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Mortgage Squad Advisors
Credit bureaus

Equifax vs TransUnion — Canada’s two credit bureaus.

Canada has two main credit bureaus — Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada — and they don’t always agree. Here’s how they differ, why your scores aren’t the same, which one your mortgage lender pulls, and how to check both before you apply.

Equifax vs TransUnion at a glance

Equifax
TransUnion
Good score (their definition)
~660+
~650+
Score model shown
Proprietary Equifax score
Often a VantageScore
Data held
May differ — not all creditors report to both
May differ — not all creditors report to both
Used by lenders
Yes (varies by lender)
Yes (varies by lender)

Bottom line: check both before a mortgage. A clean Equifax report doesn’t guarantee a clean TransUnion report, and your lender might pull the one with a stray error.

6 things to know about Equifax vs TransUnion

Why you have two scores — and how to make the difference work for you.

1

Two bureaus, two scores

Equifax and TransUnion collect from overlapping but different sets of lenders, so the same person often has two different scores. Neither is 'the real one' — lenders just use whichever they pull.

2

Lenders pull one or both

Some mortgage lenders pull Equifax, some TransUnion, some both and take the lower (or an average). Which bureau you're judged on can change which tier you land in.

3

Check both before you apply

Because they differ, an error on one bureau can cost you a tier even if the other is clean. Pull both, compare, and dispute mistakes before a lender pulls you.

4

The factors are the same

Both score on payment history, utilization, length of history, credit mix, and inquiries — so the moves that lift one usually lift the other. See how to improve your score.

5

Soft vs hard pulls

Checking your own report is a soft pull that never affects your score. A lender's mortgage pre-approval is a hard pull — we give you a no-pull ballpark first.

6

We know which lenders use which

We shop your file knowing which bureau each lender weights, so a difference between your two scores works in your favour, not against you.

Why shop your file with us

  • We know which bureau each lender pulls — and shop your file accordingly.
  • A no-bureau-pull ballpark first, so you only take the hard inquiry when ready.
  • Every tier shopped across 100+ lenders for the lowest your scores qualify for.
  • FSRA #13737 · no judgment · a plan to your best rate.
FSRA #13737 · Mortgage Squad Advisors · Best-rate guarantee or $500.

Equifax vs TransUnion — FAQ

Why is my Equifax score different from my TransUnion score?
Each bureau has its own scoring model and may hold different data — a lender or creditor might report to one bureau but not the other. So the same person commonly has two different scores. Always check both before a mortgage.
Which credit bureau do mortgage lenders use in Canada?
It varies by lender — some pull Equifax, some TransUnion, some both. Because they can differ, a clean report at one bureau isn't enough; we make sure both look right before submitting your file.
What's a good credit score at each bureau?
Roughly: Equifax treats ~660+ as good; TransUnion ~650+. For the best mortgage rates you want 680+ (760+ for the lowest pricing). See credit score for a mortgage.
How do I check both credit reports for free?
Both Equifax and TransUnion must provide a free report on request, and several Canadian apps/banks show a free score. Checking your own report is a 'soft pull' and never affects your score.
Does an error on one bureau affect my mortgage?
It can — an error or a stray collection on the bureau your lender pulls can change your rate or approval. Dispute errors with that bureau directly; we can advise on what underwriters care about most.

Mortgage-ready, both bureaus.

We review what underwriters actually see and place your file with the lender that fits. No bureau pull to start.