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

Credit Sesame vs Kikoff

Credit Sesame 4.8★ · Free to download 65
Winner Credit Sesame
Kikoff 4.9★ · Free to download 40

For users prioritizing comprehensive credit monitoring and dispute resolution, Credit Sesame is the better choice, despite its technical issues and aggressive upsells, while Kikoff is a riskier option with inconsistent results and significant customer service complaints.

Full reviews: Credit Sesame · Kikoff

Credit Sesame offers credit monitoring, score tracking, and dispute assistance, but users report frequent app crashes and issues with paid features. Kikoff focuses on credit building, with some users seeing significant score increases, but many others report misleading advertising, score drops, and poor customer support.

Head to head

Credit Score Accuracy and Impact tieR1R15R16R18
Credit Sesame Credit Sesame users report mixed experiences with score accuracy, with some finding it helpful for tracking R15 and receiving correct reports , while others state their score on the app was significantly lower than other sources R16 or that it didn't show scores at all, only grades R18. Some users also experienced unexpected score drops R1.
Kikoff Kikoff users have highly varied experiences, with many reporting significant credit score increases, sometimes over 100 points in a few months R73. However, a substantial number of users claim the scores shown in the app are inaccurate and much higher than actual scores , or that using the app actually caused their credit score to drop significantly R67R74R82.
Features and Functionality edge: Credit SesameR5R6R15R22
Credit Sesame Credit Sesame offers features like a card reporting calendar R5, credit inquiries tracking, and notifications R15. It also provides tips for improving credit and allows users to view offers before applying R22. However, some advanced features like filing disputes are paywalled R6R41, and users report that recent updates have removed previously free features, making them paid .
Kikoff Kikoff is primarily a credit-building app that some users find effective for raising scores . It offers dispute resolution and has a credit card option that some users recommend . Some users miss a previous savings feature . Many users criticize its misleading advertising, claiming it promises a line of credit that doesn't exist or is not useful .
Ease of Use and Reliability tieR7R11R13R14
Credit Sesame Credit Sesame is praised by some for being easy to use and convenient , with quick results . However, a significant number of users report frequent app crashes , inability to sign in R7R11, issues with updates R13R14, and the app becoming unusable .
Kikoff Kikoff is described as easy to use by some . However, many users experience technical glitches, such as the app not working after updates , not providing a credit score for months , freezing , or failing during sign-up, particularly with phone number input .
Price and Value edge: Credit SesameR6R8R9R10
Credit Sesame Credit Sesame offers a free tier that many users appreciate . However, there are numerous complaints about misleading free trials R9R31, unexpected charges R10, and features being paywalled after previously being free R6R41. Some find the paid subscription not worth the cost R8.
Kikoff Kikoff is free to download but users report being forced into upgrades or having to pay a fee to use the app . Some users pay $35 a month for access to all three credit bureaus or find the premium worth it , while others feel they are just paying a monthly fee for a 'fake' account . There are also complaints about high fees and refusal to refund money .
Customer Support and Trustworthiness edge: Credit SesameR1R10R12R21
Credit Sesame Credit Sesame users report significant difficulty contacting customer support, with no follow-up on issues R1 and an inability to reset passwords R21. There are also accusations of stolen money R10 and lies about refunds . Many users feel the advertising is misleading R12R31.
Kikoff Kikoff faces severe criticism regarding customer service, with users unable to downgrade without paying , difficulty canceling , and no live agents to speak with . Users also report issues with identity verification and address verification . There are numerous claims of the app being a scam R67 and fraudulent activities like unauthorized charges R74 or misrepresenting credit lines .
Pick Credit Sesame if

You need a free app for basic credit monitoring, score tracking, and credit report overviews, and are willing to navigate occasional technical issues and aggressive upsells for premium features R15.

Pick Kikoff if

You are specifically looking for a credit-building program and are comfortable with a subscription model, provided you are aware of the risks of inconsistent score reporting and potential customer service challenges R73.

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of recent negative reviews, especially concerning technical issues and monetization practices. Kikoff's reviews are particularly polarized, with many users reporting either significant success or severe negative impacts and scam accusations.

Frequently asked

Is Credit Sesame truly free?
Credit Sesame offers a free tier for basic credit monitoring and score tracking, which many users appreciate , but advanced features like filing disputes R6R41 and access to all three credit reports R31 are paywalled or require a subscription, leading to complaints about misleading free trials R9R31.
Does Kikoff actually improve credit scores?
Many Kikoff users report significant credit score increases, with some seeing jumps of 22 to over 100 points in a few months R73, but a substantial number of other users claim their scores either did not improve or actively dropped after using the app R67R74R82.
Are there common technical issues with Credit Sesame?
Yes, Credit Sesame users frequently report technical issues including the app crashing , inability to sign in or being locked out R7R11, problems with updates R13R14, and the app becoming unusable .

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] 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???
  2. [R15] Credit Sesame 3/5 · US Great App: Love this app easy way to stay on track with credit score credit inquiries etc notify you of any use of credit usage as well . EJG
  3. [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.
  4. [R18] Credit Sesame 3/5 · US 5/10: It doesn't show my scores at all; it only gives me a grade, and I don't really like that.
  5. [R5] Credit Sesame 4/5 · US Filter: I’ve been using Credit Sesame with a subscription for several years now and my favorite feature is the card reporting calendar. I always pay my balances in full as soon as they’ve posted so having the reporting calendar allows me to stay ahead of the Due Date, the date that banks/issuers report card balances and card utilization rates to the credit bureaus. One important feature I’d like
  6. [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 !
  7. [R22] Credit Sesame 5/5 · US Thank you: I love that you let us view before applying!
  8. [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
  9. [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!!!
  10. [R13] Credit Sesame 2/5 · US Was great until update: Then stopped working! Gah!!!
  11. [R14] Credit Sesame 4/5 · US Update: The app says I need to update can’t find where to do that anywhere.
  12. [R8] Credit Sesame 5/5 · US Not worth 25$ a month: It’s ok
  13. [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
  14. [R10] Credit Sesame 1/5 · US Why you stole my money: I will appreciate if you put my money back I canceled the app
  15. [R12] Credit Sesame 3/5 · US Honesty: I only say 3 stars cause in big print you make promises by the way you advertise your services then way on another portion find just for a consumer to enjoy the perks of what was advertised in big print is complete nonsense.. if your going to offer something stick to it a lot of consumers can’t afford the services although your services help a certain group wouldn’t it still be financiall
  16. [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.
  17. [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
  18. [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
  19. [R67] Kikoff 1/5 · US DO NOT USE: If you have poor credit, DO NOT USE THIS APP. If you at any point decide you want to stop using it will show up on your credit report as closed and negatively affect your score. My score went down over one hundred points using this app. Now I’m in worse luck than I was. It’s a scam DO NOT waste your money.
  20. [R73] Kikoff 5/5 · US Credit Raised so Fast!: My credit score went from 605 to almost 700 in just 3 months. It’s worth it!
  21. [R74] Kikoff 1/5 · US Worst mistake: Worst mistake I ever made. They charged me $20 a month said I had a credit card with them for $2000 and when I questioned it now my credit has dropped 70 points I don’t have a credit card with them have never had a credit card with them and they refuse to talk with me to try to get this straightened out
  22. [R82] Kikoff 1/5 · US They did not help with my credit they make worse: They did not help with my credit they make worse

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