Self vs Credit Strong
Both build credit and savings at the same time with no hard credit check.
Feature
Self
Credit Strong
Monthly cost
From $25/month
From $15/month
Loan term
12 or 24 months
12, 24, or 36 months
Reports to bureaus
All 3
All 3
Hard credit check
No
No
Savings component
Yes — you keep the savings at end
Yes — you keep the savings at end
Mobile app
Yes
Yes
Best for
Most popular, strong brand recognition
Lower monthly cost, more flexible terms
Self
Best for most people — well-known, easy setup, strong bureau reporting
- Reports to all 3 bureaus
- Plans from $25/month
- You keep the savings at the end
Credit Strong
Best if you want a lower monthly payment or longer term
- Flexible plans from $15/month
- Terms up to 36 months
- No hard credit pull
Our picks
The specific products we'd point a friend to. We link directly to each provider's own site and don't earn a commission from these links.
Self Credit Builder Loan
Self reports to all three bureaus and doubles as a forced-savings account — the payments are returned to you (minus interest and fees) at the end of the term — which is why we treat it as a default credit-builder-loan starting point.
- Reports to all three bureaus
- Plans from about $25/month
- No hard credit check to open
CreditStrong
CreditStrong offers lower monthly payments and longer terms than most credit-builder loans, which can suit people who want a smaller fixed payment or a longer reporting history.
- Plans from about $15/month
- Terms up to 36 months
- Reports to all three bureaus
What members say
“I started with no credit and a secured card. Twelve months of on-time payments later, I crossed 700.”
— Maria, CA
“Paying my balances below 10% moved my score faster than I expected, and the monthly plan kept me on track.”
— James, TX