Best Identity Theft Protection Services for March 2025
Identity theft is a serious threat, but the right protection can make a big difference. Investopedia’s research team evaluated the top identity theft protection services based on cost, features, and customer satisfaction to help you choose the best option.
Best Overall: ID Shield
ID Shield stands out as the top pick, according to Investopedia. It provides a strong balance of features and affordability.
- Best for Identity Theft Insurance
- Best for Families: Aura
Our Top Picks
- ID Shield
- Aura
- Identity Guard
- Norton LifeLock
- ID Watchdog
Why Trust Us
Investopedia’s dedicated research and editorial teams conducted extensive research into identity theft protection services in January 2025. Over 400 data points were collected across ten services, evaluating them on a range of features, costs, and customer experiences.
Best Overall: ID Shield
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ID Shield earns the top spot due to its comprehensive features and competitive pricing. Plans start at $14.95 to $34.95 per month.
- Investopedia’s Rating: 4.8
- Pricing: $14.95–$34.95 per month
- Highest ID Theft Coverage: $3 million
- Family Plan Coverage: 2 adults, up to 10 children
Pros:
- $3 million in ID theft coverage in cheapest plan
- 24/7 emergency assistance
- Social Security number, dark web, and social media monitoring
Cons:
- Credit scores only update every 30 days
- No credit lock feature
Why We Chose It:
ID Shield offers excellent value with its inexpensive plans and robust coverage. The basic plan provides $3 million in ID theft coverage, which is more than many competitors’ higher-tier plans. Plans are straightforward, with options for one or three-bureau credit monitoring and individual or family coverage. All plans include a range of essential features, like identity restoration assistance and cybersecurity tools such as a VPN.
Plan Overview and Fees:
Best for Identity Theft Insurance, Best for Families: Aura
Aura offers comprehensive coverage, particularly suited for families.
- Investopedia’s Rating: 4.6
- Pricing: $10.00–$50.00 per month
- Highest ID Theft Coverage: $5 million
- Family Plan Coverage: 5 adults, unlimited children
Pros:
- Up to $5 million in ID theft coverage
- Family plan coverage includes unlimited kids
- Lock your Experian credit report instantly
- 14-day free trial
Cons:
- Some plans are expensive
- Prices increase after the first year
- Credit score updates monthly; credit reports update annually
Why We Chose It:
Aura is an excellent choice for families needing extensive coverage and a wide range of features, even though the plans can be expensive. The family plan provides $5 million in identity theft insurance, among the highest available. Aura also includes features like antivirus software. It has comprehensive monitoring for family members, including features to protect children. Aura offers a cheaper kids-only plan with some basic safety features.
Plan Overview and Fees:
The stated fees are for the initial year of service. Be aware that prices may vary based on how you access the website.
Also Great for Families: Identity Guard
Identity Guard offers a family-friendly option at a more accessible price.
- Investopedia’s Rating: 3.8
- Pricing: $7.50–$39.99 per month
- Highest ID Theft Coverage: $1 million
- Family Plan Coverage: 5 adults, unlimited kids
Pros:
- All family plans cover 2 adults and unlimited kids
- Individual and family options for each plan level
- 60-day money-back guarantee when paying annually
- Monitor a variety of personal and financial information
Cons:
- Maximum of $1 million in identity theft insurance
- Credit reports updated annually
- No free trial
Why We Chose It:
Identity Guard presents a budget-friendly alternative to Aura, offering similar family coverage at lower costs. While it has fewer features and lower ID theft insurance than Aura, this may meet all a family’s needs. Identity Guard offers individual and family plans across all tiers, which is a standout feature among its competitors. There is a 60-day money back guarantee for the annual plan.
Plan Overview and Fees:
Plan pricing is for the first year.
Best for Inexpensive ID Theft Protection: Norton LifeLock
If budget is your top concern, Norton LifeLock offers decent protection at low prices.
- Investopedia’s Rating: 4.7
- Pricing: $3.33–$69.99 per month
- Highest ID Theft Coverage: $3 million
- Family Plan Coverage: 2 adults, 5 kids
Pros:
- Some plans are relatively inexpensive
- Decent level of identity theft insurance for a low price
- One-bureau reports and scores updated daily
- 60-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Least-expensive plan is barebones
- Three-bureau reports are only updated annually
- Premium plan is relatively expensive
Why We Chose It:
Norton LifeLock provides affordable identity theft protection. While the most basic plan is very limited, the next-level plan is affordable. Ultimate Plus plan subscribers will get an impressive amount of coverage. The price is slightly more than other comparable plans; however, a discount reduces the initial subscription cost.
Plan Overview and Fees:
Plan pricing is for the first year of the subscription.
Best for Security Features: ID Watchdog
For robust security features, ID Watchdog stands apart.
- Investopedia’s Rating: 3.8
- Pricing: $12.50–$34.95 per month
- Highest ID Theft Coverage: $2 million
- Family Plan Coverage: 2 adults, 4 children
Pros:
- Robust security features (device security, online privacy, etc.)
- Up to $2 million in identity theft coverage
- Equifax credit lock (plus child credit lock)
Cons:
- Three-bureau credit reports only update annually
- Family plan coverage is not as extensive as some other services
Why We Chose It:
ID Watchdog, powered by Equifax, sets itself apart by offering a suite of security features alongside its monitoring capabilities. These features include a personal VPN, virus, malware, and ransomware protection. Some plan levels also have an Equifax credit lock along with the additional ability to lock the credit of children.
Plan Overview and Fees:
How We Find the Best Identity Theft Protection Services
Investopedia’s rigorous methodology ensures unbiased and objective recommendations.
- Comprehensive Research: Conducted in January 2025, evaluating 10 services.
- Data Collection: 42 criteria across 10 services, resulting in over 400 data points.
- Evaluation: Objective scoring and ranking based on features, fees, customer satisfaction, and other key factors.
Investopedia collected information directly from company websites. This information was used to score and rank each identity theft protection service in an objective, unbiased way. The information on this page is maintained by Investopedia’s compliance team. This helps to make sure the information is accurate and the recommendations are the best options for people in different financial situations. The criteria were split up into the following categories and given weights based on their relative importance for the average user of identity theft protection services:
Features: 49.00% Fees: 21.00% Customer Support: 15.00% Reputation/Customer Satisfaction: 15.00%
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