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5 Best Free Credit Reports

The best free credit report is the one you’ll be able to access easily and refer to repeatedly. Once you’ve chosen the best free credit report, you’ll want to use the same company for future needs. This article focuses on how to determine the best free credit report for your needs, the difference between a credit report and a credit score, and the options available to consumers. Be informed because your credit rating is an important part of your consumer identity and your life. Poor credit can drastically change your opportunities, and it is your responsibility to know the condition of your credit.

Comparison Table

PRODUCT 

WEBSITE

IdentityForce

identity force

image by Identity Force

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Wallethub

wallethub logo

image by Maverick Merchant

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Creditkarma

creditkarma website

image by Creditkarma

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Creditsesame

creditsesame

image by Creditsesame

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Quizzle

quizzle website

image by Bankrate

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Credit Report FAQ

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Credit reports differ in their comprehensiveness, so getting a full report for free may be a challenge, but partial credit reports are available. It is important to understand the difference between a full credit report, a partial credit report, and a credit score. The first, a credit report, is free by law from Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion once every twelve months, or whenever applying for a loan, but the report alone may be deceptive and simply bring up further questions. The entire system is confusing because a score sounds simplistic and a report sounds comprehensive, but the score is the more important piece of information.

1. What Is Credit Monitoring?

Putting aside the fine distinctions between reports, full reports and credit scores, the point of knowing credit status is to be aware so that loans can be processed correctly and there are no consumer surprises. Credit monitoring keeps track of your credit score but also offers protection against any data breach or identity theft. With credit monitoring, getting a credit score is step one, although it may not come from all three agencies. Getting a free report is step two and identify theft protection is step three. The most common reason for engaging in credit monitoring is protection from information and identity theft.

2. What Does a Credit Score Accomplish?

Companies use credit scores to gauge how good your credit is, and it all boils down to one three-digit number. The three credit reporting agencies will provide this number, and they are obligated to do so free of charge under federal law. However, these numbers can vary, and the free scores sometimes do not reflect what the lender actually sees. Borrowers can buy a score for around $20 at MyFICO.com which is more reliable.

3. Why Would Anyone Pay for a Credit Report?

Even the best free credit report will not be as comprehensive as a credit report you buy. In reading the reviews below, weigh how much information you need and how frequently you want to monitor credit.

4. Where Can You Buy Credit Reporting Plans?

Credit reporting has become a business because information is worth money, especially in our web-fueled business environment. As expected, consumers can buy credit reporting through online sites

5. What Are Some Common Credit Report Problems?

Unfortunately for consumers, extra protection is necessary. Credit reports can have identity errors. The reports themselves are compiled and made available by the big three, companies that do not have optimal amounts of government oversight. Since these three companies control credit scores, and to a large degree credit reporting, consumers are sometimes at their mercy. There can also be incorrect information relating to new accounts, errors in data management, and even errors in account balances. Credit reports don’t just occasionally have errors but are often inaccurate.

6. What Protection Do I Have by Law?

Consumers have basic financial protection through the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) that limits who can view your credit report. The law makes it necessary for you, the consumer, to provide written notification to the credit agencies to allow landlords, employers, insurance agencies, and lenders or credit card companies any access to your personal financial information.

7. How Do I Determine the Best Free Credit Report?

This list is designed to make basic distinctions, and each consumer should check the web presence for the companies we include. Going with a site only because it is free is not recommended. Instead, view the company site and take a look at site features. Determine your needs, such as frequency of monitoring and how many credit agencies report to the site.

How We Reviewed

The following best free credit report sites have been identified based on parameters helpful to the average consumer. We included Features, Pros & Cons, Frequency of Availability, Update Capability, and Free Term Period. This list is comprised of companies that offer comparable free and paid services and use at least one major credit reporting agency. At the end of this review list, we give an informed analysis of the best free credit report based on the information we’ve compiled.

Overall Usefulness Of Credit Reporting

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Credit reporting is important, but how often it is used is an individual choice. The bare-bones of credit monitoring may mean missing out on the best free credit report if the option to use annual free credit scores looks more enticing. If you care about your financial security, you are likely to keep up with your checking and savings accounts weekly or monthly. Your credit status is just as important, and that is where credit monitoring comes into the larger financial picture.

What We Reviewed

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  • IdentityForce
  • WalletHub
  • Creditkarma
  • Credit Sesame
  • Quizzle® (now Bankrate)

IdentityForce

identity force

image by Identity Force

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IdentityForce is one of the best free credit report options because it puts the emphasis on security and protection while offering comprehensive credit information. Besides financial information, this credit monitoring service also provides a monitor for dark web activities, sex offender status, court records monitoring and change of address updates. These features cost extra but if you are looking for maximum online protection, this company is hard to beat.

Features

This company offers a free 30-day trial in which you can get most of the information you need on your credit score. It is easy to cancel because their customer service department is responsive. If the trial expires, the consumer will pay a low fee of $13 to $20 per month, depending on features. Credit monitoring is a basic service, and with the Ultra plan consumers have full access to their credit reports. Many consider IdentityForce to be the best free credit report because it offers reports from all three of the big agencies, four times per year. The Credit Score simulator makes calculating your score a snap.

Pros

  • Great customer service  
  • Basic information easy to access
  • Ultra service allows for full report views
  • Alerting options
  • 24/7 recovery services
  • Protects Against Identify Theft

Cons

  • The free trial is only a one-month period
  • A full report requires a higher fee
  • Frequency of Availability
  • Updated
  • Free Term

Once signed up, the site is available for use as often as possible. Reports are available four times per year.

Your credit information is updated every week. Access to all three credit agency reports comes standard up to 4 times per year.

A 30-day free trial is standard.

WalletHub

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image by Maverick Merchant

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WalletHub is a credit monitoring service comparable to the others on this list but offers a simpler and more user-friendly experience through its web interface. The site presents tools to help consumers monitor their spending, credit use, special occasions, and investment opportunities. More than just a credit monitoring service, WalletHub seeks to offer a one-stop shop for viewing financial information. The site is easy to navigate and a hit with users.

Features

WalletHub uses security software to make sure you can see every detail of your credit report, but hackers can’t gain access. The site is free, offers all the tools the majority of consumers need and rises above the competition in terms of ease of use. The website itself outrates the other services on this list.

Pros

  • Well-organized web interface   
  • Free, no strings
  • No fluff
  • Tools are easy to use
  • Focuses on educating the consumer

Cons

  • No identify theft protection insurance is available
  • Lacks a budgeting app
  • No ability to monitor individual accounts
  • Frequency of Availability
  • Updated
  • Free Term

Available with password 24/7 for users who sign up. No extra fees for availability.

Daily updates make this site one of the best in this category.

Basic service is free long-term.

Creditkarma

creditkarma website

image by Creditkarma

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This company is free with an easy application process and no complex language or hidden fees although it uses only TransUnion for its credit information. The site is designed for quick and easy access, with less emphasis on security and ID theft.

Features

Creditkarma partners only with TransUnion and accurately reflects the credit score and updates with precision. The calculator feature allows up-to-the-minute calculation of debt. Credit report alerts come with the service, so any time there are updates or changes to your score, you get notification immediately. There are a credit report simulator and a credit report card that sum up your credit situation in an easy-to-read format.

Pros

  • Credit score only is no charge 
  • Quick, easy application process
  • Customer service by telephone
  • No hidden terms or fees

Cons

  • Security breaches have occurred
  • Does not use all three credit reporting agencies
  • One bureau credit report only
  • Frequency of Availability
  • Updated
  • Free Term

This service is available 24/7 with a password and access to a computer.

Credit scores refresh and update monthly.

Thirty-day free terms are standard with CreditKarma.

Credit Sesame

creditsesame

image by Creditsesame

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This company offers a user-friendly site with one of the best free credit report options on the web. The site offers multiple tools, insurance, long-term financial picture information (trends) and all of it comes in a free package. For a nominal fee, the consumer can add extra services. Credit Sesame doesn’t shine in a single category but covers all the bases and is a no-cost service without a barrage of ads.

Features

This company provides free information, uses TransUnion as its base source, and has a niche service in providing identity theft protection. The company puts emphasis on products rather than services, but for many consumers the option for identity theft insurance up to $50,000 is attractive.

Pros

  • Identity theft insurance         
  • Provides a hub for credit card management
  • Convenient mobile app
  • Offers an analysis of loan and credit status
  • Entirely free to join
  • Credit card unnecessary 

Cons

  • The site is heavy with targeted ads
  • You must give personal information to join
  • Frequency of Availability
  • Updated
  • Free Term

Available 24/7 to users and the company provides an app for an easy account monitoring experience.

Credit reports are available monthly.

The service is free to join and provides free credit reports long-term. Other data may require fees.

Quizzle®

quizzle website

image by Bankrate

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Quizzle is an established credit monitoring service that has recently merged with Bankrate. The focus is on a comprehensive financial monitoring system, including banking. The merger with Bankrate may make Quizzle a better option for those customers who want to combine credit monitoring and banking—a trend that is becoming more popular as online banking becomes more specialized.

Features

Quizzle does not require a credit card, and its customers rate the site highly. This company gets its information from Equifax and in the past has used Experian. Quizzle is perfect for multiple accounts as it updates each account into a simple breakdown and the credit status “big picture.” The company offers free recommendations on home loans and credit cards which can be helpful in comparison shopping. The best feature of Quizzle is that it offers a full credit report, unlike the services from CreditKarma or Credit Sesame.

Pros

  • Full credit report every six months         
  • Tools to help manage credit status
  • No credit card necessary
  • Up front about targeting you with ads
  • Free service for credit reports

Cons

  • Updates are less frequent
  • Might be more service than necessary
  • Recently merged with Bankrate which may disrupt services
  • Frequency of Availability
  • Updated
  • Free Term

This feature is undergoing changes as the company moves to Bankrate.

This feature may evolve due to the partnership with Bankrate, but before the partnership, the site was updated monthly.

30-day free trial. With Bankrate, basic credit reports are free.

The Verdict

For ease of use, free service, and a site that is easy and even fun to navigate, we recommend WalletHub. This credit monitoring service has a key feature that customers rave about, and that is its user-friendly interface. There are no tricks, games, or targeted ads at WalletHub, and customer loyalty is high. It is difficult to have a verdict set in stone, however, because some companies like IdentityForce offer the best protection against identity theft. We recommend frequent monitoring of whichever of the best free credit report sites you use—that is the optimized consumer protection of your identity and your financial future.

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