KOHO gives you a free Equifax credit score in the app with no impact on your credit. Plus, an optional Credit Building add-on that reports to Equifax and helps you build a real credit history.
Available on Extra and Everything plans. View your Equifax credit score directly in the KOHO app. Updated regularly. Uses a soft pull — checking your score has zero impact on your credit.
Optional add-on on Extra plan; included in Everything. KOHO sets aside a small amount and reports monthly repayments to Equifax, building a positive credit history. Ideal for newcomers and those with limited credit.
Canadian credit scores are measured on a scale of 300 to 900 by Equifax and TransUnion. Here's what each range means:
| Score Range | Category | What It Means | Typical Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300–559 | Poor | Significant credit challenges. May have missed payments or high utilization. | Limited options, secured cards only |
| 560–659 | Fair | Below average. Some negative history but improving. | Some products with higher rates |
| 660–724 | Good | Near average. Generally qualifies for standard credit products. | Most credit cards, standard rates |
| 725–759 | Very Good | Above average. Shows responsible credit use. | Most products, competitive rates |
| 760–900 | Excellent | Top tier. Best rates and approvals virtually guaranteed. | Best rates, premium cards, easiest approvals |
KOHO partners with Equifax — one of Canada's two major credit bureaus — to provide your credit score directly in the KOHO app. Here are the key facts:
Log into your KOHO account. Make sure you're on the Extra or Everything plan.
Tap on "Credit" or "Credit Building" from the home screen or navigation menu.
Choose the Credit Building add-on. On Extra plan, you'll see the monthly fee ($7–10/month). On Everything plan, it's included at no extra cost.
KOHO sets aside a small amount from your balance each month. This amount is "lent" to you and reported as a loan repayment to Equifax. You choose the amount based on your preferences.
KOHO reports positive payment history to Equifax monthly. Over time, this builds a credit history showing consistent, on-time payments — one of the most important factors in your credit score.
| You should use it if... | You may not need it if... |
|---|---|
| You're new to Canada with no Canadian credit history | You already have strong credit (760+ score) |
| You're a student with limited credit history | You have multiple established credit accounts |
| You're rebuilding credit after financial difficulties | You're already building credit through other means |
| You've been rejected for credit cards due to thin file | Your credit score is already in the "Very Good" range |
| You want a simple, low-effort way to improve your score | The $7–10/month fee isn't worth it for your situation |
| Feature | KOHO Extra | KOHO Everything | Wealthsimple Cash | TD Chequing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Credit Score | ✓ Equifax | ✓ Equifax | ✗ | ✗ |
| Credit Building | Add-on ($7–10/mo) | ✓ Included | ✗ | ✗ |
| Reports to Equifax | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Soft Pull (No Impact) | ✓ | ✓ | N/A | N/A |
| Monthly Fee | $9/mo | $19/mo | Free | $10.95+/mo |
KOHO gives you free credit score monitoring and tools to build your credit history. Use code 45ET55JSYA for $100 cash at signup.
No. KOHO uses a soft pull to retrieve your Equifax credit score. Soft pulls do not appear on your credit report and have zero impact on your credit score. You can check your score in the KOHO app as often as you like without any negative consequences. Hard pulls (which affect your score) only happen when you formally apply for credit.
KOHO's Credit Building feature works by setting aside a small portion of your balance as a form of secured loan. KOHO then reports your monthly repayment of this loan to Equifax, which creates a positive payment history on your credit file. Over time (typically 6–12 months), this helps establish or improve your credit score. The add-on costs $7–10/month on the Extra plan and is included for free on the Everything plan.
KOHO shows your Equifax credit score, which is one of the two major credit scores used in Canada (the other being TransUnion). Your Equifax and TransUnion scores may differ slightly because lenders don't always report to both bureaus. Both scores use a 300–900 scale. When applying for credit, lenders may check one or both bureaus.
Most users begin to see credit score improvements within 3–6 months of activating Credit Building, though results vary based on your starting credit profile. If you have no Canadian credit history, it typically takes 3–6 months to establish a score. For those rebuilding credit, improvement timelines depend on what negative items are on your report and how long you maintain positive payment history.
Yes. KOHO Credit Building is particularly valuable for newcomers to Canada who have no Canadian credit history. Because KOHO is a prepaid card and not a credit card, there is no credit check required to open an account. Newcomers can open a KOHO account immediately after arriving in Canada, activate Credit Building, and start establishing a Canadian credit history right away. Use code 45ET55JSYA to get $100 free when you sign up.
In Canada, credit scores range from 300 to 900. A score of 660–724 is considered "Good" and qualifies you for most standard credit products. A score of 725–759 is "Very Good" and gets you competitive rates. A score of 760 or above is "Excellent" — the highest tier, which gets you the best rates on mortgages, car loans, and credit cards. Most lenders in Canada consider 680+ to be a reasonable minimum for approval on major products.