Identity theft can happen to anyone. The Federal Trade Commission reports over 1.4 million cases of identity fraud just in 2021, with victim losses totalling over $5.8 billion [1]. No one wants to join those scary statistics. That‘s why having a robust identity theft protection service is so important these days.
LifeLock is arguably the biggest name in identity protection. But while LifeLock offers identity monitoring and alerts, it may not provide the right mix of features and pricing for every user‘s needs. I‘ve taken an in-depth look at the top contenders that stack up against LifeLock to help you find the best alternative for your unique situation.
Here are the key factors I evaluated to compare LifeLock against top competitors:
| Comparison Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Cost | Monthly and annual pricing options |
| Credit monitoring | Number of bureaus monitored |
| Family plans | Number of adults and children covered |
| Unique features | Extras like VPNs, medical ID protection, etc. |
| Customer service | Reviews and test experiences |
Let‘s explore how the top identity protection services stack up across these key categories.
Contents
Aura: Comprehensive Credit and Family Monitoring
Aura is one of LifeLock’s biggest competitors when it comes to robust features and monitoring. This service keeps an eye on your credit through all three bureaus, monitors bank accounts, scans public records, and even checks sex offender registries for threats.
Some unique protections Aura offers beyond LifeLock are home title monitoring and a VPN to keep your internet connection secure. LifeLock only provides a VPN and antivirus software with its most expensive Ultimate Plus tier.
In 2021, over 80% of identity theft cases involved misuse of existing bank or credit card accounts [2]. Aura‘s vigilant monitoring across your accounts, credit, and home records provides protection against many identity fraud tactics.
Here‘s an overview of how Aura‘s costs stack up against LifeLock for individuals and families:
| Plan | LifeLock | Aura |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $9.99/mo first year | $12/mo |
| Family | $19.99/mo first year | $37/mo |
Aura is more expensive, especially for family coverage. However, all Aura plans include monitoring with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. LifeLock‘s cheaper Standard tier only monitors Equifax.
For parents concerned about child identity theft, Aura really shines. It includes specialized monitoring that sends alerts if threats like cyberbullying or sex offenders are detected nearby. LifeLock‘s family plans charge extra fees per child monitored.
Pros
- Three-bureau credit monitoring
- Home title monitoring
- VPN and antivirus software included
- Specialized child protection monitoring
Cons
- More expensive monthly rates
- No FICO credit score provided
- Doesn‘t cover kids‘ identity theft costs
Bottom line – If comprehensive credit and account monitoring is your top need, along with family protection, Aura is a strong choice despite its higher pricing.
Identity Guard: Budget-Friendly Basics
Identity Guard is one of the most affordable LifeLock competitors, especially for individuals looking for basic protection. Its entry-level Value plan starts at just $6.67 per month yet still includes essential monitoring across credit, public records, and the dark web.
For families, Identity Guard also beats LifeLock‘s pricing while covering more members. You can protect 5 adults and unlimited children starting at $10 per month. LifeLock‘s comparable family plan only covers 2 adults and up to 5 children, starting at $19.99 per month.
One potential downside is Identity Guard doesn‘t seem to provide hands-on identity restoration help – just insurance to cover costs if you have issues. LifeLock has U.S.-based resolution specialists to manage cases.
Still, if you want rock-solid monitoring for less, Identity Guard delivers:
| Plan | LifeLock | Identity Guard |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $9.99/mo first year | $6.67/mo |
| Family | $19.99/mo first year | $10/mo |
Pros
- Very affordable individual and family plans
- Covers more family members than LifeLock
- Includes dark web scanning and public records monitoring
Cons
- Limited identity restoration assistance
- Only top-tier plans include credit monitoring
Identity Guard is ideal if you want low prices but don‘t require premium features like credit bureau monitoring.
IdentityForce: Unique Protections
IdentityForce, part of the Experian brand, offers distinctive bonus features many competitors lack. These include medical identity protection, child reputation monitoring, and a credit score simulator.
All plans include monitoring across credit reports, public records, and other identity threat vectors. IdentityForce offers three-bureau credit monitoring starting at $14.95 per month.
However, IdentityForce has some concerning data practices. According to their privacy policy, they collect user information for marketing purposes. LifeLock also collects data but states it‘s only for providing services or required legally.
Here is IdentityForce‘s pricing compared to LifeLock:
| Plan | LifeLock | IdentityForce |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $9.99/mo first year | $14.95/mo |
| Family | $19.99/mo first year | $25.90/mo |
Before signing up, consider IdentityForce‘s higher costs and questionable data policies. But its unique protections like ChildWatch and medical ID monitoring provide robust coverage.
Pros
- Specialized medical and child monitoring
- Password manager included
- Three-bureau credit monitoring
Cons
- Uses customer data for marketing
- More expensive monthly rates
- Poor customer service reviews
IdentityForce is best for users who value niche identity protections over other factors.
ID Watchdog: Budget-Friendly Premium Features
ID Watchdog offers reasonably priced plans stacked with premium features. Even its entry-level plan includes monitoring across credit, public records, social media, and compromised credentials on the dark web. One unique perk is a personal VPN for secure browsing.
Here‘s an overview of how ID Watchdog compares cost-wise to LifeLock:
| Plan | LifeLock | ID Watchdog |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $9.99/mo first year | $9.95/mo |
| Family | $19.99/mo first year | $15.95/mo |
Downsides are ID Watchdog‘s family plan only covers up to 10 children, while some competitors cover unlimited kids. Also, the VPN is only included in premium plans. But at just $9.95/month, ID Watchdog still provides robust protection.
Pros
- Broad monitoring and threat alerts
- Includes personal VPN
- Individual plan cost competitive with LifeLock
Cons
- Family plan limited to 10 children
- Key features only in premium plans
ID Watchdog is ideal if you want LifeLock-level monitoring at a more affordable price point.
IDShield: Extra Features Included
IDShield stands out for packing tons of extra features into every plan level. Even its lowest-cost plan includes a surprising amount of premium protections:
- Dark web monitoring
- Credit score tracker
- Antivirus software
- VPN
And IDShield‘s family pricing beats LifeLock‘s hands down. You can cover up to 10 family members for just $15.95 per month. LifeLock‘s comparable family plan starts at $19.99 per month and only covers 2 adults and 5 children.
One frequent complaint is IDShield‘s customer service. But if budget-friendly pricing plus robust features is your top need, IDShield delivers:
| Plan | LifeLock | IDShield |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $9.99/mo first year | $6.95/mo |
| Family | $19.99/mo first year | $15.95/mo |
Pros
- Very affordable pricing
- Antivirus, VPN, and more included with every plan
- Straightforward family pricing
Cons
- Reviewers report poor customer service
- Confusing dual dashboard login
IDShield is a great choice if you want premium protections like antivirus, VPNs, and extensive monitoring at budget pricing.
How to Cancel LifeLock
Ready to switch from LifeLock to a competing identity protection service? Here are the steps to cancel your LifeLock account:
- Call 1-800-LIFELOCK (543-3562) and request to close your account
- Use the live chat feature in your LifeLock account portal and ask the agent to cancel
- From your account, go to "My Subscriptions" and click the cancellation link
Once canceled, your LifeLock account and monitoring will eventually deactivate. Make sure you have your new provider lined up before closing your LifeLock account.
Find the Best Match for Your Needs
As you can see, LifeLock has some formidable competitors when it comes to identity theft protection services. Each provider has pros, cons, and unique features.
Here are a few key questions to help you zero in on the right LifeLock alternative for your situation:
- What‘s your budget? Services like Identity Guard and IDShield offer robust monitoring for much less than LifeLock.
- Do you need family coverage? Some providers like Identity Guard cover more family members for less money.
- How important is credit monitoring? If this is critical, choose a service like Aura that monitors all three bureaus.
- What extras matter most? Services like ID Watchdog include premium features like VPNs and reputation monitoring with certain plans.
Take the time to evaluate your unique needs and priorities. And don‘t hesitate to take advantage of free trials to test options firsthand.
Protecting your identity requires diligence. But taking the time to choose the right protection service will provide peace of mind knowing you and your family are safe from fraud.
