In today's fast-paced world, managing and building credit is more important than ever. With a good credit score, you can qualify for better interest rates on loans, secure lower insurance premiums, and even increase your chances of landing your dream job. But, building a solid credit history can be a daunting task, especially for those just starting on their financial journey. 

This is where credit building apps come in. These powerful tools have made it easier than ever to keep track of your credit score and make informed decisions to improve it. In this blog, we'll explore the best 7 credit building apps available in 2023, designed to help you take control of your financial future and achieve the credit score you deserve.

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What are Credit Building Apps and How Do They Help?

Credit building apps are digital platforms that provide users with the tools and resources needed to improve their credit scores. They typically offer features such as credit score monitoring, personalized credit improvement tips, and access to financial products that help build credit. 

Additionally, credit building apps often offer educational resources to help users understand the factors affecting their credit score and how to navigate the complex world of personal finance. This comprehensive approach ensures that users not only improve their credit scores but also develop healthy financial habits that will benefit them in the long run. 

The types of credit buider apps vary. The most common credit builder apps fall in these catagories: 

• Credit building lenders: These lenders offer crest builder loans that are designed to help people build credit. These credit builder loans are different from traditional loan. Customers don’t get the funds upfront; they get the money after they pay in full. Only very few lenders give customers access to a small portion of the funds right away.
• Credit monitoring services: These apps are built for helping people monitor how their credit score change over time. They usually offer tips of how to improve your credit score as well as some suggestions of financial products. 
• Credit reporting services: All major credit reporting agencies have their own app offerings. Apps like Experian Boost, myFICO, TransUnion aim to boost your credit by incorporating non-traditional payment data into the evaluation. These apps take into account payments not typically considered in credit score calculations, such as your utilities bills. 

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Best Credit Building Apps of 2023

In this section, we'll delve into the best 7 credit building apps in 2023, highlighting their unique features and benefits to help you choose the right one for your needs. Before getting one, carefully compare these apps regarding their features, prices, and the potential impact. 

Cheese Credit Builder

Cheese Credit Builder presents the most straightforward method for anyone to build credit while simultaneously helping users save money and establish emergency funds. 

Customers will pay monthly to a deposit account that Cheese offers, and then Cheese will report these on-time payments to all three credit bureaus: TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. Upon completion of the loan term, you'll receive your money back, excluding the interest. The only charge is the APR (5%-16%), with no additional fees such as administration, membership, late fees, or upfront deposits. There's no credit check required, making it an uncomplicated approach to credit building.

Compared to other credit builder loans mentioned in this article, Cheese Credit Builder offers the most adaptable repayment plans. Users can select from loan amounts of $500, $1,000, or $2,000 and loan terms of either 12 or 24 months. If you're interested, you can quickly sign up here and start your credit-building journey immediately.

Self

Self is a company that provides credit-building loans designed to assist you in improving your credit standing. As you gradually pay off the small loan amount, you will gain access to the funds once all payments are completed. During the repayment period, your money is held in a Certificate of Deposit (CD).

Users can choose between monthly payments of $25, $35, $48, or $150, based on their preferred expenditure and the final amount they wish to access at the conclusion of the loan term. The APR that Self charges varies from 15.58%-15.97%, which is relatively hight compared to other credit builder loans such as Cheese Credit Builder. Self also charges a $9 administrative fee, makes it a bit costly.

Kikoff

Kikoff is a service that helps people build and improve their credit scores. Their main product, the Kikoff Credit Account, offers a $750 credit line with zero interest. Users can make purchases from the Kikoff online store only.

The sign-up process is easy and quick, with no credit check needed. Instant approval means you can start using the account right away. Kikoff charges a $5 monthly fee for their services. There are no interest or late fees, making it simple to pay off your purchases. 

Different from a credit builder loan like Self and Cheese, Kikoff provides with a revolving credit acting like a credit card. Although it easily grow your credit while getting access to a small credit line, it doesn’t help you save money at the same time. Kikoff Credit Account reports to Equifax and Experian. 

Experian Boost

Experian Boost is a unique, free service offered by Experian, one of the top credit bureaus, designed to help individuals enhance their credit scores by factoring in previously unrecognized financial activities. 

By connecting your bank account to Experian Boost, the platform can access your utility and telecom bill payment history, incorporating these on-time payments into your credit file. This innovative approach allows users to potentially see an immediate increase in their credit scores, as it rewards responsible financial behavior that was not previously considered. Experian Boost is transforming the way credit scores are calculated, making it more inclusive and empowering for consumers.

Grow Credit

Grow Credit Mastercard is a special financial tool that helps people build and improve their credit scores by using subscription payments. With this virtual Mastercard, users can pay for different subscriptions like streaming services (Netflix, Hulu), gaming platforms (Xbox, PlayStation), and software memberships (Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud).

To get started, users sign up for an account and connect their eligible subscriptions to the card. They pay for these subscriptions using the interest-free credit line provided by Grow Credit. When users make on-time payments, it shows they are responsible with money. This is reported to the main credit bureaus (TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax), helping boost their credit scores.

Grow Credit Mastercard has various membership plans, including a free plan with a $17 credit line for users with few subscription expenses. Paid plans offer higher credit limits and more features, suitable for users with multiple subscriptions.

MoneyLion

MoneyLion is a versatile financial app that aims to help users better manage their finances and build their credit. Through the Credit Builder App, MoneyLion offers a wide range of tools, financial tracking features, and personalized recommendations that empower users to work towards a more secure financial future.

What sets MoneyLion apart from other credit builder loans is that it provides a portion of the loan funds upfront. To access MoneyLion's credit builder loan and other features, customers need to pay a membership fee of $19.99 per month. The credit builder loan offers up to $1,000 in loan amount with a 12-month term, and users receive a portion of their loan funds immediately in an account of their choice. In addition to the credit builder loan, MoneyLion membership includes access to Instacash advances of up to $300 per period at 0% APR. 

Credit Karma

Credit Karma is a widely recognized personal finance company that provides users with free access to their credit scores. As a valuable resource for those looking to understand and improve their credit, Credit Karma uses the Vantage scoring system, which may differ slightly from the more commonly used FICO credit score. Nonetheless, it offers a reliable approximation of your credit standing.

Credit Karma focuses on reporting TransUnion and Equifax scores, but users will need to check their Experian credit score separately. What makes Credit Karma stand out is its ability to highlight both negative and positive factors influencing your scores, enabling users to identify and address issues to enhance their credit score.

In addition to credit score reporting, Credit Karma offers built-in tools for finding credit cards and loans that best align with an individual's financial situation and credit score, making it a comprehensive and user-friendly platform for managing personal finances.

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Tips For Choosing A Credit Builder App 

When selecting a credit builder app, it's essential to consider various factors to ensure it meets your specific needs and preferences. Here are some tips to help you choose the right credit builder app:

• Research different apps: Explore and compare various credit builder apps available in the market. Read reviews and testimonials from other users to gain insight into each app's pros and cons.

• Understand the fees: Check the pricing structure of each app, including any membership or administrative fees, interest rates, or additional charges. Make sure you are comfortable with the costs involved.
• Assess user-friendliness: Choose an app with an intuitive interface and easy-to-navigate features, ensuring that you can comfortably use the app and access the necessary tools to build your credit.

Lastly, consider your financial goals carefully. Select an app that aligns with your financial objectives, whether you're looking to establish new credit, repair damaged credit, or improve your existing credit score.

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Build Credit With Cheese Credit Builder

Are you prepared to take control of your credit journey? Begin with Cheese Credit Builder, offering a simple and flexible way to build credit while saving money and creating an emergency fund. With no hidden fees and a range of loan amounts and terms, Cheese Credit Builder caters to your unique financial needs. Sign up now and benefit from on-time payment reporting to all three major credit bureaus, paving the way to a brighter financial future!

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