Canadians have more free options for checking their credit score than ever before. You can get your score — from both major Canadian bureaus — without paying anything and without affecting your score. Here is how.
The Fastest Free Options
Borrowell — Free Equifax Score + Report
Borrowell is a Canadian fintech that provides a free Equifax credit score and full credit report, updated weekly. It is completely free, requires no credit card, and uses a soft inquiry — so checking it has zero impact on your score.
What you get:
- Equifax credit score (300–900 scale)
- Full Equifax credit report with all accounts, payment history, and inquiries
- Score change alerts
- Personalised product recommendations (optional — these are how Borrowell monetises the free service)
Best for: Equifax-focused monitoring; Canadians applying to lenders that check Equifax
Credit Karma Canada — Free TransUnion Score + Report
Credit Karma Canada is the Canadian version of the US credit monitoring service. It provides a free TransUnion credit score and credit report, updated weekly.
What you get:
- TransUnion credit score (300–900 scale)
- Full TransUnion credit report
- Score simulator (shows estimated impact of actions like paying down a card)
- Credit monitoring alerts
Best for: TransUnion-focused monitoring; a second data point alongside Borrowell
Free Credit Score Through Canadian Bank Apps
Several Canadian banks now include free credit score monitoring within their mobile apps:
| Bank | Score Provided | Bureau | Update Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotiabank | CreditView | TransUnion | Monthly |
| CIBC | Credit Score | Equifax | Monthly |
| National Bank | Credit Score | Equifax | Monthly |
| RBC | Not currently offered | — | — |
| TD | Not currently offered | — | — |
| BMO | Not currently offered | — | — |
Note: Bank in-app scores are typically updated monthly and may use slightly different score models than the scores shown on Borrowell or Credit Karma. Use bank apps as a convenient indicator; use Borrowell and Credit Karma for more frequent monitoring and the full report.
Free Official Credit Reports from Equifax and TransUnion
Under Canadian consumer protection law, both credit bureaus must provide you with a free copy of your credit report on request. These are your official reports — the same data that lenders see.
Equifax Canada
- Website: equifax.ca → “Get My Free Credit Report”
- Online: Instant access to report; score may require a paid subscription
- By mail: Request the free report by mail to receive it in 2–3 weeks; no charge
TransUnion Canada
- Website: transunion.ca → “Get My Free Credit Report”
- Online: Free report available; score may require a paid subscription
- By mail: Available at no charge; 2–3 week delivery
Key difference from Borrowell/Credit Karma: The official bureau reports are the most comprehensive — they show everything on your file. However, the numerical score may not be included in the free version.
Hard Inquiry vs Soft Inquiry: The Key Distinction
| Hard Inquiry | Soft Inquiry | |
|---|---|---|
| What triggers it | Applying for credit (card, mortgage, car loan) | Checking your own score; lender pre-approvals |
| Affects your score? | Yes — briefly (5–10 points typically) | No |
| Visible on your report? | Yes — to future lenders | Only visible to you |
| How long on report? | Up to 3 years | Up to 3 years (but invisible to lenders) |
| Your consent required? | Yes — you authorise when you apply | Not required for self-checks |
You can check your own credit score as often as you like with no consequences. Only formal credit applications trigger hard inquiries.
What to Look For When Checking Your Report
When you pull your full credit report (through Borrowell, Credit Karma, or the official bureaus), review:
- Personal information — Name, address, SIN (last 3 digits only), employment. Flag any incorrect information.
- Account list — All credit accounts should be ones you recognise. An account you didn’t open may signal identity theft or a bureau error.
- Payment history — Late payments should be accurate. If a payment shows “late” but you have proof of on-time payment, dispute it.
- Credit utilisation — Check balances vs. limits across all revolving accounts.
- Hard inquiries — Identify any inquiries you didn’t authorise. Unauthorised inquiries may also indicate fraud.
- Collections — Any collections should be ones you’re aware of. Old collections that exceed the 6-year reporting window can be disputed for removal.
How to Dispute an Error on Your Canadian Credit Report
If you find an error on your Equifax or TransUnion report, you can dispute it for free:
Equifax: equifax.ca → “Dispute Information” — online dispute or written letter
TransUnion: transunion.ca → “Dispute Centre” — online form or written letter
Include documentation proving the error (payment receipts, account statements). Bureaus are required to investigate disputes and respond, typically within 30 days. If the error is confirmed, it must be corrected or removed.