Staying on top of your credit reports isn't easy, but a good credit monitoring service can make the process a lot easier.
Unlike most providers, which charge monthly or annual fees, CreditWise® from Capital One is free to use whether you have a Capital One card or not.
You can get fraud alerts and monitor your personal information across the web. Plus, CreditWise's score simulator will show you what impact certain financial decisions (like taking out a mortgage or upping your credit limit) will have on your score.
CreditWise® from Capital One
Cost
Free
Credit bureaus monitored
TransUnion® and Experian®
Credit scoring model used
FICO® Score 8
Dark web scan
Yes
Identity insurance
No.
CreditWise from Capital One
Pros and cons of CreditWise from Capital One
- Free to users who don't have Capital One accounts
- Uses FICO 8 scores, the industry standard
- Includes credit score simulator
- Doesn't alert you to changes in your Equifax credit report
- No identity theft insurance
- Received an F from the Better Business Bureau, which cited unresolved complaints
CreditWise overview
Launched as Credit Tracker in 2014, CreditWise from Capital One is a free credit monitoring service available to anyone over 18 with a Social Security number and a credit file. There is only one free tier, with no paid plans or upgrades available.
CreditWise tracks changes to your Experian and TransUnion credit reports, including hard inquiries, new accounts, delinquencies and changes to any balances or personal information. Your CreditWise credit score, however, is only derived from your TransUnion file.
CreditWise also suggests ways you can improve your credit score, like paying off high-interest balances or raising your credit limit.
In summer 2025, CreditWise switched from VantageScore 3.0 credit scores to FICO 8 scores, the industry
Two-credit-bureau monitoring
Many credit monitoring services only work with one of the three main credit bureaus. CreditWise reviews reports from both Experian and TransUnion. Triple-bureau credit monitoring also alerts you to changes in your Equifax reports, but it's rarely an option with free services.
Dark web scanning
CreditWise stands out from other free services by providing dark web surveillance and alerting users if their information is found on unsafe sites, hacking forums or illegal digital marketplaces.
Plus, you’ll receive a notification if your Social Security number is associated with a credit application that has a new name or address.
Credit score simulator
One of CreditWise's best features is the simulator that shows you the effect that various financial decisions, from taking out a car loan or mortgage to closing a credit card or paying off a balance, can have on your credit score.
How do I sign up for CreditWise?
Anyone can register for CreditWise but if you have a Capital One product, like the Capital One 360® Checking Account, you can seamlessly access the program from within the Capital One mobile app.
If you’re not a Capital One customer, visit the CreditWise website and enter your name, email address, birth date, Social Security number, phone number and home address.
You'll have to agree to the terms of service, click "Locate My Credit Info" and confirm your identity. Then you can create an account.
Is CreditWise right for me?
CreditWise is a great free credit monitoring service that can help keep track of changes to your Experian and TransUnion credit reports.
If you want more comprehensive coverage, however, consider a paid service like Experian IdentityWorks℠ Premium, which monitors all three bureaus and includes identity theft insurance.
Experian IdentityWorks℠
Cost
Basic: Free; Premium: 7-day trial, after $24.99 per month; Family: 7-day trial, after $34.99 per month
Credit bureaus monitored
1-bureau credit monitoring, alerts and reports: Experian, with Basic plan only and 3-bureau credit monitoring, alerts and reports: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion®, with Premium and Family plans only
Credit scoring model used
FICO® Score 8, with all plans
Dark web scan
Yes, with all plans
Identity theft insurance
Yes, up to $1 million with all plans
Terms apply.
*Identity Theft Insurance underwritten by insurance company subsidiaries or affiliates of American International Group, Inc. (AIG). The description herein is a summary and intended for informational purposes only and does not include all terms, conditions and exclusions of the policies described. Please refer to the actual policies for terms, conditions, and exclusions of coverage. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions.
CreditWise FAQs
Do I have to be a Capital One cardholder to use CreditWise?
No, CreditWise is available to anyone with a credit history, regardless of whether they have a Capital One credit card or account. If you do have an account, however, you can seamlessly access the service from within the Capital One mobile app.
Is CreditWise accurate?
Yes, CreditWise from Capital One is generally considered accurate. It monitors your FICO credit score, the industry standard, and reviews reports from both TransUnion and Experian. It doesn't access Equifax credit reports and is only updated once a week, but it still represents a fairly reliable picture of your credit health. If you want triple-bureau credit monitoring, you'll have to go with a paid service.
Does using CreditWise hurt your credit score?
No, CreditWise from Capital One uses a soft inquiry, which won't impact your credit score. A hard inquiry, like one requested if you apply for a credit card or loan, can temporarily lower your score.
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