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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Credit Sesame vs Self

Credit Sesame 4.8★ · Free to download 60
Winner Self
Self 4.9★ · Free to download 75

Self is the better choice for actively building credit through structured programs, while Credit Sesame is better suited for free credit monitoring and general financial insights.

Full reviews: Credit Sesame · Self

Credit Sesame offers free credit score monitoring and financial insights, but users report significant issues with app functionality, customer service, and misleading free trials. Self focuses on credit builder loans and secured credit cards, with many users praising its effectiveness in improving credit scores, though some encounter problems with fees, customer service, and delayed payouts.

Head to head

Credit Building Effectiveness edge: SelfR6R16R17R32
Credit Sesame Credit Sesame users appreciate the app for tracking their credit score and offering tips for improvement R17R32. However, some report that the score provided is inaccurate compared to other sources R16, and the app's advice can sometimes be inappropriate, such as promoting increased credit usage during bankruptcy . The ability to dispute items is often paywalled, which users find unfair R6R41.
Self Self is widely praised for its effectiveness in building and improving credit scores through its credit builder loans and secured credit cards R62R72R78R90. Many users report significant score increases and achieving financial goals like buying a car or home R90. However, some users report that their credit did not improve as expected or even saw their score drop .
App Functionality & Reliability edge: SelfR7R11R13R14
Credit Sesame Many Credit Sesame users report severe issues with the app's functionality, including being unable to sign in R7R11, constant crashing after purchasing upgrades , and problems with updates or the app simply not opening R13R14. Some also mention that the pin keypad doesn't work .
Self Self users generally find the app easy to use . However, some report issues with Face ID not working and occasionally being kicked out after signing in . There are also complaints about the company intentionally blocking browser access to force app downloads .
Customer Service & Support tieR1R21R54R61
Credit Sesame Credit Sesame users frequently complain about poor or non-existent customer service, citing issues with no follow-up on credit score discrepancies R1, inability to contact support for password resets R21, and difficulties getting refunds for canceled subscriptions R54.
Self Self's customer service receives mixed reviews. Some users find it helpful and professional , but many report negative experiences, including unhelpful support for bank account connection issues , bad chat support , and a lack of assistance with fraudulent charges or disputes . Users also express frustration with being forced to talk to someone for simple tasks like ordering a replacement card R61.
Pricing & Value tieR6R8R9R10
Credit Sesame Credit Sesame offers a free tier for credit monitoring , but users are critical of its paid features and free trial practices. Many report that the 'free trial' for premium features is misleading, requiring immediate payment to access advertised benefits R9R31. Users also feel that essential features like dispute filing are unfairly paywalled R6R41 and complain about being charged for canceled subscriptions R10. Some find the subscription not worth the cost R8.
Self Self is perceived by some as having excessive fees and interest rates R67R68R85. Users complain about hidden fees , charges for closing accounts , and fees for faster payouts R64. Some feel the cost outweighs the limited credit improvement . However, many users find the structured credit builder programs to be a valuable investment for improving their credit .
Pick Credit Sesame if

you primarily need a free tool for basic credit score monitoring and general financial information, and you are comfortable with potential app glitches and limited customer support .

Pick Self if

you are actively looking to build or rebuild your credit through structured programs like credit builder loans or secured credit cards, and you are willing to pay fees for these services R62R72.

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of positive lifetime ratings, but recent reviews for Credit Sesame show a strong negative skew, particularly regarding app functionality and misleading free trials. Self also has negative reviews, but they are more focused on specific issues like fees and customer service rather than core functionality. The free vs. paid asymmetry is notable for Credit Sesame, where many negative reviews stem from friction with its paid tiers or 'free trial' limitations.

Frequently asked

Is Credit Sesame truly free?
Credit Sesame offers a free tier that allows users to monitor their credit score and access some financial information . However, many users report that advanced features, such as filing disputes or accessing all three credit reports, are paywalled or require a paid subscription, and the 'free trial' for premium services is often misleading R6R9R31R41.
Does Self help improve credit scores?
Yes, many Self users report significant improvements in their credit scores through the app's credit builder loans and secured credit cards R62R72R78R90. Users have achieved goals like purchasing homes and cars due to their improved credit R90.
Are there issues with Self's fees or payouts?
Yes, some Self users complain about excessive fees, hidden charges, and high interest rates R67R68R85. There are also reports of delays in receiving money after paying off loans, with some users being offered faster payouts for an additional fee R64.

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. [R6] Credit Sesame 3/5 · US Luv6500: I have had this app for a long time , I did not know you can’t file a dispute unless I upgrade to pay for this option on the app , I have Experian and kredit Carma they let me file a dispute an was not charge do not have to pay for this option , which I believe is very unfair! It makes me want to uninstall this app !
  2. [R16] Credit Sesame 2/5 · US Not accurate!: While this app does offer a great rundown of everything on your credit report and their balances, it does NOT provide an accurate score. In fact - my score on Credit Sesame was 92 pounds LOWER than what my bank pulled and the Experian app showed! It’s not a great tool for tracking scores so don’t depend on this app to get your most accurate credit rating.
  3. [R17] Credit Sesame 5/5 · US Get it!: This app is so easy to use and so convenient! I got my results in less than 30 seconds. Also gives you options to better your score!!
  4. [R32] Credit Sesame 5/5 · US Wow!: Credit Sesame is a helpful tool to keep up with your credit score and work on improving it if needed and how to do it. It’s helped me a lot!
  5. [R7] Credit Sesame 2/5 · US Unable to sign in: App doesn’t allow me to sign in the majority of the time I try to access it
  6. [R11] Credit Sesame 5/5 · US Terrible App: This app never works and always locks you out even when using the correct credentials. It won’t recognize when you use your correct email and phone number. Consumers Beware!!!
  7. [R13] Credit Sesame 2/5 · US Was great until update: Then stopped working! Gah!!!
  8. [R14] Credit Sesame 4/5 · US Update: The app says I need to update can’t find where to do that anywhere.
  9. [R1] Credit Sesame 2/5 · US Credit score change: I have tried several times to correct this credit score discrepancy. No one follows up or calls back or texts. This score went from 812 to 680 and is not changing. Can’t someone find the time to contact me???
  10. [R21] Credit Sesame 1/5 · US Impossible to contact: Be aware- if you need to contact them to reset your password, you won't be able to. Save yourself the time & trouble, it's a dead-end road.
  11. [R54] Credit Sesame 5/5 · US Credit Sesame:Grow Your Score: Easy To Use,Lots Of Valuable Information.
  12. [R61] Self 1/5 · US Replacement card: You think it would be easy to do. Maybe a link in the app. Fill out the form, bada boom bada…no. You have to jump through hoops. I’m frustrated and don’t want to talk to anyone yet they want to force me to. So then I have to be rude because I’m being held against my will. I loved this company. Until today.
  13. [R8] Credit Sesame 5/5 · US Not worth 25$ a month: It’s ok
  14. [R9] Credit Sesame 3/5 · US Free Trial isn’t a free trial at all: I like the free limited app, and would have considered purchasing the full service app after checking out the 7 day free trial, except you’re unable to actually try any of the features bc soon as you attempt to use them, you get a prompt to end your free trial and pay for the full app before you can use any of the features. Isn’t that the entire point of a fre
  15. [R10] Credit Sesame 1/5 · US Why you stole my money: I will appreciate if you put my money back I canceled the app
  16. [R31] Credit Sesame 1/5 · US Liars. Don’t do free trial people!: Complete advertising fraud. Went to site and it said get all 3 credit scores now, start free trial so I did. Then it said other 2 credit bureaus are not included in free trial. Couldn’t even open full report of the one they do provide. All they want is money money and more money on everything you try to view. I’m sure they make money on the people that forget to
  17. [R41] Credit Sesame 1/5 · US Extortion to dispute: You need to pay a membership fee to report a dispute. They are trying to extort people into paying for a membership. They will leave charges on your report that say $0 and it’s an eye sore they’re extorting people into paying to get rid of. Contact the credit company directly instead, if that fails, then use a trial to dispute the charge(s) and cancel the subscription before
  18. [R62] Self 5/5 · US Satisfied customer!: They did wonders for my credit score I’m so happy right now. 😄
  19. [R72] Self 5/5 · US Credit is up because of Self: I absolutely love that they report to the credit bureau’s and my credit is steadily doing better
  20. [R78] Self 5/5 · US Second Chances: Love this program, this is helping me reach my 800 goal!
  21. [R90] Self 5/5 · US Thank you!: My daughter was able to builder her credit soon as she turned 18. She now 19 and has an amazing credit score and purchasing a home!
  22. [R64] Self 1/5 · US Not as expected: I paid off my loan. I made every payment on time. Now, that it’s time for me to collect my money, THEY are not on time! My account closed on the 28th. It states on the site that money is sent to the bank account on file in 5-7 days. However, It’s not there because it’s “under review” Then they offer to give you the money faster if you pay a fee! I’ve already paid a substantial amo
  23. [R67] Self 1/5 · US Not helpful: It charges a fee of 20$ or greater, I thought is to help you not to keep you more in debt.
  24. [R68] Self 5/5 · US Money for credit card: So the app offered my a $100 credit card with a $100 refundable deposit.It’s suggested if I did not have $100 at one time that I can break it into payments and go ahead and get the card that way. However, I’ve made over five payments and I’m still not even at $100 towards my card. the amount of money it is charging me to build My credit is kind of excessive. I have seen an i
  25. [R85] Self 1/5 · US Poor Customer Service: Poor customer service and exorbitant interest with no benefits.

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