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Credit Karma vs. Credit Sesame [2025]: Which Is Right for You?

If you want to track your financial progress, you can use Credit Sesame or Credit Karma.

Updated Nov. 7, 2025
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Credit Karma
Credit Karma
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    Check your credit score for free
  • checkmark icon
    Get alerted when there are changes to your report
  • checkmark icon
    Learn how to improve your credit score
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    128-bit encryption to protect your data
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Credit Sesame
Credit Sesame
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    No credit card required
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    Won't impact your credit score
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    Get help navigating your credit score and reach your financial goals
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Following your credit history and taking an active role in improving it is one of the biggest financial favors you can do for yourself. Being able to track your credit score can help you see whether you qualify for certain financial products, interest rates, and services, as well as to gauge your credit-building progress and look for important changes to your credit information. Fortunately, checking your own credit score won't hurt your credit. 

Using a credit monitoring service like Credit Karma or Credit Sesame can provide easy tracking and insights into changes to your credit. But which should you use? Here's an in-depth look at Credit Karma vs. Credit Sesame.

Credit Karma vs. Credit Sesame compared

Credit Karma
Credit Sesame
Credit score used

VantageScore 3.0

VantageScore 3.0

Credit bureaus reported

TransUnion

Equifax

TransUnion
Equifax (premium)
Experian (premium)

Cost

Free

  • Free version
  • 1-bureau Credit Sesame+ membership $12.99 a month
  • 3-bureau Credit Sesame+ membership $24.99 a month

Bank accounts

Credit Karma Money Save

Credit Karma Money Spend

Sesame Cash

Main features

  • 2 free credit score
  • Financial tips
  • Daily credit score refreshes
  • TransUnion credit report
  • Identity monitoring
  • Credit score simulator
  • Mortgage, debt repayment, and loan calculators
  • Free credit score
  • Financial tips
  • Daily credit score refreshes
  • Credit score notifications
  • Credit score recommendations
  • 3-bureau credit reports (premium)
  • Rent reporting (premium)
  • Advanced monitoring (premium)
  • 24/7 life expert access (premium)
  • $1 million ID theft insurance (premium)
  • Wallet protection (premium)
  • ID monitoring (premium)

Experian Boost Benefits
  • Get credit for making on-time payments for your qualifying rent, utility bills, and streaming services2
  • 100% free — no credit card required
  • New credit scores take effect immediately
  • FICO® Score refreshed every 30 days upon sign in and one free personal privacy scan

What is Credit Karma?

Credit Karma uses VantageScore but also provides information from your Equifax report and TransUnion report.

Seeing multiple scores is useful, but it's important to note that you won't typically see one uniform score across the credit reporting bureaus. There might even be wide variations in your score, depending on the credit-reporting agency and the model used.

For example, my TransUnion score shows an improvement of nine points in the last month, while my Equifax score dropped 24 points.

Using these scores can help you track your progress and give you a general idea of where you stand, but they're hardly set in stone. Plus, you might get yet another score when you go to actually apply for a loan.

Two free credit scores

Credit Karma provides two free credit scores along with an in-depth credit analysis that takes a look at the factors that make up your VantageScore. You can see what impact they have and dig into various aspects of your score to see what might be holding you back from credit score greatness.

With Credit Karma's color-coded system, you can see what's dragging you down and get an idea of how big a deal any given factor is. You can then dig in to see why something is a particular problem. For example, I forgot two payments a little more than a year ago, which was a big issue because of the high impact payment history has on your credit.

If you dig deeper into that area, you'll find that Credit Karma includes an explanation of what's impacting your score and a pro tip to help you avoid the problem in the future.

On top of seeing what's happening with your score, you can also get recommendations for products and services that fit your needs — and that might help you improve your credit score in the future. You can see your approval odds for credit cards and loans, then make a financial decision based on that information.

Identity monitoring

Credit Karma offers detailed information about different aspects of your identity. Credit Karma will even let you know which data breaches have affected you and which of your passwords have been exposed. It will also provide you with information about freezing your credit.

You can use the information provided in the details to figure out which passwords should be changed and where you can go for more information about data breaches.

With data breaches becoming increasingly common, this information can help you stay on top of the situation. Credit Karma also offers helpful tips for protecting your information in the future.

Calculators

There are a number of helpful calculators on the Credit Karma website as well. You'll find a mortgage calculator, amortization schedule, debt repayment calculator, and more.

One of the most interesting calculators, though, is the credit score simulator. The simulator lets you choose from a variety of options to play around with different scenarios.

For example, if I were to get a balance transfer credit card, my credit score could drop about four points, according to the simulator. 

One of the coolest features is that Credit Karma will provide you with the reason your score could drop, offer some pros and cons, and give you a typical time for your score to recover from the impact.

Additional products and services

Credit Karma also provides you with a number of easy-to-use ways to find financial products and services.

You can even look at your current vehicle report and get help finding car insurance or, if you have a loan, refinancing it. Credit Karma even provides your insurance score and a marketplace for finding new cars.

Credit Karma 2

Some of the other products and services Credit Karma can help you with include:

  • Tax preparation and filing
  • Unclaimed money and property finder
  • Various loans, including personal loans and home loans

Credit Karma also offers two bank accounts to help you manage your money. The Credit Karma Money Save account is a high-yield savings account with no fees and no account minimums. However, it earns only 2.85% (as of 9/23/2025) APY,3 which is pretty poor compared to the best savings accounts

Credit Karma Money Spend is an online checking account with no penalties, overdraft fees, or minimum balance requirements, and it comes with a debit card. Both accounts are issued by MVB Bank, as Credit Karma isn't a bank.

5.0
info
Premium Savings Benefits
  • Earn a 3.75% Annual Percentage Yield5with Premium Savings
  • Manage your money from anywhere with their mobile app
  • No minimum initial deposit,6and no monthly account fees
  • FDIC insured up to $500,0007once certain conditions have been satisfied
Click here to open a Premium Savings Account

What is Credit Sesame?

Credit Sesame is a platform that offers credit score tracking, among other services. When you sign up for a free account, you can view your TransUnion VantageScore. Your VantageScore is based on a scoring model created by the three major credit bureaus. This differs from your FICO score, which has been the industry standard for decades and was developed by Fair Isaac Corporation.

Keep in mind

You're likely to get different numbers when it comes to your VantageScore versus your FICO score because the algorithms used by each credit scoring model emphasize slightly different things.

Credit Sesame gives you a general idea of your credit situation. The score you see on Credit Sesame is a base consumer score, and there might be differences in what a lender sees if they check your credit score when you apply for a loan. But you can still get an idea if your credit score is good.

With Credit Sesame, you can also view different aspects of your finances and get helpful suggestions. The platform offers various features. You can access some of these features for free, while others are perks only available for Credit Sesame+ membership premium accounts, which cost $12.99 or $24.99 a month, depending on the plan you choose. 

Free services Premium services
  • Free credit score
  • Financial tips
  • Daily credit score refreshes
  • Credit score notifications
  • Credit score recommendations
  • 3-bureau credit reports
  • Rent reporting
  • Advanced monitoring
  • 24/7 life expert access
  • $1 million identity theft protection insurance
  • Wallet protection
  • ID monitoring

Let's take a closer look at some of the main features.

Free credit score

You can receive information from Credit Sesame on different aspects of your credit and what contributes to your credit score. You can see a new credit score daily as it's updated every 24 hours.

Credit Sesame also explains the impact each factor has on your score as well as where you currently fall with each of them — and what you can do to improve.

Credit Sesame 1

Credit score notifications

You can check credit alerts on your Credit Sesame account as well. This includes information about when you receive a credit score increase, as well as when you're past due on a payment. Credit Sesame will identify delinquent accounts and let you know how they're impacting your score.

Credit Sesame also offers advanced options for credit and identity monitoring. With the free version, you'll only see alerts from one credit bureau (TransUnion). If you pay a monthly fee of $24.99, you can get credit monitoring with the three main bureaus.

Sesame Cash

Credit Sesame offers a Sesame Cash prepaid debit card issued by Community Federal Savings Bank. It also has a credit builder option, which involves opening a secured virtual credit card funded by your Sesame Cash card. 

As you use your debit card, Credit Sesame credits some of your debit purchases to your secured credit card each month and sets aside the money to pay for those purchases.

That means you're using your secured card regularly, which may help build your payment history.  Your payment history and credit utilization are reported to the major credit bureaus, which may increase your credit score over time.

Credit score recommendations

On top of helping you see your current situation, Credit Sesame also makes recommendations.

First, you can get recommendations on activities that can help improve your credit score in the "My Actions" section. Credit Sesame will also estimate how certain actions could potentially impact your score.

Credit sesame 2

For example, if I were to add another credit card to my arsenal, I could potentially see an increase of 16 points to my credit score over the course of eight months. The highest potential could even be 54 points — although Credit Sesame also acknowledges that a new card could reduce my score by 17 points.

In addition to recommending actions, Credit Sesame suggests credit cards and other products that could help you reach your goals. This is where Credit Sesame makes money off of free accounts, as the company earns a commission when you choose a product.

However, that doesn't mean a product suggestion is a bad idea. I was able to save $300 a month when I refinanced my home seven years ago using a company that Credit Sesame recommended.

Credit Sesame also includes approval odds, so you can make an educated suggestion about which products you're likely to qualify for.

Innocent Daily Conveniences: Simple things that drain your bank account

Daily Coffee Runs: Fair to say it’s okay to get a little treat every once in a while. But a $6 latte every morning runs up to $2,000 a year. $2,000! You could buy a high-end espresso machine with that cash and still come out ahead.

The Lottery and Get-Rich-Quick Gimmicks: The lottery isn’t a financial plan, and no, that $1,500 online course won’t make you a millionaire. Focus on real wealth-building strategies.

Premium Gas for Cars That Don’t Need It: If your car doesn’t specifically require premium gas, you’re just wasting money. It won’t make your engine last longer or improve performance.

Stop getting ripped off by credit card companies

If you have credit card debt, you know that paying your bill each month is anxiety-inducing … and sometimes close to impossible with what you have in the bank.

If that’s you, a company called LendingTree8wants to help.They can match you with loan providers that could help you pay off your debt quickly.

Think about it this way: For example, $25,000 in credit card debt at 25% APR will cost you $518.83 every single month in interest alone. But, with a rate as low as 6.99% APR (possible through LendingTree’s lenders), you’d only pay $144.03 interest.

That’s over $350 a month you’d get to keep for yourself in this scenario! Even better, you don’t need a perfect credit score, and checking for loans won’t affect your credit.

Truthfully, this company exists to help you get ahead in life. They have a 4.5/5 rating on TrustPilot with more than 15,000 verified reviews, and you can see your options in a matter of minutes. It’s certainly worth a shot if you’re feeling suffocated by debt.

See if your $25K+ credit card debt is eligible for options with LendingTree

Overpaying on Windows: Ohio residents save big on new windows

Old windows drive up your home's electric bill. But if you live in Ohio and your windows are 5+ years old, you could save big.

Renewal by Andersen is actively helping homeowners score huge savings. Their certified master professionals install high-quality, energy-efficient windows that could help reduce energy bills and improve comfort.

They make it extremely easy to upgrade your windows with financing options available and special limited-time offers. The entire process is hassle free.

Get started now if you check these 3 boxes:
  1. You own your home.
  2. Your windows are 5+ years old.
  3. You live in an available ZIP code.
Complete this short questionnaire to get started

BONUS: For a limited time, buy one get one 40% OFF.9 Plus, get $200 off your purchase!9

Scams and Fraud: American adults lost $47 billion to scams and fraud in 2024

That's right. According to a new report, American adults lost $47 billion to scams and identity fraud in 2024.

But you can safeguard your data with all-in-one scam and fraud protection services from Aura which comes with up to $1,000,000.00 in identity theft insurance10per adult, to cover eligible losses and fees should you experience them.

Plans start at $7 per month, and you can choose a family plan that outmatches most others — including Dark Web monitoring to scour data breaches and leaks for your sensitive personal data — such as Social Security numbers (SSN), Medicare information, and phone numbers.

Before you make your next online purchase, protect what you’ve built for a fraction of what it could cost you if your data were compromised.

Save up to 68% when you sign up for protection today!

Mindless Recurring Expenses: Don’t pay for what you don’t use

Storage Units: If you haven’t needed it in a year, why are you paying rent for it? Sell it, donate it, or admit you’re just hoarding junk in a different location.

Expensive Gym Memberships: If you’re not going at least twice a week, just cancel it already. Home workouts, outdoor runs, and basic weights could get you 90% of the same results for free.

Bottled Water: Can’t believe we even have to say this. But if you have access to clean tap water, you’re wasting money every time you buy a bottle. Get a reusable one and stop paying for something that’s essentially free.

Car Insurance: Cancel your car insurance

Driving without car insurance is illegal, but if you do this, you’re not actually breaking the law.

This tool can help you see if you’re overpaying for car insurance in just a few clicks. You’d be shocked by the difference. $159 per month is what they wanted to charge me. I thought that was the best price, don’t even look anywhere else. Right? Wrong.

I used Insurify and now I’m able to pay just $51 a month for two cars.11Too many insurance companies do this. They push up our rates and make us pay even more. But if you want to try this tool and compare and potentially score same-day savings, here’s what to do:

  1. Click the link below and enter your zip code, date of birth, and phone number.
  2. Answer a few questions about your car’s make and model to get matched with top offers.
  3. Choose the best quote for you and lock it in before rates go up.

Compare rates now and see if you could score same-day savings today!

I can hardly believe I waited so long to do this, but I’m glad I finally did. It only took me two minutes. Super fast. You have to trust me on this. Just try it out.

Services and Upgrades: Do you really need these things to be happy?

Sneaky Subscriptions: Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Max, Apple TV, Paramount+ … chances are you’re not even watching half of these. Cut it out. Choose one or two and stop auto-renewing free trials you forgot about.

Upgrading to the Latest iPhone: Unless your phone is literally falling apart, there’s no reason to drop $1,000+ on a new one just because Apple added a slightly better camera. Your current phone is fine.

Designer Clothes and Sneakers: Dropping $300 on the latest sneakers or fast fashion trends just to keep up? You’re only filling your closet with overpriced clutter. Invest in quality, sure — but not hype and status.

Poorly Managing Your Teen's Money: Give your teen the money app they actually want

When it comes to their money, you want to give your teen freedom — but you also want to see what they’re doing. Most accounts give you one or the other, but not both.

Cash App solves this problem. It’s a secure way for teens to manage money with your help,12and Cash App is U.S. teens' favorite financial services brand for payments.13They can send, spend, and even save, and best of all, there are no monthly or hidden fees.

Check your teen’s activity, balance, and transactions, set limits to build habits responsibly, and know when they send money to someone new. They can even design their own Visa debit card1415 and get instant discounts at places they already shop!

With Cash App, you can give your teen the freedom they want with the safety of your oversight. Download the app today.

Download Cash App here

This plan protects select Ohio homes from many expensive appliance and home repairs (lock in your ultra-low rate)

Sounds crazy. And maybe you’re not even sure if this is real. But … you’re probably curious anyway. If you live in Ohio and own your home, Choice Home Warranty could make it so you don’t have to pay $1,000s on home repairs anymore.

They’ve been around since 2008 (so you know they’re legit) and they offer affordable plans to cover appliances and systems in your home that could break down. Just make your claim online or give them a call. Their team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.16

Choose a plan here and you could still lock in their ultra-low 2025 rates for a limited time. You could tap into immense savings for nearly any system or appliance in your home that’s covered.

Not everyone is eligible for this plan so here’s how to check:

  1. Click the link below and enter your zip code.
  2. Answer a few simple questions.
  3. See if your home qualifies and lock in your rate.

Choose a plan here and and see if you’re eligible for $50 off and 1 month free

P.S. We negotiated a special deal for FinanceBuzz readers who sign up using the link above. Use it this week to get $50 off and 1 month free. We don’t know how long it will last, so take advantage of it today before it disappears.

Get your personalized financial plan 100% free

Studies have found that individuals with a financial plan were 3.7x more likely to claim that they're very confident in reaching their goals.17

Our new tool builds you an intelligent, 100% free personalized financial plan that could help grow your net worth. You get instant access to a unique financial plan and exclusive offers that could help you grow financially.

Here's how to get started: 

1. Click the link below. 
2. You will be asked a few questions — enter your email, employment status, and phone number. 
3. Verify your identity through Plaid (name, DOB, social security, etc). 

From there answer a few questions related to your investable assets, retirement accounts, debts, and more to help customize your plan. This service costs nothing and it even tells you how much you can expect to see your net worth grow — down to the dollar — by implementing the suggestions.

Click here and enter your info to get your 100% free financial plan

Home Insurance: Switch your home insurance and you could save a ton of money

If you have home insurance, you need to see the recent rates available to you. There’s a good chance you’ll want to switch your policy if you see a better rate.

The best way to check for up-to-date rates: Get multiple policy quotes from a variety of home insurance providers. Too many homeowners skip this step — not realizing that they could save potentially $1,000s over the lifetime of owning their house.

Provide Home Insurance is a company that matches you with a variety of home insurance options to meet your home insurance needs … including lower overall cost or better overall coverage.

Just answer a few questions, and they will find options that are right for you.

Enter your zip code to get started

Credit Card Debt: Pay no interest into 2027 with this no annual fee card

If you're struggling to pay down high interest debt (or you're planning a major purchase this year), this might be the exact thing you need. There's a card that allows you to completely pause credit card interest into 2027 ... and the best part is that it could be easier than you think.  

Discover it® Cash Back(Rates and fees) is an extremely powerful card that gives you 0% intro APR for an astounding 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. (Then APR is 17.74% - 26.74% Variable.) That's right — you can now finance large purchases you've been sitting on without paying massive interest. Or, transfer crippling high interest debt to this card and let your payments go directly to paying down your balance, without piling on additional interest charges — all with no annual fee.

But it doesn't end there. The Discover it® Cash Back card also lets you earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. This practically doubles its value at the end of your first year.

Apply now for the Discover it® Cash Back card

Set up direct deposit - pocket $300

If you aren't banking with SoFi®, you're missing out on a huge boost of extra cash just by following a few simple steps.

Earn a bonus of $50 or $30018when you open a SoFi Checking and Savings account and make an eligible direct deposit within the first 25 calendar days of the promotional period. Eligible direct deposits totaling $1,000-$4,999 unlock the $50 bonus, and $5,000 or more unlock the $300 bonus.18Easy.

This is practically passive income and a great way to supercharge your earnings. It basically takes no extra work at all other than following the steps above. Plus, your new account could earn up to 4.30% on Savings (3.60% APY18 with +0.70% APY Boost) for 6 Months on new accounts with eligible direct deposit. Terms Apply.19

Open your account and earn up to a $300 bonus

Home Equity: Access your home equity to cover debt — no monthly payments for 10 years

Struggling with debt? If you want to utilize your home equity to help pay it down, you’re probably frustrated right now. The strict qualifications of the traditional financial system have left many unable to.

But there’s another option you may not have heard of, a home equity agreement (HEA) from Unlock.

With Unlock, you could tap into up to $500,000 of your home equity and make no payments for ten years.

Unlike a home equity loan, HELOC, cash-out refinance, or reverse mortgage, an Unlock HEA gives you cash today in exchange for a share of your home’s future value:

  • Access up to $500,000 of your home’s equity.
  • No monthly payments for 10 years
  • Recommended credit score: 600+.

You can verify your property value and equity in 60 seconds — and with no impact on your credit score: Start by entering your property address here.

And don’t worry — Unlock has an A+ rating from the BBB. So see what you’re eligible for, and you could have the funds you need to end your toxic debt loop sooner than you think.

Apply for a home equity agreement with Unlock

Advisor Fees: You could be overpaying for your retirement planning

Fees matter. High fees can cut into your returns and affect your overall nest egg. But the ways fees are levied vary. Some are “fee only,” charging a flat rate regardless of usage. Others take a percentage of all assets under management. Some earn commissions directly from mutual funds or other financial products, which presents a significant conflict of interest.

This free matching quiz helps Americans get matched with up to three fiduciary advisors who serve their area so they can compare and decide which advisor to work with.

High-Interest Debt: See if your credit card debt is eligible for this debt relief program

If you have a lot of debt, getting out of it can feel stressful (and nearly impossible). Here’s the problem: the longer you put off tackling it, the harder it may get to fix. If you don’t take control of it early on, it can add undue stress to your life for years. But what if there was a way to get out of debt once and for all?

National Debt Relief could help. If you have more than $30,000 in debt from credit cards, medical bills, collections, or personal loans, their certified debt specialists may be able to help you resolve your debt for less than you owe — with one low monthly program payment.

Best of all? There are zero upfront fees, and you could be debt-free in 24-48 months. To get started, just answer a few simple questions and get connected with a caring debt specialist. The consultation is completely free and only takes a few minutes to see if you qualify!20

See if your $30k+ in credit card debt is eligible for National Debt Relief

Stop overpaying when you shop online: Amazon Prime members, get a $250 Amazon Gift Card!

If you're an Amazon Prime member, apply for the Prime Visa(Rates and fees) credit card here and you can get a $250 Amazon Gift Card instantly loaded into your Amazon account's Gift Card Balance upon approval (get an instant decision within 15 seconds).21

There is no extra work or spending requirement and no annual fee! 

The Prime Visa credit card also lets you earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership, unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.

If you spend a good amount on Amazon this card could be worth $1,000s in cash back every year.  Don't delay — apply today! 

Good or excellent credit (typically 670 or higher) is recommended.

Click here to apply for the Prime Visa credit card today and get an instant decision in 15 seconds

Market Volatility: Help protect your savings from stock market volatility with gold

The economy feels more fragile by the day. Debt, tariffs, and general instability have investors on edge. But now, JPMorgan projects gold could surge to $4,000/ounce.22 That could mean trouble for traditional portfolios, but potential for you if you position yourself ahead of the curve.

U.S. Gold Bureau helps Americans protect and grow their retirement savings with gold and silver. They’ve delivered 2 billion+ in precious metals, earned an A+ BBB rating, and offer a BuyBack Guarantee — they buy back any metals they sell at transparent prices.

With a Gold IRA, you can roll over part of your retirement account (like a 401(k) or IRA) into physical gold tax and penalty-free. You'll even receive up to $20,000 in FREE gold with qualifying purchases.23

Get started with gold: Download U.S. Gold Bureau’s FREE IRA investors kit. There's no cost to request it, but doing so could help protect everything you've worked for. (Minimums apply: You should have at least $30,000 to invest.)

Download U.S. Gold Bureau’s FREE IRA investors kit

Expensive Loans: Get up to $185,000 from your home equity affordably instead

Home equity loans are surging in popularity for homeowners who want to pay down high-interest debt quickly or make home improvements.

This is because homeowners in 2025 hold a surprising amount of equity — an average of $185,000 they can tap into! No need for expensive loans or credit cards. The best part is you can keep your current mortgage rate by getting a home equity loan with this genius program.

No hassle. Calculate your equity amount and see what you qualify for today!

Get started by following three easy steps:

  1. Click below to check out Rocket Mortgage’s Home Equity tool.24
  2. Answer a few questions about your home.
  3. Once you qualify, lock in your personalized rate and payment.

Compare real offers for $0

Pay no interest on balance transfers until 2027

Imagine getting an intro 0% APR for 21 months from date of account opening on balance transfers (APR then 16.74% - 27.49% (Variable)). Sounds great — right? You could dramatically change your financial picture with this industry-leading low-interest card - the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card.

If you want to kick high-interest credit card debt to the curb, this is one of the leading get-out-of-debt cards available. Transfer your high interest debt to this card with a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months from date of account opening, then a 16.74% - 27.49% (Variable) APR (balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening). Your payments can go directly to paying down your balance without incurring a pile of additional charges. That could save you hundreds of dollars in interest!

It doesn't just stop with balance transfers, though. Cardholders also get a generous intro APR of 0% for 12 months from date of account opening on purchases. After the intro period for purchases and balance transfers, the APR is 16.74% - 27.49% (Variable).

The best part? There's no annual fee with the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card(Rates and fees).

Click here to Apply Now to the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

Differences between Credit Karma vs. Credit Sesame

While there are some key differences between Credit Sesame and Credit Karma, it's important to note that both just offer potential score results and general consumer information.

Additionally, since your information is based on VantageScore information, when you apply with a lender that relies on the FICO score, you might get a different result. 

Both Credit Sesame and Credit Karma are safe to use, offer you ways to protect yourself from identity theft, and provide mobile apps that are easy to use on your iPhone or Android phone. So, how do you pick between the two?

Here are some of the key things to consider when looking at Credit Sesame vs. Credit Karma:

  • Credit Karma shows TransUnion and Equifax. Credit Sesame just shows TransUnion.
  • Credit Sesame offers better identity protection options.
  • Credit Karma offers a more detailed credit score simulator.
  • Credit Karma provides access to more financial services (like tax prep and the unclaimed money finder).
  • Credit Sesame makes it easier to get an overall view of your situation on its dashboard.
  • Credit Sesame's recommendations are often more on-point than Credit Karma's, in my own experience.

Keep in mind
Identity protection options aren't the same as identity theft insurance. Identity theft insurance typically covers costs associated with identity theft, including services used when reclaiming your identity and restoring your credit, such as assigning you a case manager and reimbursing you for attorney's fees.

It should be noted that you can get free access to your full credit report from each of the credit bureaus by requesting it through AnnualCreditReport.com. However, all you will get is the free credit report and not any of the other services that providers like Credit Karma and Credit Sesame offer. This report will also not include your credit scores.

FAQs

Which is better: Credit Sesame or Credit Karma?

The better credit monitoring service between Credit Sesame and Credit Karma is the one that works best for you. Both companies provide similar services, but you might find one is more suited to your needs or preferences.

For example, Credit Karma shows both TransUnion and Equifax data while Credit Sesame only shows TransUnion data. However, you might like the identity protection options with Credit Sesame more than Credit Karma.

Does Credit Sesame or Credit Karma hurt my credit?

Using Credit Sesame or Credit Karma to check your credit score won't hurt your credit. Checking your credit score with these services is considered a soft credit check, which doesn't affect your credit at all. However, applying for a loan or credit card advertised on Credit Sesame or Credit Karma could result in a hard inquiry, which could affect your credit.

Does either Credit Sesame or Credit Karma offer free credit monitoring?

Both Credit Sesame and Credit Karma offer free credit monitoring services. Credit Karma monitors your credit reports from Equifax and TransUnion and can help keep you updated on changes with these reports. Credit Sesame monitors and offers real-time alerts for your TransUnion credit report.

Bottom line: Which should you choose?

Whether you're looking to apply for an auto loan or just shopping your options with various credit card companies, it's good to understand as much as you can about your credit score and how your credit report works.

For that reason, there's really no reason to choose between Credit Sesame vs. Credit Karma. Both of these are free services at the basic level (although you can pay to add identity monitoring with Credit Sesame). I personally use both and find each of them helpful in evaluating my personal finances, getting a snapshot of my credit, and understanding credit score ranges.

Carefully consider your financial goals and what you hope to accomplish with your credit score. Look over the potential offerings of each service and sign up for what will give you the best experience — even if it means signing up for both for better coverage overall.

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