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

TransUnion® vs Self

TransUnion® 4.6★ · Free to download 20
Winner Self
Self 4.9★ · Free to download 85

Self is the clear winner due to its strong focus on credit building and generally positive user experience, while TransUnion® suffers from pervasive login issues and a lack of core functionality in its app.

Full reviews: TransUnion® · Self

TransUnion®'s app is plagued by widespread login failures and limited functionality, making it largely unusable for many users. In contrast, Self excels as a credit-building tool, with users praising its effectiveness in improving credit scores and providing financial guidance, despite some concerns about fees and customer service.

Head to head

Features edge: SelfR4R5R10R16
TransUnion® TransUnion® users report that the app is often useless, with many unable to access basic credit information or perform actions like freezing accounts R5R16. Some users note that the app primarily serves to advertise new credit cards and loans rather than providing comprehensive credit management R16. While some appreciate seeing their credit information R4R10, others complain about outdated or inaccurate data R16.
Self Self is highly praised for its credit-building features, including a credit builder loan and secured credit card that help users improve their scores and save money R65R92R94R98. Users find the app provides detailed information on how credit building works . However, some express frustration with high interest rates on their credit card R63, fees R75R99, and issues with payments taking too long to process .
Ease of Use edge: SelfR3R7R11R13
TransUnion® The primary complaint for TransUnion® is the inability to log in, with numerous users reporting that their correct website credentials fail on the app R3R7R11R13. Some also mention issues with authentication codes not being sent or options for sending them not appearing . The app is described as glitchy and inconsistent .
Self Self is generally considered user-friendly, with many finding its app easy to navigate and helpful for understanding credit R65. However, some users experience issues with connecting their bank accounts and problems accessing their credit score within the app . There are also complaints about persistent notifications even after turning them off .
Reliability edge: SelfR1R3R15R19
TransUnion® TransUnion®'s app is widely reported as unreliable, with frequent login errors R1R3R15. Users are frustrated by the need to constantly reset passwords or re-download the app R1. Some even report that customer service confirmed the app is broken R19R36.
Self Self generally performs reliably for its core function of reporting payments and building credit . However, some users report issues with payments taking a long time to post and discrepancies in reported credit scores compared to other bureaus . There are also complaints about not receiving secured card deposits back in a timely manner .
Price/Value tieR2R4R5R16
TransUnion® TransUnion® is free to download and some users appreciate the free access to credit information R2R4. However, many find the app useless due to its functionality issues, questioning its value even as a free service R5R16.
Self Self is free to download, but its services involve fees and interest rates, which some users find to be too high R63R75R78R99. While many feel it's a valuable tool for building credit R65R94R98, others feel it's a scam due to these costs and issues with getting their money back R78.
Support edge: SelfR5R19R22R36
TransUnion® TransUnion®'s customer support is widely criticized, with users reporting that it's non-existent R22 or unhelpful, often directing them to a chatbot instead of a real person R5. Some users were even told by customer service that the app is broken R19R36.
Self Self's customer service receives mixed reviews. Some users praise the help they receive , while others describe it as poor, non-existent, or unhelpful, especially with issues like lost cards or bank connections . There are complaints about being forced to talk to someone when trying to replace a card and issues with fraudulent charges not being handled .
Pick TransUnion® if

You primarily need to access your TransUnion® credit report via a web browser, as the app is largely non-functional for many users R3R7R13.

Pick Self if

You are looking to actively build or rebuild your credit score through structured programs like credit builder loans and secured credit cards R65R94. You value an app that provides guidance on how to improve credit and helps you save money simultaneously R65R98.

Evidence note: TransUnion® reviews are heavily skewed towards login and app functionality issues, making it difficult to assess other features comprehensively. Self's reviews are more balanced, with both strong positives for credit building and negatives regarding fees and customer service.

Frequently asked

Can I log into the TransUnion® app easily?
No, a significant number of TransUnion® users report being unable to log into the app, even when using correct credentials that work on the website R3R7R11R13.
Does Self help improve credit scores?
Yes, many Self users report significant improvements in their credit scores, with some seeing increases within 90 days, largely due to its credit builder loan and secured credit card programs R65R92R94R98.
Are there fees associated with Self?
Yes, Self users report various fees, including late fees and interest rates on their credit card and credit builder loan, which some find to be high R63R75R78R99.
Is TransUnion®'s app reliable for credit monitoring?
TransUnion®'s app is widely reported as unreliable, with frequent login errors, the need to constantly reset passwords, and some users even stating that customer service confirmed the app is broken R1R3R15R19.

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. [R4] TransUnion® 5/5 · US New Look !!: The Credit Nfo this Month is NEW & Different from the last time I checked my score. I like it, and I appreciate it. :)
  2. [R5] TransUnion® 1/5 · US This app is useless: I don’t know where some of these reviews come from, but an app does now allow you to freeze your account or makes you jump through too many hoops is useless. Also, doesn’t accept my username or password. The app doesn’t allow me to edit information. Has my annual income wrong, and states I rent my house. In addition, an only get a stupid chatbot and not a real person. TransUn
  3. [R10] TransUnion® 5/5 · US Credit report: Thank you, Trans Union
  4. [R16] TransUnion® 1/5 · US Useless and missing data: No way to add missing credit information. The data is months behind, not reflecting a true credit history and not up to date. This app is just a way for them to advertise new credit cards and loans to you.
  5. [R3] TransUnion® 1/5 · US Completely Broken: I give this app zero stars. It has never, ever worked for me. I can login just fine via a browser. But the app, it fails every time. Please scrap this and provide an app which works.
  6. [R7] TransUnion® 1/5 · US Cannot log in: I can NEVER log in on the app. I can only log in on the website. It makes no sense!!
  7. [R11] TransUnion® 1/5 · US Doesn’t work: Type in my username/password but always says incorrect even though on the computer it logs me in with those credentials
  8. [R13] TransUnion® 1/5 · US if it’s TU, it’s broken: how good can the app be if it doesn’t allow something as basic as logging in? it works on web, but the app says login error every time. credit bureaus shouldn’t exist to begin with, but transunion is the worst of the three by a country mile
  9. [R1] TransUnion® 1/5 · US How about some longevity?: What a waste to have to download so frequently. Minor updates as listed in the changelog, make the application completely disfunctional.
  10. [R15] TransUnion® 1/5 · US Unable to sign in: After the latest update I keep getting errors and it will not even let me change passwords. What changed that my account is blocked after the update
  11. [R19] TransUnion® 1/5 · US App apparently no longer supported.: Called CS who literally advised me you can no longer login via the app.
  12. [R2] TransUnion® 5/5 · US Works great: Great app free to use!
  13. [R22] TransUnion® 1/5 · US Cannot access app: In agreement with another review where app is not accessible despite being able to access the account on a browser with the same login credentials. Support for TransUnion is non existent.
  14. [R36] TransUnion® 1/5 · US App is Broken: The app will not allow you to sign in. Customer service verified it is broken and did not provide a timeline for a fix. Not very helpful.
  15. [R65] Self 5/5 · US A tremendous help: I definitely had credit anxiety. I didn’t have much of a credit history but Self’s organized guidance and user friendly app really helped me improve my credit score and overall knowledge about how to continue to build better credit. The savings account that helped show credit bureaus on time and early payments while saving money was exactly what I needed and has helped me save m
  16. [R92] Self 5/5 · US Credit booster: Improved my credit very fast cool app cool credit card
  17. [R94] Self 5/5 · US Great program: I just turned 18 last year and since then I have had this app and it is great for building you credit without having to get a spastic credit card from a store.
  18. [R98] Self 5/5 · US The Best: A big help when it comes to improving my credit score. It also helps save a little bit of money.
  19. [R63] Self 3/5 · US Keep looking: They are great for building credit. They will harass you to get their overly high interest rate credit card. You get raped to use your own money. The cash advance is nice, however, don’t get used to being able to borrow the same amount. You can have the same pay every month, the same bills every month, and the same spending every month. They will still lower the amount that you can b
  20. [R75] Self 1/5 · US Fees: They overcharge on late fees.
  21. [R78] Self 4/5 · US Pretty cool app, credit card/ late fees should be decreased though: Can help build credit but can become expensive for someone that doesn’t have consistent income to make payments on time. If it’s tailored to people rebuilding, there’s a good chance finances aren’t consistent yet so you shouldn’t be punished so severely. and if it’s tailored for new to credit people, there are cheaper and better a
  22. [R99] 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.

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