How to Check Your Credit Score in Canada for Free (2025)

If you have been asking yourself, “how to check my credit score” or “how to get my credit report” without spending any money, we have great news. In 2025, you can get both your

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What is a credit score, and why it matters in Canada

• Your credit score is a three-digit number that tells lenders how creditworthy you are based on your credit history.
• Lenders, landlords, and insurers look at this score to approve applications, decide on interest rates, set credit limits, and sometimes even for rental applications.
• Having a good credit score makes it easier to get approved for loans with better terms and can simplify the process of renting an apartment.

Where to check your credit score and credit report for free in Canada

Official credit bureaus (recommended starting point)

• Equifax Canada credit report: You have the right to a free Equifax credit report. You can ask for it online, by phone, by mail, or in person. Getting it online is the quickest way, you will just need to verify your identity to see and download a PDF of your personal credit report. Equifax updates this online report every month.
• TransUnion Canada credit report: You can also view and download your free TransUnion Consumer Disclosure online, by phone, or by mail, with updates happening monthly.
• Important: Requesting your own credit report doesn't change your credit score. It's considered a soft inquiry and won’t do any harm to your credit.

Free credit score apps and services

• Borrowell: This service gives you free access to your Equifax credit score and credit report. It updates every week and has no impact on your score. Setting it up only takes a few minutes, and it comes with credit monitoring insights to help you manage and improve your credit.
• Other popular free apps: In Canada, other widely used choices include Credit Karma and ClearScore, which usually offer free VantageScore updates along with data from the credit bureaus. Many banks also have in-app credit score checks for their clients through partnerships with Equifax or TransUnion. These tools help you stay on top of your credit, notice any changes, and catch errors or fraud early.

How to get your free credit report Canada: step-by-step

Equifax Canada (online)

1. Visit the Equifax Canada website for your free credit report request.
2. Confirm your identity and either create or sign in to your MyEquifax account.
3. Download your personal credit report (as a PDF) and make sure to save it somewhere secure.

Equifax by phone or mail

• Phone: Call Equifax Canada and follow the instructions to verify your identity.
• Mail: Fill out the Equifax form and send it in with two valid pieces of ID, like a driver’s licence or passport.

TransUnion Canada (online)

1. Go to the free TransUnion Consumer Disclosure portal.
2. Verify your identity and download your report.

TransUnion by phone or mail

• Phone: Call TransUnion Canada and complete their identity verification process.
• Mail: Send a request form along with two valid pieces of ID.

Best apps to check credit score in Canada (2025)

• TenantPay: While not a direct score-checking app, TenantPay's platform for online rent payments is a leader in helping renters build credit. Through its system, landlords can enable rent reporting, which adds your on-time rent payments to your credit history.
• Borrowell: Offers a free Equifax score and report, updated weekly, with helpful tips for improving your score and credit monitoring alerts.
• Credit Karma: Gives you a free VantageScore based on TransUnion data, complete with credit monitoring and product suggestions.
• ClearScore: Provides a free score based on TransUnion data, with regular updates and clear insights.
• Bank apps: Many major Canadian banks offer free score checks to their customers through partnerships with Equifax or TransUnion. It's worth checking your bank’s app or online banking portal.

Note: All these services use soft inquiries, so they won't hurt your score. They are a great way to check your credit score in Canada regularly and spot any problems early on.

Understanding credit scores in Canada

Credit bureaus in Canada

The two main credit bureaus are Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada. Each one might have slightly different information, so it’s a good idea to check both from time to time to make sure everything is accurate and complete.

Score models you’ll see in Canada

• FICO score: This is a very common credit scoring model used by lenders in North America. You might see different versions, like FICO Score 8 or 9, in some banking products and premium services. It's not always easy to find a free FICO score in consumer apps.
• VantageScore: A more consumer-friendly score model that you'll often find for free in apps like Credit Karma and ClearScore. It looks at similar factors as FICO but might score people with limited credit history differently.
• Beacon score: This was historically what Equifax called its score in Canada. Now, most apps just refer to it as the "Equifax score."

Credit score ranges (typical guidance)

While the ranges can differ depending on the model, here’s what Canadians generally see:

• Excellent: 760+
• Good: 700–759
• Fair: 660–699
• Below average/Needs work: <660

You should always refer to the ranges provided in the specific app or bureau report you are using, as the “credit score ratings chart” can vary between FICO and VantageScore versions.

What shows up on a credit report

• Identifying information: Your name, addresses, date of birth, and sometimes employment details.
• Credit accounts: Information on your credit cards, lines of credit, car loans, student loans, and mortgages, including their status (open/closed), limits, balances, and payment history.
• Public records and collections: Any bankruptcies, consumer proposals, or judgments, if they apply to you.
• Inquiries: Hard inquiries from when you apply for credit, and soft inquiries from your own checks or pre-qualifications.
• Personal statements and dispute notes: Any notes you have added yourself.

Soft vs. hard credit check

A soft vs hard credit check can be confusing, but here's a simple breakdown:

• Soft credit check: This happens when you check your own credit or get prequalified for an offer. It doesn’t impact your score. This includes getting your reports from Equifax or TransUnion and using monitoring apps. It's perfectly safe to check your credit score for free as often as you like.
• Hard credit check: This is triggered when you apply for a credit product like a loan, card, or mortgage, or during some tenant screening credit checks. These can cause a temporary drop in your score and stay on your report for up to two years, usually affecting your score for about a year.

How often should you check your credit report?

It's wise to review your credit report from both bureaus at least once every 12 months, and especially before you apply for something major like a mortgage or car loan. For ongoing tracking, consider using a free app for monthly score monitoring to get regular insights and alerts. Since bureaus update monthly and many apps refresh weekly, this can help you spot identity theft, errors, or any unexpected drops much sooner.

FICO vs. VantageScore: key differences

• Usage by lenders: FICO is very popular for underwriting, while VantageScore is more common in consumer apps and with some lenders.
• Free access: VantageScore is usually free through apps, but getting your FICO score for free in Canada can be more difficult.
• Data treatment: Both models look at payment history, credit utilization, account age, credit mix, and inquiries. However, small differences in how they handle thin files and recent data can result in different scores.
• Versioning: Lenders use several versions (like FICO 8/9), while consumer apps often show VantageScore 3.0/4.0.
• Expectation: Your “credit score numbers” will likely differ between apps and bureaus, so it’s better to focus on the trends rather than a single number.

Which credit bureau is most important?

In Canada, lenders use both Equifax and TransUnion. Which one a lender chooses can vary depending on the institution and the product. Since they might have slightly different information, it's a good idea to check both to make sure your file is accurate and you are prepared for any applications.

How to build credit fast in Canada

• Pay on time, every time: Your payment history is the biggest factor. Set up automatic payments or reminders to stay on track.
• Lower your utilization: Try to keep your credit card balances below 30% of your limits, or even better, under 10-20%. You can do this by making mid-cycle payments or asking for a higher limit if you can do so responsibly.
• Keep accounts open and age your credit: The longer your accounts have been open on average, the better. Avoid closing your oldest credit cards unless you absolutely have to.
• Limit hard inquiries: Spread out your credit applications and only apply when it’s necessary.
• Add positive data: Think about secured cards, credit builder loans, and rent reporting to help build and strengthen your credit file.

Can rent payments improve credit score in Canada?

Yes, they can. When your on-time rent payments are reported to the credit bureaus, it can help build your credit history and improve your score over time. This is especially helpful for newcomers to Canada or those with a limited credit history. Look for rent reporting Canada services that send your information to Equifax and/or TransUnion. Some property managers and platforms allow you to report rent to credit bureaus. For instance, TenantPay supports online rent payments, and many forward-thinking landlords using digital platforms like it are enabling rent reporting programs. Don't hesitate to ask your landlord or property manager if this option is available in your building.

Does paying rent online affect credit score?

Paying your rent online will only impact your credit score if those payments are being reported to a credit bureau. Many online platforms just process the payment without reporting it by default. If it’s available, be sure to opt into rent reporting to get the credit-building benefits.

Tenant screening credit check vs. background check

• A tenant screening credit check in Canada will usually show your credit score and the highlights of your credit report, like your accounts, payment history, and any collections or inquiries, to see how much of a rental risk you might be.
• A background check can be broader, including identity verification, a criminal record check (where it’s allowed), employment and income verification, and references from past landlords. Landlords often use a combination of both.

Minimum credit score for apartment rentals

The requirements can change depending on the city and the landlord. In competitive markets like Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal, many landlords prefer a “good credit score,” often 680-700 or higher, along with proof of income. If you have a thinner file, strong references, a co-signer, or a larger deposit (where permitted) can help. The minimum credit score for apartment isn't set in stone, but a higher score always helps.

How to dispute an error on my credit report

• Step 1: Get your free credit reports from both Equifax and TransUnion to find the error.
• Step 2: Collect any documents that support your claim, like payment confirmations or letters.
• Step 3: File a dispute with each bureau that shows the error. Both bureaus have online and mail-in options for disputes. Keep following up until the error is fixed and ask for an updated report for your records.

Free credit report vs paid credit report

• Free: Your personal Consumer Disclosure from each bureau, updated monthly, is usually all you need to check for accuracy and file disputes.
• Paid: Subscription services might offer daily or weekly updates, scores from multiple models, identity theft insurance, and other alerts. Many Canadians find that free monitoring is enough, with paid services used only when needed.

Best apps to check credit score: pros and cons

Borrowell (Equifax)

• Pros: Get your free Equifax score and report, with weekly updates, credit tips, and monitoring. You can download your Equifax credit report at any time with no impact on your score.
• Cons: The app's recommendations might promote products from their partners, and the score can vary from other models.

Credit Karma (TransUnion)

• Pros: Free VantageScore with frequent updates, plus monitoring and personalized suggestions.
• Cons: The score might be different from what some lenders use, and it only shows you the TransUnion side of the picture.

ClearScore (TransUnion)

• Pros: Free score, regular updates, and a simple dashboard with coaching.
• Cons: It’s also TransUnion-only, and the scoring model differs from FICO.

Bank apps (varies by bank)

• Pros: It's convenient because it’s already integrated with your banking. Some offer insights from either Equifax or TransUnion.
• Cons: The update frequency and features can vary, and they might not give you a full credit report.

Tips for a safe, smart credit score check in 2025

• Stick to official bureau portals or well-known Canadian apps.
• Use multi-factor authentication and save any downloaded reports in a secure, password-protected folder.
• Check your personal information, accounts, and inquiries for accuracy every month or quarter, especially if you’re trying to build your credit.
• If you see any signs of identity theft, like accounts or inquiries you don’t recognize, contact the bureau right away to put fraud alerts on your file and start an investigation.
• Before you apply for a major loan or rental, pull both reports and clear up any differences.

Regional notes: checking and using your score across Canada

Provinces like Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec all follow similar credit reporting rules at the bureau level. What can change are the local norms for landlord screening and how competitive the rental market is. For example, credit score standards in Toronto or Vancouver might be higher because of high demand. For newcomers to Canada, programs for rent reporting and secured credit cards can be a great way to build a Canadian credit profile quickly, even if you had great credit in another country.

How to integrate rent payments into your credit strategy

• Ask your landlord or property manager if they report rent payments to Equifax or TransUnion.
• If they don't, you can look into rent reporting services that work with your building’s payment system.
• Always pay your rent consistently and on time. Missed rent payments, if reported, can hurt you just like a missed loan or credit card payment.
• Platforms like TenantPay make online rent payments easy for both tenants and landlords. When a landlord supports rent reporting through their system, your consistent, on-time payments can become a positive tradeline on your report, helping you build credit with rent Canada.

FAQs

What is a good credit score?

A good credit score in Canada usually begins around 700, and an excellent score is 760 or higher. The exact numbers can vary by lender and model, so your main focus should be on paying your bills on time and keeping your credit utilization low.

How to check my credit score?

You can use a free Canadian app like Borrowell for weekly Equifax score updates and downloadable reports. Or, you can check within your own bank’s app. For a complete picture, you should also ask for your free TransUnion Consumer Disclosure.

How to check your credit score for free?

Just create a free account with a reputable Canadian app to get your scores, and ask for your free report directly from the Equifax and TransUnion websites. These are all soft checks and will not affect your score.

How is a FICO score calculated?

FICO looks at your payment history, how much credit you're using, the length of your credit history, any new credit applications (inquiries), and the mix of credit you have. The exact formula can vary, but timely payments and low utilization are the most important factors.

What is the difference between FICO and VantageScore?

They both assess similar factors, but they are built with different methodologies and can give you different numbers from the same credit data. FICO is what most lenders use, while VantageScore is what you’ll commonly see in free consumer apps.

Can rent payments improve credit score?

Yes, if your landlord or a rent reporting service sends your on-time payment history to Equifax and/or TransUnion, your rent can help build your credit.

How to report rent payments to credit bureaus?

You should ask your landlord or property manager if they offer rent reporting through their payment platform. If they don’t, you can search for third-party rent reporting services in Canada that can connect with your payment method.

Why did my credit score drop?

Common causes include higher credit utilization, a missed or late payment, new hard inquiries from applying for credit, or a new account that has lowered the average age of your credit history. Check your reports to find out the specific reason.

What credit score do you need to rent an apartment?

This can vary a lot by city and by landlord. In competitive areas, many landlords are looking for scores of 680 to 700 or more. However, things like a strong income, good references, or a co-signer can help if your score is a bit lower.

How often should you check your credit report?

You should check it at least once a year with both bureaus. If you are actively building credit or getting ready for a big application, checking it monthly or even weekly through a free app is a great idea.