The Best Apps to Check Your Credit Score for Free in Canada

For better or worse, your credit score is involved in most important financial decisions. A good credit score can help you secure a lower interest rate and better credit terms on a mortgage, car loan, or personal line of credit. It can also give you access to more top-tier financial products, so you can take advantage of rewards like cashback. By tracking your credit score with a Canadian credit score app, you can recognize if you need to make improvements to boost your score, and monitor for errors on your credit report.  

Keep reading to learn about the best credit score apps in Canada. 

What is a credit score and why is it important?

Your credit score is a three-digit number that ranges from 300 to 900. 

Your credit score is important because it shows lenders how well you manage your credit. A low score signals risk to lenders, while a high score indicates you’re likely to repay your debt. 

Whether you want to purchase a car, rent an apartment, or take on a personal loan, your credit score is involved in almost all important financial decisions. 

Checking your credit score and report regularly can help you understand how you’re managing your credit and if you need to make changes to improve it. It also allows you to identify any errors and or fraudulent activity. 

How to check your credit score

Credit monitoring is extremely important to staying on top of your financial health. There are several ways you can check your credit score, including: 

• Free credit score app. With a free credit score app,  you can quickly access your credit score information when you need it. Many credit score apps (like Borrowell) will alert you if there is a change in your credit score and also provide useful financial resources, such as personalized tips on improving your score.  

• Credit bureaus.  You can also access your credit report online for free through the main credit bureaus in Canada – Equifax and TransUnion. The credit bureaus update your credit score once per month, whereas many apps like Borrowell give you an updated score every week.

• Bank. Many banks allow you to view your credit score through their online platform or mobile app.  

The best free credit score apps in Canada

If you want to start tracking your credit score, check out this list of the best free credit score apps in Canada:

Borrowell

Borrowell is the only free credit score app in Canada that gives you your Equifax credit score and credit report, updated weekly. Equifax is the largest consumer credit bureau in Canada. Borrowell's app also gives you access to personalized insights into exactly what factors are impacting your credit score, as well as tailored tips to help you boost your score. Checking your credit score with Borrowell won't harm your score, no matter how many times you do it.

When you use Borrowell, you can also access Rent Advantage: a service that lets you build your credit score just by paying your rent.

KOHO

The KOHO app offers access to your Equifax credit score as a 30-day free trial on its Essential, Extra, or Everything plans. After this time, you’ll have to pay a monthly subscription fee.

Credit Karma

With the Credit Karma app, you can access your credit score and credit report for free from TransUnion. Like the other credit apps on this list, checking your credit won’t hurt your score.

ClearScore 

The ClearScore credit app provides free credit scores and reports from TransUnion. It also has personalized insights and tips to help you improve your credit score. You can use the ClearScore app to compare credit offers, and it provides odds on how likely you are to get approved.

How to check your credit score through your bank

Certain banks also allow you to access your TransUnion credit score online or through a mobile app, including: 

RBC

If you’re an RBC client, you get free access to the TransUnion CreditView Dashboard, where you can review your current credit score. Simply sign into your RBC Online Banking account, and click on the “View Your Credit Score” link on the right hand of your Account Summary page. 

CIBC

CIBC banking clients get free access to CreditView, which provides access to your monthly TransUnion credit report. The CreditView interface also gives information on how certain financial decisions can affect your credit score. You can learn about credit topics, and CreditView will alert you to changes on your credit report. CreditView is available through mobile or online banking. 

BMO

BMO banking clients also get free access to CreditView. Using BMO’s online portal or mobile banking app, you can access your full credit report. You can also use the ScoreSimulatior to see how your financial decisions can impact your credit. Plus, get tips and tricks on how to boost your credit score.  

Scotiabank

With Scotiabank, you can check your TransUnion credit score for free, with the TransUnion Credit Score tool. You can check your score as often as you want, and it won’t impact your credit. Your credit score is updated by TransUnion every month. You can also use the tool to find tips and information on how to improve your credit score. Access the TransUnion Credit Score tool online or through the mobile banking app. 

What is a good credit score in Canada?

Credit scores in Canada range from 300 to 900.  A good credit score falls in the range of 713 to 740. A great score ranges from 741 and 900. 

And why does it matter if you have a good credit score? A good credit score can help you secure a lower interest rate on your mortgage, get a higher credit limit, and increase your chances of getting approved for a credit card or loan. 

If you’re wondering what category of credit score you fit into, here’s an overview:  

• Poor: 300 to 574

• Below average: 575 to 659

• Fair: 660 to 712

• Good: 713 to 740

• Excellent: 741 to 900

How to improve your credit score

If you want to improve your credit score, it’s totally possible, but it won’t happen overnight. With some effort and patience, you can make it happen. Check out the following tips to boost your credit:  

• Pay your bills on time. Your payment history is the most important factor in calculating your credit score. Focus on paying your bills on time, every time. 

• Aim to keep credit utilization low. Your credit utilization is a measure of how much of your total credit is in use. Lenders like to see a credit utilization ratio under 30%. For instance, if you have $3,000 in available credit, and you’re using $1,500 you have a credit utilization ratio of 50%. ($1,500 / $3,000) x 100 = 50%

• Accept pre-approved offers to increase your credit limit. You can lower your credit utilization by increasing your credit limit. Let’s say, you get preapproved for an extra $1,000, so your credit limit is now $5,000. This lowers your credit utilization ratio from 50% to 20%. ($1,500/$5,000) x 100 = 20% 

• Don’t apply for too many credit products at once. Every time you apply for new credit, a hard credit inquiry is performed.  Each inquiry can lower your score by a few points. Applying for multiple products in a short amount of time can cause your score to drop. Aim to only apply for new credit when you really need it. 

• Regularly check your credit report.  Checking your credit score and report regularly, helps you identify if there are any errors or fraudulent activity. With Borowell’s free app, you’ll get weekly credit score updates so you can stay on top of your credit. 

• Consider using your rent to build credit. If you’re making monthly rent payments, consider signing up for Borrowell’s Rent Advantage program, where you can build your credit score just by making your regular rent payments. 

The Bottom Line

Achieving an excellent credit score is like holding a golden ticket. Not only can you qualify for more financial products, but you’ll typically get a better interest rate, which can help you save a lot of money over time. 

Tracking your credit score gives you a clear picture of where your score is now and if you need to make changes to achieve your financial goals. If you’re ready to take your credit score to the next level, consider using one of the best Canadian credit score apps listed in this article.