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Best for tech-savvy users
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
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.
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 |
 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 |
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 |
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 |
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.
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:
| 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 |
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.
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.
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 |
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.
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 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.
Complete ID offers robust ID theft protection, including credit monitoring, financial activity alerts, and multiple options for family plans.
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.
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 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.
If Identity Guard and Complete ID don't quite match your requirements, there are a few other ID theft protection services worth exploring.
Excellent identity theft protection service
Includes a password manager and VPN
Robust tools for children’s security
Provides VantageScore and not FICO score updates
