What Credit Bureau Does Zip Use?

Zip's credit‑check engine pulls the report from Experian for almost every applicant, and only on rare occasions does it tap TransUnion if extra data are required.

Equifax is Zip's go‑to bureau primarily because it covers roughly 90 % of U.S. consumer credit files and updates balances daily, giving Zip a near‑real‑time view of payment history. Zip's risk algorithms were built on Equifax's data schema, so the platform can automate approvals without extra mapping work, which speeds up the checkout experience. This integration also reduces the chance of mismatched records that could cause an unwanted hard pull/inquiry.

The partnership stays consistent across the app, which is why the next section on soft inquiry vs hard pull/inquiry matters for your score. On the rare occasions Zip falls back to Experian, it's only when a user's Equifax record is missing or flagged, keeping the default pathway Equifax‑centric.

Zip generally runs a soft inquiry for the pre‑approval check and only does a hard pull once you submit a full application.

• Soft inquiry: performed on Equifax (primary bureau) during the 'just‑checking' stage, does not affect your credit score, and disappears from your report within 30 days.
• Hard inquiry: triggered after you click 'Apply' and authorize the loan, recorded on Equifax (and rarely Experian), may lower your score by about 5‑10 points temporarily, and stays on your credit report for 1‑2 years.
• Impact timing: soft check is instant and invisible to lenders; hard pull occurs at the moment of approval decision and can influence other credit decisions made shortly after.

Zip pulls a hard inquiry the moment you finalize a Zip purchase, right before the funds are released.

1. Pre‑approval - Zip runs a soft check with Experian when you first enter the app; this leaves no trace on your credit file (as we covered above).
2. Agreement - After you accept the repayment schedule, Zip sends a hard pull request to Experian.
3. Timing - The hard inquiry occurs instantly at checkout, not during the earlier soft stage.
4. Aftermath - Experian records the hard pull for up to two years; the score dip usually lasts about a month and typically ranges from five to ten points.

Before submitting a Zip application, pull the Experian report that Zip reviews.

• Obtain a free Experian credit file at Experian's official site and save the PDF.
• Scan the file for any late‑payment marks, high‑balance ratios, or recent hard inquiries that could flag risk.
• Correct inaccuracies by filing disputes directly with Experian; resolved errors disappear from the record within 30 days.
• Consider placing a temporary freeze if identity theft is a concern; Zip's soft pre‑approval won't be blocked.
• Compare the Experian snapshot with your Equifax report only to spot discrepancies, not to gauge Zip's decision.

Boost your Equifax score now to raise Zip's approval chances.

• Pay down any high‑balance revolving accounts; lower utilization (below 30 %) usually lifts the score by 5‑15 points.
• Correct outdated or inaccurate items with a quick Equifax dispute; most errors disappear within 30 days.
• Add a positive tradeline, such as a secured credit card, and keep it in good standing for at least three months.
• Request a 'soft pull' pre‑approval from Zip before the hard inquiry; a higher Equifax score will show a better offer without extra points loss.

A slightly stronger Equifax profile lets Zip's primarily hard pull affect your score less, keeping the dip around 5‑10 points and staying on your report for 1‑2 years. This preparation sets the stage for the next step: protecting your credit while you finish the Zip sign‑up.

Shield your credit by opting for a soft‑inquiry pre‑approval before any hard pull. Zip typically runs a hard pull only after you confirm the purchase, so a soft check lets you see eligibility without affecting your Equifax score.

Next, place a temporary freeze on your Equifax file just for the Zip application. A freeze stops new hard inquiries, and you can lift it instantly once the loan is approved. Pair the freeze with a real‑time credit monitor such as Equifax credit monitoring service to catch unexpected pulls.

Finally, use a secondary credit card or prepaid card for the Zip transaction. This keeps your primary line untouched, limiting the chance of a 5‑10 point dip that usually recovers within a few months and stays on your report for 1‑2 years.

• A hard pull when you first apply (Equifax is Zip's primary bureau) typically knocks 5‑10 points off your score and stays on your report for 1‑2 years.
• A soft inquiry for pre‑approval (Equifax) doesn't affect your score, but accepting the offer triggers a hard pull that will ding you later.
• A re‑pull after a denial (Equifax) counts as another hard inquiry if Zip checks again within about 30 days, causing another 5‑10 point dip.
• A 'refresh' pull for existing users (Equifax) is usually soft, yet requesting a higher limit converts it to a hard pull that can ding your score again.

If Zip rejected you, the quickest fix is to clean up your Equifax file.

1. Get the report - Order your free Equifax credit report and scan for outdated accounts, wrong balances, or duplicate entries.
2. Dispute inaccuracies - File disputes on any errors through the Equifax dispute portal; corrected items can raise your score within 30‑45 days.
3. Lower utilization - Pay down revolving balances to below 30 % of each limit; this alone often adds 5 - 10 points (see credit utilization basics).
4. Add positive tradelines - Keep old credit cards open, and consider a secured credit card or a credit‑builder loan to generate a fresh, on‑time payment history.
5. Wait for the hard pull to fade - A hard inquiry stays on your file for 1 - 2 years but its impact lessens after 30 days; reapply to Zip once the above changes reflect in your Equifax score.

Reddit members repeatedly say Zip's credit check is a hard inquiry on Equifax, with the occasional Experian hit when a merchant routes differently.

• A typical thread shows users clicking 'Apply now' and seeing a hard pull on Equifax within minutes, contrary to the soft‑check described earlier.
• Most commenters note a temporary score dip of 5‑10 points, which rebounds after a month.
• A few posts reveal Experian appearing on the report, usually when the purchase is tied to a retailer that partners with Experian instead of Equifax.
• Users report the hard inquiry showing up on their credit report the same day and remaining for 1‑2 years, matching the impact timeline discussed in the 'Spot Zip's hard pull timing' section.
• Several Redditors confused by the 'soft pre‑approval' label later received a hard pull after completing identity verification, confirming the process described in 'Zip soft inquiry or hard hit?'.

For more Reddit examples, see Reddit thread on Zip credit pulls.

Zip primarily pulls a hard inquiry from Equifax, with only rare Experian checks, while most other BNPL providers (Afterpay, Klarna, PayPal Credit, Sezzle) typically use Experian or a combination of bureaus and often rely on soft inquiries.

Because Zip's hard pull on Equifax usually knocks 5‑10 points off a score for 1‑2 years, the impact feels stronger than the near‑zero effect of the soft checks most rivals employ; this explains why the 'check Equifax before your Zip app' tip matters more for Zip than for other services. For a broader view of BNPL credit‑check practices, see Credit Karma's BNPL credit‑check overview.

Zip primarily pulls credit from Equifax, but it will reach out to Experian only when Equifax data is unavailable or flagged as inconsistent during the verification step. This fallback happens in a small subset of applications, such as users with no Equifax record, mismatched personal information, or when a state‑specific regulation requires a broader credit view.

When Experian is used, Zip conducts a hard pull that works exactly like its Equifax checks - typically dropping the score 5‑10 points temporarily and staying on the report for 1‑2 years. Because the impact is identical, the advice in 'check Equifax before your Zip app' still applies, and the rarity of Experian pulls means they rarely affect overall approval odds.