What is ClearScore and how does it work?

It’s a good idea to keep an eye on your credit score, especially if you’re planning to apply for a mortgage, loan or credit card.

One of the ways to check in on your credit history is with a company like ClearScore. It’s one of a number of financial technology companies which provides credit scores and reports in the UK.

But how does ClearScore work exactly? Read on to find out, along with info on what you can do with a ClearScore account and how to sign up.

We’ll also show you a financial product you can open quickly and easily without a credit check - the Wise account.

Learn more about the Wise account

What is ClearScore? An overview

ClearScore is a UK-based financial technology company, although it operates in Australia, Canada and South Africa too. It reportedly has over 20 million users worldwide.¹

The company specialises in providing consumers with access to their credit score and report, for free. But it also acts as an eligibility checker tool, so you can see what financial products you’ll be accepted for.

You can search the market and apply for credit cards, loans and car finance directly through ClearScore, with the company receiving a commission from the lender when you take out a product. It’s not a lender itself, but an independent credit broker.

How does ClearScore work?

When you create an account with ClearScore, you’ll get access to a free credit score and report. This is updated weekly. You can also check it in the ClearScore app.

ClearScore isn’t a credit referencing agency (CRA) itself. It uses data from Equifax, one of the UK’s leading CRAs, to generate your report.²

Your credit report is a record of all your financial activity, both past and present. Your credit score will usually be between 0 and or 1000 (sometimes 999). The higher your score, the more likely you’ll be accepted for the best credit cards, mortgages, car finance and loans on the market.

Lenders can access your credit report information when you apply for products such as loans, credit cards, mortgages and car finance. When they do this, it’s called a credit check.

This is why it can be useful to be able to access your own credit report. You can check how lenders see you as a potential customer, and make improvements to your credit score if needed.

This is another feature of ClearScore, as it offers help and support in improving your score.

It also offers pre-approved credit offers and recommendations, personalised to you. This hopefully means you’ll be able to apply for financial products with more confidence.

What’s included in a ClearScore credit report?

Your ClearScore credit report will include detailed information on how you manage your finances.

This includes the following:³

• Personal information - including name (and any other or changes of name), date of birth, current and past home addresses.
• Accounts - all of your open and closed credit accounts - including loans, mortgages, overdrafts and credit cards. This also includes things like bank accounts, mobile phone contracts, broadband contracts and utilities accounts (e.g. electricity, gas and water).
• Financial connections - such as joint bank accounts or mortgages shared with another person.
• Payment history - including missed or late payments
• Bankruptcies, individual voluntary arrangements and court judgements (CCJs) for non-payment of debts
• Electoral roll details
• Recent enquiries and credit checks.
• Protection - any active Cifas Protective Registration or fraud warnings.

Your ClearScore credit report will also show you any recent changes or updates, along with insights to tell you what could be affecting your score.

What can you do with a ClearScore account?

Here are the main features you’ll be able to access when you sign up for a ClearScore account:

• Check your ClearScore credit score and see how you look to lenders with Credit Health
• See your credit report, updated weekly
• Receive personalised recommendations and offers for financial products
• Find and apply for credit cards and loans
• See your Affordability Score and check your eligibility before applying for products
• Use ClearScore Protect to access a free ID monitoring report and check the security of your passwords with a monthly dark web scan.

How much does ClearScore cost?

It’s free to sign up for an ClearScore account, which gives you access to your basic services like your credit score and report.

ClearScore Protect is also free, but you can also upgrade to ClearScore Protect Plus for £4.99 a month or £49.99 a year.⁴

This gives you round-the-clock identity protection, on top of free credit report access. ClearScore will use advanced monthly dark web web scanning to locate breaches of your personal data. You’ll also get daily updates on your credit report, weekly reports in case of fraudulent activity, 24/7 support and insurance cover in case of identity loss.⁵

Open a Wise multi-currency account with no credit checks

Not all financial accounts require a credit check. This usually means a quicker account opening process, and no extra records appearing on your credit history.

Opening a Wise account online couldn’t be easier. You can verify your identity quickly and easily in the Wise app, using just a photo of your ID and a selfie.

Wise may request additional documents to verify a customer's identity.

Once your account is open, you’ll be able to send, spend and convert between 40+ currencies. You’ll benefit from low, transparent pricing* and mid-market exchange rates. And you can do it all in just a few clicks or taps, online or in the Wise app.

There’s even a Wise card for convenient, low-cost spending worldwide, available for a one-time fee of just £7 - and again, no credit checks.

After reading this, you should have a better idea of how ClearScore works. It’s fantastic that useful services such as credit scores and reports are free, making it easier for you to keep an eye on your financial health.

Sources used:

1. ClearScore - Number of worldwide ClearScore users
2. ClearScore - ClearScore and Equifax
3. ClearScore - Information in a credit report
4. ClearScore - ClearScore Protect Plus
5. ClearScore - Protect Plus features

Sources last checked on date: 12-Mar-2025