In today’s world, having a good credit score is essential for many aspects of life. Whether you’re applying for a loan or want to save money on insurance premiums, having a good credit score can make all the difference. Fortunately, many apps help people build their credit scores quickly and easily!
The most popular credit-building apps of 2023 are SeedFi, Experian Boost, Credit Strong, Kikoff, and Self. Each of these apps provides users with different features that can help them improve their credit scores in various ways.
Credit Strong
Credit Strong is an innovative app that helps people build their credit scores and save money simultaneously. The app combines a secured consumer installment loan with an FDIC-insured savings account, allowing users to create their credit score while setting aside savings. In addition, credit Strong provides budgeting tools, access to Credit Coach resources, and Credit Builder products designed to help consumers understand their credit, build better credit and become financially empowered.
Who created Credit Strong?
Credit Strong was founded in 2019 as the first combination of credit building and an account installment loan with an FDIC-insured savings account. Credit Strong is officially a division of Austin Capital Bank, an independent community bank headquartered in Austin, TX.
What is Credit Strongs mission?
Credit Strong provides coaching, educational resources, and tools that help people develop and maintain solid personal finance skills. Credit Strong’s goal is to provide the knowledge, guidance, and support to enable individuals to build healthy financial habits that will last them for a lifetime. It also promotes financial literacy on a larger scale and strives to create positive changes in the communities in which it operates.
Top benefits of Credit Strong
The benefits of using Credit Strong are numerous. Not only does it help you build your credit score, but it also allows you to set aside money in a secure savings account. This means you can save for life goals such as buying a car or house without worrying about your credit score. Additionally, Credit Strong offers free monthly credit score monitoring to keep track of your progress and ensure you’re on the right way.
Best Features of Credit Strong
The key features of Credit Strong include:
- A quick application process.
- Small monthly payments
- Free monthly credit score monitoring
- Access to all 3 major credit bureaus
- No minimum credit score is required.
Credit Strong Pricing
Personal Credit has 3 products: The Revolving, Installment, and Credit Strong Max.
Installment Prices
CS Max Pricing
My take on Credit Strong
Many products are available for those looking to build their credit. If you are starting with building your credit, I would recommend something other than this product. This product helps those who are trying to make their credit to secure funding at a later time. This can be a great product for entrepreneurs to help build up credit diversification.
SEEDFi
What is SeedFi?
SeedFi offers its users the opportunity to build their credit through its Credit Builder Prime program. This program allows users to make small payments over time which will help them build their credit scores without any interest or fees. SeedFi also offers other services such as budgeting tools and financial advice.
Who created SeedFi?
SeedFi was created by a team of experienced fintech professionals who have worked in companies such as Goldman Sachs, Google, and Square. The founders wanted to build an online platform that would make it easier for people to access financial services without the need for traditional banks or lenders. By using technology, they can provide users with a secure, simple, and intuitive way to access credit and other services.
What is SeedFi’s Mission?
SeedFi’s mission is to help people build a better financial future by providing access to the products and services they need to succeed. SeedFi strives to make it easier for individuals to take control of their finances and create a more secure financial future.
Top Benefits of SeedFi?
SeedFi allows individuals to secure funding for their needs, whether it be to start a business, buy a car, pay off debt, or make home improvements. It also offers various benefits such as fast approval times, flexible terms and competitive interest rates. SeedFi is committed to providing a simple and secure way to access the financing you need when you need it. SeedFi prides itself on offering top-notch customer service, and its platform is designed to make applying for funding quick and easy. It also offers a range of educational tools to help borrowers understand financing options so they can make the best decision for their financial future. SeedFi is committed to delivering reliable and transparent financing products to meet customers’ needs. From personal loans to business lines of credit, SeedFi has the answers for your financial needs.
Best Features of Seedfi
SeedFi offers a range of features to help you reach your financial goals. SeedFi is designed to be an easy and convenient way to save, with automatic deposits and no minimum balance requirements. With SeedFi, you can set up recurring deposits or make one-time transfers from your bank account into your SeedFi savings account. You can also easily track your progress with SeedFi’s personalized dashboard, so you can always stay on top of your savings goals. SeedFi also has a rewards program that allows you to earn cash rewards when you save and use SeedFi’s services. SeedFi makes it easy and rewarding to reach your financial goals.
What is SeedFi Pricing?
So far, I’ve seen the Credit Builder Prime is $1.00 per month and requires you to commit $10.00 every pay period to the locked savings account.
My take on SeedFi
I tried to create an account with them, but it’s sending me back to the Welcome page. Even when I clicked on the “waitlist,” there was still nothing that populated. I will continue to try and get a login to share more information on Seedfi and update you if anything changes.
EXPERIAN BOOST
What is Experian Boost?
Experian Boost is another popular credit-building app that helps users improve their scores by considering utility and phone bills that they have already paid on time. This helps Experian Boost users boost their scores without taking out additional loans or opening new accounts.
Who created Experian Boost?
Experian Boost is a feature created by Experian, one of the world’s leading credit reporting agencies. Experian Boost was designed to help consumers improve their credit scores by offering an easy way to add alternative payment data to their Experian credit report.
What is Experian Boost’s Mission?
Experian Boost’s mission is to help consumers improve their credit scores by using their banking history. Experian Boost adds monthly payments from specific utility, telecom, and streaming services to your Experian credit report. These payment activities may result in an increase in Experian credit score for select consumers. Experian boost also provides insights about how to build credit with Experian credit products such as Experian CreditWorksSM —without needing additional loans or new credit cards.
Top Benefits of Experian Boost?
Experian Boost is focused on ensuring consumers have access to their own data to make informed decisions about their finances. Experian Boost is dedicated to helping people save time, and money and build credit with Experian products. As a result, Experian Boost can help consumers take control of their financial future.
Best Features of Experian Boost
Experian Boost allows customers to add positive payment data to their Experian credit reports, which can lead to higher Experian credit scores. Experian Boost also provides customers with free Experian credit monitoring, which helps them stay on top of their Experian credit score and see any changes in real-time. Also, Experian helps consumers lower their monthly bills and find better rates. It shows options where we can save, connect personal accounts to review cash flow, and there’s also the Experian credit lock that can lock the Experian credit report.
What is Experian Boost Pricing?
Experian boost is free to use free. However, the premium package is $24.99 monthly and has more perks.
My take on Experian Boost
I’ve used Experian for a long time and have no complaints. I use the free version of Experian. As much as I love Experian, I wouldn’t recommend their premium subscription. There are cheaper options on the market. Also, you don’t need a premium account to use the Experian boost feature.
Kikoff
What is Kikoff?
Kikoff is another excellent app for those looking to improve their credit scores quickly and easily. It has an affordable pricing plan and helps users with low or no credit scores get back on track by building up their scores in no time.
Who created Kikoff?
Kikoff was created by like-minded technology, finance and commerce experts who saw the need to make financial services more accessible and inclusive. The team combined their knowledge and skills to develop a revolutionary credit builder solution – kikoff Credit Builder, that completely rethinks how traditional credit works. kikoff Credit Builder provides a simple, transparent, and secure way to build credit while protecting users’ data and privacy. kikoff also offers financial education resources, allowing users to make smarter financial decisions.
What is Kikoff’s Mission?
Kikoff’s mission is to make financial inclusion accessible to everyone. They believe everyone should have the same economic opportunities regardless of their credit history. By using kikoff Credit Builder products, users can begin to rebuild their credit scores and obtain access to better financial products and services. Kikoff’s goal is to empower us to become financially independent and secure a better financial future for ourselves. Kikoff is committed to helping users build their credit and financial literacy to make informed decisions about their money.
Top Benefits of Kikoff?
Kikoff is a unique platform that provides numerous benefits to users. It is an online credit building and financial literacy program helping individuals build better credit by offering tools and resources to help them understand their finances.
Best Features of Kikoff
1. Credit Builder
Kikoff helps users develop better credit by providing them with a personalized plan and tools to build credit. It also offers an in-depth credit score analysis, giving users feedback and guidance on increasing their credit score.
2. Financial Literacy
With Kikoff, users can access helpful financial literacy resources that teach them about budgeting and money management. This helps them understand the basics of personal finance, allowing them to make informed decisions about their finances.
3. Credit Card Offers
Kikoff provides users access to credit card offers they may not have been able to obtain otherwise. This allows them to get the necessary cards and use them responsibly as part of their overall credit-building plan.
4. Debt Management
Kikoff’s debt management feature helps users manage their debts more effectively. It provides information on how to stay out of debt, as well as gives guidance on consolidating and paying off existing debts.
What is Kikoff Pricing?
Kikoff charges $5.00 a month, and there are no additional fees. If you purchase something, you have to pay it back. You are responsible for paying back any purchases financed by the Kikoff Credit Account, but there are no additional interest fees, late fees, or other fees.
My take on Kikoff?
This is a great company. I love that kikoff provides resources to help improve financial literacy. The main products offered are Kikoff Credit Account and Kikoff Credit Builder Loan. The Kikoff Credit Account reports to Equifax and Experian, and Credit Builder Loan (optional add-on) reports to TransUnion and Equifax.
SELF
What is Self?
Self is an app designed specifically for those who want to build both their savings and their credit simultaneously. With this app, users can manage their Credit Builder Account as well as check their own credit score right from the app itself. Additionally, Self provides updates about changes in the user’s financial situation so they can stay informed about how they’re doing financially.
Who created Self?
What is Self’s Mission?
Self’s mission is to help individuals unlock the potential of their credit and build self-worth, self-confidence, and self-sufficiency. Self believes everyone deserves access to the same financial opportunities no matter who you are or where you come from. Self provides a way for people to understand and manage their credit, build and repair scores, and transparently access credit-building services from their mobile device.
Top Benefits of Self?
Self has a lot to offer whether you want to build your credit or even invest into the company. It has Credit Score Monitoring which lets you easily monitor your current credit score, which is essential to gauge the effectiveness of any strategies implemented to improve it. Self also offers Credit Report Analysis to provide insights into your credit report, identifying any areas where there may be errors that could be causing a negative impact on your score.
Best features of Self
Self Financial offers a self credit builder and credit monitoring service to help users build their credit score. The self credit builder helps users plan and track their credit-building journey with recommended actions tailored to their individual financial situation. This feature makes it easier for users to understand the necessary steps they need to take in order to improve theircredit scores.
Credit monitoring, on the other hand, helps users keep track of their credit score and monitor any changes to it. The self credit builder and credit monitoring feature provide users with a comprehensive view of their financial situation so that they can take proactive steps for building better credit. Self Financial also offers tips and advice from experts to help users make informed decisions about their finances.
What is Self Pricing?
Self has 4 builder packages. The small builder starts at $25.00 a month, the medium builder is $35.00 a month, the large builder is $48.00 per month and the extra-large builder is $150.00 a month.
My take on Self?
Self offers a full package when it comes to credit building. They also offer a credit card which helps to give them an edge in the credit-building space. The prices are reasonable when we look at all of the offered features.
Sable
What is Sable?
Sable can help improve your score fast without taking out additional loans or opening new accounts! Sable offers personalized advice tailored specifically for each user based on what kind of financial goals they have set for themselves so they can reach them faster than ever before!
Who created Sable?
Sable is an online bank founded in 2019 to provide banking and credit services to international residents in the US. Sable has two secured cards you can qualify for without a credit history or social security number. The cards don’t have an annual fee, and you can earn 1%-2% cashback on qualifying purchases. Sable reports payments to the major credit agencies monthly, helping cardholders build credit over time.
Top benefits of Sable
Apply with no credit check and 98% approval rate. Sable helps people without credit or social security numbers. For example, international citizens living in the US on a visa to help them build credit. Or US citizens with no credit history. You can apply with just a passport, visa, and US address. Both cards have no annual or foreign transaction fees and offer 1%-2% cashback on purchases.
Top features of sable
- Keep physical and virtual cards in one place
- instantly when you sign up, so you’ve always got access to your money when you need it.
- Control your credit limit
- with the easy-to-use slider and keep your spending habits on track toward success.
- Send money to over 55 countries instantly
- with Sable’s Best Rate Guarantee. If you find a cheaper transfer rate, we’ll match it.
- Schedule recurring payments
- to your Sable credit card. Never miss a payment.
- Lost your card?
- Freeze and unfreeze cards instantly in the Sable mobile app.
- FDIC insured
- up to $250,000
- Zero Liability Policy
- Sable guarantees you won’t be held liable if unauthorized purchases appear on your cards.
My take on Sable
This credit-building service/card should be a possible last resort, and even so, there are options that are better than this one. While researching Trustpilot, I saw that out of 5 stars, this product ranked with 1.5 stars. However, the issues that were being reported are being addressed. My take is to find another credit-building service.
Final Thoughts
After reviewing the best credit-building apps on the market, I was impressed by some available options. We all have different needs and different levels of engagement we look forward to having with apps. This list offers apps that can provide that. I will continue to review more credit builder apps on the market to share what they have to offer. What are some things you are looking for in credit-building apps? Have you used any apps provided above? Please let us know below!