Credit Sesame, Inc.
Credit Sesame Review 2026
Free TransUnion credit monitoring with a VantageScore 3.0 — Sesame Cash banking discontinued in 2025.
Who Credit Sesame is best for
Users who want credit monitoring + financial tools in a single app outside the Intuit ecosystem.
At a glance
- Price
- Free
- Score model
- VantageScore 3.0
- Update frequency
- Monthly
- Sesame Cash
- Discontinued
Premium tier exists for added features
From TransUnion
Standard refresh schedule
Program closed November 17, 2025
Pros
- +Independent alternative to Credit Karma with similar feature set
- +Free identity theft insurance up to $50K on Premium tier
- +Clean app interface
Cons
- −Only TransUnion bureau coverage
- −VantageScore (not FICO)
- −Some upsell pressure to Premium ($19.95/month)
- −Smaller user base than Credit Karma (less ecosystem polish)
Credit Sesame requirements
- US resident with SSN
- 18+ years old
Credit Sesame alternatives
Top alternatives worth comparing from Best Credit Monitoring Services 2026.
Intuit Inc.
Credit Karma
Anyone wanting free monthly credit-score updates with broad ecosystem features.
Capital One Services, LLC
Capital One CreditWise
Anyone wanting Experian-side coverage without needing a Capital One account.
Experian Information Solutions, Inc.
Experian (Free Tier)
Borrowers wanting Experian-bureau coverage with an official FICO score (not VantageScore).
Ready to apply?
Application takes minutes. Pre-qualification (where available) uses a soft credit pull with no impact to your credit score.
Apply at Credit Sesame, Inc.→Last verified at the issuer on 2026-08-05
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Read the full guide →Bottom line
Credit Sesame scores 3.7 / 5 on the ClearValue Rating — a deterministic editorial composite from the product's own published fees, terms, and eligibility. Best for: Users who want credit monitoring + financial tools in a single app outside the Intuit ecosystem.
◆ How we scored it
The ClearValue Rating, broken down.
- Cost
- 35%
- Fit & approval odds
- 30%
- Speed & terms
- 20%
- Transparency
- 15%
Cost (35%), Fit & approval odds (30%), Speed & terms (20%), Transparency (15%) — scored consistently across every product, independent of compensation. Full methodology →
Frequently asked
Questions about Credit Sesame
Is Credit Sesame free?+
Yes — Credit Sesame's core monitoring is free and includes a VantageScore 3.0 from TransUnion with monthly updates. A Premium tier exists ($19.95/month per the listed data) that adds features like identity theft insurance, but the base service costs nothing.
Which bureau and score does Credit Sesame use?+
Credit Sesame pulls from TransUnion only and shows a VantageScore 3.0 — not a FICO score. Since most lenders use FICO and only one bureau is covered, treat it as directional rather than a precise preview of what a lender will see.
What is Sesame Cash?+
Sesame Cash was an optional debit card with cash-back rewards, but Credit Sesame discontinued the program — existing accounts were closed November 17, 2025. Credit Sesame is now a credit-monitoring-only app; check creditsesame.com for current features.
Does Credit Sesame include identity theft insurance?+
Identity theft insurance — listed up to $50K — is offered on the Premium tier, not the free tier. The free tier focuses on TransUnion monitoring and score tracking.
Who is Credit Sesame best for?+
It's best for users who want credit monitoring plus financial tools in one app outside the Intuit ecosystem, and it's positioned as a Credit Karma alternative. ClearValue Lending is a neutral platform and isn't affiliated with Credit Sesame — verify current terms at creditsesame.com.
Related guides
Independent editorial review. ClearValue Lending is a business & personal financing platform — not a lender, broker, or financial advisor. Some links are affiliate links; the issuer may pay a referral commission at no cost to you, which never changes the score. Specific product terms vary; verify with the issuer before applying. See privacy policy.