Aura Credit Monitoring Review – Pros, Cons, and Facts You Should Know
Sometimes referred to as Aura digital security or Aura financial fraud protection, Aura is an identity theft and credit monitoring company offering three distinct paid membership subscriptions, each of which provides an extensive list of valuable services to help protect you from identity fraud. Aura also allows you to keep an eye on your credit score from all three main credit bureaus. Learn more about the company in this Aura credit monitoring review.
About Aura
Starting in 2014, Aura is a service provider that rates as our top pick for the best ID theft company for seniors in our annual review of the best identity theft companies that also excels at credit monitoring. You may see a similar company listed as Aura Identity Guard. The difference is that Aura’s parent company owns Identity Guard, and the two companies operate as independent entities.
Aura’s credit monitoring services come with each plan, including reporting from all three main credit bureaus, and provide your credit score as listed by VantageScore. The company has a relationship with Experian, one of the main credit bureaus, which allows you to freeze and unfreeze, or thaw, your credit report from the Aura app.
Aura members can pay for their services on a monthly or annual basis. Paying once annually for your membership offers substantial cost savings over the month-to-month rate. Prices range from $15 per month or $144 per year for individual membership to $50 per month or $444 per year for the most comprehensive family plan that includes protection for up to five adults and unlimited kids.
Pros
Compiles credit scores from all three credit bureaus
Thorough identity protection services are available
Excellent customer service and ID fraud assistance reviews
14-day free trial and 60-day money-back guarantee
VPN and virus protection are included in all membership plans
Up to $5 million identity fraud insurance available in top plan
Bank transaction monitoring provided
Cons
Full credit reports are only available annually
Online predator protection only available in the top-tier family plan
Costs more than some competitors
Doesn’t offer FICO scores or financial advice
Can only freeze and thaw Experian credit
Aura Features and Benefits
Credit monitoring is a large part of all three plans that Aura offers. The company provides a 14-day trial period for all of its membership subscriptions and a 60-day money-back guarantee if you’re unsatisfied with the service. Following are the basic benefits of an Aura subscription.
- Credit monitoring of all three main credit bureaus
- Monthly credit score updates
- Annual full credit report availability
- Online tools like antivirus protection, password management, and a VPN
- Identity theft insurance protection
- Social Security Number monitoring
- Loan and bank activity monitoring
- ID theft repair assistance
Aura Editorial Rating
Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for Aura: 6.6
| Criteria | Points |
| Better Business Bureau Grade | 9 |
| Trustpilot Review Rating | 8 |
| Free Credit Monitoring Available | 0 |
| Three-Bureau Reporting Available8 | 9 |
| Best Plan Monthly Cost | 0 |
| Identity Theft Features | 7 |
| Credit Score Update Frequency in Lowest-Cost Plan | 2 |
| Credit Score Update Frequency in Highest-Cost Plan | 2 |
| Family Plan Available | 5 |
| Additional Features | 6 |
| Expert Opinion Score | 18 |
Aura Plan and Pricing
There are no free membership plans with Aura. However, the company offers three plans that all feature credit monitoring and a host of identity theft protections.
| Individual Protection | Family Protection | Ultimate Protection | |
| Monthly / Annual Price | $15 / $144 | $30 / $288 | $50 / $444 |
| Features | VPN
Antivirus protection and ad blocker Password management Email masking $1M identity theft insurance protection Fraud protection ID theft remediation service 1GB of sensitive data storage Protection and credit monitoring for 1 adult |
VPN
Antivirus protection and ad blocker Password management Email masking $2M identity theft insurance protection Fraud protection ID theft remediation service 2GB of sensitive data storage Protection and credit monitoring for 2 adults and unlimited children Parental controls |
VPN
Antivirus protection and ad blocker Password management Email masking $5M identity theft insurance protection Fraud protection ID theft remediation service 5GB of sensitive data storage Protection and credit monitoring for 5 adults and unlimited children Parental controls Online predator alerts |
Is Aura Credit Monitoring Right for You?
Aura is an excellent choice for individuals and families primarily in the market for identity theft and fraud protection but also wanting to monitor their credit score and bank activity as part of an overall package.
While Aura isn’t the cheapest way to monitor your credit, and some identity theft services are available through other companies at lower prices, the company offers thorough credit monitoring as part of its identity theft protection packages, and the combination may be worth the slightly increased expense over its competitors.
If you’re looking for credit monitoring of all three bureaus, consistent credit score updates, and desire a high degree of comfort knowing that your identity is being protected, Aura is worth considering. If you find that Aura isn’t your best option, the company offers a free trial and a money-back promise.
Aura Vs. LifeLock
Aura and LifeLock are similar companies in that they both provide identity theft and financial fraud protection, including credit monitoring. While Aura is somewhat more costly than LifeLock, especially for first-year subscribers in which LifeLock customers receive an introductory discount, Aura’s membership plans offer a bit more flexibility, straightforwardness, and more substantial online tools for families with children.
Aura members receive credit monitoring of all three credit bureaus and monthly credit score updates regardless of their chosen plan. LifeLock reserves three-bureau updating for customers in the higher-cost plans only. Both companies allow you to try them out by offering 60-day money-back guarantees. However, LifeLock grants a 30-day trial period, compared to Aura’s 14-day trial before billing starts.
Regarding identity protection and fraud deterrence, both companies offer long lists of features and benefits, including virus protection and other online tools, comprehensive ID theft insurance coverage, and help to put things back together after a lost or stolen wallet incident or identity exposure issue.
The company you choose will likely depend on which products and services you’re comfortable using and feel will best protect your interests.
| Aura | LifeLock | |
| Credit monitoring in lowest-cost plans | No | Limited |
| 3-Bureau credit monitoring | Yes | Available |
| Credit score updates | Monthly | Monthly |
| 24/7 customer service | Yes | Yes |
| Full credit report availability | Annual | Annual |
| Dark web monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Social Security monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
| Social media / online predator monitoring | Available in top plan | No |
| Family plan available | Yes | Yes |
| Identity theft insurance | Up to $5 million | Up to $3 million |
| Lowest cost | $15/month or $144.00/year | $11.99/month or $124.99/year after 1st year |
| Highest cost | $50/month or $444.00/year | $34.99/month or $339.99/year after 1st year |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Aura?
Is Aura a legit company?
Is Aura part of Identity Guard?
How does Aura monitor credit?
What is a credit freeze?
What does VantageScore Mean?
Can Aura help me improve my credit?
What are recent complaints about Aura credit monitoring services?
Is Aura better than LifeLock?
Deane Biermeier is a prominent figure in all things finance and home improvement, renowned for his detailed written content, analyses, and expert advice. Over the past several years, he's contributed to industry-leading publications such as Forbes Home, Angi/HomeAdvisor, US News and World Report, Newsweek Vault, and Family Handyman. Deane's expertise is further established and recognized through his review board roles and by providing expert insights at The Spruce and Family Handyman. His recent affiliation with TrustedCompanyReviews.com in 2023 further solidifies his position as a respected authority in his field.
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Last Updated: February 1, 2024
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