--- title: 8 Best Credit Monitoring Services of September 2026 description: Money's best credit monitoring services of September 2026 include Experian (overall), Aura (best low-cost) and Credit Karma (best free). authors: - name: Mallika Mitra role: Contributing Editor url: https://money.com/author/mallika-mitra/ bio: Mallika Mitra is a contributing editor for Money, based in Chicago. She has covered investing and retirement for seven years and her work has appeared in CNBC, Bloomberg, Kiplinger, AARP, Barron’s, Bankrate, The Daily Upside, ETF.com, The Bond Buyer, PLANADVISER, PLANSPONSOR and Investopedia. education: Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY Kalamazoo College at_money_since: 2020 articles: 395 covers: - Credit - Banking - Business - Career Advice - Credit Cards - Debt - Economy and Politics - Education - Health and Wellness - Housing - Identity Theft - Insurance - Investing - Lifestyle - Loans - Mortgages - Personal Finance - Pets - Professional Services - Retirement - Shopping - Taxes - Technology also_seen_in: - CNBC - Bloomberg - Kiplinger - Barron's - Bankrate - WGN-TV - CBS News Radio - This Morning With Gordon Deal - Everyone's Talkin' Money social: - https://twitter.com/mitra_mallika - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallika-mitra-4577a386/ editors: - name: Julia Glum role: Managing Editor url: https://money.com/author/julia-glum/ bio: A graduate of the University of Florida, Julia has more than eight years of experience in personal finance journalism. In addition to overseeing Money’s news coverage, she frequently reports on the ins and outs of credit scores, the credit bureaus and free credit reports. education: University of Florida at_money_since: 2018 articles: 453 covers: - Credit - Banking - Business - Career Advice - Credit Cards - Debt - Economy and Politics - Education - Health and Wellness - Housing - Identity Theft - Insurance - Investing - Lifestyle - Loans - Mortgages - Personal Finance - Professional Services - Retirement - Shopping - Taxes - Technology also_seen_in: - Newsweek - International Business Times - CBS News - Good Morning America - WUSA9 - Pix 11 - The New York Times - Mashable - The Washington Post - CNBC - Politico social: - https://x.com/superjulia - https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-glum updaters: - name: Liliana Hall role: Reporter url: https://money.com/author/liliana-hall/ bio: Liliana Hall joined Money in 2025. She is an Austin-based reporter for Money, where she covers a range of topics, including financial news, policy, banking, investing, passive income, financial planning and student loan debt. education: University of Texas at Austin at_money_since: 2025 articles: 132 covers: - Credit - Banking - Business - Career Advice - Credit Cards - Debt - Economy and Politics - Education - Health and Wellness - Housing - Insurance - Investing - Lifestyle - Loans - Mortgages - Personal Finance - Pets - Retirement - Shopping - Taxes social: - https://x.com/lilihallllllll - https://www.linkedin.com/in/liliana-hall/ published: '2026-08-31T20:11:21.000Z' modified: '2026-08-31T20:11:21.000Z' section: Credit tags: - Guides word_count: 2872 canonical: https://money.com/best-credit-monitoring-services/ type: Article source: structured-blocks --- > **Disclosure:** We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/). ![8 Best Credit Monitoring Services of September 2026](https://img.money.com/2024/02/Best-Credit-Monitoring-Services-mbci_v5wy3__t0nvlx.jpg?quality=85&w=1012&h=569&crop=1) ## Our Partners ### TOP PARTNER ![View Plans](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/29035/medium_031b14e8-19d0-4ec7-b6f0-04e29d54e75a.png) Our Partner [View Plans](https://money.com/go/08a678deb8f3?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-credit-monitoring-services%2F&bidid=4030357169&ptid=662393983&ptoken=e7247f1a6512c7ea7e85feb39b9d9d29&zip=20149&apxa1=scam-alert-microsoft-365-phishing) **New Year Savings:** ****Save Up To 75%****  - Free 14-day trial offers and $1 million in identity theft insurance - Comprehensive fraud alerts and credit freeze option - Receive a monthly credit score and a full credit report annually - Monitors your credit report from all three major credit bureaus * * * ![View Plans](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/22930/medium_1cbc8db8-3f08-443a-9212-ffc20f3572c5.png) Our Partner [View Plans](https://money.com/go/2c70dcec206d?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-credit-monitoring-services%2F&bidid=4030357168&ptid=662393983&ptoken=ad80a6f9536a37c911f5460d3880db66&zip=20149&apxa1=scam-alert-microsoft-365-phishing) **Limited Offer Save Up To 73%** - All Plans Include $1 Million Identity Theft Insurance\* - Real Time Monitoring of Your SSN, Accounts & Identity - 3-Bureau Customer Care Team - US-based Customer Care Team - White GloveFraud Resolution * * * ![View Plans](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/24450/medium_08930e04-116f-44e1-8a0c-759454ee4ef6.png) Our Partner [View Plans](https://money.com/go/6782bb0f3d20?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-credit-monitoring-services%2F&bidid=4030357167&ptid=662393983&ptoken=f068ce13e65fc31cd10ec10713a4c175&zip=20149&apxa1=scam-alert-microsoft-365-phishing) **Cybersecurity and device protection** - Credit monitoring & fraud alerts - Full-service identity restoration - Licensed private investigators - Up to $3 million protection ## Key Takeaways - The best overall credit monitoring service for September 2026 is Experian because it combines FICO score monitoring with robust identity protection features and flexible plans for individuals and families. - Other credit monitoring companies we ranked include Aura, PrivacyGuard, Credit Karma, IdentityForce, IDShield, myFICO and Chase Credit Journey. - Credit monitoring services can keep track of the data in your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — but not all of them offer three-bureau monitoring. For this list, we considered whether services had one-, two- or three-bureau monitoring, along with features like dark web scanning for signs of identity theft and cybersecurity tools to help protect your phone and computers. - Methodology: We compared plans from 19 credit monitoring companies, evaluating 16 data points that fell into five categories — credit monitoring offering, cost, features, customer service and ease of use. If personal details like your Social Security number or bank account information have ever been compromised, or you're looking to improve your [credit score](https://money.com/what-is-a-credit-score/) before you buy a home or finance a car, you may be searching for a way to keep tabs on your credit. A credit monitoring service — which can notify you when a credit application has been made in your name — could be a smart solution. These companies vary in cost, features and tools, so it’s important to understand exactly what you’re looking for (and, for that matter, what you're likely to get). Some people may just want basic alerts for new credit activity, while others might prefer in-depth reports or more thorough identity protection measures. While not everyone needs to pay for this service — you may already have access to free credit monitoring through your bank or credit card — those who do can typically benefit from three-bureau monitoring, identity theft protection or extra cybersecurity tools. To help you find the right fit, we've rounded up our top picks for the best credit monitoring companies. Read the [full methodology](#cmmethodology) to learn more. ## Our top picks for credit monitoring services [Experian](#experian) — Best Overall [Aura](#aura) — Best Low-Cost Credit Monitoring for Individuals or Families [PrivacyGuard](#privacyguard) — Best for Credit Reports and Identity Protection [Credit Karma](#creditkarma) — Best Free Credit Monitoring Service [IdentityForce](#identityforce) — Best for Identity Theft Features [IDShield](#idshield) — Best for Cybersecurity Features [myFICO](#myfico) — Best for Access to FICO Score [Chase Credit Journey](#chase) — Best for Bank Customers ## Keep a close eye on your credit score with a Credit Monitoring Service ### A Credit Monitoring Service could help protect you from fraud and keep your credit score safe. Click on your state below to learn more. [View Plans](https://money.com/pr/n03d74bf1142?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-credit-monitoring-services%2F&apxa1=scam-alert-microsoft-365-phishing) ## Best Overall: Experian ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/16580/large_a901646e-bce8-4c4f-97ba-72572c6fb45d.png) [View Plans](https://money.com/pr/b6cac6e1cb67?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-credit-monitoring-services%2F&apxa1=scam-alert-microsoft-365-phishing) **Pros** - Has a free and paid version - Offers FICO score - Personal privacy scans and other good features - Family plan includes up to 12 people **Cons** - Need to pay for three-bureau monitoring (otherwise it’s just Experian) - Free version is very basic ### HIGHLIGHTS Cost: Free; $24.99 per month for Premium; $34.99 per month for Family Number of credit bureaus monitored: Three Credit score model: FICO Trial period: Seven days **Why we chose it:** [Experian](https://money.com/pr/h32c8747888a?ap_referrer=https%253A%252F%252Fmoney.com%252Fbest-credit-monitoring-services%252F&apxa1=scam-alert-microsoft-365-phishing) is one of the few services on this list that monitors your FICO score, the credit-scoring model used by the majority of lenders. The company offers a free version that’s fairly basic and only offers information from your Experian report — though, depending on your needs, that may be enough. The free version also comes with a personal privacy scan that can show whether your address, age, phone number, relatives’ names and more are publicly available. The paid version offers more bells and whistles, such as helping remove any personal information found in the personal privacy scan from websites, as well as three-bureau monitoring. It’s a bit pricier than some other services we listed, but the extra identity protection features could be worth it. The family plan covers two adults and up to 10 kids. Read Money’s [full Experian review](https://money.com/experian-credit-monitoring-review/). ## Best Low-Cost Credit Monitoring for Individuals or Families: Aura ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/29035/large_031b14e8-19d0-4ec7-b6f0-04e29d54e75a.png) [View Plans](https://money.com/pr/t24db34c5fb8?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-credit-monitoring-services%2F&url=&apxa1=scam-alert-microsoft-365-phishing) **Pros** - 24/7 phone support - Online safety features including a password manager and antivirus protection - Family plan includes five adults and unlimited children **Cons** - Pricier than other services on our list - Customer complaints about app stability and functionality ### HIGHLIGHTS Cost: Individual $15/mo (or $12/mo annual), Couple $29/mo (or $22/mo annual), Family $50/mo (or $32/mo annual), plus a Kids plan at $13/mo. Number of credit bureaus monitored: Three Credit score model: VantageScore Trial period: 14 days **Why we chose it:** [Aura](https://money.com/pr/maded81fb0a0?ap_referrer=https%253A%252F%252Fmoney.com%252Fbest-credit-monitoring-services%252F&apxa1=scam-alert-microsoft-365-phishing) is slightly more expensive than other services on this list, but that added cost unlocks a full suite of comprehensive identity protection tools. Its Identity and Fraud Protection plan offers monitoring for the three credit bureaus as well as financial transaction alerts, a password manager, a VPN, removal from data broker sites, unused account cleanup and more. Aura will tell you if your personal information (like your Social Security number) appears on the dark web and if someone tries to modify the details associated with your bank account(s). The family plan includes five adults, unlimited children and unlimited devices. That's more than what you'll get with Experian's family plan. Read Money’s [full Aura Identity Theft Protection review](https://money.com/aura-identity-theft-protection-review/). ## Best for Credit Reports and Identity Protection: PrivacyGuard ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/1308/large_BvKZbAZPDuZzjHOukgupbcBsWNpNvc.png) [View Plans](https://money.com/pr/c7df5b818d5e?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-credit-monitoring-services%2F&apxa1=scam-alert-microsoft-365-phishing) **Pros** - Monthly credit reports and scores - Wide range of identity protection features **Cons** - Lowest-priced plan doesn't include credit monitoring features - No customer service help via chat ### HIGHLIGHTS Cost: $19.99 per month for Credit Protection; $24.99 per month for Total Protection Number of credit bureaus monitored: Three Credit score model: VantageScore Trial period: 14 days (for $1) **Why we chose it:** If you’re looking for advanced identity protection services, you may want to opt for [PrivacyGuard Total Protection](https://money.com/pr/xaeb0c72d3f7?ap_referrer=https%253A%252F%252Fmoney.com%252Fbest-credit-monitoring-services%252F&apxa1=scam-alert-microsoft-365-phishing), which includes both credit and identity protection. Depending on the tier of service you purchase, you can get monthly three-bureau reports and scores. That's in addition to features like a dedicated agent to walk you through what to do if your identity is stolen and a credit score simulator, which lets you see how changes in behavior can impact your credit score. The least-expensive PrivacyGuard plan is only $9.99, but it doesn't come with credit monitoring, so we didn't factor it into our ranking. Read Money’s [full PrivacyGuard review](https://money.com/privacyguard-identity-theft-protection-review/). ## Best Free Credit Monitoring Service: Credit Karma ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/27490/large_506c9ebe-c171-4086-bde9-7dde681041ff.png) [View Plans](https://money.com/pr/cc7cf0eb3a24?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-credit-monitoring-services%2F&url=&apxa1=scam-alert-microsoft-365-phishing) **Pros** - Free credit monitoring - In-depth educational content on a wide range of personal finance topics **Cons** - Credit score only comes from Equifax and TransUnion - Pervasive card and loan offers ### HIGHLIGHTS Cost: Free Number of credit bureaus monitored: Two Credit score model: VantageScore Trial period: Not applicable (free) **Why we chose it:** [Credit Karma](https://money.com/pr/p4363efe385b?ap_referrer=https%253A%252F%252Fmoney.com%252Fbest-credit-monitoring-services%252F&apxa1=scam-alert-microsoft-365-phishing) is a free credit monitoring service that checks your credit reports daily from Equifax and TransUnion for changes. However, the service only provides your VantageScore. Note that the Federal Trade Commission [took action against](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2022/09/ftc-takes-action-stop-credit-karma-tricking-consumers-allegedly-false-pre-approved-credit-offers) Credit Karma in 2022, alleging that many people who received “pre-approved” credit offers did not actually qualify, wasted time applying and, in some cases, saw their credit scores drop when their applications were denied. However, if you’re looking for the very basics, it could be a good option. ## Best for Identity Theft Features: IdentityForce ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/29533/large_0d1a7abe-469a-4c92-bc75-b14db9a97c71.png) [View Plans](https://money.com/pr/udde9f0a0964?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-credit-monitoring-services%2F&url=&apxa1=scam-alert-microsoft-365-phishing) **Pros** - Wide range of identity theft features - $2 million in identity theft insurance - Access to a dedicated restoration specialist if your identity is stolen **Cons** - Less expensive plan doesn’t have credit monitoring - No free trial for plan with credit monitoring ### HIGHLIGHTS Cost: $34.90 per month for UltraSecure+Credit Individual Number of credit bureaus monitored: Three Credit score model: VantageScore Trial period: None **Why we chose it:** [IdentityForce](https://money.com/pr/j8a9ea450d74?ap_referrer=https%253A%252F%252Fmoney.com%252Fbest-credit-monitoring-services%252F&apxa1=scam-alert-microsoft-365-phishing) from TransUnion is more focused on identity theft than credit monitoring, but its UltraSecure+Credit Individual plan offers coverage for both. Its identity theft features include access to a dedicated restoration specialist who will help you restore your identity if it's compromised, risk scores for each dark web hit, phishing monitoring and more. It also comes with $2 million in identity theft insurance ($1 million is a common industry standard). We didn’t consider the [UltraSecure Individual plan](https://www.identityforce.com/identity-protection-pricing), which has a 30-day free trial and then is $19.90 per month, because it doesn’t include credit monitoring. Read Money’s [full IdentityForce review](https://money.com/identityforce-identity-theft-review/). ## Best for Cybersecurity Features: IDShield ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/24450/large_08930e04-116f-44e1-8a0c-759454ee4ef6.png) [View Plans](https://money.com/pr/p7c913c588f7?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-credit-monitoring-services%2F&url=&apxa1=scam-alert-microsoft-365-phishing) **Pros** - Protects three devices from viruses, malware and ransomware - Identity threat alerts and social media monitoring - 24/7 emergency assistance when fraud occurs **Cons** - Need to pay extra for three-bureau monitoring - No free trial ### HIGHLIGHTS Cost: $14.95 for one-bureau monitoring Individual Plan; $19.95 for three-bureau monitoring Individual Plan; $29.95 for one-bureau monitoring Family Plan; $34.95 for three-bureau monitoring Family Plan Number of credit bureaus monitored: One or three, depending on tier Credit score model: VantageScore Trial period: No **Why we chose it:** [IDShield](https://money.com/pr/h3966a2c9af8?ap_referrer=https%253A%252F%252Fmoney.com%252Fbest-credit-monitoring-services%252F&apxa1=scam-alert-microsoft-365-phishing) focuses on identity protection and cybersecurity threats. While you’ll get features like protection from viruses, malware and ransomware, its credit monitoring offerings are a bit more limited. You'll have to pay extra to get three-bureau monitoring. But you can receive alerts for hard credit inquiries, credit threats, data breaches and more, making IDShield useful depending on what level of service you require. Read Money’s [full IDShield review](https://money.com/idshield-identity-theft-protection-review/). ## Best for Access to FICO Score: myFICO ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/295/large_hWYOYKyJxqRIMlOdvTqeJhcwJSTDip.png) [View Plans](https://money.com/pr/hb757100a9ee?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-credit-monitoring-services%2F&apxa1=scam-alert-microsoft-365-phishing) **Pros** - Provides FICO scores instead of VantageScore - 24/7 emergency support for ID theft - Free version **Cons** - $1 million identity theft insurance only comes with paid plans - Limited cybersecurity and identity protection features ### HIGHLIGHTS Cost: Free; $29.95 per month for Advanced; $39.95 for Premier Number of credit bureaus monitored: One or three, depending on tier Credit score model: FICO Trial period: No **Why we chose it:** If you’re looking for a service that provides your FICO score instead of VantageScore, there aren’t many options — but [myFICO](https://money.com/pr/y0ae060a127f?ap_referrer=https%253A%252F%252Fmoney.com%252Fbest-credit-monitoring-services%252F&apxa1=scam-alert-microsoft-365-phishing) is one. The free plan offers one-bureau coverage with updates available monthly, the Advanced plan offers three-bureau monitoring with updates available every three months, and the Premiere plan offers three-bureau monitoring with updates available every month. You can get identity theft and cybersecurity features as well as credit monitoring with other companies at a similar price point. Read Money’s [full myFICO review](https://money.com/identityforce-identity-theft-review/). ## Best for Bank Customers: Chase Credit Journey ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/16466/large_06853ce7-4252-48a1-938e-166862f924fb.png) [View Plans](https://money.com/pr/sf5b0abe1376?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-credit-monitoring-services%2F&url=&apxa1=scam-alert-microsoft-365-phishing) **Pros** - It's free - Anyone can use it (not just Chase customers) - Includes a dispute guide to help address inaccuracies **Cons** - Only monitors one bureau (Experian) - Your Credit Journey score is eligible to refresh every seven days, but it can take as long as a month ### HIGHLIGHTS Cost: Free Number of credit bureaus monitored: One Credit score model: VantageScore Trial period: N/A **Why we chose it:** You don't have to be a Chase customer to use [Credit Journey](https://money.com/pr/pf5d2f27cd09?data-trk-company=chase-credit-journey-review&data-trk-imp=true&data-trk-pcu-type=direct_link&data-trk-pcu-uuid=pf5d2f27cd09&encoded_id=&apxa1=scam-alert-microsoft-365-phishing), although the tool appears in the Chase mobile app (as opposed to being a stand-alone). This free service lets you check your score and understand its fluctuations, with information and improvement plans exclusively provided by Experian. We named it best for bank customers because folks with Chase checking and savings accounts will be familiar with the interface. ![View Plans](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/29035/medium_031b14e8-19d0-4ec7-b6f0-04e29d54e75a.png) Our Partner [View Plans](https://money.com/go/57509ada41a7?bidid=4030357172&pmeta=p129-c590-u31657&ptid=662393984&ptoken=9b8e197f8a452d1268e58dd85e30919f&apxa1=scam-alert-microsoft-365-phishing) ![View Plans](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/22930/medium_1cbc8db8-3f08-443a-9212-ffc20f3572c5.png) Our Partner [View Plans](https://money.com/go/947bad5160b4?bidid=4030357171&pmeta=p129-c590-u31657&ptid=662393984&ptoken=69187e082d4b5c55fe983331131bf082&apxa1=scam-alert-microsoft-365-phishing) ![View Plans](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/24450/medium_08930e04-116f-44e1-8a0c-759454ee4ef6.png) Our Partner [View Plans](https://money.com/go/95831724459c?bidid=4030357170&pmeta=p129-c590-u31657&ptid=662393984&ptoken=593f1cb04db7c8172653d43013792ed2&apxa1=scam-alert-microsoft-365-phishing) ## Other credit monitoring services we considered We assessed many credit monitoring services that ultimately did not make our list. Below are several companies that were not named on our list but that may still be a fit for you. ## [Allstate Identity Protection](https://money.com/pr/z7cb58e879b7?data-trk-company=allstate-identity-protection-review&data-trk-imp=true&data-trk-pcu-type=direct_link&data-trk-pcu-uuid=z7cb58e879b7&encoded_id=&apxa1=scam-alert-microsoft-365-phishing) Allstate is focused on safeguarding your identity because, as it writes on its website, credit monitoring is "just one aspect of identity protection." Its cheapest plan only includes credit monitoring for a single bureau; to unlock three-bureau monitoring, you'll have to upgrade to its Blue service ($19/month individual or $36/month family). While Allstate does have useful identity-focused tools, if you're looking for detailed credit monitoring, you may want to look elsewhere. ## [Credit Sesame](https://money.com/pr/rd4365c93d0a?ap_referrer=https%253A%252F%252Fmoney.com%252Fbest-credit-monitoring-services%252F&apxa1=scam-alert-microsoft-365-phishing) Credit Sesame allows you to get your credit score daily for free, but you’ll have to pay for the two Sesame+ premium tiers — one that offers one-bureau monitoring ($12.99 per month) and a more expensive one that offers three-bureau monitoring ($24.99 per month) — for more detailed reports. The service only provides your VantageScore and offers far fewer identity protection features than some of the other services on the list. ## [Equifax](https://money.com/pr/w8c00889098a?ap_referrer=https%253A%252F%252Fmoney.com%252Fbest-credit-monitoring-services%252F&apxa1=scam-alert-microsoft-365-phishing) Equifax has a free "core credit" version, but for more detail you'll need to pay for one of its three plans. Equifax Complete, for $9.95 per month, provides single-bureau monitoring and a daily credit score (as well as report) from Equifax. Its Complete Premier plan, for $19.95 per month, also gives you three-bureau credit monitoring and an annual three-bureau report. And the most expensive option, a Family plan that costs $29.95 per month, adds services for a second adult and up to four kids. But Equifax has poor customer service reviews. In the public eye, it's still recovering from a 2017 data breach that exposed 147 million people's personal information. ## [ID Watchdog](https://money.com/pr/i7c30beee367?ap_referrer=https%253A%252F%252Fmoney.com%252Fbest-credit-monitoring-services%252F&apxa1=scam-alert-microsoft-365-phishing) ID Watchdog, which is owned by Equifax, offers either one- or three-bureau monitoring, depending on the tier you pay for. The cheaper plan ($14.95 per month) only offers a one-bureau credit report and score monthly. The Premium one ($21.95 per month) offers those reports and scores daily; it shares a three-bureau report and score annually, which is less often than other services. ## The bottom line on credit monitoring Credit monitoring can be an important part of a financial plan because it alerts you of any suspicious activity regarding your credit. Depending on the service you opt for, you may also be able to get in-depth information on why your credit score has changed (including for legitimate reasons, such as if you get a new credit card). This tracking can be useful if you’re trying to boost your score. “For people just starting out who are trying to buy a home, even increasing their credit score by 20 or 50 points is pretty meaningful,” says Ben Loughery, a financial advisor and founder of Lock Wealth Management. “It’s good hygiene to check in every six months at minimum.” ## How does credit monitoring work? Credit monitoring services generally kick off their work by asking you for some personal information, such as your date of birth, address and phone number. They access your credit reports from the credit bureaus (up to three, depending on the service) and monitor them on an ongoing basis. The services will alert you when there’s activity in your accounts. That can include new credit inquiries from a lender, landlord or employer, as well as new accounts being opened, an address change or a change in public records. They can also notify you specifically about an increase or decrease in your credit score. The frequency of the reports and score refreshes — as well as other services like monitoring credit cards and investment accounts for suspicious activity — will depend on the company. Keep in mind that credit monitoring can’t prevent your identity from being stolen, but it can help you prevent further damage. Loughery recommends pairing credit monitoring with other protective measures, like using a [password manager](https://money.com/how-to-pick-password-manager/), for maximum effect. ## How to choose a credit monitoring service Credit monitoring services generally come with a wide range of fees and services. Here are some factors to consider when choosing which company to use. ### Credit monitoring offering [FICO scores are used by 90% of top U.S. lenders](https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/fico-scores-bridge), but VantageScore has emerged as a viable alternative. If you’re all right with getting a VantageScore instead of FICO score — which, for most folks, will work well for credit monitoring purposes — you’ll have more options. When choosing between companies, look at how many reports you can get access to, since some only offer reports from one credit bureau while others offer two or three, says Chris Mankoff, a wealth advisor and certified financial planner at JTL Wealth Partners. Ideally, you’ll want to choose a plan that has three-bureau monitoring and allows for regular score refreshes and reports. You’re probably going to have to pay more for monthly reports than annual ones, but that may be worth it. ### Cost Many credit monitoring services are free. The basics may be enough for many people. Mankoff says his wife, for instance, received an alert via their free service that said a credit card was taken out in her name. She hadn’t opened the account and, out of caution, they both froze their credit. But if you want more regular reporting, identity protection and cybersecurity features, and more than one person on your account, you’ll have to pay for it. ### Features Some credit monitoring services have extra tools to help keep your identity protected, as well as specialists who will work one-on-one with you if it’s compromised. Most have some form of identity protection insurance and dark web scanning, but you may want to check for offerings like social media monitoring, a password manager, [VPNs](https://money.com/what-is-a-vpn/) and more. Mankoff says some services partner with different lending companies that can provide you a snapshot of what type of loans are available to you based on your score, which can be helpful if you’re looking to [consolidate debt](https://money.com/ways-to-consolidate-debt/). ### Customer service These services tend to offer phone, chat or email services (or some combination of those). Before choosing a company and forking over your hard-earned cash, make sure you’ll be able to easily contact them when you need help. You can also do some research by reading customer reviews posted on Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau. ## Latest credit monitoring news Identity theft and online fraud remain major concerns for many Americans. According to TransUnion's [H1 2026 Top Fraud Trends Report](https://www.transunion.com/report/top-fraud-trends), the volume of U.S. data breaches climbed 47% from 2024 to 2025, while roughly one in six U.S. consumers [reported losing money](https://newsroom.transunion.com/h1-2026-update-to-the-top-fraud-trends-report/) to digital fraud over the past year. The median financial loss was $2,307. ### CFPB updates credit reporting complaint process In June, the CFPB formally announced that it has [updated](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/the-cfpb-is-correcting-flaws-to-restore-integrity-and-utility-to-the-consumer-complaint-system/) the complaint process for credit reporting issues. Consumers who believe their credit reports contain inaccurate or incomplete information must now first dispute the issue directly with Equifax, Experian or TransUnion before filing a complaint with the CFPB. The CFPB said the changes are intended to help educate consumers about how to address credit report errors while better aligning its complaint process with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. According to the CFPB, complaints related to credit and consumer reporting grew from more than 150,000 in 2019 to more than 5 million in 2025. ### Data breaches and payouts to watch A handful of major data breach settlements are moving through the claims and payout process as customers face upcoming deadlines to submit documentation. AT&T customers affected by [two 2024 data breaches](https://money.com/att-settlement-deadline-extended/) are awaiting payouts from a $177 million class-action settlement. One breach exposed data that landed on the dark web, while another involved illegally accessed call and text logs. The court held a [final approval hearing](https://www.telecomdatasettlement.com/) in January, and claims are currently being reviewed and processed. Funds will be distributed once the settlement is fully approved and any appeals are resolved. Several other settlements have claim deadlines in September, including [Comcast](https://www.comcastbreachsettlement.com/), [Vector Security](https://www.classaction.org/news/vector-security-settlement-wraps-up-lawsuit-over-december-2024-data-breach) and [True World Holdings](https://trueworlddatasettlement.com/). Many of these settlements include free credit monitoring in addition to cash payouts for eligible consumers. The $117.5 million [Comcast settlement](https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2026/08/14/comcast-settlement-xfinity-data-breach/91301096007/), for instance, has a Sept. 14 [claim deadline](https://www.comcastbreachsettlement.com/) for those impacted by the October 2023 data breach, which exposed sensitive information belonging to millions of Xfinity customers. Eligible consumers can seek compensation and are also eligible for identity protection services, including credit monitoring. ### What's happening with medical debt on credit reports Fifteen states, including Delaware, Maine, Maryland and Oregon, now have laws that limit [how medical debt appears on credit reports](https://money.com/medical-debt-credit-report-cfpb/?xid=moneyrss). This follows the scrapping of a proposed [Biden-era federal rule](https://apnews.com/article/cfpb-medical-debt-credit-reports-41f212ee6b89f9902deb267d75ab8443) that would have removed roughly $49 billion in medical debt from U.S. credit reports. With these protections overturned, states are moving to maintain consumer safeguards, but a late-October CFPB interpretive rule asserts that federal law may preempt state restrictions. If these state laws are successfully challenged, millions of Americans could see unpaid medical debt reappear on their credit reports. Debts under $500 or less than a year past due remain excluded from credit reports, and the three main credit bureaus have committed to honoring that policy for now. ## Credit monitoring FAQs ### What is the difference between credit monitoring, credit repair and identity theft protection? While credit monitoring services continuously scan your credit file and alert you of changes, credit repair services can help you remove errors from your credit file and navigate the dispute process. Identity theft services scan for your personal information on the dark web, social networks and public records. ### Is credit monitoring worth it? Credit monitoring can be worth paying for if you want more frequent credit-report updates, three-bureau monitoring or additional identity protection and cybersecurity features, but many free services cover the basics. Money’s free picks include Experian, Credit Karma, myFICO and Chase Credit Journey, while paid options like Aura and IDShield offer broader coverage and additional protections. ### Are there free credit monitoring services? Yes — several credit monitoring services on Money’s list offer free versions, including Experian, Credit Karma, myFICO and Chase Credit Journey. Credit Karma monitors Equifax and TransUnion daily, while Chase Credit Journey monitors Experian. Experian’s free version monitors only Experian — users have to pay for three-bureau monitoring. And myFICO’s free plan provides one-bureau coverage via Equifax with monthly updates. ### How much does credit monitoring cost? Credit monitoring can cost anywhere from $0 to $50 per month, depending on the service and level of coverage. Paid plans range from $14.95 per month for IDShield’s one-bureau individual plan to $50 per month for Aura's family plan. ### Does credit monitoring affect your credit score? No — credit monitoring does not affect your credit score because monitoring your credit report doesn’t require a hard inquiry. Credit monitoring services may alert you when a lender or landlord checks your credit, but the check itself — not the monitoring service — is what can affect your score. ### Do I need credit monitoring from all three credit bureaus? You don’t necessarily need credit monitoring from all three bureaus, but monitoring Equifax, Experian and TransUnion gives you the most coverage of your credit activity. Money found that some services monitor only one or two bureaus, while Aura, IdentityForce and PrivacyGuard offer three-bureau monitoring. IDShield, Experian and myFICO offer one- or three-bureau coverage depending on the plan. ## Our methodology for picking the best credit monitoring services To find the best credit monitoring services, we compared plans from 19 companies. Then we narrowed in on 16 data points to form our methodology. These data points fell into five categories: credit monitoring offering, cost, features, customer service and ease of use. Credit monitoring offerings made up 23% of the scores while cost made up 25%, as these are two of the main factors we believe customers should consider. Features, customer service and ease of use made up 20%, 17% and 15%, respectively. Below are more details on the data points considered within each category. - **Credit monitoring offering:** We considered the number of credit bureaus monitored, the credit score model used and how often reports — and credit score refreshes — are available. - **Cost:** For the cost factor, we considered the fees, whether there is a free version of the service and whether there is a free trial. - **Features:** We assessed companies based on their identity theft insurance and dark web scanning offerings, as well as other security and identity protection features. - **Customer service:** This scoring took customer service availability, Trustpilot and BBB reviews into account. - **Ease of use:** For insights on ease of use, we considered mobile app ratings, availability of educational material and transparency about the costs and features. ## Summary of our top picks for credit monitoring [Experian](#experian) — Best Overall [Aura](#aura) — Best Low-Cost Credit Monitoring for Individuals or Families [PrivacyGuard](#privacyguard) — Best for Credit Reports and Identity Protection [Credit Karma](#creditkarma) — Best Free Credit Monitoring Service [IdentityForce](#identityforce) — Best for Identity Theft Features [IDShield](#idshield) — Best for Cybersecurity Features [myFICO](#myfico) — Best for Access to FICO Score [Chase Credit Journey](#chase) — Best for Bank Customers ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://money.com/best-credit-monitoring-services/#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://money.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Credit", "item": "https://money.com/credit/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "8 Best Credit Monitoring Services of September 2026" } ] }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://money.com/#website", "url": "https://money.com", "name": "Money", "publisher": { "@id": "https://money.com/#organization" } }, { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://money.com/best-credit-monitoring-services/#webpage", "url": "https://money.com/best-credit-monitoring-services/", "name": "8 Best Credit Monitoring Services of September 2026", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://money.com/#website" }, "datePublished": "2026-08-31T20:11:21.000Z", "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://money.com/best-credit-monitoring-services/" }, "inLanguage": "en-US", "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://money.com/best-credit-monitoring-services/#breadcrumb" }, "dateModified": "2026-08-31T20:11:21.000Z" }, { "@type": "Article", "headline": "8 Best Credit Monitoring Services of September 2026", "articleSection": "Credit", "image": [ { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://img.money.com/2024/02/Best-Credit-Monitoring-Services-mbci_v5wy3__t0nvlx.jpg?quality=85", "width": 2880, "height": 1920 } ], "author": [ { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mallika Mitra", "url": "https://money.com/author/mallika-mitra/", "@id": "https://money.com/author/mallika-mitra/#author", "description": "Mallika Mitra is a contributing editor for Money, based in Chicago. 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