Credit Sesame vs. Credit Karma: Which Free Credit App Is Better?

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Credit Sesame and Credit Karma are the two best-known free credit apps. Neither asks for a credit card, and neither charges for the basic service. They make money by recommending cards and loans. They show you different data, though, so the right pick depends on what you want to see.

What each app shows you

• Credit Karma: free VantageScore 3.0 scores and reports from TransUnion and Equifax, updated about weekly.
• Credit Sesame: a free VantageScore 3.0 score from TransUnion, with free daily refreshes. Its paid Sesame+ tier adds three-bureau data and more identity protection.

Neither app shows a FICO score. VantageScore is a real score, and some lenders use it, but most lenders (and nearly all mortgage lenders) use FICO. Expect your app score and your lender’s score to differ. We explain why in why there are different credit scores.

Credit Karma: pros and cons

• Pros: two bureaus for free, clear report details, alerts when something changes, and a built-in way to dispute TransUnion errors.
• Cons: no Experian data, weekly (not daily) updates, and a lot of card and loan offers.

Credit Sesame: pros and cons

• Pros: daily score refreshes, a simple credit report grade, and an optional paid upgrade for three-bureau monitoring.
• Cons: the free plan covers only one bureau, and it’s also supported by product offers.

Which one should you choose?

For most people, Credit Karma is the better free pick because it shows two bureaus instead of one. Credit Sesame is useful if you want to watch your TransUnion score change day to day. Since both are free, many people use both.

What neither covers for free is all three bureaus plus your FICO score. If you’re getting ready for a mortgage or a big loan, a three-bureau service like SmartCredit fills that gap, and you can pull all three free reports weekly at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Found an error?

Both apps can help you spot mistakes. Credit Karma can dispute TransUnion errors directly, and Dovly automates TransUnion disputes if you have several. Our guide to finding and disputing credit report errors covers Equifax and Experian too.

Planning to buy a home? Your app score isn’t what a mortgage lender sees. The Rate Update can show you the scores a lender will actually use.

Frequently asked questions

Is Credit Karma or Credit Sesame more accurate?

Both are accurate for the data and model they use (VantageScore 3.0). They differ because they pull from different bureaus. Neither shows the FICO scores most lenders use.

Does checking Credit Karma or Credit Sesame hurt my score?

No. Checking your own score is a soft inquiry and has no effect on your credit.

Are they really free?

Yes. Both earn money when you sign up for cards or loans they recommend. You never have to accept an offer.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you. Dan Frio | NMLS #246527 | PBT Bancorp | NMLS #257781. Mortgage products are originated by PBT Bancorp, NMLS #257781. Equal Housing Lender.