Experian Review
FICO Score 8 direct from one of the three credit bureaus. Independent Experian review: 4.3/5 for credit score. Best for FICO tracking and credit boost.
By Michael Hewitt, Founder & Editor-in-Chief. Rates last checked September 7, 2026.
Our verdict
For tracking the score most lenders lean on, Experian's free tier gives you FICO Score 8 straight from the bureau, plus Boost for on-time utility, phone, streaming and rent payments. The free view covers Experian only, and the app keeps pushing CreditWorks Premium at $24.99 a month. Take the free tier and decline the upsell.
Skip it if you want free TransUnion and Equifax scores, or won't share bank access to use Boost.
About Experian
FICO Score 8 direct from one of the three credit bureaus. Experian is offered by Experian Information Solutions. Our editorial rating is 4.3 out of 5.
Best for: FICO tracking and credit boost.
Editorial grade: A- (composite score 86/100).
Highlights
- Free FICO Score 8 from Experian's own file (FICO says 90% of top lenders use FICO Scores)
- Experian Boost adds on-time utility, phone, streaming, and rent payments to your credit file
- Dark Web Surveillance scans for your SSN, email, and bank account on illegal marketplaces
- Real-time alerts for new accounts, hard inquiries, and credit limit changes
What we like
- Official FICO Score 8 from Experian's own file
- Experian Boost: Experian says users who got a boost gained 14 points on average
- Direct from a credit bureau, with no intermediary and the fastest data updates
- Premium tier includes 3-bureau FICO and $1 million identity theft insurance
Where it falls short
- Free tier only shows Experian data, with no TransUnion or Equifax scores
- Frequent upsells to CreditWorks Premium throughout the app and website
- Boost only works with a connected bank account (must share read-only banking access)
Fees, minimums, and rates
Monthly fee: Free / $24.99/mo Premium. Minimum to open: $0. Rates and fees last checked on September 7, 2026.
How we reviewed it
This is a desk review: we have not opened an account with Experian Information Solutions. It is built from Experian Information Solutions's published rates, fee schedule and terms and from the public complaint record, and compared with the other products in the Credit Score shortlist. Our money-app reviews weight cost (25%), accuracy and reliability (25%), data security (20%), usefulness (20%), and customer support (10%). The rubric is the same for every brand.
Similar products to compare
Read our full editorial methodology for how we review products.