Is TransUnion or Experian better?

Asked by: Prof. Tremaine Grant  |  Last update: September 16, 2023
Score: 4.7/5 (72 votes)

While both TransUnion and Experian have some similarities, Experian offers a more robust suite of consumer services. It also reveals your FICO Score 8—the score most lenders use—which can give you a better idea of what lenders see than the VantageScore that TransUnion provides.

Which is better TransUnion Equifax or Experian?

If you simply want more control over your credit report and credit score, Experian offers the most bang for your buck in terms of personal credit monitoring and identity protection. However, TransUnion offers the most business-related products.

Which credit report is most accurate?

The most accurate credit scores are the latest versions of the FICO Score and VantageScore credit-scoring models: FICO Score 8 and VantageScore 3.0.

Why is my TransUnion score different from Experian?

This is due to a variety of factors, such as the many different credit score brands, score variations and score generations in commercial use at any given time. These factors are likely to yield different credit scores, even if your credit reports are identical across the three credit bureaus—which is also unusual.

Which is the most used credit bureau?

While there's no exact answer to which credit score matters most, lenders have a clear favorite: FICO® Scores are used in over 90% of lending decisions.

Why Equifax, Experian, and Transunion Have Different Scores

35 related questions found

Is Experian usually the lowest score?

Credit scores help lenders evaluate whether they want to do business with you. The FICO® Score , which is the most widely used scoring model, falls in a range that goes up to 850. The lowest credit score in this range is 300. But the reality is that almost nobody has a score that low.

Is Experian a reliable credit score?

Is Experian Accurate? Credit scores from the credit bureaus are only as accurate as the information provided to the bureau. Check your credit report to ensure all the information is correct. If it is, your Experian credit scores are accurate.

Does TransUnion give the lowest score?

How Does TransUnion Calculate Credit Scores? One of the scoring models that TransUnion uses to calculate credit scores is VantageScore® 3.0. This model scoring scale starts at 300 (the lowest) and caps at 850.

Does TransUnion have a boost like Experian?

Ted Rossman, senior industry analyst at Bankrate, notes that Boost won't help your TransUnion or Equifax credit scores. And because the tool only works with newer versions of the FICO algorithm (specifically FICO Score 8), it won't help you get a home loan, as mortgage lenders typically rely on older FICO score models.

Why is my Experian score 100 points lower than TransUnion?

If you have an installment loan that reports only to Experian, your Experian credit score may be very different Equifax and TransUnion. Delinquencies reported on a loan reported on one credit report, but not the others, is the most common reason why you'll see wide credit score discrepancies, like 100 points.

Is TransUnion more accurate?

Neither score is more or less accurate than the other; they're only being calculated from slightly differing sources. Your Equifax credit score is more likely to appear lower than your TransUnion one because of the reporting differences, but a “fair” score from TransUnion is typically “fair” across the board.

Is TransUnion the most accurate?

TransUnion. TransUnion operates based on the same principles and scoring model as the other two major credit bureaus. A TransUnion report also includes the same type of information and is equally accurate. Here's the contact information for TransUnion.

Do lenders look at TransUnion or Equifax?

An Equifax credit score isn't used by lenders or creditors to assess a consumers' creditworthiness. Instead, many lenders use FICO Scores® to help determine a potential borrower's creditworthiness. FICO uses credit scores from the three reporting agencies, including Equifax and Transunion, to determine their score.

Which credit score is used to buy a home?

The scoring model used in mortgage applications

While the FICO® 8 model is the most widely used scoring model for general lending decisions, banks use the following FICO scores when you apply for a mortgage: FICO® Score 2 (Experian) FICO® Score 5 (Equifax)

Which banks use Experian?

Banks and Stores

Experian, TransUnion and Equifax are the three largest credit reporting agencies, and most major banks use them to come up with a combined FICO score. International financial organizations such as Barclays, HSBC, Morgan Stanley, MBNA and Nationwide are examples of those that rely on Experian.

What is a Good TransUnion score?

A good score with TransUnion and VantageScore® 3.0 is between 720 and 780. As your score climbs through and above this range, you can benefit from the increased freedom and flexibility healthy credit brings. Some people want to achieve a score of 850, the highest credit score possible.

Why is TransUnion so much lower than others?

Equifax and TransUnion have different scores because slightly different information is reported to each credit reporting agency. In addition, TransUnion reports your employment history and personal information. Equifax's different credit scoring model results in lower scores.

Why is my TransUnion score so much lower than my other scores?

Because there are varied scoring models, you'll likely have different scores from different providers. Lenders use many different types of credit scores to make lending decisions. The score you see when you check it may not be the same as the one used by your lender.

How far off is Credit Karma?

Credit Karma touts that it will always be free to the consumers who use its website or mobile app. But how accurate is Credit Karma? In some cases, as seen in an example below, Credit Karma may be off by 20 to 25 points.

Is Experian lower than TransUnion?

If a collection shows up on Experian, but not the other two bureaus, you Experian credit score will be lower than your TransUnion and Equifax scores.

Which of the 3 credit scores is most important?

Payment History Is the Most Important Factor of Your Credit Score. Payment history accounts for 35% of your FICO® Score.

Why is my Experian score so much lower than Credit Karma?

This is mainly because of two reasons: For one, lenders may pull your credit from different credit bureaus, whether it is Experian, Equifax or TransUnion. Your score can then differ based on what bureau your credit report is pulled from since they don't all receive the same information about your credit accounts.

Which credit score is usually the lowest?

Here are the credit score ranges for each category:
  • Very poor: 300 to 579.
  • Fair: 580 to 669.
  • Good: 670 to 739.
  • Very good: 740 to 799.
  • Excellent: 800 to 850.

Is a 670 credit score good?

A FICO® Score of 670 falls within a span of scores, from 670 to 739, that are categorized as Good. The average U.S. FICO® Score, 711, falls within the Good range.