Credit Karma is an online platform that features tools, educational resources, and product recommendations, such as loans from marketing partners to help users meet financial goals. If you’ve perused the site, you may be wondering how their product offers work and if they’re worth considering.
Keep reading to learn more about what Credit Karma offers and how product recommendations are generated. You’ll also discover a viable alternative that features even more perks than Credit Karma to improve your credit and overall financial health.
Is Credit Karma Free?
It’s free to create an account with Credit Karma, and there are no monthly fees since they don’t offer a paid subscription plan. Furthermore, you’ll never be asked to put your credit card number or banking information on file. Upon creating your account, you’ll have access to the following:
- Daily and weekly VantageScore 3.0 updates for TransUnion and Equifax, respectively
- TransUnion and Equifax credit reports
- Credit monitoring for TransUnion and Equifax credit reports
- Identity monitoring and dark web surveillance
- A tool that allows you to search for unclaimed money held by the government
- The homebuying power feature shows how certain factors can help you meet your home buying goals
How Does Credit Karma Make Money?
Credit Karma partners with banks, financial institutions, online lenders, credit card companies, and insurance companies to bring personalized offers to its members through an online marketplace. Credit Karma is compensated for the referral if you apply for a recommended product and get approved.
Be mindful that compensation from 3rd parties may impact how and where products appear on the site. Consequently, the top recommendation you receive may not be the most competitive offer for you.
Does Credit Karma Sell Your Information?
No, Credit Karma does not sell our information.
Credit Karma Products: How Do They Work
Beyond providing tools to help improve your credit and overall financial health, Credit Karma uses distinct algorithms to analyze your credit profile and extend offers that could be a good match for you. Here’s an overview of how they work:
Loans Through Credit Karma
Shop for personal loans, mortgages, home refinance, and auto loans directly from the online platform without impacting your credit score.
Insurance Products Through Credit Karma
Credit Karma also features auto and homeowners insurance options from partners in its network.
Credit Cards Through Credit Karma
Explore balance transfer, business, cashback, travel, reward, secured, and 0% APR cards on Credit Karma. You can also search for cards by credit rating.
An Alternative to Credit Karma to Monitor and Improve Your Credit Score
Seeking an alternative to Credit Karma that displays your actual FICO score and offers free credit monitoring? Consider the CreditWorks Basic plan from Experian to stay on top of your credit health. It’s free and includes:
- Experian credit report and FICO Score with monthly updates
- Credit monitoring and real-time alerts when activity occurs in your credit profile or your credit score changes
- Experian CreditMatch™ allows you to explore credit card and loan offers you could qualify for. The recommendations are based on your credit profile and FICO score, and you can view options in seconds. Just enter your name, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and your home address to view potential matches.
CreditWorks Basic plan members can also take advantage of Experian Boost. It’s a free service that could help increase your FICO score instantly by adding on-time streaming subscription, utility and phone payments to your Experian credit report.
Experian also features other credit support services, including:
- Credit Education Center: Get the answers to all your credit, fraud, identity theft, insurance, loan and credit card questions. You will also find guidance on small-business-related topics, along with the latest news and trends.
- Experian ID Notify Active Military Account: If you’re a member of the armed forces and on active duty, you can get free credit monitoring and a copy of your Experian credit report every 30 days.
- Fraud alerts: Have you recently been victimized by identity theft? Experian offers temporary and extended fraud alerts to protect your credit profile. Any time an application for credit is submitted in your name, creditors are prompted to verify your identity to ensure the authenticity of the application. Fraud alerts are also available for active-duty military. You can remove fraud alerts at any time directly on Experian’s website.
- Free credit report due to denials: You can request a free copy of your credit report from Experian if you were denied employment, credit, or insurance in the last 60 days.
- Online dispute portal: File disputes with Experian to have inaccurate or outdated information removed. The online dispute portal is accessible 24/7 and provides real-time updates on the status of your claim.
- Security freezes: New credit cannot be opened in your name when you place a security freeze on your credit profile.
Sign up today to take the first step toward achieving your credit goals.
