What Is the Best Website to Check Your Credit Score for Free in the UK?
Published 9th of September 2012·Updated 5 April 2026
Reviewed by: Reviewed for accuracy April 2026
The best free credit score websites in the UK are Experian for your Experian score, ClearScore for your Equifax score, and Credit Karma for your TransUnion score. All three are genuinely free. Because the three agencies use different scoring scales and hold slightly different data, checking all three gives you the most complete picture of your credit standing.
Short Summary
The UK has three main credit reference agencies: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. No single website shows you all three scores because each agency runs its own consumer platform.
Checking your score through these free services is a soft search and does not affect your credit score at all. You can check as often as you like without any negative impact.
Your credit score is a consumer-facing indicator. Lenders run their own internal scoring from the raw data on your file, so the number you see is a guide rather than the exact figure a lender will calculate.
If you know which agency a particular lender uses, checking your score with that agency is the most directly relevant. If you do not know, checking all three is worth doing at least once.
Experian: best for the most widely used score
Experian is the largest credit reference agency in the UK, and many high-street lenders including HSBC, Barclays and Halifax check Experian data when assessing applications. Their consumer website lets you see your Experian credit score (0-999 scale) and a summary of your credit report for free. The free service is called Experian Credit Score.
Experian also offers a paid product called Experian CreditExpert, which provides more detailed monitoring and alerts. This costs around £14.99 per month and comes with a free trial. The free score alone is sufficient for most people.
ClearScore: best for your Equifax score
ClearScore is a free service that shows your Equifax credit report and score. It updates weekly and presents your credit data in a clear, easy-to-read format. ClearScore is permanently free; there is no premium tier to upgrade to. Equifax uses a 0-700 scale.
ClearScore is particularly useful for checking whether your Equifax data matches what Experian holds, since discrepancies between agencies can sometimes reveal errors or missing positive information.
Credit Karma: best for your TransUnion score
Credit Karma (previously known as TotallyMoney in the UK) shows your TransUnion credit score and report. TransUnion uses a 0-710 scale. Credit Karma is free and provides personalised recommendations for credit products you are likely to be approved for, based on your profile.
How do the free credit score websites compare?
| Website | Agency | Scale | Cost | Score updates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Experian | Experian | 0-999 | Free (paid upgrade available) | Monthly |
| ClearScore | Equifax | 0-700 | Free | Weekly |
| Credit Karma | TransUnion | 0-710 | Free | Weekly |
Do I need to check all three?
For a quick health check, starting with one is fine. Experian is the logical first choice because it is the most widely used agency in the UK. However, different lenders check different agencies, and some check more than one. Checking all three at least once a year ensures you catch any errors across all your files.
If you are planning to apply for a mortgage or a significant loan, checking all three a few months beforehand gives you time to dispute any errors before you apply.
Are any of these websites truly free?
Yes. Experian's basic credit score, ClearScore and Credit Karma are all permanently free. They earn revenue by recommending financial products based on your credit profile. You are never obliged to apply for any product they suggest.
The only way these platforms cost money is if you actively choose to upgrade. Experian's paid CreditExpert service is optional. ClearScore and Credit Karma have no paid tiers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does checking my credit score on these websites affect my score?
No. Checking your own score via Experian, ClearScore or Credit Karma is a soft search and leaves no mark on your credit file. Only hard searches, which happen when you formally apply for credit, can affect your score.
Which website does my mortgage lender use?
Most high-street lenders use Experian, Equifax, or both. Some lenders use TransUnion as well. Lenders are not required to tell you which agency they use, but you can ask. If you have a specific lender in mind, checking your score with all three agencies before applying is the safest approach.
Can I see my full credit report for free?
Yes. Under UK law you have the right to a free statutory credit report from any credit reference agency. This shows all the data the agency holds about you but does not include a score. The free consumer services from Experian, ClearScore and Credit Karma provide a score on top of this basic report.
Why is my score different on each website?
Each agency holds slightly different information, because not all lenders report to all three agencies. Each agency also applies its own algorithm, and the scoring scales are different. A score of 600 means something entirely different with Experian (fair) than it does with Equifax (excellent). Always look at the category label alongside the number.
How often should I check my credit score?
Checking once a month is reasonable for most people. If you are actively working to improve your score or planning to apply for credit soon, checking weekly via ClearScore or Credit Karma lets you track progress more closely.