How to Check Your Credit Score for Free in Canada

Many Canadians still pay to check their credit score when they don't need to. In 2026, there are at least five reliable ways to check your Canadian credit score completely free. Here is everything you need to know, including which service reports from which bureau.

Free Credit Score Services in Canada

Borrowell (Equifax Canada)

Borrowell was Canada's first free credit score service, launched in 2016. It pulls from Equifax Canada and gives you a full credit report (not just a score) weekly. You'll also get a credit coach AI that explains what factors are hurting or helping your score. Free to sign up at borrowell.com.

Credit Karma Canada (TransUnion Canada)

Credit Karma launched in Canada in 2016 partnered with TransUnion Canada. Your score updates every week. Credit Karma also shows your full TransUnion credit report and will flag any errors or new accounts opened in your name. Free at creditkarma.ca.

Your Bank App

All major Canadian banks now include a free credit score tab in their mobile apps:

• TD — TransUnion score via TD app
• RBC — TransUnion score via RBC Mobile
• Scotiabank — TransUnion via Scotiabank app
• BMO — TransUnion via BMO app
• CIBC — TransUnion via CIBC app

Free Full Credit Reports Directly from the Bureaus

Both Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada are legally required to provide you one free credit report per year. These are comprehensive reports showing every account, inquiry, and negative mark. You can request them:

• Equifax Canada: equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services — online or by mail
• TransUnion Canada: transunion.ca/product/consumer-disclosure — online or by mail

Note: The free annual report does not always include your numeric score — just the full credit file. Use Borrowell or Credit Karma for the score itself.

Does Checking Your Score Hurt It?

No — absolutely not. Checking your own credit score is called a soft inquiry and has zero impact on your score, even if you check it daily. Only lenders running a credit check in response to an application create a hard inquiry that can temporarily affect your score.

What Your Credit Report Shows

Your full credit report contains:

• Personal information — name, addresses, employers on file
• Credit accounts — every credit card, loan, line of credit, and mortgage ever reported
• Payment history — month-by-month payment status for each account
• Credit inquiries — every hard inquiry in the past 3 years
• Public records — bankruptcies, consumer proposals, court judgments
• Collections — any debts sent to collections agencies

How to Dispute Errors on Your Canadian Credit Report

Credit report errors are more common than people think. A 2022 CBC Marketplace investigation found significant errors on the credit files of Canadians tested. Here's how to dispute one:

1. Get your free report from Equifax and TransUnion
2. Identify the error (incorrect balance, wrong account, someone else's debt)
3. Gather supporting documents (statements, letters, correspondence)
4. File a dispute online: equifax.ca or transunion.ca, or by certified mail
5. The bureau has 30 days to investigate and respond
6. If not resolved, escalate to your provincial consumer protection office

Paid Credit Score Services: Are They Worth It?

Equifax and TransUnion both sell premium score monitoring services for $15-30/month. In almost every case, the free options (Borrowell, Credit Karma) provide equivalent information. The one exception: if you suspect you're a victim of identity theft and want 24/7 real-time monitoring with fraud alerts. Even then, your bank's free fraud monitoring may be sufficient.