MyFICO vs Experian - Which Is Better?

• MyFICO delivers the official FICO score from each of the three bureaus; Experian shows only the Experian (VantageScore 4.0) score.
• MyFICO includes up to eight FICO versions (e.g., FICO 8, 9, 10); Experian offers a single VantageScore model.
• MyFICO requires a paid plan (starting ≈ $19.95 / month); Experian provides a forever‑free basic view and paid tiers from $9.99 / month.
• MyFICO updates when lenders send new data, usually once a month; Experian refreshes monitoring data daily.
• MyFICO's premium plans add fraud alerts and identity‑theft insurance; Experian's paid plans bundle credit‑monitoring alerts and identity‑theft recovery services.
• MyFICO shows full credit‑report details from all bureaus; Experian limits report access to its own file unless you purchase the 'Full Report' add‑on.

Lenders most often check the FICO score you get from MyFICO, because the vast majority of mortgage, auto and credit‑card underwriting models are built on FICO versions 8, 9 or 10; however, some lenders - especially fintechs and certain credit‑card issuers - may rely on the Experian score or its VantageScore alternative when they pull a single‑bureau report.

• Mortgage loans: typically require a MyFICO score (FICO 8 or 9) from any bureau.
• Auto loans: usually use a MyFICO score (FICO 5, 6 or 8).
• Credit‑card applications: most major issuers look at a MyFICO score; a few newer issuers prefer the Experian VantageScore.
• Online or alternative lenders: may accept the Experian score alone or the highest of the three bureau scores they retrieve.
• Multi‑bureau pulls: some lenders fetch all three bureau reports and use the middle score, which often ends up being a MyFICO number but can be an Experian score if it's between the others.

Understanding which model a lender uses helps you target the right credit‑monitoring service before you apply.

MyFICO and Experian scores often disagree because they rely on separate scoring models, pull data from different credit‑bureau files, and apply distinct weighting rules to the same information.

For example, MyFICO delivers a FICO 8 score that aggregates data from all three bureaus, while the Experian score (VantageScore 4.0) uses only Experian's file and emphasizes recent payment trends (FICO scoring model overview).

A medical collection posted to Experian this week lowers the Experian score but does not affect the FICO score if the collection has not yet appeared on the other bureaus. Likewise, a soft inquiry listed on Experian's report is ignored by the FICO algorithm, creating another divergence (VantageScore methodology explained). These model and data differences explain why the two numbers can vary from one another.

MyFICO charges a subscription for full‑access to your official FICO scores; the most common plan is $19.95 per month, with a discounted annual option around $59 (often listed as $39 for three months). This includes three major‑credit‑bureau FICO scores, credit monitoring alerts, and a simul­ator for future loan scenarios. The cost reflects the premium of getting the exact FICO models lenders use, which we noted earlier when discussing why scores can differ.

Experian offers a lower‑priced tier for its Experian score and VantageScore, typically $9.99 per month or $99 per year, and a free basic version that provides one Experian score and limited monitoring. The paid tier adds credit‑monitoring alerts, identity‑theft tools, and the optional Boost feature that can instantly raise your Experian score. This pricing aligns with the deeper credit‑data features we'll explore in the next section.

MyFICO typically shows deeper credit data you can act on because it splits your FICO score into the five weighted factors and lets you simulate how specific changes will move the number.

• Factor breakdown - MyFICO's 'Score Deep Dive' displays percentages for payment history, amounts owed, length of credit, new credit, and credit mix, so you know exactly which area drags the score down.
• Score simulator - The tool lets you add a new credit card, pay down a balance, or remove a hard inquiry and instantly see the projected score impact, turning abstract advice into concrete steps.
• Multiple model views - You can view up to six different FICO versions (e.g., 8, 9, 10) on the same dashboard, revealing how lenders using different models would treat the same file.
• Actionable alerts - MyFICO flags overdue accounts, high utilization, and soon‑to‑expire promotional accounts, giving you a to‑do list that directly targets score drivers.

Experian provides a complete credit file with tradelines, public records, and the Experian Score, but its standard reports stop at a single overall number and lack the granular factor percentages and real‑time simulator that MyFICO delivers.

Since you'll soon read about which service updates faster, note that MyFICO's deeper factor data pairs well with its near‑real‑time refresh cycle, letting you test changes and watch the effect almost immediately.

MyFICO does not have its own reporting timetable; it displays the FICO score calculated from the data of whichever credit bureau you choose. Experian receives lender updates on the same schedule as TransUnion and Equifax - typically within 1‑3 business days after a creditor files a report. Because MyFICO's scores are tied to the underlying bureau's file, they refresh at the same speed; no service consistently updates faster than the others.

This timing matters when a recent payment, new debt, or error enters your file. A score that reflects the latest data can mean the difference between loan approval and a higher interest rate, and it feeds directly into the identity‑theft alerts and error‑resolution tools discussed in later sections. For the most current view, monitor the credit bureau updates rather than the MyFICO or Experian platforms themselves. (how often credit bureaus update reports)

MyFICO typically offers broader identity‑theft protection than Experian for most users. It bundles credit monitoring, dark‑web surveillance, and up to $1 million fraud‑loss insurance in every plan.

Key differences appear in the monitoring details:

• MyFICO scans new accounts, public records, and dark‑web data  -  alerts arrive instantly via app or email.
• Experian's Identity Shield monitors credit activity and includes a credit‑freeze alert, but its dark‑web coverage is limited to email addresses only.
• Both services provide $1 million insurance, yet MyFICO adds identity‑theft recovery assistance as standard, while Experian packages recovery tools as an optional add‑on.

If you prioritize real‑time alerts across multiple data sources, MyFICO generally safeguards your identity more comprehensively, setting the stage for the next section on fixing errors faster.

Experian's own dispute portal usually gets your claim in front of the bureau within a day, while MyFICO only supplies a template you must copy into each bureau's system, so Experian typically starts the fix faster.

1. Log the error in Experian's online dispute center - after you spot a mistake, log in, select the item, and submit. Experian acknowledges receipt within a few days and then has up to 30 days to investigate under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
2. Use MyFICO's dispute‑letter builder - MyFICO lets you fill out a customizable letter for the FICO score, Experian score, or any bureau. You copy the completed letter into Experian's portal (or mail it) and wait the same 30‑day investigation window.
3. Expect the same resolution timeline - regardless of the entry point, the credit bureau completes its investigation in up to 30 days, then marks the dispute as resolved only after verification.

Experian dispute portal | MyFICO dispute letters

Here are six real‑world situations that tell you when to choose MyFICO and when to choose Experian:

• When you're applying for a mortgage and the lender explicitly asks for your FICO score, MyFICO gives the exact version the bank will see.
• When a car dealer or online lender says they use the Experian VantageScore, check your Experian score to match their model.
• If you need the most aggressive identity‑theft alerts, Experian's free identity‑protection tools outpace MyFICO's basic monitoring.
• When you're disputing an error and want all three bureau reports in one place, MyFICO's full‑report package saves you the hassle of ordering each separately.
• If you've just cleared a high‑balance credit card and want the score to reflect it within days, Experian's quicker update cycle shows the change sooner than MyFICO's monthly refresh.
• When you can afford both, use MyFICO for lender‑specific FICO versions and Experian for broader VantageScore trends; together they catch discrepancies you might miss.

Use both MyFICO and Experian when you need to see the FICO score that most lenders check and the Experian score (often VantageScore) that other lenders prefer. This dual view lets you spot gaps, plan applications, and avoid surprises.

Apply the combo when you're applying for a mortgage (lenders typically pull the FICO score) and a new credit card or personal loan that may use the Experian score. Seeing both scores also helps you troubleshoot the score differences explained in the 'why your FICO and Experian scores often disagree' section.

Choose both services if you want full‑stack protection: Experian's credit‑freeze tools and identity‑theft alerts, plus MyFICO's real‑time score updates and detailed factor analysis. This setup prepares you for the '6 real scenarios' that follow, giving you the data and security you need now.Understanding the FICO score model Experian credit monitoring features