Hi there! My name is John and I‘ve worked in cybersecurity for over 15 years helping people protect their identities and personal information online.
Identity theft is a growing threat – in 2022 alone, nearly 50 million Americans were impacted by some form of identity fraud. That‘s why having a robust identity theft protection service is so important these days.
When it comes to top providers, two big names stand out: LifeLock and IdentityForce. If you‘re trying to decide between LifeLock vs IdentityForce, I‘m here to help!
I‘ve taken an in-depth look at both LifeLock and IdentityForce to compare their features, pricing, security, and more. Throughout this article, I‘ll share insider insights from my experience to help determine which provider offers the best identity theft protection in 2024. Let‘s dive in!
Contents
- At First Glance: LifeLock vs IdentityForce
- Comparing LifeLock vs IdentityForce Pricing
- LifeLock vs IdentityForce Monitoring Features
- How Safe and Secure are LifeLock vs IdentityForce?
- Are LifeLock and IdentityForce User-Friendly?
- How Does Customer Support Compare?
- Still Deciding? Here Are Some Key Questions
- My Final Take: LifeLock Is the Superior Choice
At First Glance: LifeLock vs IdentityForce
LifeLock and IdentityForce take slightly different approaches to identity protection:
-
LifeLock shines with identity theft insurance and responsive customer support.
-
IdentityForce impresses with comprehensive monitoring and family packages.
Let‘s start with a high-level overview comparing LifeLock vs IdentityForce:
LifeLock | IdentityForce | |
---|---|---|
Pricing | $7.50-$38.99/mo for 1st year | $17.95-$23.95/mo |
ID Theft Insurance | Up to $3 million | Up to $1 million |
Credit Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
3-Bureau Credit Reports | Yes | Yes |
Credit Score | Yes | Yes |
Identity Recovery Help | Yes | Yes |
Dark Web Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
Social Media Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
Based on this snapshot, LifeLock excels with budget-friendly pricing and robust identity theft insurance. Plans start as low as $7.50 per month for the first year.
Meanwhile, IdentityForce offers versatile family packages. But they cost more, ranging from $17.95 to $23.95 monthly.
Now let‘s dig deeper into how LifeLock and IdentityForce both aim to protect identities, and where they differ.
Comparing LifeLock vs IdentityForce Pricing
Affordability is often a top priority when picking an identity theft protection service. Competitively priced plans ensure you can get comprehensive monitoring without breaking the bank.
In terms of pricing, LifeLock consistently beats IdentityForce:
-
LifeLock Monthly Price: $7.50 to $38.99 for the first year
-
IdentityForce Monthly Price: $17.95 to $23.95
For example, LifeLock‘s entry-level Standard package starts at just $7.50 per month for the first year. That‘s less than half the price of IdentityForce‘s cheapest UltraSecure plan at $17.95 monthly.
LifeLock also offers more pricing flexibility with tiered plans tailored to different coverage needs and budgets:
LifeLock Plan Options
-
Standard: Up to $1 million protection for $7.50/month
-
Advantage: Up to $1.2 million protection for $13.33/month
-
Ultimate Plus: Up to $3 million protection for $24.99/month
Meanwhile, IdentityForce only has two main packages to choose from:
IdentityForce Plan Options
-
UltraSecure: $23.95/month with $1 million insurance
-
UltraSecure + Credit: $23.95/month also with $1 million insurance
Here is a detailed pricing comparison:
LifeLock | IdentityForce | |
---|---|---|
Monthly Price Range | $7.50-$38.99/mo for 1st year | $17.95-$23.95/mo |
Yearly Price Range | $99.48-$491.88/yr for 1st year | $179.50-$239.50/yr |
Best Value Plan | LifeLock Standard for $7.50/mo | UltraSecure+Credit for $23.95/mo |
ID Theft Insurance | Up to $3 million | Up to $1 million |
Based on these numbers, LifeLock is clearly the winner when it comes to affordable identity theft protection pricing.
LifeLock vs IdentityForce Monitoring Features
The most important part of any identity protection service is the monitoring capabilities that secure your personal data.
LifeLock and IdentityForce take broadly similar approaches to monitoring. Both scan credit reports, financial accounts, public records, and even underground dark web sites for misuse of your info. Some key monitoring features include:
Monitoring Provided by LifeLock
-
Credit reports and scores
-
Bank and credit card activity
-
Loans and payday loans
-
Court records
-
Data breaches
-
Suspicious web activity
Monitoring Provided by IdentityForce
-
Credit reports from all three bureaus
-
Financial transactions
-
Criminal and court records
-
Data breaches and dark web sites
-
Suspicious online behavior
-
High-risk transactions
However, based on my experience, IdentityForce has the edge when it comes to comprehensive monitoring and alerts.
IdentityForce checks for fraud across more data sources. For example, they monitor peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo and CashApp that LifeLock leaves unmonitored. IdentityForce also has more advanced AI capabilities to detect identity theft risks.
Here is a detailed feature comparison:
Feature | LifeLock | IdentityForce |
---|---|---|
Credit Reports & Scores | Yes | Yes |
Credit Freezes/Locks | Yes | Yes |
Bank Account Alerts | Yes | Yes |
Loan Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
Court Record Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
Data Breach Notifications | Yes | Yes |
Dark Web Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
Peer-to-Peer App Monitoring | No | Yes |
Artificial Intelligence Detection | Standard | Advanced |
With their wider scope of monitoring and innovative technology, I give IdentityForce a slight win when it comes to actually securing your personal data.
How Safe and Secure are LifeLock vs IdentityForce?
People are (understandably!) worried about the security of their sensitive personal information when using an identity theft protection service.
Rest assured that both LifeLock and IdentityForce take major steps to keep your data safe:
-
256-bit AES bank-level encryption secures data in transit and at rest
-
Both services allow members to use two-factor authentication (2FA)
-
Limited employee access to customer data
However, IdentityForce goes above-and-beyond most competitors when it comes to certified security and compliance standards:
IdentityForce Security Standards
-
PCI-DSS compliant
-
SOC2 certification
-
ISO/IEC 27001 certified
Adhering to these stringent security protocols gives IdentityForce an advantage in terms of safety. Independent audits validate that data safeguards meet established best practices.
Here is a comparison of the safety features offered by LifeLock vs IdentityForce:
Security Feature | LifeLock | IdentityForce |
---|---|---|
Bank-Grade Encryption | Yes | Yes |
Two-Factor Authentication | Yes | Yes |
Compliance Standards | No | Yes |
So while both services feature robust encryption and login protections, I give IdentityForce the win for their validated adherence to leading security standards.
Are LifeLock and IdentityForce User-Friendly?
You don‘t want an identity theft protection service that‘s a headache to use on a daily basis. Comparing the user experience of LifeLock vs IdentityForce is important.
The good news is that both providers offer intuitive online dashboards and mobile apps:
Platforms Supported
-
iOS app for iPhone and iPad
-
Android app for phones and tablets
-
Windows PC app
-
Mac app
-
Web browser access
I‘ve used both LifeLock and IdentityForce apps across multiple devices without issues. You can securely check alerts, monitor your credit, and access customer support on any device.
Overall, LifeLock and IdentityForce are on par when it comes to compatibility and ease of use. Both make it simple to protect your identity on desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
How Does Customer Support Compare?
Hopefully you never actually become an identity theft victim. But if you do, the level of customer support becomes critical.
Both LifeLock and IdentityForce assign case managers to help resolve instances of identity theft or fraud. However, when it comes to overall customer service accessibility, LifeLock pulls ahead of the pack.
Customer Support Offered by LifeLock
-
24/7 live chat
-
24/7 phone support
-
Quick response times
Customer Support Offered by IdentityForce
-
Limited live chat hours
-
Phone support weekdays only
-
Slower email-based support
Here‘s an overview of the customer service available from LifeLock compared to IdentityForce:
Support Channel | LifeLock | IdentityForce |
---|---|---|
24/7 Live Chat | Yes | No |
24/7 Phone Support | Yes | No |
Email Support | No | Yes |
Online Resources | Yes | Yes |
I can tell you from experience that LifeLock‘s 24/7 live chat and phone access provides peace of mind. IdentityForce‘s more limited support options simply can‘t match LifeLock‘s responsive customer service.
Still Deciding? Here Are Some Key Questions
I hope mapping out the detailed comparison between LifeLock and IdentityForce has helped provide clarity. But if you‘re still on the fence, here are answers to some common questions when deciding between LifeLock vs IdentityForce:
Does LifeLock fully prevent identity theft?
No service can prevent all identity theft and fraud. But LifeLock adds comprehensive monitoring and restoration services that make identity crime much less likely to happen in the first place.
Is IdentityForce a trustworthy provider?
Absolutely – IdentityForce has an excellent reputation as an industry leader. My only caution is that, like most competitors, they collect data on users that may be shared in limited circumstances.
What are the downsides of LifeLock?
Potential LifeLock disadvantages include the jump in pricing after the first year. Budget at least 50% more for renewal prices. Some users also say navigating between LifeLock‘s plan options can be confusing initially.
What are the cons of IdentityForce?
My main knocks on IdentityForce are cost and customer support limitations compared to LifeLock. Their family packages with child monitoring provide unique value, but phone support is not 24/7.
My Final Take: LifeLock Is the Superior Choice
After closely comparing LifeLock vs IdentityForce in 2024, I have to give LifeLock a slight edge as the winner.
Here are the key reasons why LifeLock is my top choice for identity protection this year:
-
Affordable pricing – LifeLock offers cheaper monthly and yearly plans, especially in the first 12 months. Budget-focused users can get solid protection starting at $7.50 per month.
-
Top-rated service – LifeLock consistently earns excellent reviews and ratings for effective identity monitoring and recovery assistance.
-
24/7 live support – I love that LifeLock offers round-the-clock access to trained agents via chat or phone. Crucial for urgent issues.
-
Up to $3 million insurance – LifeLock provides triple the identity theft insurance limits of IdentityForce. More coverage gives me peace of mind.
While you can‘t go wrong with either LifeLock or IdentityForce, the combination of lower pricing, responsive support, and robust protection makes LifeLock my top recommendation for 2024.
I hope this comprehensive LifeLock vs IdentityForce comparison has helped you make a more informed decision protecting yourself and your family from identity thieves. Stay safe out there!
Let me know if you have any other questions. I‘m always happy to offer insider cybersecurity advice to stay protected online. Talk soon!