For free credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, use AnnualCreditReport.com. For a free score, Experian advertises access to a FICO Score through a free membership, while TransUnion advertises a VantageScore 3.0 service. Reports and scores are different, and the score a free service shows may not be the one a lender uses.
Credit reports and credit scores are different
A credit report contains account and payment-history information from a bureau. A credit score is a number calculated from credit-file information using a particular scoring model. AnnualCreditReport.com provides reports, not scores; the site says its reports do not include a score.
Start with reports if you want to inspect the underlying information, look for errors or review what each bureau has on file. Choose a score provider separately if you want a score estimate.
Which websites offer free reports or scores?
| Website | What it offers | Model and important detail |
|---|---|---|
| AnnualCreditReport.com | Free credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion; online access is available weekly. | Reports do not include a score. Checking your reports there does not affect your scores. |
| Experian | Experian advertises free FICO Score access through a free membership. | It is a FICO Score offer. Check Experian’s current page for membership terms. |
| TransUnion | TransUnion advertises a free score service with daily refreshes. | The page identifies the score as VantageScore 3.0. Lenders may use other models, and terms can change. |
When comparing score services, check which bureau’s data is used, which model calculates the score, how often it updates and whether an account or other terms apply. FICO and VantageScore are different models; neither should be treated as the exact score every lender will see.
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How to check your reports and score
- Go to AnnualCreditReport.com for reports. Use the official site spelling and select the bureau reports you want. The site says online reports are usually available after identity verification.
- Choose a score service if you need a score. Experian advertises a free FICO Score membership offer, and TransUnion advertises a free VantageScore 3.0 service. Review the provider’s current page and terms before signing up.
- Note the date, bureau and model. Keeping those details beside the score helps you make a like-for-like comparison when you check again.
- Check the reports if a score changes unexpectedly. The reports can help you review the account information behind a score and spot possible errors.
How often can you get free reports?
AnnualCreditReport.com says online reports are available weekly from each of the three bureaus. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also says consumers can review reports online weekly. Separately, the CFPB describes an additional Equifax allotment of up to six reports in a 12-month period through December 2026. That provision is time-limited; check current CFPB guidance after that date.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Will checking your own score or report hurt your credit?
AnnualCreditReport.com says checking reports through its service does not affect credit scores. TransUnion says checking a score through its service does not affect it. These are consumer checks, not applications for credit.
Quick Recap
What to keep in mind when using a free score
- Identify the bureau. A score based on one bureau’s file may differ from a score based on another bureau’s data.
- Identify the model. Record whether the provider shows a FICO Score or a VantageScore, including the version when stated.
- Check the update date. A recently refreshed score can still reflect different data or a different model than another provider’s score.
- Review current offer terms. Free membership details and service terms can change; confirm them on the provider’s page.
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