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The Top 9 LifeLock Alternatives (2024 Update)

While LifeLock is an established brand in the world of online security, it’s by no means the only reliable option for identity theft protection.

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      Choosing a LifeLock Alternative

      Almost all identity theft protection services offer some form of identity monitoring to check if criminals are using your name, address, or Social Security number (SSN), along with credit monitoring to catch suspicious activity on your credit file or bank account.

      Many also offer digital security tools to help protect you against hacking and data breaches, identity theft insurance to cover losses due to fraud, and comprehensive support when you need it the most.

      When considering your options, it’s important to look at these five factors:

      Feature
      Why it matters
      Monitoring
      Identity theft protection services monitor public records, credit files, the Dark Web, and other places for your stolen personal information. Services differ in what they monitor and how quickly they inform you of signs of fraud.
      Protection
      Services should also proactively protect your data and identity with digital security tools, such as antivirus software, Safe Browsing tools, a virtual private network (VPN), and more.
      Notifications
      When it comes to fraud alerts, speed is the most important factor. A 2020 report showed that: “40% of account takeovers happen within a day of a criminal gaining access to your data" [*].
      Resolution
      If you are a victim of identity theft, identity protection providers offer support to help resolve the problem, along with insurance to cover eligible expenses and losses related to identity theft incidents.
      Pricing
      Consider cost versus value when it comes to identity theft protection. Find a balance between what you feel comfortable paying and the level of protection that you need.
      🛡Try the top LifeLock alternative — for free. Aura’s all-in-one intelligent safety solution has won awards from Money.com, Forbes, Security.org, and more. Try Aura free for 14 days and protect yourself and your loved ones from online threats.

      Top LifeLock Alternatives to Consider

      1. Aura
      2. Identity Guard
      3. IdentityForce
      4. IDShield
      5. PrivacyGuard
      6. IdentityIQ
      7. ID Watchdog
      8. myFICO
      9. ID Strong

      1. Aura: Comprehensive, award-winning protection for you and your family

      Aura is an all-in-one digital security solution that keeps you and your family safe from identity theft, financial fraud, and online threats. 

      While Aura is a relatively new company, it was recently rated as the best identity theft protection by Money.com, Forbes, TechRadar, and more.

      Every Aura plan includes access to a robust suite of tools, including: 

      • #1-rated identity theft protection. Aura monitors your most sensitive information across the internet, Dark Web, and public records. Aura was rated the #1 identity theft protection service by Money.com, Forbes, USNews.com, TechRadar, Security.org, and more.
      • Three-bureau credit monitoring with 250x faster fraud alerts. Unlike competitors, Aura has direct connections with all three of the major credit bureaus, which means you’ll get alerted to fraud up to 250x faster3
      • Online and device security, including AI-powered scam protection. Aura’s mission is to build a safer internet. To do that, the company is constantly releasing new tools to protect you from hackers and cybercriminals, including a secure password manager, military-grade virtual private network (VPN), powerful antivirus software, Safe Browsing tools, and even AI-powered scam call and text protection. 
      • Parental controls and family identity theft protection. Aura keeps your entire family safe by monitoring the SSNs and credit files of your children and elderly family members, and offers parental controls to protect your kids from online threats and predators. 
      • 24/7 access to U.S.-based Fraud Resolution Specialists. Aura offers some of the best support in the industry with 24/7 access to skilled specialists via phone and email. 
      • Up to $5 million in identity theft insurance. If the worst should happen, each adult member on an Aura plan is covered by up to $1,000,000 for eligible losses due to identity theft ($5,000,000 maximum for family plans).
      • Simple pricing Aura plans start at $12/month.
      • Free 14-day trial, 60-day money-back guarantee. Try all of Aura’s features free for 14 days. All annual plans also come with a 60-day money-back guarantee. 

      Here’s how Aura and LifeLock compare head-to-head:

      Aura
      LifeLock Ultimate Plus
      Identity monitoring
      #1-rated identity monitoring with home and auto title monitoring.
      No auto title monitoring.
      Three-bureau credit monitoring
      Available across on all plans. Fraud alerts are up to 250x faster than the competition.
      Available.
      Online safety
      Antivirus, VPN, password manager, Anti-Track, email aliases, and Safe Browsing tools included in all plans.
      -
      Family plans and parental controls
      Coverage for up to 5 adults and unlimited children. Parental controls include content filters and screen time limits.
      2 adults, 5 kids. No parental controls.
      Identity theft insurance
      Up to $5 million — $1 million per adult on all family plans.
      Up to $3 million per adult.
      Cost
      $20/month (billed annually) for family plans — using this special 60% off offer.
      $32.99/month in the first year; renews at $56.66/month after.

      Who should choose Aura? 

      • Families or individuals with children and elderly parents/grandparents. Aura offers outstanding family protection that helps safeguard young (or adult) children as well as elderly family members. For parents of younger children, Aura’s parental controls are some of the best on the market and give you peace of mind that your kids will be safe online.
      • People with major assets that they want to protect. Aura’s direct connection with all three major credit bureaus, along with the industry’s fastest fraud alerts, make it a top option for people concerned about their financial security. Aura can also monitors your bank, 401k, and investment accounts for signs of fraud. 
      • People who spend a lot of time online. Aura is constantly releasing new proactive protection features to keep you safe online — at no additional cost. Recent additions to every Aura plan include email aliases, anti-track, and Safe Browsing tools.

      Aura cons:

      • Some features aren’t yet available for Mac or Chrome users.
      • Only one annual credit report is included (monthly VantageScore credit score and credit trends are available).
      • More expensive than some other LifeLock competitors.

      Pricing

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

      Special offer: Use this link to save up to 76% on all Aura annual plans (includes 60-day money-back guarantee).

      • Individual Plan: $12 per month (or $6 per month using the link above)
      • Couple Plan (2 members): $22 per month (or $11.49 per month using the link above)
      • Family Plan (5 adults and unlimited children): $37 per month (or $20 per month using the link above)

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

      What’s included in Aura’s 14-day free trial?

      Every Aura plan comes with a fully featured 14-day free trial — giving you access to every feature you would enjoy as a full-time member. Annual plans also come with a 60-day money-back guarantee.

      Here are just a few of the benefits you receive from starting a free trial with Aura:

      • Remove your personal data from data broker lists. Data brokers collect and sell your personal data to marketers (and even scammers). Aura searches the databases of hundreds of data brokers in the United States and requests the removal of your personal information on your behalf.
      • Scan the Dark Web for your leaked personal data. Aura uses artificial intelligence to scan millions of Dark Web sites, forums, and marketplaces, and will alert you if your personal data has been leaked — including your passwords and credit card numbers.
      • Instantly lock your Experian credit file. Locking your credit file stops scammers from opening new accounts or taking out loans in your name. Most credit locks are paid services offered by each individual credit bureau.
      • Do a full antivirus scan of all of your devices. Aura protects your computer, phone, and tablet from malware. Scan all of your devices to make sure hackers haven’t gained access to them. 
      • Protect your home network with a VPN. A virtual private network encrypts your data so that hackers can’t access it. VPNs are essential when you’re doing any work, shopping, or emailing while on public Wi-Fi.
      • Check your monthly credit score across all three bureaus. Aura gives you access to your monthly and annual credit reports, so you can track your financial health and spot any inaccuracies. 
      • Monitor public records for your Social Security number (SSN), name, and other personal information. Aura scans public and court records for your name, address changes, and other personal information. Find out if criminals have used your identity to commit crimes, gain employment, or file fraudulent tax returns. 
      • Get help from Aura’s team of U.S.-based Fraud Resolution Specialists. If you’re the victim of fraud (or just have questions), you can quickly get in touch with an Aura specialist — day or night via phone or email.

      In just two weeks, you could vastly increase your digital security, improve your privacy, and make sure that you’re not a vulnerable target for identity thieves.

      2. Identity Guard: Affordable identity theft protection trusted by millions

      Identity Guard has been a household name in identity theft protection for over a decade and has helped keep millions of Americans safe from online threats. Recently, Identity Guard and Aura combined forces to offer the same high level of security across two brands. 

      Identity Guard offers identity theft protection, credit monitoring, home title monitoring, and a $1 million insurance plan — but with slightly limited digital security tools and support options when compared to Aura.

      The Better Business Bureau rates Identity Guard an A+ (compared to LifeLock’s B+) while Trustpilot gives it a 4.6.

      Who should choose Identity Guard?

      • Individuals with assets they want to protect. Identity guard comes with the same fast fraud alerts as Aura, making it a good option for those people who are most concerned with protecting their credit score and financial assets. 
      • Budget-conscious individuals who don’t need premium credit monitoring. Identity Guard’s Value plan doesn’t offer three-bureau credit monitoring; however, it still provides complete protection of your sensitive personal information (Social Security number, etc.), Dark Web monitoring, data breach alerts, and Safe Browsing tools at an affordable price.

      Identity Guard cons

      • It doesn’t offer the same level of digital security as Aura or other LifeLock alternatives. 
      • Only customers on the highest-priced tier get access to three-bureau credit monitoring. 
      • No free trial (but a 60-day money-back guarantee is offered with annual subscriptions).

      Pricing

      Identity Guard’s plans build from basic identity theft protection to more comprehensive coverage including credit monitoring. Here are IdentityGuard’s plans and pricing as of May 2024:

      • Value Plan: $7.50 per month (individual) and $12.50 (family)
      • Total Plan: $16.67 per month (individual) and $25 (family)
      • Ultra Plan: $25 per month (individual) and $33.33 (family)

      💡 Related: What Is Credit Monitoring (And Do You Really Need It?)

      3. IdentityForce: Good (but slightly expensive) option

      IdentityForce's identity theft solutions suite is known for its advanced and robust monitoring services. The company has over 40 years of experience defending against ID theft — combining high-level detection technology, real-time alerts, and identity recovery to safeguard its customers.

      Who should choose IdentityForce?

      • People who don’t need credit monitoring. IdentityForce’s high price point for identity theft and credit monitoring put it lower on the list of top LifeLock alternatives. But, if you’re just looking for comprehensive fraud monitoring (including social media monitoring and near real-time fraud alerts), IdentityForce’s UltraSecure plan could be a good option for you.

      IdentityForce cons

      • An expensive starting plan compared to most competitors.
      • Only two service plans offered.
      • No refunds for cancellations.

      Pricing

      IdentityForce’s plans are split between identity theft monitoring and ID theft plus credit monitoring. Here are the pricing and plan options for IdentityForce as of May 2024:

      • UltraSecure Plan: $19.90 per month 
      • UltraSecure+Credit: $34.90 per month

      💡 Related: The Top 5 Identity Theft Protection Apps (iOS & Android)

      4. IDShield: Flexible pricing plans based on your needs

      IDShield provides complete threat monitoring and fraud alerts. But the standout feature for consumers is its ID specialist program that offers unlimited guidance on identity theft prevention. 

      The company partners with Trend Micro to provide proactive defense against malware, ransomware, and other threats. In addition, IDShield promises an unlimited service guarantee, 24/7 emergency assistance to help with identity restoration, and three-credit bureau monitoring (TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian).

      Who should choose IDShield:

      • Those who want access to private investigators. IDShield’s unique offering is a team of licensed investigators who will work to help restore your identity to pre-theft status. 
      • People concerned about their online privacy. IDShield also builds a profile of your online presence and guides you on how to clean up your profiles and security settings on 20+ major sites. 

      IDShield cons:

      • IDShield doesn’t offer device protections.
      • Plans may be expensive compared to the services offered.
      • Only one-bureau credit monitoring is available on basic plans. 

      Pricing

      IDShield separates its plans by individual and family, as well as by one or three-bureau credit monitoring. Family plans only cover two adults and any under-18 dependents living with you.

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

      • Individual (1 credit bureau monitoring — only TransUnion): $14.95/month
      • Individual (3-bureau monitoring): $19.95/month
      • Family (1 credit bureau monitoring — only TransUnion): $29.95/month
      • Family (3-bureau monitoring): $34.95/month

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

      5. PrivacyGuard: Daily credit monitoring (of certain changes)

      PrivacyGuard’s core focus is providing ID monitoring services that ensure enhanced user privacy. Service alerts cover the three-bureau credit agencies, the Dark Web, and public online spaces.

      Another popular feature of PrivacyGuard is access to a fraud resolution team that does most of the legwork to dispute fraudulent charges when dealing with credit agencies. 

      However, PrivacyGuard is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Also, the lack of insurance or reimbursement coverage can deter some people.

      Who should choose PrivacyGuard:

      • People who only want identity theft monitoring. PrivacyGuard’s Identity Protection plan is an affordable option that includes public and Dark Web monitoring as well as fraud alerts for your SSN, driver’s license, and passport. 
      • People who only want credit monitoring. PrivacyGuard also offers a plan that only provides credit protection tools. However, this plan is priced higher than other services that offer more features.

      PrivacyGuard cons: 

      • The 14-day trial period costs $1 per day.
      • No identity theft insurance or compensation coverage is included.
      • No social media monitoring.

      Pricing

      PrivacyGuard splits its plans up by Credit Protection and Identity Protection or both (called Total Protection). Here are PrivacyGuard’s pricing and plans as of May 2024:

      • Credit Protection: $19.99 per month
      • Identity Protection: $9.99 per month
      • Total Protection (Credit and Identity plans): $24.99 per month 

      6. IdentityIQ: Credit monitoring with limited ID theft protection

      IdentityIQ’s main selling feature is its value. While it may lack some advanced features offered by competing identity theft protection services, IdentityIQ includes $1 million in insurance coverage, standard credit monitoring, and personal information tracking. 

      User education is also a key focus for IdentityIQ, as the company provides a catalog of resources to help its customers learn about identity fraud and how to better protect their identities online.

      Who should choose IdentityIQ?

      • Price-sensitive shoppers looking for credit monitoring. IdentityIQ offers a basic Secure plan for $6.99/month that includes daily one-bureau credit monitoring, $1 million in identity theft insurance, and basic identity theft monitoring. 
      • People who want to add antivirus or a VPN from Bitdefender. IdentityIQ has also partnered with Bitdefender to offer device and network security tools (as well as parental controls and a password manager for Windows OS). 

      IdentityIQ cons:

      • The premium service is much more expensive than the standard plan.
      • No free trial or mobile app.
      • Identity theft monitoring only includes criminal record monitoring, SSN monitoring, and change of address alerts.

      IdentityIQ pricing and plan options:

      IdentityIQ’s plans vary based on how many credit reports you receive as well as access to digital security tools. Here are IdentityIQ’s pricing and plans as of May 2024:

      • Secure (with Bitdefender): $8.99 per month
      • Secure Plus (with Bitdefender): $11.99 per month
      • Secure Pro (with Bitdefender): $21.99 per month
      • Secure Max (with Bitdefender): $32.99 per month

      💡 Related: How To Cancel IdentityIQ Quickly and Easily

      7. ID Watchdog: Family-focused protection from Equifax

      ID Watchdog is a family-oriented identity theft protection provider. Equifax owns the company, and its protection services extend beyond credit card fraud to tax-related ID theft, social accounts, child identity alerts, child account locks, and social monitoring to help prevent cyberbullying. 

      The company claims to monitor "across billions of data points" for signs of potential fraud.

      Who should choose ID Watchdog?

      • Parents looking to protect their young children. ID Watchdog includes child protection features such as child credit lock and credit monitoring (Equifax only) as well as social account monitoring. 

      ID Watchdog cons:

      • Only two available plans.
      • More expensive than other LifeLock competitors.
      • The family package only covers four kids.
      • You have to upgrade to a Premium plan for social media and financial account monitoring.

      Pricing

      ID Watchdog offers two tiers of plans — Select and Premium — with the option to add family protection (two adults and four children). The Select plan only includes one-bureau credit monitoring with limited identity theft monitoring (data breach notifications, public records, USPS change of address monitoring), credit lock, and password manager. 

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

      • Select (Individual Plan): $14.95 per month
      • Premium (Individual Plan): $21.95 per month
      • Select (Family Plan): $23.95 per month
      • Premium (Family Plan): $34.95 per month

      8. myFICO: Monitor your FICO credit score

      FICO (Fair Isaac Corporation) is the analytics company that developed the modern version of the credit scoring model. Today, the FICO score is used by 90% of top lenders in the United States.

      myFICO is the consumer division of FICO. Identity theft protection from myFICO focuses on a subscription credit monitoring service that helps you track your credit scores and FICO scores to better understand your current financial profile and creditworthiness. myFICO also provides a three-bureau credit simulator to see how certain decisions will impact your credit score. 

      Since it is connected to the three top credit bureaus, myFICO focuses more on credit card reporting as opposed to identity theft prevention. There is little direct monitoring done, but myFICO does offer $1 million in insurance, and has 24/7 theft experts on call for customers dealing with cases of fraudulent activity.  

      Who should choose myFICO?

      • People looking for one-time credit reports. myFICO also offers access to one or three-bureau credit reports, starting at $19.95. While this is a good option, consumers should know that they can request free credit reports from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com.
      • Consumers making large financial decisions in the near future. myFICO’s focus on credit scores and simulators makes it a good option if you’re looking to take out a mortgage or make another large financial decision soon. 

      myFICO cons:

      • Pricing plans are expensive compared to other competitors that provide more features.
      • The basic plan doesn’t provide identity monitoring.

      Pricing

      myFico offers a free subscription level as well as two paid plans. You can also pay for one-off reports from one or all three of the major credit bureaus. 

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

      • Basic plan (FICO scores and monitoring only): Free
      • Advanced plan: $29.95 per month
      • Premier plan: $39.95 per month
      • One-bureau credit report (one-off): $19.95
      • Three-bureau credit report (one-off): $59.85

      💡 Related: Is myFICO Legit? What You Need To Know Before Buying

      9. ID Strong: Provides data breach notifications

      ID Strong provides an array of monitoring services, restoration support, and industry-standard compensation insurance ($1 million coverage). 

      The company scours the internet to monitor your personal and credit information, going so far as to track public records, medical information, and tax information. 

      Unfortunately, their basic plans don’t include credit monitoring.

      Who should choose ID Strong? 

      • Individuals looking for basic identity theft monitoring. ID Strong doesn’t offer a family plan, so it’s best suited to individuals. Plus, its Comprehensive plan (which adds credit monitoring) is more expensive and offers fewer features than other LifeLock alternatives.

      ID Strong cons:

      • The basic plan doesn’t include bureau credit reports and monitoring.
      • Family plans are not available, so you’ll have to pay more to safeguard your family.
      • Lacks a mobile app.

      Pricing

      ID Strong offers two plan options: Standard and Comprehensive (which adds credit monitoring features).

      Here are ID Strong’s pricing and plans as of December 2023:

      • Standard (ID monitoring and protection): $15 per month
      • Comprehensive (ID + 3 bureau credit monitoring): $20 per month

      Why You Should Consider a LifeLock Alternative

      LifeLock is an established name in the identity theft and online security industry. But it’s by no means the only reliable option for identity theft protection. 

      • $100+ million FTC lawsuit: LifeLock was the subject of a 2010 Federal Trade Commission (FTC) lawsuit for deceptive marketing claims and was required to pay out a $12 million settlement [*]. In 2015, LifeLock violated the settlement orders and was forced into an additional $100 million settlement agreement with the FTC [*]. 
      • Sky-high renewal costs: After your first year as a LifeLock customer, the cost of an annual plan jumps anywhere from 40–70%.
      • Family plan pricing: LifeLock’s Family Plan pricing has also been the subject of complaints. These plans cost an extra $5.99 per child, which could add up quickly if you have a large family. 
      • Crypto mining software: In 2022, LifeLock faced criticism for bundling a hard-to-delete cryptocurrency mining tool, Norton Crypto, with its antivirus software [*].
      • 2023 data breach: LifeLock recently disclosed that it was the victim of a data breach that exposed the sensitive information (including passwords) of thousands of customers [*].

      How To Cancel Your LifeLock Subscription

      If you’re a current LifeLock member and are ready to switch to Aura, here’s how to cancel your subscription:

      • Log in to your LifeLock account at https://memberportal.lifelock.com/ and select “Request Support” and then “Cancel.” 
      • Alternatively, contact LifeLock support to request an account cancellation — especially if your account auto-renewed when you didn’t want it to.
      • If you paid for bundled services (for example, LifeLock + Norton 360), make sure that you’ve canceled all of your services. 
      • Refunds for annual subscriptions: As per LifeLock’s refund policy, you’re eligible for a full refund within 60 days of starting your LifeLock membership or 60 days from your membership renewal. 
      • Refunds for monthly subscriptions: You’re eligible for a full refund within 14 days of purchasing your membership. 
      Ready for the best LifeLock alternative? Try Aura free for 14 days.

      Editorial note: Our articles provide educational information for you to increase awareness about digital safety. Aura’s services may not provide the exact features we write about, nor may cover or protect against every type of crime, fraud, or threat discussed in our articles. Please review our Terms during enrollment or setup for more information. Remember that no one can prevent all identity theft or cybercrime.

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