 if you want your score included. Don't despair, though; there are ways to get FREE credit reports and scores through signing up for a credit monitoring service. Many credit monitoring services provide a 7 to 30 day free trial, including unlimited access to their service(s), which typically includes a free credit report with a credit score, as well as credit monitoring.

SERVICE	SCORING MODEL	PROGRAM DESCRIPTION	BENEFITS & POTENTIAL PROBLEMS
	FICO	Equifax 3-in-1 Monitoring and Free Credit Score, 30-day free trial and free credit score, $14.95/mo, 3 bureau credit monitoring and alerts	FICO score is used by most lenders, and free trial included.
	PLUS Score Model	CreditReport.com, 7-day free trial, $19.95/mo, Experian credit score, 3 bureau credit monitoring.	Receive email alerts when your credit report changes.
	PLUS Score Model	Experian Triple Advantage Credit Monitoring, credit score w/ 7-day free trial, $14.95/mo, includes 3 bureau monitoring and unlimited Experian credit reports/scores	You only receive Experian credit report and score.
annualcreditreport.com	TransUnion Scoring System, FICO, Experian Plus System	This site is run by the 3 major credit bureaus and is for providing your free annual credit reports as required by law. The law does not require them to give you free credit scores, however.	You may purchase a credit score from any of the 3 bureaus for $5.95 - $7.95 Using this service bumps up the time that credit bureaus have to investigate your credit disputes from 30 to 45 days.
creditbureau.com	FICO	Reports and scores come from Equifax. Offers credit monitoring, credit scores, credit reports. No free trial period.	Doesn't include unlimited report access.

* For more details, please check out each service's websites.