The 6 Best Credit Karma Alternatives (Reviewed and Ranked)

Is There a Better Option Than Credit Karma?

Credit Karma offers free credit monitoring, credit score tracking, online checking and savings accounts, and tailored credit card and loan offers to help users make smart financial decisions.

While millions of Americans use Credit Karma to track, protect, and build their credit scores, it isn't the only (or best) option available.

In the past few years, Credit Karma has been hit with a $3 million fine from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over false advertising of “pre-approved credit offers” [*] as well as a security glitch that exposed personal finance data to other users [*].

Whether you’re a current Credit Karma customer looking for a different service or someone on the hunt for a credit monitoring and protection provider, it’s important to know the options available to you. 

In this guide, we’ll explore the benefits and downsides of using Credit Karma and compare them with six alternatives that offer more credit monitoring options, stronger security, and better protection for your financial data. By the end, you’ll be able to pick which service is right for you.

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How Is Credit Karma Free?

In late 2020, Credit Karma was acquired by Intuit — a multi-billion dollar financial technology company [*]. This is important as it explains how Credit Karma is able to operate without charging for its services. 

Like many apps, Credit Karma keeps its services free by serving ads to users.

When you sign up for a credit card, loan, or other credit service that Credit Karma “suggested,” the company receives a commission. Unfortunately, these suggestions don’t always have users’ best interests at heart (which is why the FTC fined the company over deceptive offers).  

This isn’t to say that Credit Karma isn’t a valid or valuable service.

Here are some of the main benefits and downsides of using Credit Karma:

Many Credit Karma alternatives go beyond just giving you access to your credit score information. They are often bundled with digital security tools that actively monitor your accounts for suspicious changes, protect your online accounts, and secure you and your family against hackers, scammers, and identity thieves. 

You should consider using Credit Karma if:

• You just want access to free credit scores. 
• You only want to use a credit calculator or simulator tool.
• You’re looking for options to help build your credit. 
• You’re not concerned about being the victim of fraud. 
• You want to compare loans, insurance options, or interest rates.
• You’re not worried about Credit Karma’s past legal and security issues. 

The bottom line: Credit Karma is a legitimate option that offers basic credit monitoring and banking features. But if you want to safeguard your credit and finances against fraud or even identity theft, you should look for an alternative.

The 6 Best Credit Karma Alternatives Right Now

1. Aura
2. Credit Sesame
3. Experian CreditWorks
4. WalletHub
5. Credit.com
6. myFICO

When assessing the best Credit Karma alternatives, we looked for services that provide financial security, credit monitoring, and credit score tracking.

Some of the main criteria we considered included: 

• How extensive is its credit monitoring? Are you getting industry-leading three-bureau credit monitoring? Or are you only getting fraud and change alerts from one or two of the main credit bureaus? 
• How fast and reliable are its fraud alerts? The faster and more reliably you receive fraud alerts, the better you’ll be able to protect your credit score. A third of Americans have found errors on their credit reports [*] — many of which are signs of fraud and identity theft.‍
• Is your personal and financial data secure? All personal finance apps request sensitive data such as your contact details, banking information, and even your Social Security number (SSN). ‍
• Does it include identity theft protection and other security features? Credit monitoring is one of the best ways to protect yourself from the devastating impact of identity theft and fraud. That’s why you’ll often find credit monitoring bundled with identity theft protection services. ‍
• Will it help you recover from fraud or identity theft? No one wants to deal with fraud or financial crimes on their own. Some services offer White Glove Fraud Resolution services and up to $1 million in identity theft insurance. 

Here are our top picks for Credit Karma alternatives based on the criteria above, starting with our own option, Aura: 

1. Aura

Aura is an award-winning security platform that combines three-bureau credit monitoring with powerful identity theft protection and digital security tools. Every Aura plan includes AI-powered tools to protect your identity, personal data, and financial accounts from hackers and scammers. 

Aura stands out against other Credit Karma alternatives with its fast and reliable fraud alerts. 

According to a mystery shopper survey conducted by ath Power Consulting³:

"Aura detected the most credit inquiries and delivered alerts in minutes — up to 250x faster than other credit monitoring services.”

Aura also offers 24/7 access to a team of U.S.-based Fraud Resolution Specialists, as well as up to $5 million in insurance coverage for eligible losses due to identity theft.

Why you should choose Aura as a Credit Karma alternative: 

• Three-bureau credit monitoring is included with every plan.
• Aura provides the industry’s fastest (and most reliable) fraud alerts – up to 250x faster than other services.³
• One-click Experian CreditLock prevents scammers from accessing your credit file or taking out loans in your name.
• Transaction monitoring alerts you of suspicious activity on your bank, investment, and credit card accounts.
• Aura’s award-winning identity theft protection is rated #1 by Money.com, US News.com, Tech Radar, and more.
• Aura offers artificial intelligence (AI)-powered spam and scam protection tools.
• All plans include 24/7 access to dedicated, U.S.-based Fraud Resolution Specialists.

Aura provides up to $5 million in insurance coverage for eligible losses due to identity theft — including stolen funds, legal fees, child and elder care, and more.

Aura plans and pricing:

Aura offers three simple pricing tiers to customers. Every plan has the same features, but each tier allows you to protect additional members at a discount.

Here are Aura’s plans and pricing as of April 2024:

• Individual Plan: $9.99/month (using the link below)
• Couple Plan (two members): $17.99/month (using the link below)
• Family Plan (five adults and unlimited children): $24.99/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.

How does Aura compare to Credit Karma?

When it comes to credit monitoring and protection, Aura is a vastly superior product offering three-bureau credit monitoring (versus Credit Karma’s two), the industry’s fastest fraud alerts, generous insurance coverage, and personalized support. 

Aura also does a better job at protecting you and your family from identity theft and fraud. You’ll get access to award-winning identity theft protection and cutting-edge digital security that uses artificial intelligence to protect your devices, data, and phones from scammers and hackers. 

However, Aura doesn’t offer some of the same consumer features that you may be looking for — such as credit and insurance product comparisons or an online bank account. 

For the best of both worlds, you can use Credit Karma to compare credit products and Aura to protect you and your family from fraud, scams, and identity theft. 

Get the industry’s most reliable and fastest credit monitoring and alerts. Aura’s direct connections with all three credit bureaus means it provides more reliable fraud alerts that are up to 250x faster than other services³. Learn more about how Aura keeps your credit and finances safe →

2. Credit Sesame

Credit Sesame provides you with monthly updates on your TransUnion credit score, and shows you how certain factors contribute to that score. The company offers credit report monitoring services and alerts you when unexpected changes occur. You’ll also be protected by a $50,000 identity theft insurance policy and fraud remediation services.

Why you should choose Credit Sesame as a Credit Karma alternative: 

• Like Credit Karma, Credit Sesame offers free services to users.
• Upgrading to the Premium plan provides you with three-bureau credit monitoring.
• A modest insurance policy is offered against identity theft.
• You can link your bank account to receive alerts about unauthorized activity.

Credit Sesame plans and pricing:

Credit Sesame offers a free subscription tier that only checks your file with one credit bureau. To gain access to comprehensive credit monitoring tools, you’ll need to upgrade to its premium subscription.

Unfortunately, Credit Sesame does not publish its prices publicly (you have to be a member to upgrade). Typically, Credit Sesame Premium costs $15.95 a month — but that price can be higher or lower depending on any discounts or additional services that you want. 

How does Credit Sesame compare to Credit Karma?

Credit Sesame’s free tier is a decent Credit Karma alternative for people who want basic information about their credit scores. Its premium tier is better-suited to those who want deep visibility into their credit histories across all three reporting agencies; but Credit Sesame is still lacking when compared to Aura’s all-in-one solution. 

💡 Related: Are Free Credit Reports Safe? How To Avoid Free Score Scams →

3. Experian CreditWorks

Experian is one of the three main credit bureaus — and CreditWorks is its free service for monitoring your credit score via a mobile app. You can also opt for CreditWorks’ paid service which provides three-bureau credit monitoring, full credit reports on demand, and credit alerts when unexpected changes occur.

Why you should choose Experian Creditworks as a Credit Karma alternative: 

• CreditWorks’ Premium subscription offers monthly access to all three credit bureau reports.
• Dark Web surveillance and $1 million in identity theft insurance are included on paid plans.
• Lock and unlock your Experian credit report from within the app.
• Link your bank accounts with Experian Boost for personalized recommendations.

Experian Creditworks plans and pricing:

Experian CreditWorks offers a free Basic subscription that only provides information about your Experian credit report. Its Premium service costs $24.99 per month and offers a much more comprehensive suite of credit monitoring and identity theft tools.

Keep in mind that Experian also offers a wide range of add-ons that can raise the price above the Premium plan’s monthly cost.

How does Experian CreditWorks compare to Credit Karma?

Experian has one big advantage over Credit Karma – it is one of the three major credit bureaus responsible for determining your credit score. This makes it a much more reputable brand than Credit Karma, although that doesn’t necessarily translate to better service or stronger security.

The Premium subscription does offer superior features compared to Credit Karma, however. Dark Web surveillance is particularly valuable because it can provide you with early warning alerts on potential scams and fraud. The main drawback of using Experian is the high cost, especially compared with free credit monitoring services like Credit Karma.

4. WalletHub

WalletHub is a free credit score app that lets you check your credit information and learn how to improve it. You can also use the app to access your credit report and receive promotional deals from banks, lenders, and other financial institutions. The app is designed for people who want to manage their debt more responsibly.

Why you should choose WalletHub as a Credit Karma alternative: 

• Offers free access to your credit score and report.
• Proactively looks for credit opportunities that can save you money.
• Offers education on credit and financing topics.
• Features a unique Debt Payoff tool designed to reduce debt.

WalletHub plans and pricing:

WalletHub offers a free plan as well as two paid options with additional security and safety features. WalletHub Premium costs $6.49/month and includes spend tracking, transaction monitoring, Dark Web alerts, up to $1 million in identity theft insurance, and more. For $11.99/month, the Premium+ plan adds bank account monitoring and a few other premium features.

How does WalletHub compare to Credit Karma?

WalletHub is a decent Credit Karma alternative for people who want free access to their credit scores and not much else. Like Credit Karma, WalletHub provides education about financial topics and makes recommendations for financial products — but in a much more transparent way.

For people who are worried about credit fraud and identity theft, however, WalletHub simply doesn’t have the features to help you stay on top of unauthorized changes to your credit file.

5. Credit.com

Credit.com is a popular website for learning about personal finance. It also provides visibility into your credit score, and earns money by selling financial products. Advertisers and affiliates pay Credit.com for referrals, making its business structure similar to that of Credit Karma.

Why you should choose Credit.com as a Credit Karma alternative: 

• Focuses on credit repair — offering products and guidance to improve your credit score.
• Provides visibility into your credit score and credit file every 14 days.
• Offers a wealth of information about how the credit score system works.

Credit.com plans and pricing:

Credit.com’s Free Credit Report Card service includes access to your Experian credit score and personalized offers to help you improve it. You only get three-bureau credit monitoring and identity theft protection with the premium ExtraCredit tier, which costs $24.99/month.

How does Credit.com compare to Credit Karma?

Credit.com’s free tier offers a very similar service to Credit Karma, but with a better suite of security tools available. The premium tier offers a much more robust set of features for people who want to protect their financial future from scammers and identity thieves — but at a higher price than more comprehensive services like Aura. 

6. myFICO

myFICO provides you with instant access to your FICO® credit score. This is different from the VantageScore 3.0 scoring model that many other apps use, but it draws on many of the same criteria. It still offers three-bureau coverage through its Advanced and Premier plans, and updates this information either monthly or every three months.

Why you should choose myFICO as a Credit Karma alternative: 

• Three-bureau coverage ensures visibility into your credit profile.
• Proactively scans public records and thousands of websites for personal data.
• Offers 24/7 identity recovery services and $1 million in insurance against identity theft.
• No additional advertisements or paid recommendations.

myFICO plans and pricing:

myFICO offers a free plan with one-bureau FICO score monitoring and credit scores (Equifax). For identity theft protection, three-bureau monitoring, and more regular credit score updates, you'll need to opt for either the Advanced or Premier plans.

Here are myFICO’s plans and pricing as of April 2024:

• Free: Basic one-bureau monitoring, credit reports, and FICO scores.
• Advanced: Starts at $29.95 – three-bureau coverage with credit reports every three months
• Premier: Starts at $39.95/month — three-bureau coverage with monthly credit reports

How does myFICO compare to Credit Karma?

myFICO doesn’t offer the ability to lock your credit reports in response to fraud, nor does it provide proactive protection against scams. However, myFICO does offer 24/7 access to identity recovery specialists and a $1 million insurance policy against identity theft. If scammers steal your identity, the company has the resources to help you in ways that Credit Karma can’t.

What about Mint? 

For years, Mint was one of the best Credit Karma alternatives. However, Intuit — the owners of both Mint and Credit Karma — announced that they were shutting down Mint's services on January 2024 [*]. Now, many of Mint's features have been integrated into Credit Karma.

What Do Real Users Say About Credit Karma?

A quick look at Credit Karma’s ratings in the Apple App Store and on Google Play show mostly positive reviews. However, the company only has a one-star rating (earning it a ranking of “D”) on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), with users complaining about:  

• Lack of fraud protection. Credit Karma allows users to report fraud, and launches investigations in response. However, many users complained that the company simply closed investigations after a few days, saying it was “unsuccessful.”
• False positives on security checks. When Credit Karma’s security systems do flag suspicious activity, it’s often a false positive – such as name mismatches or system errors – instead of actual scams.
• Reimbursement failures. Credit Karma offers a $50 reimbursement to users who are denied for “pre-approved” accounts with partners. Some users complained that they never received their promised reimbursement.
• Slow to resolve account restrictions. When Credit Karma freezes customer accounts in response to suspicious activity, its fraud department often takes days – and sometimes weeks – to process the issue. During this time, customers have no access to their money.

How to Protect Your Financial Health

Losses from financial fraud are at an all-time high, and credit monitoring services play an important role in helping people protect themselves and their families from scams. However, not all credit monitoring providers have embraced this role, and few offer the comprehensive security features that people truly need.

While Credit Karma alternatives can help track your credit and protect you from fraudsters, there are steps that you can take on your own to maintain a good credit score.

Here’s what you can do to protect your credit and finances:

• Regularly check your credit reports. Every American is entitled to receive a free credit report from all three credit reporting agencies each week by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com. Even if you don’t pay for a credit monitoring service, you can regularly check your reports for errors and unauthorized activity.
• Respond quickly to unauthorized activity. Monthly credit monitoring is enough to help you improve your score – but not enough to respond to identity theft. Use a service that provides near real-time access to your credit report so that you can stop fraud quickly.
• Check in with all three credit bureaus – not just one. Whether checking your report or freezing your credit, make sure you interact with all three credit bureaus. Don’t make the mistake of only working with one.
• Secure all of your accounts with strong passwords and two-factor or multi-factor authentication (2FA or MFA). Every single account you own should have its own password. Sensitive accounts should also be protected with dual-factor authentication, preventing cybercriminals from entering — even if they learn your password.
• Scan the Dark Web for your sensitive information. If your Social Security number (SSN) is exposed in a data breach, hackers will have no trouble stealing your identity. Make sure your credit monitoring provider can alert you when this happens.

Credit Karma may provide useful information into your credit score, but its lack of security features and bad track record show that there are better options available. Safeguard your finances — with near real-time credit monitoring, 24/7 U.S.-based Fraud Resolution support, and up to $5 million in insurance protection against identity theft — with Aura.

Keep your finances (and identity) safe from scammers. Try Aura free for 14 days.