What Is a VantageScore? How It Works vs. FICO

What Is a VantageScore?

This guide explains how VantageScore works, what affects it most, and how it compares with FICO.

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Edited by other Updated Apr 1, 2026 A VantageScore is a credit score that predicts how likely you are to pay back money you borrow. Lenders, landlords and banks use it to decide whether to approve you for things like loans or credit cards. It was created in 2006 by the three major credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion — as an alternative to the better-known FICO scores. Today, VantageScore uses the same 300 to 850 scale as FICO and is often available to consumers for free. Your VantageScore is based on the information in your credit reports. Because not all lenders report to every credit bureau, the details in your reports can differ. That means your score may be slightly different at Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. » Get your free credit report from NerdWallet » Get your free credit report from NerdWallet

What matters most for VantageScores

VantageScore and FICO scores are based on similar factors. Paying your bills on time is the most important step for both. Here’s how VantageScore 3.0 ranks what matters: Payment history (40%)This is your track record of paying bills on time. Late or missed payments can hurt your score, while a consistent record of on-time payments helps the most. Payment history (40%) Depth of credit (21%)This looks at how long you’ve been using credit. Older accounts and a mix of different types of credit — like credit cards and loans — can work in your favor. Depth of credit (21%) Credit utilization (20%)This measures how much of your available credit you’re using. Using a smaller share of your credit limits is better for your score. A common rule of thumb is to stay under 30%. Credit utilization (20%) Balances (11%)This is the total amount of money you owe across all your accounts. Carrying high balances can drag your score down. Balances (11%) Recent credit (5%)Opening several new accounts in a short time, or having many hard credit checks can slightly lower your score. Spacing out credit applications every six months can help. Recent credit (5%) Available credit (3%)This reflects how much unused credit you have on revolving accounts like credit cards. Having some room to borrow — without using it — can be a small positive. Available credit (3%) » Learn more about which factors impact your credit score most » Learn more about which factors impact your credit score most

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VantageScore vs. FICO: How they differ

⚖️ Scoring factors are weighted differently

Scoring factors are weighted differently VantageScore and FICO use the same factors, but they don't them weigh the same during the score calculation process. For example, VantageScore places more emphasis on payment history than FICO (40% vs. 35%) and credit history (21% vs. 15%), while FICO puts more weight on credit utilization (30% vs. 20%).

⏰ How quickly you can get a score

⏰ How quickly you can get a score VantageScore can generate a score with as little as one to two months of credit activity. FICO scores typically require at least six months of credit history.

🪪 Scoring people with limited credit

🪪 Scoring people with limited credit Some consumers with a short credit history, also called a thin credit file, may not qualify for a FICO score, but can still receive a VantageScore.

🧾 Treatment of paid collections

🧾 Treatment of paid collections VantageScore 3.0 ignores paid collection accounts. FICO 8 still counts paid collections against your score, but new models (FICO 9, 10, 10T) don't.

📊 Rate shopping for loans

📊 Rate shopping for loans VantageScore groups auto loan and mortgage inquiries made within a 14-day window as a single inquiry. FICO uses a longer 45-day window. 📌 The bottom line: Both scores respond to the same habits. Paying bills on time and keeping balances low help both FICO and VantageScore. Late payments and high credit use hurt both. 📌 The bottom line:

How to get a VantageScore

You can get a free VantageScore 3.0 from NerdWallet and from some other personal finance and banking sites. NerdWallet’s scores update every seven days and include a free credit report summary from TransUnion. VantageScore also maintains a list of free credit score providers, along with information on which credit bureau’s score is offered and how often it updates. Explore more on About the authors Barroso Amanda Barroso, Ph.D., is a writer and content strategist helping consumers navigate budgeting, credit building and credit scoring. Before joining NerdWallet, Amanda wrote about demographic trends at the Pew Research Center and earned a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. Her work has been featured by the Associated Press, Washington Post and Yahoo Finance. Published in Schwahn Lauren Schwahn is a writer at NerdWallet who covers credit scoring, debt, budgeting and money-saving strategies. She contributed to the "Millennial Money" column for The Associated Press and managed a team of writers producing content for the series. Her work has also been featured by USA Today, MSN, The Washington Post and more. Lauren has a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She is based in San Francisco. Published in What matters most for VantageScores VantageScore vs. FICO: How they differ How to get a VantageScore Does Checking Your Credit Score Lower It? How to Build Your Credit Score Fast: 9 Strategies That Work Credit Score Ranges: What They Mean and How They Work How to Calculate Your Credit Utilization Ratio What Is Credit and Why Is It Useful? By Amanda Barroso What Is a FICO Score? Here’s What You Need to Know By Amanda Barroso, Bev O'Shea What Factors Affect Your Credit Scores? By Bev O'Shea, Amanda Barroso How to Build Your Credit Score Fast: 9 Strategies That Work By Amanda Barroso, Bev O'Shea The 3 Credit Bureaus and Why They Matter to You By Amanda Barroso, Bev O'Shea