In-depth, Independent Research
There are a lot of ways to get your credit scores and credit reports and a lot of credit report monitoring services out there. The reality is that most of them are the same services repackaged by different companies. NextAdvisor.com has researched and tried all of them and has created the below comparison and reviews for only the services that we have found offer the best features and information at the best price. We selected these credit report monitoring services because each of them offers something valuable at a better price than you can find elsewhere. All of our recommended services provide email alerts within 24 hours of a change to your credit report and are run by large, reputable companies. Looking for free scores? Just sign up for one of the services with a free trial and cancel before the trial period ends. Have more questions about credit reports, credit scores or credit report monitoring? Visit our FAQ.
Credit Report Monitoring Reviews & Prices
Updated 02-07-2012
| Service Name: | Free Credit Scores: | Trial Period & Price: | Credit Reports Monitored: | ID Theft Insurance/ Guarantee: | Rating: | Bottom Line: |
 | Free scores from all 3 bureaus | Free 30-day trial; $14.99/mo (after our 25% discount) | All 3 bureaus' reports | $1,000,000 |  | All 3 credit scores free; most comprehensive & best overall service; 25% discount & free 30-day trial |
 | Scores from all 3 bureaus for $1 | 30-day trial for $1; $14.99/mo | All 3 bureaus' reports | $1,000,000 | | All 3 credit scores for $1; monthly credit score & report updates plus other benefits; 30-day trial for $1 |
 | Free scores from all 3 bureaus | Free 14-day trial; $10.42/mo for individuals; $20/mo for families (w/ annual prepay) | All 3 bureaus' reports | $1,000,000 |  | All 3 credit scores free; great value, especially for families; free 14-day trial |
 | Scores from all 3 bureaus w/ enrollment | $16.95/mo | All 3 bureaus' reports | $25,000 | | All 3 scores plus excellent 3-bureau monitoring and ongoing Equifax score updates; no free trial |
| Service Name: | Free Credit Scores: | Trial Period & Price: | Credit Reports Monitored: | ID Theft Insurance/ Guarantee: | Rating: | Bottom Line: |  | No | $10.35/mo (with exclusive 35% discount) | All 3 bureaus' reports | $1,000,000 insurance | | Cheapest monthly price to monitor all 3 credit reports, but no scores |
 | Free scores from all 3 bureaus | Free 30-day trial; $14.95/mo | All 3 bureaus' reports | None | | 3-bureau credit monitoring & one-time 3-bureau credit scores; updates TransUnion score monthly |
 | No | 30-day trial for $1; $15.99/mo1 | All 3 bureaus' reports | $1,000,000 | | 3 bureau monitoring and one-time 3-bureau credit reports available upon enrollment but doesn't include credit scores |
 | Scores from all 3 bureaus for $1 | 7-day trial for $1; $29.95/mo | All 3 bureaus' reports | $25,000 | | Monthly 3-bureau credit score updates; $1 7-day trial; a bit expensive |
| Service Name: | Free Credit Scores: | Trial Period & Price: | Credit Reports Monitored: | ID Theft Insurance/ Guarantee: | Rating: | Bottom Line: |  | Equifax FICO® score | $12.95/mo | Equifax credit report | None | | Only monitors Equifax report; two Equifax FICO® Score reports annually plus updated score whenever it changes; no free trial |
 | Free Experian score | Free 7-day trial; $19.95/mo | All 3 bureaus' reports | $50,000 |  | 3-bureau monitoring; bi-monthly Experian score updates; free 7-day trial |
 | Free TransUnion score | Free 7-day trial; $11.95/mo | TransUnion credit report | $25,000 |  | Only monitors TransUnion credit report; unlimited TransUnion scores; free 7-day trial |
 | Free Experian credit score | Free 7-day trial; $14.95/mo | Experian credit report | $50,000 | | Only monitors Experian report; two updates/mo to your Experian Score; free 7-day trial |
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