Identity Guard vs. Complete ID 2024: Are You Looking for Innovation or Affordability?

Explore the differences between Identity Guard and Complete ID to discover which ID theft service is tailored to your needs, whether it's comprehensive security with Identity Guard or affordable, simple protection with Complete ID.
We may receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

Best for tech-savvy users

4.8
Learn More
On Identity Guard's website

Identity Guard
  • Easy-to-use identity theft protection service
  • Includes extra features like a password manager
  • No dedicated remediation assistance available

Best for families and users on a budget

4.3
Learn More
On Complete ID's website

Complete ID
  • Provides up to $1 million in identity theft insurance
  • Covers up to two adults and five children on one plan
  • Only available to Costco members

Safeguarding your personal information has never been more crucial. Although cases of identity theft are on the rise, you can invest in services like Identity Guard and Complete ID for top-tier solutions to protect your online identity. But which one suits your needs best?

Identity Guard is renowned for its advanced artificial intelligence technology and identity monitoring services, catering to tech-savvy individuals who desire a sophisticated defense against identity theft. On the other hand, Complete ID, which is backed by the credit bureau Experian, offers a comprehensive package at a budget-friendly price, making it an attractive option for families and those seeking substantial coverage without breaking the bank.

We’ll break down Identity Guard and Complete ID so you can make an informed decision on how to best protect yourself against identity thieves.

At the time of writing, Complete ID’s website states it’s not accepting new enrollments.

In this article
Identity Guard vs. Complete ID review at a glance
Identity Guard vs. Complete ID: prices
Identity Guard vs. Complete ID: monitoring and alerts
Identity Guard or Complete ID: which is safer?
Identity Guard vs. Complete ID: compatibility and customer support
Identity Guard vs. Complete ID FAQs
Identity Guard vs. Complete ID: Which is better?

Identity Guard vs. Complete ID review at a glance

Identity Guard and Complete ID offer different strengths and focus areas. While Identity Guard uses innovative AI technology, making it suitable for tech enthusiasts, Complete ID offers a comprehensive and budget-friendly option that’s well-suited for family protection.

Identity Guard vs. Complete ID compared


Identity Guard

Complete ID
Price $6.67–$19.99/mo $8.99–$18.99/mo
Identity theft insurance Up to $1 million Up to $1 million
Credit monitoring
3-bureau credit reports
Credit score
Identity recovery
Dark web alerts
Social media account alerts
Learn more Get Identity Guard 
Read Identity Guard Review
Get Complete ID 
Read Complete ID Review

Prices as of 08/25/2023.

Despite the similarities in features such as credit monitoring, identity recovery, and insurance coverage, Identity Guard and Complete ID differ in the way they present their plans. With its tiered pricing system ranging from $6.67–$19.99/mo, Identity Guard offers a flexible and customizable approach to identity protection.

On the other hand, Complete ID provides a more straightforward and budget-friendly approach with plans ranging from $8.99–$18.99/mo and delivering substantial coverage without complex tiers.

The number of people covered also varies. With Identity Guard, you can choose an individual plan or a family plan, which covers five adults and unlimited children. Complete ID emphasizes family coverage at an attractive price point. It currently offers plans for one adult, two adults, one adult plus five children, and two adults plus five children. All plans include the same features with added coverage for the additional members on the plan.

Identity Guard pros and cons

Pros
  • Cutting-edge AI technology
  • Comprehensive dark web monitoring
  • Social media account protection
Cons
  • More expensive in higher tiers
  • Limited customization in lower-tier plans

Complete ID pros and cons

Pros
  • Family-friendly pricing
  • Backed by Experian credit bureau
  • Easy to use
Cons
  • Less sophisticated technology
  • Missing customized alerts

Identity Guard vs. Complete ID: prices


Identity Guard

Complete ID
Best Pricing
Monthly price range $6.67–$19.99/mo $8.99–$18.99/mo
Best value plan Total Individual for $10.00/mo One Adult for $8.99/mo
Identity theft insurance Up to $1 million Up to $1 million
Learn more Get Identity Guard 
Read Identity Guard Review
Get Complete ID 
Read Complete ID Review

Prices as of 08/25/2023.

Identity Guard plans

Identity Guard offers a spectrum of plans designed to cater to various needs and preferences. Unfortunately, the service offers no free trial, but you can take advantage of the 60-day money-back guarantee if you’re hesitant to commit. All plans are available for individuals or families (five adults, unlimited kids). Below are the details for each plan.

  1. Value: Value is a basic plan that offers a solid foundation in identity protection, including up to $1 million in identity theft insurance; data breach notifications; dark web monitoring; high-risk transaction monitoring; a safe browsing tool; and a password manager. However, it lacks credit monitoring services and specialized account alerts.
  2. Total: The Total plan adds significant value by including everything in the Value plan plus bank account monitoring, three-bureau credit monitoring, and a monthly credit score. However, it misses out on specialized monitoring like social media and home title monitoring.
  3. Ultra: Ultra provides the most comprehensive coverage with everything in the Total plan plus social media monitoring; debit and credit card monitoring; 401(k) and investment account monitoring; home title monitoring; criminal and sex offense monitoring; USPS address change monitoring; Experian CreditLock; and three-bureau annual credit reports.

Complete ID plans

Complete ID offers various plans that are tailored to fit different family structures. We didn’t find an option for a free trial or money-back guarantee. All Complete ID protection plans include the following:

Identity protection features

  • Dark web monitoring
  • Financial account takeover services
  • Neighborhood watch monitoring, which monitors for registered sex offenders that live in or move into your area
  • Social Security number (SSN) identity monitoring
  • Alternative loan monitoring
  • Criminal record monitoring
  • Mail change alerts
  • A suite of digital privacy features, including a password manager, safe browser, and virtual private network (VPN)

Credit monitoring features

  • Credit monitoring from the major bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion)
  • Monthly credit updates
  • Annual three-bureau credit reports
  • Credit alerts
  • Experian CreditLock

Identity restoration services

  • 24/7 customer support
  • Direct contact with a designated restoration specialist
  • Up to $1 million in identity theft insurance
  • Lost wallet replacement assistance

Winner: Complete ID offers the best value with substantial savings on comprehensive plans. Identity Guard’s flexibility and specialized features are strong contenders, but the value leans toward Complete ID.

Identity Guard vs. Complete ID: monitoring and alerts

Feature
Identity Guard

Complete ID
Credit monitoring
Financial activity alerts
3-bureau credit reports Yes — Experian, TransUnion, Equifax Yes — Experian, TransUnion, Equifax
Credit score
FICO score
Credit lock and freeze
Identity recovery
Dark web alerts
Social media account alerts
Social Security Number monitoring
Home title monitoring
Address change alerts
Learn more Get Identity Guard 
Read Identity Guard Review
Get Complete ID 
Read Complete ID Review

Data as of 08/25/2023.

Identity monitoring and alerts are vital tools to protect yourself from becoming a victim of identity theft. Identity Guard and Complete ID offer similar monitoring and alert features, such as financial activity alerts, dark web alerts, and social media account alerts. However, Identity Guard stands out for offering home title monitoring, while Complete ID doesn’t.

Identity Guard provides an extensive suite of credit and financial monitoring tools, like three-bureau credit monitoring and monthly credit score updates. Its top-tier Ultra plan also includes annual credit reports from the major credit bureaus and Experian CreditLock, two features that are essential for protecting consumers against unauthorized credit inquiries.

Complete ID also offers comprehensive credit monitoring features, and they’re included with all of its plans. This includes credit monitoring, monthly credit score updates, annual three-bureau credit reports, and more.

Winner: It's a tie for monitoring and alerts. Both services offer a comprehensive set of tools, including credit monitoring, dark web alerts, and SSN monitoring, all of which help protect against identity theft losses and your peace of mind.

Identity Guard or Complete ID: which is safer?

When it comes to identity theft protection services, security is an important concern. After all, these services are entrusted with sensitive personal and financial information. Key features such as two-factor authentication (2FA) and multi-factor authentication (MFA) provide additional layers of protection.

Complete ID makes you verify your identity if you try to login on a web browser.

With 2FA, your account would require a password and secondary information like a text code, while MFA might include a biometric confirmation such as a fingerprint. Reasonable data collection for account administration, payment, and monitoring is standard across the industry, but understanding how this data is used and shared is crucial.

Identity Guard vs. Complete ID data security


Identity Guard

Complete ID
Two-factor authentication
Multi-factor authentication
Collects data Some Some
Shares data with third parties
Learn more Get Identity Guard 
Read Identity Guard Review
Get Complete ID 
Read Complete ID Review

Identity Guard and Complete ID both offer two-factor authentication, enhancing account security by requiring an additional verification step. Unfortunately, neither currently provides multi-factor authentication, which might add an even more stringent level of protection.

Both services do collect some personal data, which is necessary for monitoring and alert services, and may share this data with third parties in line with their respective privacy policies. They are also both very open about what data they collect and share; Identity Guard even states that it evaluates third parties before sharing any data with them. Overall, both data-sharing policies aren’t something to be worried about as they are not out of the ordinary.

Winner: Regarding data security features, Identity Guard and Complete ID are evenly matched, offering 2FA and having similar data collection and sharing practices. Therefore, it's a tie with the selection of the user depending on individual preferences and trust in the respective brands.

Identity Guard vs. Complete ID: compatibility and customer support


Identity Guard

Complete ID
Best Support
Windows
macOS
Android
iOS
24/7 customer support
Customer support options Phone, email, online guides Phone, online guides
Learn more Get Identity Guard 
Read Identity Guard Review
Get Complete ID 
Read Complete ID Review

Identity Guard and Complete ID both offer an extensive array of platform support, including Windows, macOS, and mobile apps for Android and iOS. Interface-wise, both services are designed with user-friendliness in mind.

When it comes to customer support, only Complete ID offers 24/7 phone support, which is vital in the event of an identity theft emergency. Identity Guard also offers phone support, but its hours are limited, and it’s only available Monday through Saturday. However, Identity Guard has an advantage by providing email support, adding an extra layer of convenience for users who might prefer this communication method.

Identity Guard's customer support options (email, phone call) and hours.

Winner: Both Identity Guard and Complete ID exhibit strong compatibility and customer support. Although Identity Guard provides email support, Complete ID provides round-the-clock support. This gives Complete ID a slight edge in customer service accessibility.

Identity Guard vs. Complete ID FAQs


+

Is Identity Guard worth it?

Identity Guard offers comprehensive identity theft protection services with features such as credit monitoring, dark web alerts, and multi-platform compatibility. Depending on your specific needs and the level of coverage you're looking for, Identity Guard can be a worthwhile investment.


+

What are the benefits of Complete ID?

Complete ID offers robust ID theft protection, including credit monitoring, financial activity alerts, and multiple options for family plans.


+

Can I cancel Identity Guard at any time?

Yes, you can cancel Identity Guard at any time. However, it is advisable to review the specific terms of your subscription and contact their customer support to ensure a smooth cancellation process.


+

Is Complete ID as good as LifeLock?

Complete ID and LifeLock offer different features and pricing structures, so the best choice depends on individual needs and preferences. While LifeLock might provide more comprehensive and specialized features, Complete ID offers essential protections at potentially lower costs.

Identity Guard vs. Complete ID: Which is better?

Identity Guard shines with its tiered pricing system, which allows for customized protection. It also offers an extensive range of features, including dark web alerts, three-bureau credit reports, and social media account alerts. However, the varied pricing may seem complex to some, and it lacks multi-factor authentication.

Complete ID, on the other hand, focuses on simplicity and affordability, and it provides essential ID theft protection features. While it may not offer a limited range of features found in Identity Guard, it covers the basics effectively.

Choosing between Identity Guard and Complete ID depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you're seeking detailed customization and a wide array of features, Identity Guard is your best bet. If affordability and simplicity are key concerns, Complete ID might be the ideal choice. Analyzing your specific requirements and the value you place on different features will guide you to the best identity theft protection service for you.

Identity Guard vs. Complete ID alternatives

If Identity Guard and Complete ID don't quite match your requirements, there are a few other ID theft protection services worth exploring.

4.9
Learn More
On Aura Identity Theft's website

Aura Identity Theft
  • Excellent identity theft protection service
  • Includes a password manager and VPN
  • Robust tools for children’s security
  • Provides VantageScore and not FICO score updates

Author Details
Ryan Clancy is a freelance writer and blogger. With 5+ years of mechanical engineering experience, he's passionate about all things engineering and tech. He loves bringing engineering (especially mechanical) down to a level that everyone can understand.