Experian vs Equifax vs TransUnion UK: What's the Difference?
Published 6th November 2026·Updated 6 November 2026
Reviewed by: Money Saving Advice Editorial Team
Experian vs Equifax vs TransUnion UK: What's the Difference?
The UK has three main credit reference agencies: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. All three compile credit reports on individuals using data from lenders and public records. Each uses a different scoring model and scale — which is why your score looks different on each platform. No single score is more "real" than another.
The short answer
Summary
- All three are FCA-regulated credit reference agencies — lenders choose which to use
- Each has a different scoring scale: Experian goes to 999, Equifax to 1,000, TransUnion to 710
- Data can differ between agencies because not all lenders report to all three
- Check all three for free: Experian (free tier), ClearScore (uses Equifax data), Credit Karma (uses TransUnion)
- Your report matters more than your score — errors on your report affect all lender decisions
The short answer
This guide is for information only and does not constitute financial advice. Always check your eligibility and read the full terms before applying for any financial product.
What are credit reference agencies?
Credit reference agencies (CRAs) are companies that collect and maintain financial data about individuals. When you apply for credit — a mortgage, credit card, loan, mobile contract — the lender requests your file from one or more CRAs to assess how likely you are to repay.
The three main UK CRAs are Experian, Equifax and TransUnion (formerly Callcredit). All three are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and subject to data protection law.
How do the three agencies compare?
| Feature | Experian | Equifax | TransUnion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scoring scale | 0–999 | 0–1,000 | 0–710 |
| "Good" score range | 881–960 | 531–670 | 604–627 |
| "Excellent" score range | 961–999 | 811–1,000 | 628–710 |
| Free credit report | Yes (statutory report; Experian free account) | Via ClearScore (free) | Via Credit Karma (free) |
| Paid subscription | Experian CreditExpert (£14.99/mo) | Equifax Credit Report & Score (£10.95/mo) | Credit Karma (free) |
| Data held | Credit accounts, court judgements, electoral roll, searches | Same | Same |
| Lenders who use it | Most major UK lenders | Most major UK lenders | Widely used for telecoms, motor finance |
The scoring ranges are different because each agency uses a proprietary model. A score of 850 on Experian and a score of 850 on Equifax represent different things — the numbers are not comparable directly.
Why is my score different across the three agencies?
Different lenders report to different agencies. Not every lender reports to all three. If your mobile phone provider reports to TransUnion but not Experian, that account appears on one report but not the other. This is the most common reason for variation.
Different scoring models. Each agency has its own algorithm for translating your credit history into a score. The same underlying data can produce different numbers.
Different data refresh timing. Agencies update their data at different frequencies. A recently paid-off debt might appear as cleared on one report before another.
What this means in practice: if a lender checks Equifax and you have a default there that does not appear on Experian, it matters — even if your Experian score is excellent.
How to check each bureau for free
You are legally entitled to a free statutory credit report from each bureau under UK law (UK GDPR and the Consumer Credit Act). This shows your full report but not your score.
For free reports with scores:
- Experian: free account at experian.co.uk — shows your Experian score and allows some report access. Full report requires the paid tier.
- ClearScore: free, no subscription — shows your Equifax-based data and score
- Credit Karma: free, no subscription — shows your TransUnion data and score
Checking your own report does not affect your credit score (this is a "soft" search). Regular checks are recommended to catch errors early.
Which agency do lenders use?
Lenders choose which agencies to query. They do not publish this information openly, but patterns emerge:
- Most major banks and credit card providers use Experian or Equifax, often both
- Many telecoms and utilities providers use TransUnion
- Mortgage lenders often run checks across two or all three agencies
- Car finance providers often use TransUnion
Because you do not know in advance which agency a lender will use, it is worth monitoring all three.
What if there is an error on my credit report?
Errors on your credit report can cause unjustified rejections. Common errors include:
- Accounts you do not recognise (possible fraud or data error)
- Defaults or missed payments incorrectly recorded
- An old address linking you to someone else's debts
- Accounts still showing as open after they were closed
How to dispute an error:
- Contact the credit agency directly — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion all have dispute processes online
- The agency investigates with the lender — by law, they must respond within 28 days
- If not resolved, you can add a Notice of Correction to your file (a short statement lenders see)
- As a final step, complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) if the agency refuses to remove a genuine error
FAQ
Which credit agency is most important in the UK? Experian is the largest by market share and is used by the highest number of UK lenders. However, lenders are not required to disclose which agency they use, and many use multiple. All three matter.
Does checking my own credit score lower it? No. Checking your own score is a "soft" search and has no effect on your score. Only "hard" searches — made by lenders when you apply for credit — appear on your file and can affect your score.
How long do defaults stay on my credit file? Six years from the date they were registered, regardless of whether you pay them off during that time. After six years they are removed automatically.
Can I have a good score on one agency and a poor score on another? Yes. This is fairly common, particularly if you have accounts that only report to one agency, or if one agency has an error. It is why checking all three matters.
What is a good credit score in the UK? The term "good" is relative to each agency's scale. Broadly: on Experian, 881 or above is good; on ClearScore (Equifax-based), around 475+ is considered fair-to-good; on Credit Karma (TransUnion), 604+ is good. Lenders also apply their own internal scoring models on top of the bureau score.