Credit Karma vs. Experian: What’s the difference and is one more accurate?

Written by: Erin Dunn
• Edited by: Brad Hanson
• Updated •5 min read
This date may not reflect recent changes in individual terms.
Young woman and man standing together on the street, reading on a phone about Experian vs. Credit KarmaImage: Young woman and man standing together on the street, reading on a phone about Experian vs. Credit Karma

In a Nutshell

Experian is one of the three major credit bureaus that creates credit reports, while Credit Karma is a platform that shows you your free scores and reports from two of the other major bureaus, Equifax and TransUnion. You have many credit scores based on different scoring models, so it’s normal for them to be different.
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Experian is one of the three major credit bureaus, while Credit Karma is a platform that provides financial information such as free credit scores, spending insights and a digital marketplace to compare loans and credit cards.

As a credit bureau, Experian compiles information about your credit into credit reports that are used to generate your credit scores. Credit Karma is not a credit bureau.

The credit scores and reports you see on Credit Karma use your VantageScore 3.0 scores and reports from TransUnion and Equifax. Keep in mind that you have many credit scores using multiple scoring models, and it’s normal for your scores to differ. 

We’ll explain the key differences between Experian and Credit Karma, detail the reasons why your scores may vary, and clarify how to interpret the accuracy of the scores you see.

What is the difference between Credit Karma and Experian?

Experian is one of the three major credit bureaus, along with Equifax and TransUnion. These companies collect financial information about you from lenders, such as banks, credit card issuers and auto loan providers, as well as from public records. They compile this information into your credit reports, which are then used by various scoring models to calculate your credit scores.

Credit Karma is not a credit bureau and doesn’t calculate your scores. Instead, Credit Karma partners with two of the major credit bureaus — Equifax and TransUnion — to give you free access to your credit scores and credit reports from them. 

The scores you see on Credit Karma are based on the VantageScore 3.0 scoring model. 

Why is my Experian score different from the scores on Credit Karma?

There are a few common reasons why your credit scores may be different:

  • The credit bureaus may have different information. Lenders are not required to report your account activity to all three credit bureaus. Some may report to all three, while others might only report to one or two. If a lender reports your car loan to Experian and TransUnion, but not Equifax, your Equifax credit report won’t include that account, which will likely cause your Equifax score to be different.
  • Credit-scoring models can differ. Credit scores can vary even when the information on your reports is the same. That’s because each bureau may use different algorithms, and lenders may rely on different scoring models — like FICO®, VantageScore or even their own proprietary systems.
  • You may see scores from different dates. Your credit scores are a snapshot in time and can change frequently as new information is reported. A score pulled by a lender on Tuesday could be different from a score you check for yourself on Friday if, for example, your credit card balance was updated in between.

Which credit report is the most accurate?

There isn’t one credit report that is “most accurate.” Since the three major bureaus get their information from different sources at different times, your credit reports from Experian, Equifax and TransUnion may all be slightly different.

Keep in mind that the most important credit report is the one a specific lender uses when you apply for credit. Since you typically don’t know which report a lender will pull, the best approach is to focus on the overall health of your credit. The financial industry uses many credit scoring models, including those from VantageScore and FICO as well as proprietary models.

Lenders also often use specific credit scores tailored to the type of financial product you’re seeking. If you’re applying for a car loan, for example, your potential lender might pull a credit score that’s specifically tailored for auto loans.

It’s a good practice to monitor all three of your credit reports regularly to make sure the information is correct. If you spot any inaccuracies, you can dispute errors with the credit bureau.

How can you get your Experian credit score?

If you want to access your Experian credit score, you have several options.

  1. From Experian: Experian’s free CreditWorks℠ Basic service provides you with your FICO® Score 8 based on Experian data. Experian also runs freecreditscore.com, which offers a similar free monthly score.
  2. From banks or credit card issuers: Some financial institutions offer free credit scores to their customers as a complimentary perk. Check with your bank or credit card company to see if they offer a free score from Experian.
  3. From paid services: Experian also offers premium subscription services that provide regular access to your scores and reports.

Next steps

Instead of worrying about which single score is the “right” one, focus on the factors that build good credit across the board. Whether you’re checking your Experian report or monitoring your Equifax and TransUnion reports on Credit Karma, the key is to watch for changes and get a clear picture of your overall financial health.

By understanding the factors that influence all of your scores — like paying bills on time and keeping credit card balances low — you can work toward building a strong credit profile.Credit Karma also offers free credit monitoring that can alert you to unusual activity on your Equifax and TransUnion reports, helping you address potential issues.

FAQs about Credit Karma and Experian

Is my actual credit score higher than Credit Karma?

The VantageScore 3.0 credit scores you see on Credit Karma from Equifax and TransUnion are “real” credit scores. But keep in mind you have many different credit scores. Some of your other scores (like one of your FICO® scores or a score from Experian) might be higher, while others might be lower. It all depends on the scoring model used and which credit report the data is pulled from.

Is Experian better than Credit Karma?

Experian and Credit Karma are different tools. As a credit bureau, Experian is a part of the credit system that compiles your reports. Credit Karma is a service that helps you access and understand your VantageScore 3.0 credit information from Equifax and TransUnion for free. Credit Karma is not a credit bureau.

What credit score does Credit Karma use?

Credit Karma provides you with your free VantageScore 3.0 credit scores from Equifax and TransUnion. VantageScore is a credit scoring model that was developed collaboratively by the three major credit bureaus. Many banks, lenders and credit card issuers, including top banks and card issuers, use VantageScore to help evaluate credit.

About the author: Erin Dunn is an editor at Credit Karma who specializes in personal loans and is passionate about financial literacy and budgeting. She’s an award-winning business journalist and editor whose work has appeared in Busin… Read more.