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Are you in the market for a new car? Or even (gasp!) a new home? Then you're going to want to take a hard look at your credit score. The better your score, the better chance you have of getting a good loan rate – which means you save more money in the long term! We're here to help you get your credit under control, from your phone.
1. Credit Reports
When is the last time you got a credit report? Traditionally, you could only get one free credit report from each of the three main credit reporting companies once a year. Now, there are tons of services that let you check credit score for free year-round. Even better, many of those services have mobile apps.
Credit Karma
Credit Karma was one of the very first companies to offer free year-round credit reporting services. It gives you a clear depiction of each of your three major credit reports: your Transunion credit score, Experian Credit Score, and Fico credit score, all in one place. Plus, you can keep an eye out for any identity theft and dispute it directly from the app.
Credit Sesame
Credit Sesame is a lot like Credit Karma, but with a slightly more personalized approach. You can get a unique credit improvement action plan, tailored for you, based on your personal credit history. Perfect for planning your future!
2. Credit Improvement
If your credit isn't quite where you want it right now, don't panic. There are tons of ways you can boost your credit, both in the short term and long term. With a little consistent work over a few years, you can drastically change your credit score!
CreditWise from Capital One
Even if you're not a Capital One customer, you can still benefit from using this app! The best feature by far is the credit simulator, where you can input dozens of customizable financial options (like "take out a loan" or "miss a payment") and it will predict your future credit scores. Trust us, it's accurate!
WalletHub
This is a great tool when you're on the market for any new line of credit. It lets you know how you can save money and improve your credit (at the same time!) by opening new credit lines or transferring your credit card balance. It even helps you find the best rates on loans and credit card plans.
WalletHub - Free Credit Score, Report & Monitoring
WalletHub
See WalletHub - Free Credit Score, Report & Monitoring FreeTurbo
You've heard of Turbotax. Chances are, you even use Turbotax to do your taxes! Well, here's a free app dedicated to financial and credit health from the creators of Turbotax. It specializes in a "three numbers" system, where it shows you your financial health based on three indicators: your income, your credit score, and your debt-to-income ratio.
Turbo: Income, credit score & debt to income
Intuit Inc
See Turbo: Income, credit score & debt to income Free3. Budget Tracking
Okay, you've checked your credit score; now what? In order to improve your credit score, you probably need to take a holistic look at your finances. A good credit score requires responsible spending habits, thoughtful borrowing decisions, and financial intelligence. Get on top of your personal finances with a few money-minded apps.
NerdWallet
Now you can monitor every part of your finances in one place, including your credit score, bank account balance, savings, investments, loans, and more. And the personalized spending and saving recommendations help you meet your financial goals as quickly and painlessly as possible.
NerdWallet: Personal Finance, Credit Score & Cash
NerdWallet
See NerdWallet: Personal Finance, Credit Score & Cash FreeMint
Mint is hugely popular among millennials and Gen-Z because it helps you monitor all your bills, spending, and savings with easy-to-understand graphs. See where your money is going and find ways to improve your spending habits!
Credit monitoring is tough, but it's the sign of a put-together person. It's also an essential step to making sure you have a bright and financially secure future. If you need a bit more help in the credit department, check out the Best 10 Apps for Monitoring Credit.
