How Much Does Equifax Cost?

Equifax typically charges a monthly fee that starts at $19.99 for the basic credit‑watch plan, rises to $29.99 for the Plus plan that adds identity‑theft protection, and tops out around $39.99 for the Premium package with full alerts and dark‑web monitoring; these rates are recurring unless you cancel and may vary slightly with promotions or regional taxes. See which Equifax plan fits you next.

Choose the Equifax plan that matches the level of credit monitoring and identity safeguards you want.

• Credit Monitor - $9.99 monthly fee - basic credit‑report alerts and score updates; fits users who only need to watch credit changes.
• Identity Theft Protection - $19.99 monthly fee - adds identity‑theft alerts, dark‑web scanning, and recovery assistance; suits people who want broader personal data safety.
• Premium - $29.99 monthly fee - combines full credit monitoring, identity theft protection, insurance reimbursements, and priority support; ideal for those who demand the most comprehensive protection.

Your monthly Equifax fee depends on the plan you choose and any add‑ons you enable.

1. Pick a base plan. Most consumers start with one of three standard options: Equifax Complete ($19.99 per month), Equifax Identity Protect ($24.99 per month), or the combined Complete + Identity Protect ($34.99 per month) Equifax plan pricing overview.
2. Add optional services. Extras such as credit‑score alerts ($4.99/mo) or identity‑theft insurance ($9.99/mo) increase the base amount. List each add‑on you want and sum their monthly costs.
3. Apply discounts and taxes. Paying yearly usually knocks 10 % off the total, which you can divide by 12 to get a lower monthly figure. Add any applicable state sales tax (typically 5‑8 %). The result is your estimated monthly Equifax fee.

Now you can compare this number against the 'features that raise your Equifax price' section to see if a cheaper configuration fits your needs.

Certain optional add‑ons increase the Equifax monthly fee across all plans.

• Real‑time identity‑theft alerts (credit monitoring) typically add $5 - $10 per month.
• Dark‑web exposure scans and premium fraud scores usually raise the fee by $4 - $8.
• Adding extra user accounts for household members often costs an additional $3 - $6 per month.
• Incorporating alternative credit data such as rent or utility payments may increase the fee by $2 - $5.
• Access to Equifax's API data feeds (for personal users) generally adds $7 - $12 to the monthly charge.

The first scenario many people see is the basic personal monitoring plan, which typically costs $19.99 per month; adding the optional identity‑theft shield bumps the monthly fee to around $30.

A second scenario appears for small‑business owners who need employee credit checks: the standard business plan runs about $49 per month per employee, so a team of five would pay roughly $245 monthly, plus any fraud‑alert add‑on that may be $20.

The third scenario involves a premium consumer bundle that includes credit lock and full identity protection; the plan usually costs $39.99 per month, with a one‑time activation charge of $50, making the first month's out‑of‑pocket expense about $90.

Paying Equifax is worth it when the protection or insight you gain exceeds the monthly fee of your chosen plan. Typical scenarios include needing instant fraud alerts before a big loan closes, monitoring credit‑score swings while applying for a mortgage, or satisfying employer‑mandated credit checks for high‑risk positions.

If you rarely apply for credit, have low identity‑theft exposure, and can rely on the free services outlined later, the extra cost usually isn't justified. Otherwise, the added vigilance and detailed reporting can save you thousands in potential losses, making the expense a smart investment.

If you want to dodge every monthly fee, The Credit People provides free Equifax tools you can use right away.

• Free monthly Equifax credit score from a basic‑level view
• Free access to your official Equifax credit report, updated annually
• Real‑time alerts when new accounts or inquiries appear on your Equifax file
• Complimentary credit‑building tips and personalized action plans
• No‑cost identity‑theft monitoring linked to your Equifax profile

Equifax's personal credit‑monitoring plans usually cost $19.99  -  $29.99 per month, with the basic subscription at $19.99 and the premium option around $29.99. Experian's tiers run from $14.95 for a basic plan up to $36.95 for its most comprehensive service, while TransUnion typically charges $22.99 for the entry‑level plan and $29.99 for its premium offering.

Compared with Equifax, Experian provides a lower‑priced entry point but a higher top‑tier fee, whereas TransUnion's pricing sits just above Equifax's basic level and matches the premium price. The differences stem from each bureau's feature bundles: Experian includes identity‑theft alerts in the mid‑tier, TransUnion adds dark‑web monitoring in its premium, and Equifax bundles credit‑score updates with all plans. For exact current rates, see Experian credit monitoring plans and TransUnion credit monitoring services.

Equifax frequently tacks on trial periods and extra charges that boost the headline monthly fee.

• Free‑trial periods automatically roll into a paid plan after 30 days unless you cancel in‑time.
• 'Premium' monitoring add‑ons appear as separate line items, raising the monthly fee by $5‑$12.
• Some states impose a fraud‑alert surcharge of up to $3 per month, listed under 'service fee.'

Check each billing statement for these descriptors and compare them to the plan you selected in the 'which Equifax plan fits you' section. If anything looks unfamiliar, log into your account, locate the 'manage subscriptions' tab, and disable the unwanted feature before the next billing cycle. For a detailed walkthrough, see the consumer‑finance guide on hidden Equifax fees.

Being vigilant now prevents surprise costs later, especially before you explore the 'what your business might pay Equifax' scenario.

Your business will usually pay a monthly fee that depends on the chosen plan and usage volume.

• Basic credit‑monitoring plan: typically $25‑$30 per month for up to 5 users.
• Standard risk‑management plan: typically $75‑$120 per month for 5‑20 users and up to 500 credit inquiries.
• Premium/enterprise plan: may start around $200 per month, include unlimited users, custom integrations, and volume‑based pricing discounts.
• Add‑on services: per‑report fees (≈$1‑$3), identity‑theft protection add‑ons (≈$5 per user), and API‑call charges (≈$0.01‑$0.02 per request) can increase the monthly fee.

These ranges align with the 'quick answer' and 'estimate your monthly fee' sections earlier, and they set the stage for the 'watch for hidden trials and unexpected fees' section that follows.