Capital One CreditWise review

Capital One CreditWise gives anyone a FICO Score 8 for free, whether or not they bank with Capital One. You need to be 18 or older with a Social Security number that matches a TransUnion credit profile. Once enrolled you see your FICO Score 8 and TransUnion credit report, and CreditWise alerts you when a new inquiry, a delinquent account or another notable change appears on your TransUnion or Experian report. Dark web monitoring tells you if your Social Security number or email address turns up online, and the Credit Simulator and Life Events Simulator show how actions could move your score. The iOS and Android apps support biometric login, and Capital One says the service uses 256-bit TLS encryption. The gaps are breadth: there is no Equifax data, no full Experian report and no paid upgrade for three-bureau scores or identity theft insurance. For a free FICO Score with two-bureau alerts, it is hard to beat.

Who it is for

anyone who wants a free FICO Score without a bank account

Price

Free for everyone, including people who are not Capital One customers.

Check your FICO® Score 8, TransUnion® credit report and more for free
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 13, 2026.

Key features

• FICO Score 8 and TransUnion credit report at no cost
• Alerts for new inquiries, delinquent accounts and other changes on TransUnion and Experian reports
• Dark web monitoring for your Social Security number and email address
• Credit Simulator and Life Events Simulator
• Biometric login and 256-bit TLS encryption in the iOS and Android apps

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Open to non-customers aged 18 or older
• Strength: FICO Score 8 instead of VantageScore
• Strength: Monitors two bureaus for change alerts
• Weakness: Only the TransUnion report is shown in full
• Weakness: No paid tier with three-bureau scores or insurance
• Weakness: Requires a Social Security number that matches a TransUnion profile

Key facts

• Price: Free
• Score model: FICO Score 8
• Report: TransUnion
• Alerts: TransUnion and Experian

Where it ranks

Capital One CreditWise is No. 3 in our Best Credit Score Apps verdict.