Every major feature across all 8 services at a glance. ✓ = included on base plan · ~ = available on higher tiers only · ✗ = not available
Service
Starting price
3-bureau credit
Dark web scan
Insurance
VPN
Family plan
Child SSN
PI recovery
Free trial
Our rating
⭐ Aura
$12/mo
✓
✓
$1M
✓
✓
✓
Specialist
14 days
9.4
LifeLock
$7.99/mo*
~ Top tier
✓
Up to $3M
~ Bundle
✓
✓
Specialist
30 days
9.2
NordProtect
$3.33/mo
✗
✓
$2M
✓
~ Couples
✗
Specialist
30 days
8.9
Identity Guard
$6.67/mo
~ Mid tier
✓
$1M
✗
✓
✓
Specialist
30 days
8.7
IDShield
$14.95/mo
~ Top tier
✓
Up to $3M
✓
✓
✓
Investigators
30 days
8.6
IdentityIQ
$6.99/mo
~ Higher tiers
✓
$1M
✗
✓
✓
Specialist
$1 first mo.
8.3
Experian IdentityWorks
Free / $9.99
~ Paid plans
✓
$500K
✗
✓
~ Add-on
Specialist
30 days
8.1
Bitdefender
$7.99/mo
~ Higher tiers
✓
$1M
~ Ultimate
✓
~ Limited
White glove
30 days
7.9
How we evaluate identity theft protection services
Every service on this page was independently researched by our editorial team. We do not accept payment for placement or allow services to influence their position in our rankings. Here is what we look at:
Monitoring scopeHow many bureaus, what data types, how fast are alerts
Insurance valueCoverage limits, what's included, ease of claiming
Recovery supportWho helps you, how quickly, how much they do for you
Price vs valueWhat you get per dollar at each plan tier
Family coverageChildren's SSN monitoring, number of people covered
TransparencyRenewal pricing, cancellation policy, fine print
Frequently asked questions
Not necessarily. You can freeze your credit at all three bureaus for free, which prevents new accounts from being opened in your name. Most major banks also offer free basic credit monitoring. Paid services are worth it if you want automatic dark web scanning, insurance coverage, recovery support, or monitoring for children's SSNs — none of which you can easily replicate for free on your own.
There are three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Not every lender reports to all three. A thief could open a fraudulent account that shows up at one bureau but not another. Single-bureau monitoring means you could miss activity at the other two. Three-bureau monitoring catches it regardless of where it appears. Aura includes this on every plan; LifeLock and most others restrict it to their higher tiers.
Most services offer between $500,000 and $3 million in coverage. This typically includes reimbursement for stolen funds, legal fees, lost wages while dealing with the theft, and expenses for replacing documents like your passport or driver's license. It does not typically cover direct financial losses from investment fraud or wire transfer scams. Always read the actual policy terms — insurance payout policies vary significantly between providers and have been known to change quietly.
Aura is our top pick for families because it covers up to five children, includes child SSN monitoring on the family plan, and has the clearest all-in pricing. LifeLock is also strong and covers up to 10 children on family plans. NordProtect does not offer child SSN monitoring and is not recommended for parents who want to protect their kids. See our full guide: Can thieves steal a child's identity?
LifeLock advertises attractive first-year introductory pricing (as low as $7.99/month). However, at renewal, the price typically jumps 40–60% — to approximately $11.99–$17.99/month depending on the plan. This is not hidden, but it is easy to overlook if you don't read the terms before signing up. Always check the renewal rate before committing to an annual plan with any identity theft protection service.
We verify pricing, features, and plan details at least once per quarter. Identity theft protection services frequently change their plan structures, pricing tiers, and insurance policies. The last full update to this page was April 2026. If you spot something out of date, let us know.