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Tracking your credit score for free

credit · 3 min read

FICO vs VantageScore

Lenders use FICO 90% of the time. Free apps often show VantageScore, which diverges from FICO by 20-50 points in either direction. Know which one you're looking at.

Accurate FICO sources (free)

  • Experian (experian.com) — real FICO 8, updated monthly.
  • Credit Karma — VantageScore, not FICO. Directionally useful, not accurate.
  • myFICO.com — paid, but the gold standard. All 3 bureaus, multiple FICO versions.
  • Chase Credit Journey — free FICO Bankcard Score 8.
  • Amex MyCredit Guide — free FICO Score 8.
  • Capital One CreditWise — VantageScore.
  • Discover FICO — free for anyone, card or not.