Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion are the three major credit reporting agencies in the United States. While they generally collect similar types of information and provide similar services, there are some differences between them. Here are some of the major differences between Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion: Information provided: Each of the three credit reporting agencies provides different levels of detail in their credit reports. Experian gives a more detailed picture of a person’s financial history, including payment timeliness and debt utilization. TransUnion offers more insight into a person’s job history, whereas Equifax provides more information about mortgage history. Credit score range: While all three credit bureaus use the FICO scoring model, their own range is slightly different. Experian uses a credit score range of 300-850, while Equifax uses a range of 280-850. TransUnion uses a range of 300-850. Credit report layout: Equifax reports are the only ones that summarize “Open Accounts” and “Closed Accounts,” making it far easier to distinguish this information and choose which accounts you want to examine first. With Experian and TransUnion, all accounts are grouped together and listed alphabetically. Equifax files also often show an 81-month credit history for your credit accounts. Geographic coverage: When lending institutions first started monitoring consumers’ credit, the job was originally performed by local agencies. Over time the process became more centralized, and the three major credit bureaus emerged. At first, Equifax was responsible for states in the South and East, Experian for those in the West, and TransUnion for those in the Midwest. It's important to note that not every lender notifies every agency, so getting the full picture of your credit report can be tricky. Reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion may have different items on them, and your credit score may vary between the three bureaus