FICO Vs Experian Vs TransUnion - Which Is Best?

The FICO Score is a numeric model (300‑850) that predicts credit risk, while Experian and TransUnion are the three major credit bureaus that store the underlying data used to calculate any FICO Score.

A borrower might see a 720 FICO Score from Experian, a 695 FICO Score from TransUnion, and a 710 FICO Score from Equifax because each bureau reports slightly different accounts, balances, or payment histories. The same version of the model - say FICO 9 - applied to each file yields three distinct numbers, which is why lenders often specify 'the FICO Score from the bureau you use.' What is a FICO Score What is a credit bureau

You see three different credit scores because each of the three major credit bureaus - Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax - calculates its own FICO Score from the data that only it holds. The bureaus may also apply different FICO models (such as 8, 9, or 10) and lenders often request a specific version, so the same consumer can end up with three distinct numbers that update at different times.

• Data variations: each bureau receives a unique set of accounts, inquiries, and public records, leading to slightly different score inputs.
• Multiple FICO models: lenders may use FICO 8, 9, or 10; each bureau can generate any of these models, producing separate scores.
• Lender‑specific requests: some lenders pull the FICO Score from Experian, others from TransUnion or Equifax, depending on their partnership.
• Update timing: bureaus refresh their databases on different schedules, so a recent credit event may appear in one score before the others.

Understanding that the three scores reflect the same underlying credit behavior, just filtered through three distinct lenses, prepares you for the next section on which score lenders actually check for your loan. the three major credit bureaus

• Lenders check the FICO Score, typically via a tri‑merge credit report that includes Experian, TransUnion and Equifax.
• The tri‑merge delivers the same 300‑850 numeric range no matter which bureau supplies the underlying data.
• Mortgage, auto and credit‑card lenders all rely on a FICO Score; they may favor one bureau but still use versions 8, 9 or 10 of the FICO model.
• Some lenders run a specialized FICO product (for example FICO 5 Auto for auto loans) but pull it from whichever bureau they query.
• A hard inquiry on your report shows the specific bureau that provided the score for that loan application.

First, the score that matters varies by loan type: mortgages use the bureau‑specific FICO Score 2, 4, or 5; auto loans rely on the FICO Auto Score (often the FICO 4/5 version); credit‑card issuers look at the latest general‑purpose FICO Score 8 or 9 from whichever bureau they pull.

1. Mortgage - Most lenders request the three 'banking' FICO Scores (2 from Experian, 4 from TransUnion, 5 from Equifax). They compare all three and use the lowest as the qualifying number. If you have a strong score on at least one bureau, you can still qualify, but the lowest will drive the rate.
2. Auto loan - Dealers and finance companies usually run the FICO Auto Score, a version of the FICO 4/5 model that weights recent auto‑payment behavior. Some use the same general‑purpose FICO 8, but the Auto Score is the most common predictor for vehicle financing.
3. Credit card - Issuers typically pull the newest general‑purpose FICO Score (8 or 9) from the bureau they have a data feed with, often Experian or TransUnion. A higher FICO 8/9 improves approval odds and credit‑limit offers.

(See 'why you see three different credit scores' for why the same number can differ across bureaus, and check '5 quick checks to spot bureau score discrepancies' for troubleshooting.)

Spotting mismatched scores across Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax boils down to five fast checks. Run them whenever your report looks odd or before a big loan.

• Verify the reporting date; each bureau updates on its own cycle, so a newer FICO Score on one site versus an older one on another reveals a timing gap (see free credit‑report schedule).
• Compare the underlying model version; a 750 could be a FICO 8, 9, or 10, and different versions generate different numbers even with identical data.
• Look for missing recent inquiries or payments; if Experian lists a September credit‑card payment that TransUnion omits, the score gap likely stems from incomplete data.
• Check personal‑information match; variations in name, address, or SSN cause a bureau to create a separate file, producing a divergent score.
• Scan for duplicate or outdated accounts; stale collections or closed accounts that linger on one bureau inflate or deflate that score relative to the others.

You can pull a free FICO Score and free bureau‑specific scores without paying a dime.

• Discover Credit Scorecard: shows your Experian‑based FICO Score 5, updates monthly.
• Experian's free FICO Score: provides Experian‑based FICO Score 8 after sign‑up, refreshed monthly.
• Capital One CreditWise: delivers a TransUnion‑based FICO Score 8, updates weekly for any user.
• Chase Credit Journey: offers an Experian‑based FICO Score 15, refreshed weekly for Chase customers.
• Credit Karma: shows VantageScore 3.0 from TransUnion and Equifax, updated weekly.
• Mint: provides a TransUnion VantageScore 3.0, refreshed weekly.
• WalletHub: gives both TransUnion and Equifax VantageScore 3.0, refreshed daily.
• Credit Sesame: displays Experian VantageScore 3.0, updated weekly.

Choose the platform that aligns with the bureau you plan to monitor and the FICO version you need; switching between them lets you spot the score gaps discussed earlier.

Target the five FICO Score drivers that lift your number fastest, then apply concrete actions to each.

• Payment history (≈35 %): Pay every bill on time; set up automatic payments or calendar reminders.
• Credit utilization (≈30 %): Keep balances below 30 % of each revolving limit; pay down high balances, request a higher limit, or spread debt across cards.
• Length of credit history (≈15 %): Keep older accounts open; avoid closing a long‑standing card even if you rarely use it.
• New credit (≈10 %): Limit hard inquiries; wait at least six months between credit applications and consider a 'soft' pull to check offers.
• Credit mix (≈10 %): Show responsible use of different account types - credit cards, installment loans, or a small personal loan - if you don't already have variety.

For a deeper dive on how each driver impacts the FICO Score, see Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's factor breakdown.

Disputing inaccurate items on Experian and TransUnion credit files follows a predictable, repeatable process.

1. Pull the latest reports - download the free annual reports from AnnualCreditReport.com. Review the Experian and TransUnion sections side by side.
2. Mark every error - highlight wrong personal data, outdated accounts, or mis‑reported balances. Note the exact line numbers for quick reference.
3. Collect supporting proof - gather bank statements, loan payoff letters, or closed‑account confirmations that contradict the disputed entry.
4. File the online dispute - use Experian's online dispute portal and TransUnion's credit dispute page. Upload the error description and attach the proof file.
5. Keep a written copy - save the confirmation number and a PDF of the submission for your records.
6. Monitor the 30‑day investigation - both bureaus must complete the review within 30 days. The status page will show 'in review,' 'verified,' or 'removed.'
7. Review the outcome - when you receive the updated report, confirm the correction. If the entry remains, note the bureau's reason and request a second review with additional documentation.
8. Escalate if needed - file a complaint with the FTC or your state attorney general if the dispute is denied without justification.

Follow these steps promptly, and you'll see Experian and TransUnion reflect the accurate information, which in turn improves the FICO Score derived from each bureau.

Experian and TransUnion give the biggest boost when you're new to U.S. credit. Most starter credit‑cards, secured cards and credit‑builder loans report to Experian or TransUnion, so those bureaus will show activity first. Open a free monitoring account with Experian's free credit monitoring and register for TransUnion's CreditView to see your FICO Score (usually 300‑850) as soon as it appears.

Even though you focus on Experian and TransUnion, pull all three reports occasionally to catch gaps - Equifax often lags behind but may still be used by a few lenders. Remember, most lenders request the FICO Score from the bureau they pull, so building a solid history on Experian and TransUnion covers the majority of loan decisions you'll encounter later in the article.

Identity theft can drag down the FICO Score from any bureau that records the fraud, and because Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax keep separate files, the impact often looks different on each report.

• Fraudsters open new credit lines that report only to one or two bureaus, creating a sudden rise in total debt and a sharp score drop on those specific files.
• Missed payments on the fraudulent accounts appear on the bureau that received the original loan or credit‑card data, lowering that bureau's FICO Score while the others stay unchanged.
• Hard inquiries generated by the thief's applications show up on the queried bureau, adding a few points of negative weight.
• A fraud alert or security freeze placed on one bureau does not automatically copy to the others, leaving gaps for further abuse.
• Disputed fraudulent entries are processed at different speeds; a quick removal from Experian may leave the same item on TransUnion for weeks, extending the period of score damage.

Monitor all three credit files, freeze each bureau promptly, and dispute fraudulent items on every report to stop the cascade of score loss. For step‑by‑step guidance, see the Federal Trade Commission identity theft guide.