All terms
Glossary

VantageScore

The credit score model developed jointly by Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

VantageScore is the credit score model developed jointly by the three credit bureaus as a competitor to FICO. Current versions: VantageScore 3.0 (most common, used by Credit Karma) and 4.0 (newer, includes trended data and reduced collection penalties).

VantageScore correlates with FICO but isn't the same. The two can differ by 10-40 points on the same credit file because they weight factors slightly differently. VantageScore 4.0 ignores paid medical collections; VantageScore 3.0 still penalizes them.

Free score services (Credit Karma, Discover Credit Scorecard, many bank apps) typically show VantageScore. Lenders almost always use FICO. Don't be surprised if Credit Karma shows 720 but the lender's FICO pull comes back 690.

Also called

VantageScore 3.0VantageScore 4.0

Related terms

FICO Score

The credit score model developed by Fair Isaac Corporation. Used by 90%+ of U.S. lenders.

Credit Monitoring

A service that alerts consumers to changes on their credit reports — new accounts, hard inquiries, balance changes.

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