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6.5

Overall Score

LAST UPDATED: February 9th, 2024

The newest and largest of the three major credit bureaus, Experian has been in business since 1996. The company offers competitively priced triple-bureau FICO credit reports in addition to triple-bureau credit monitoring. You can also order credit reports from Experian on an as-needed basis.  Although its free service only actively monitors one of the three credit reports, paid subscriptions to its credit monitoring and identity theft services include a number of bonus features and functionalities including identity theft monitoring and alerts, dark web surveillance, credit file locking, and fraud resolution. 

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The Good

  • Daily Refresh Rate
  • Automated Monitoring
  • FICO Scores
  • Education Center
  • Mobile App

Daily Refresh Rate

Members of Experian Credit tracker enjoy unmatched access and insight into their Experian credit report. With the option of being able to refresh their Experian credit report as often as once per day, customers that are at especially high risk of identity theft are able to catch changes to their report the moment they happen. It is worth noting that the daily updates to this credit report also include a daily update to their FICO score based on that report.

Automated Monitoring

In addition to providing users with full access to their Experian credit report and score each day, Experian also provides automated monitoring and alerts to users (via email or through the mobile app) of any suspicious or major changes to their report, such as new accounts being opened, inquiries, or changes of address.

FICO Scores

Experian is the only credit bureau to include true FICO scores as part of its standard purchase options; the other two bureaus either don't appear to offer it or charge extra to see it. Additionally, Experian provides a fairly comprehensive list of credit factors that are influencing your score, helping you to know what to do in order to improve it.

Education Center

In addition to its core credit monitoring functionality, Experian also includes a robust credit education center with their membership, which our review team found to include a wide range of up-to-date, authoritative and accurate consumer credit information. It's a great resource for newcomers and credit monitoring veterans alike who are seeking to better understand their credit health and the many factors affecting it.

Additionally, a credit score simulator is included as part of the subscription. Simulators allow customers to see how different financial decisions might potentially impact their credit score, like filing for bankruptcy or paying down credit card balances, taking out a car loan, and more. Because this simulator is powered by FICO, the predictions are as accurate as can be expected from tools like this.

Mobile App

Experian's mobile app for iPhone and Android has earned high praise for its ease-of-use and polished design, with solid ratings on both the Apple and Android app stores. It's ease of use, stability, bug-free experience, and attractive design is noteworthy. We especially liked the integrated video tutorials included with the app that helps users to understand how to use it in order to do everything from disputing an inaccurate item on their credit report to tracking their score over time.

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The Bad

  • Trial Complaints
  • Additional Fees
  • Data Breaches

Trial Complaints

We have seen numerous complaints about the trial offered by Experian where the customer was unaware of the full cost of the service after the trial, they didn't get the full seven days of monitoring, or they had difficulty canceling the service. Depending on where you sign up for the service, the trial length varies. On its main website, Experian offers users a full month of access for $4.99, after which it costs $24.99 per month. Either way, we advise customers to give themselves plenty of time to call in and cancel before the bill comes due in order to allow time for any unexpected cancellation difficulties.

Additional Fees

Subscribers to Experian may be disappointed to find that the free service doesn't give them unlimited access to credit reports and scores from the other two major credit bureaus, Equifax and TransUnion. If a customer wants to view either of these reports, they will need to pay an additional fee to pull them. For those who are looking for a way to regularly monitor all three credit bureau reports semi-regularly, this cost will add up. 

Data Breaches

Experian data breaches have occurred as recently as 2017. This breach had nothing to do with its credit monitoring customers, but it reflects poorly on Experian's ability to guard consumer information in general. Experian has also dealt with some legal issues surrounding claims of unsecured customer information and credit report inaccuracy. While these lawsuits were against the credit bureau in general, rather than anything specific with the credit tracking services it offers, security failures of companies that provide ID theft protection are extremely troubling. Unfortunately, all three major bureaus have been hit with lawsuits in recent years. 

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The Bottom Line

For those looking for an ongoing subscription option, Experian provides regular access to reports and scores from Experian. The company offers daily refreshes, FICO scores, and credit monitoring and reports for an affordable price. Although the company has set up monitoring to alert you of key changes on the other two bureau's reports, the free version does fall short of being a comprehensive credit monitoring solution. Nonetheless, the information provided can assist you in building or rebuilding your credit.

And if you're willing to pay for a monthly subscription, you get credit monitoring for all three credit bureaus along with extras like the ability to lock and unlock your Experian credit file and get coverage for identity theft insurance up to $1 Million. 

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Star Rating

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4.3

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146 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

45%

4 grade

18%

3 grade

10%

2 grade

5%

1 grade

22%

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TC B Florissant, CO

Can take a few times of submitting disputes to get the desired outcome for your credit report- but they are responsive to inquiries. The App is very easy to use! I don't pay for any services, but I do use the free services. I like how you can freeze your credit report for protection, at no cost.

3 months ago

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Christian Nakamura Secaucus, NJ

This free app covers one credit bureau that certain other apps don't cover. The downside is that you have to pay to see other credit bureaus. Experian Boost is a great feature, though. Using it to connect subscriptions like Netflix to my credit score is a win-win.

7 months ago

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Kevin Ortiz

I received this service as a complementary feature from my bank due to some data leaks. This was over five years ago, I however, found it to have a lot of reliable information and decided to keep the service. I believe their pricing structure is a little high for the us services that they offer. They do a very good job of analyzing data and providing you a yearly report of your credit use it and identity services

9 months ago

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Dana Hatfield Bullhead City, AZ

I used to use a different service, but then I found Experian and switched forever. I had several disputes on my credit report and Experian helped me solve every one in a speedy manner. I like the way the site is laid out, making it easy to read, use and understand the information given. Their Experian Boost idea is a good one, but unfortunately they don't work with every bank, and sadly mine isn't one they do. I did manage to find a credit card through one of their suggestions though. They update your information on a regular basis and notify me of any changes to my report in a timely manner. I went from using the free app to the premium app and believe that it was a smart move, worth the money.

2 years ago

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Cheryl Stone Phoenix, AZ

I like how Experian tells me 3 separate scores. Updates quickly to any changes. I do like the communication when my score changes. I only dislike how frequently they email me about offers or anything not urgent to my credit score.

1 year ago

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Charlotte P Herriman, UT

I started using Experian for monitoring my credit after my wallet was stolen. I was able to freeze my credit right away and monitor for any unauthorized inquiries or high dollar purchases. When I was ready to unfreeze my credit, it was very easy to do and I was able to do it on the mobile app. I like that Experian sends email updates and credit health checks. I would highly recommend for ease of mind and ease of use. It's a great tool to have.

2 years ago

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Ricardo Ortiz Fredericksburg, VA

I love Experian, they have the best customer service, they keep me up to date on my credit score and I just love it. I had a issue and the resolved it fast and corrected the error. A Big thank you.

11 months ago

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Cam Hall Palmyra, VA

I appreciate Experian's free credit monitoring option, but also think it's not a great credit monitoring option on its own since it doesn't factor Equifax and TransUnion scores. They also have a VERY archaic method for disputing credit updates and transactions. As a free tool, though, it's fine for credit monitoring.

2 years ago Edited January 3, 2022

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Silvia Lobendahn Orem, UT

When I found out that my identity had been stolen, I called experian and they offered to track my credit for free for a year. It might make it harder to apply for loans, but I am glad that they offered this a measure of security.

4 years ago

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Heather H Sanford, FL

Experian is a good tool to track your progress and scores. Experian is user friendly, but doesn't always provide the most up to date information.

11 months ago

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Chad Edgar Columbia, MO

Not only does experience keep tabs on your credit history and keep finding you ways to make your credit better experience the best for protecktion service

2 years ago

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Jordan Bell Orem, UT

Experian credit monitoring is really simple and intuitive. I love how they offer credit usage alerts and ways that I can improve my credit. They also have listed what might be affecting my credit.

2 years ago

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Jen Burt Herriman, UT

I like the services that Experian provides. It tracks my personal data and sends me emails when it finds anything that looks fraudulent. I was provided this service for free due to a breach of my information.

3 years ago

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Mickey Mangum Long Beach, MS

I have a free credit report through experience. I receive emails when my score goes up or down and I am able to see what factors affect my credit in the website. Very efficient website.

4 years ago

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Noureddine Lalami Brentwood, CA

Pros. Solid credit monitoring program. Quick notifications when changes happen. Cons: Monthly costs are a bit too expensive.

2 years ago

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Shopman Herriman, UT

I like that I can easily check my credit with Experian. I was frustrated when they had a security breach. They reached out to all their customers and worked to make it right.

2 years ago

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Dwhoush Slidell, LA

I use Experian through my USAA services and it gives a good amount of information about your credit scores. It is hard to get lost in all that information as well.

4 years ago

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Doug Foerch Libertyville, IL

It is comforting knowing you can depend on them to freeze or at least put an alert on your credit.

2 years ago

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Valentino Chanel South Jordan, UT

Experience gave me my credit score and report but also suggested ways to increase my score effectively.

4 years ago

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Tony Riverton, UT

Had this service for about a year and was fairly pleased with the monitoring and credit report generator.

4 years ago

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Anonymous

Second place we do a soft own on tenants. Not always current however have not had an issue using the site.

4 years ago

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Jon Posey Riverton, UT

It seems like their service is good, haven't had any issues but I also think it is expensive.

4 years ago

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Darrin Henry Pleasant Grove, UT

Experian is a great way to see your credit and where you stand for getting credit.

4 years ago

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Monique Snow Sterling, CT

Very trustworthy and always accurate. Easy to use

1 year ago

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sherry crane Stuttgart, AR

I get my credit scores from a credit card account like to keep updated

2 years ago

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LBurr96 Salt Lake City, UT

It is helpful to track your credit and keep track of your score.

2 years ago

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Jennifer Salt Lake City, UT

Simple to use, but I get too many emails from the company.

2 years ago