Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

NerdWallet vs Experian®

NerdWallet 4.8★ · Free to download 70
Winner NerdWallet
Experian® 4.8★ · Free to download 60

For comprehensive financial tracking beyond just credit, NerdWallet is the better choice, despite recent issues, while Experian is best for focused credit monitoring.

Full reviews: NerdWallet · Experian®

NerdWallet offers a broader range of financial tracking features, including budgeting and net worth, but has faced recent criticism for bugs and feature changes. Experian excels at credit monitoring and alerts but is heavily criticized for aggressive marketing and issues with its paid subscription model.

Head to head

Features & Functionality edge: NerdWalletR1R2R6R7
NerdWallet NerdWallet users appreciate its ability to organize all finances in one place, track net worth, and provide investment guidance R2. However, many recent reviews lament the removal or poor implementation of key budgeting features, like the 50/30/20 rule, detailed spending comparisons, and income views R1R7R12R18. Some also note a lack of widgets and iPad optimization R6.
Experian® Experian is highly valued for its credit monitoring, score tracking, and fraud alerts . Users can see their credit score accurately and receive updates . However, many users find the free version too basic, lacking detailed breakdowns of accounts or reasons for score changes, pushing them towards a paid premium R69.
Ease of Use & Reliability tieR4R6R12R16
NerdWallet NerdWallet was once praised for its simple UI and ease of use R12. However, recent updates have introduced numerous bugs, crashes, and slow performance, making the app frustrating and difficult to use R4R6R21R25. Users also report issues with account connectivity and data loss R16R25R40R59.
Experian® Experian users generally find the app easy to use for its core function of checking credit scores . However, many report significant glitches with account connectivity and login issues . Customer support is frequently cited as non-existent or unhelpful, making it difficult to resolve technical problems or account access issues .
Price & Value edge: NerdWalletR3R10R15R19
NerdWallet NerdWallet is a free app, which many users appreciate R15R24. Some users feel it's good for a free app, despite missing features R15R24. However, some recent reviews indicate it has become an 'advertising platform' with non-stop ads for loans, credit cards, and investments, making it feel less about personal finance and more about profit R3R10R19. There are also reports of being signed up for unauthorized accounts or receiving spam after using certain features R19.
Experian® Experian is also free to download, and some users appreciate not having to pay for credit monitoring . However, many reviews highlight a strong push towards paid premium memberships, with essential details locked behind a paywall R69R75. Users report being unknowingly signed up for monthly premiums, difficulty canceling subscriptions, and being locked out of the app unless they pay R63R75R99. The cost of the premium membership is cited as $25 a month R75R107R113.
Customer Support & User Experience edge: NerdWalletR24R26R44R50
NerdWallet NerdWallet users have reported difficulties with password resets and an overly complicated account closure process involving chatbots . Some users also mention a lack of manual categorization options and issues with data resetting R24R26. The app's frequent design changes are also a source of frustration R44R50.
Experian® Experian's customer support is consistently described as poor, non-existent, or relying on unhelpful AI . Users are frustrated by the inability to speak to a human for assistance . The app is also heavily criticized for sending excessive, annoying, and often misleading marketing notifications that masquerade as fraud alerts .
Pick NerdWallet if

You want a free app for broader financial tracking, including net worth, spending, and investments, and are willing to tolerate some recent bugs and advertising R26.

Pick Experian® if

Your primary need is focused credit monitoring, score tracking, and fraud alerts, and you are prepared for aggressive marketing and potential issues with paid subscriptions .

Evidence note: NerdWallet's recent reviews show a significant decline in user satisfaction due to bugs and feature changes, contrasting with its higher lifetime rating. Experian's reviews are heavily skewed by negative experiences with its premium model and marketing tactics, despite many positive reviews for its core credit monitoring function.

Frequently asked

Does NerdWallet offer budgeting features?
NerdWallet previously offered popular budgeting features like the 50/30/20 rule, but many users report these have been removed or poorly implemented in recent updates, leading to dissatisfaction R1R7R12R18.
Is Experian's credit monitoring free?
Experian offers a free version for credit monitoring, but many users report that detailed information and additional features are locked behind a paid premium membership, which costs around $25 per month R69R75R107R113.
Are there issues with canceling paid subscriptions on Experian?
Yes, multiple Experian users report significant difficulty canceling their premium memberships, with some stating they cannot access the cancellation option without paying or that customer support is unhelpful R63R75R99R105.
Does NerdWallet have problems with bank account connectivity?
Yes, several NerdWallet users have reported issues with connecting bank accounts, with the app crashing or failing to link to various institutions R21R25R40R59.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] NerdWallet 1/5 · US Terrible update: Removed the only reason I downloaded this app. For a budgeting option. And then put in some garbage news stories and investment tab nobody asked for. Edit: nice they added it back, too bad I moved on to rocket money
  2. [R2] NerdWallet 5/5 · US Why NerdWallet is good for everyone: I started with NerdWallet about five months ago was totally ignorant on investing and actually done some advisor investing and turned out that I profited $2000 in three months and I am so glad I chose
  3. [R6] NerdWallet 3/5 · US OS 26: I have been using this app for quite a few years, but, as others have said, the recent updates/changes have a made the app a little buggy, there still aren’t any widgets, and it still isn’t formatted properly for iPadOS 26. I really hope bug fixes and proper software compatibility are coming very soon… especially since we’re literally coming upon the OS ‘27 announcements in less than tw
  4. [R7] NerdWallet 2/5 · US New budget layout is bad: I hate the new budget layout - so much so that I am going to look for another app or go back to manual tracking. I need to be able to zoom out across multiple months and years and see how my earning and spending trends across multiple periods with different granularity. Now I can only see spend for each month or YTD and it completely removed the income view.
  5. [R4] NerdWallet 2/5 · US Introduced way too many bugs: Every time I take an action for 5 mins in the app, I get the little frog saying that something went wrong. The bugs are increasing. It’s becoming painful to use this app.
  6. [R12] NerdWallet 3/5 · US Bring back 50/30/20: I’ve used several competitors before but what kept me with NW was the 50/30/20 rule and their simple UI - everything I needed in one neat spot. The 50/30/20 budgeting feature single-handedly kept me as a customer. I saw GREAT improvements using this. I’ve given these new versions some time but nothing compares to the old Nerd Wallet. Very disappointed and looking for alternati
  7. [R16] NerdWallet 1/5 · US Not dependable, lost data: After I didn’t use an app for a while I found that all my accounts , properties, cars and etc were erased . It is time consuming to restore all this information.
  8. [R3] NerdWallet 3/5 · US Not consumer-focused anymore: I loved this app and the website when I found it in 2020. It shows me my net worth, my credit score, etc. In the past year or so they have made a lot of changes that all seem to be based on making them a profit rather than serving their customers. Most things I look for on the website are now only on the app. I used their shopping features to find the most beneficial
  9. [R10] NerdWallet 1/5 · US Advertising platform you connect your bank accounts to: My title says it all, it’s non stop adds. ATOMIC BANK IS AWFUL - stop trying to get me to open an account. Also, the UI on this app used to be a lot better to see more details about your finances. Now you get the most basic views, no budgeting, no nothing and it tries to sell you stuff the whole time. SKIP
  10. [R15] NerdWallet 3/5 · US Okay: It’s OK for a free app, but missing some key features no one has yet to come up with a decent replacement for Mint
  11. [R19] NerdWallet 2/5 · US Predatory, spammy financial app: I’m giving 2 stars because you can actually get a loan through this app, it just will be at an extremely predatory rate. They will also start sending you 3-5 marketing emails a day, and in my case have so far ignored my unsubscribe requests. I suspect they also sold my email address to other spammy, predatory financial services because I started receiving a bunch s
  12. [R24] NerdWallet 3/5 · US Great free app: For a free app this gives me what I need for the most part. Recently I’ve been changing big orders I make with roommates into smaller categories (unfortunately this app doesn’t let you split things up, which would make things so much easier) and then I’ll come back and it resets its self. Or I’ll change the category and it will reset later. It’s frustrating because I’ll have to dou
  13. [R26] NerdWallet 4/5 · US Makes Tracking and Monitoring Financials Easy: Overall this app makes tracking and monitoring my spending, income, debts and more so quick and easy. They’re able to integrate with so many companies, even local ones. There’s options to manually add accounts and debts, even if they’re not associated with a company, to see the overall picture. The only thing that I’d like changed is the option to man
  14. [R44] NerdWallet 2/5 · US Has become awful buggy and frustrating and horribly slow :(: I’ve been using this app for a while. But since the last updates this app has become AWFUL BUGGY AND FRUSTRATING AND HORRIBLY SLOW! Also the design has changed so many times that the user experience has been compromised too. I really don’t know what happened to some features but is become totally unusable. I hope the developers and the U
  15. [R50] NerdWallet 2/5 · US What happened to Cash flow tracking?: I check NerdWallet a lot to review changes in cash flow, income, investments etc. But recently there’s been so many changes, it’s like every time I open the app there’s something different and the tabs moved. Now I’m not able to dive into my cash flow in detail or see the % breakdowns. It was great how it was, but now that tab is full of pay-walled ad widgets
  16. [R18] NerdWallet 3/5 · US Less useful: It’s never had a lot of functionality in terms of budgeting but it’s become even less useful over time. Like they actively took out the more granular budgeting features and replaced with over broad charts not good for much. mostly good for passively tracking your accounts for issues. Looking for a new way to handle my budgeting
  17. [R69] Experian® 3/5 · US Works but always more if you pay the premium: I think it’s a good app not sure how accurate. If you want more details and information you will be told to pay for that so use as a standard guide if not interested in paying.
  18. [R75] Experian® 1/5 · US Unusable if not paid: I used the free version since 2019. I decided to try out the subscription, and its not worth the $25 a month ($300 a year mind you) there’s no features added. Now, the problem is I went to cancel it, and I cannot open the app without paying $25. There’s no option to cancel. No human support. So I deleted it. And your emails are spam now. Thanks for nothing.
  19. [R107] Experian® 2/5 · US Cost: Your price per month keeps going up I might have to cancel
  20. [R113] Experian® 4/5 · US How much it cost.: I can’t afford $25 every month to find out my credit score.
  21. [R63] Experian® 3/5 · US Okay: The app is OK. I just don’t like the fact that I can’t log into my account. If I decide I don’t wanna continue to pay for the membership anymore. It won’t allow me to login without paying which is ridiculous to me.
  22. [R99] Experian® 1/5 · US Can’t cancel: Signed up for free trial and forgot to cancel.but when I go to cancel subscription ,it doesn’t let me because i owe. It’s says canceling a subscription is a paid benefit lol
  23. [R105] Experian® 1/5 · US Fraudulently taking$$: I did not sign up for premium membership but one they had me in they’ve been trying to charge me. Won’t allow me in my account to cancel, no email to dispute, no Americans to speak to regarding issues & given multiple “business hours” saying call during regular business hours. 11 am EST is within “regular business hours of each different time zone difference they listed on l
  24. [R21] NerdWallet 3/5 · US Did work great, but not anymore: I’ve loved this app. It’s really helpful to see all my different accounts in a single place. But recently it’s gotten worse. Every time I try to link a new account the app crashes. So, for what I have in it already it’s helpful, but I can’t add anything more.
  25. [R25] NerdWallet 1/5 · US So many issues: Won’t connect to any of my accounts! Super unhelpful. Can’t use it if it won’t connect. Seems to ‘be having issues’ with MANY institutions.
  26. [R40] NerdWallet 2/5 · US Bank connectivity problems: They’re having bank issues with plaid and not issuing any refunds for it. I’ve been having issues since November and I paid for a year. I recommend Monarch.
  27. [R59] NerdWallet 4/5 · US Bank connections: I really like the interface but I’m having too many issues when it comes to connecting bank accounts. But everything else it’s really nice.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store