IdentityIQ vs. Aura: Full Review of the Best Identity Theft Protection Service

It only takes minutes for an identity thief to wreak havoc on your identity and finances. That’s why choosing an identity theft protection service with the fastest alerts and most comprehensive coverage is more important than ever. Two of the most popular options for identity theft protection on the market are IdentityIQ and Aura. While both offer solid identity theft protection services, there are some key differences to keep in mind. We reviewed both platforms and broke them down below.

IdentityIQ

IdentityIQ delivers strong identity theft protection with real-time fraud alerts from all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). This means you’re notified immediately when there is suspicious activity involving your personal information. Identity theft experts say the sooner you can report that your identity has been compromised, the less damage is done and the quicker it is to repair the harm and restore your identity. Credit report and score monitoring, dark web monitoring, account surveillance, and expert fraud restoration support provide multiple levels of protection for users, along with add-on options for device security such as VPN, anti-virus, and password manager.

Aura

Aura offers useful features and an all-in-one approach. It has real-time alerts, but those are limited to just one major credit bureau. Fraud alerts from the other two major credit bureaus are collected and sent to users at the end of the day. When identity thieves use your personal information to open up a new credit card or car loan, having only single-bureau real-time monitoring can leave gaps in fraud detection. This can potentially cost you thousands of dollars and thousands of hours recovering your identity, among other expenses. Here’s a quick snapshot of the key benefits of IdentityIQ vs. Aura:

IdentityIQ vs. Aura: Comparing Key Features

Feature	IdentityIQ	Aura
Fraud Alerts	Real-time alerts from all three major credit bureaus	Real-time alerts from one major bureau; daily alerts from the other two bureaus
Credit Monitoring & Reports	Three-bureau monitoring and monthly credit reports and scores available	Three-bureau monitoring available; only one-bureau monthly reports and scores
Digital Security	VPN, antivirus, and password manager available as an add-on	Antivirus, VPN, and password manager built into some plans
Identity Theft Insurance	Up to $1 million; higher-cost plan adds $25,000 per child	Up to $1 million; family coverage up to $5 million available
User Experience & Support	Easy-to-use interface; U.S.-based customer support and expert fraud restoration specialists	Modern interface; some users report difficulty navigating app

Pricing for Identity Theft Protection Services

IdentityIQ offers plans starting as low as $8.49/month, with options that increase in price as you add more features, such as device security with VPN, anti-virus, and password manager, or family protection. Aura comes in with higher-priced coverage, but some plans have digital security tools included.

The Fastest Fraud Alerts Make the Difference

When comparing IdentityIQ to Aura, the biggest advantage of using IdentityIQ is the speed of its fraud alerts. The alerts come in real time from all three major credit bureaus, so you are notified immediately if an identity thief is trying to open up a new account in your name, misuse your Social Security number, or other suspicious activity. With the fastest alerts in the industry, IdentityIQ can help you stop identity thieves before they do major damage. Aura provides real-time fraud alerts from one bureau, while sending the rest to users at the end of the day. That slower alert speed can cause critical delays, especially when every minute counts. Identity thieves can cause significant damage in just one day. IdentityIQ real-time alerts from all three major credit bureaus make them stand out as the top choice over their competitors as the best in identity theft protection services.

Why IdentityIQ Comes Out on Top of Aura

IdentityIQ and Aura both have benefits that are important for comprehensive protection. But with never-ending data breaches, scammers, and bad actors selling your information on the dark web, securing your exposed information is key. That starts with the speed of your fraud alert, so you can take control and stop an identity thief before it’s too late. Here is why we found IdentityIQ is the best pick over Aura for identity theft protection services: Fastest Alerts IdentityIQ’s monitoring and alert speed is faster than its competitors. With real-time alerts from all three major credit bureaus, you get the upper hand over identity thieves and can stop them in their tracks. This crucial difference can minimize damage, saving you money and time spent working to recover and restore your identity. Customization & Affordability With budget-friendly, customizable plans, IdentityIQ provides users with options while still giving them peace of mind and top-notch protection. From individual to family plans, IdentityIQ offers choice and control over features and cost.

Final Verdict on Best Identity Theft Protection Service

If the fastest possible fraud alerts from all three major credit bureaus are what matters most to you, IdentityIQ stands out as the best choice in identity theft protection. While Aura impresses as an all-in-one option, it can’t match IdentityIQ’s speed in detecting threats and alerting users. IdentityIQ is the best option for identity theft protection if you prioritize the fastest and most complete fraud alerts to protect your identity and finances.