Equifax vs TransUnion —
Canada’s two credit bureaus,
explained.
Most Canadian lenders pull Equifax. Some also check TransUnion — especially if Equifax shows limited history. The score that matters most is whichever bureau your specific lender uses.
Why do I have
two credit scores?
Two bureaus, two scores — and the lender you apply to decides which one counts.
Two bureaus, two scores
Not every creditor reports to both bureaus, so most people have two different scores. Neither is 'the real one'.
Lenders pull one or both
Some lenders pull Equifax, some TransUnion, some both. The bureau they pull can change your tier and your rate.
Check both before you apply
An error on one bureau can cost you a tier. Pull both, compare, and dispute mistakes first.
We know which lenders use which
We know which bureau each lender uses, so a gap between your scores works for you.
How do I check both
before I apply?
Know your score at both bureaus before any lender pulls you. Then we match your file to the lender that pulls your stronger one.
Pull both reports — free, no score impact
Checking your own credit never affects your score. Both bureaus give Canadians free reports, online or by mail.
We compare what lenders actually see
We flag errors and old collections that could hurt your application, and which disputes are worth making.
We submit to the lender that uses your stronger bureau
If your scores differ a lot, we match you to lenders that pull the stronger one.
We can help across
many bureau scenarios.
Tap any situation below to see how we approach it.
If you’re…Your Equifax score is significantly higher than your TransUnion score
Your Equifax score is significantly higher than your TransUnion score
That's common. We send your file to lenders that pull Equifax, so your stronger score does the work.
Start my applicationIf you’re…You found an error or stray collection on one bureau
You found an error or stray collection on one bureau
Dispute it with that bureau. We tell you which errors matter most to lenders.
Get our adviceIf you’re…You're shopping for a mortgage and want to limit hard inquiries
You're shopping for a mortgage and want to limit hard inquiries
Mortgage inquiries in a short shopping window are usually scored as one. We start with a ballpark, no credit pull.
Get my ballparkIf you’re…A lender told you your credit doesn't qualify
A lender told you your credit doesn't qualify
One no isn't every no. Another lender may pull a different bureau or use different rules. We re-shop 100+ lenders.
Re-shop my fileIf you’re…You've never checked either bureau and don't know where you stand
You've never checked either bureau and don't know where you stand
Pull both reports for free first. We tell you which mortgage rate tier you land in.
See the score tiersIf you’re…You have limited credit history and want to strengthen both files
You have limited credit history and want to strengthen both files
What lifts one bureau usually lifts the other: on-time payments, low card balances, older accounts kept open.
See how to improveHow are Equifax and
TransUnion different?
The key difference that matters to your mortgage: which bureau your lender pulls.
- Score scale300 to 900
- Score modelsEquifax's own models; consumer score may differ from lender's
- Lender inquiries kept3 years (FCAC)
- Data heldMay differ — not all creditors report to both
- Used by lendersYes (varies by lender)
- Score scale300 to 900
- Score modelsTransUnion's own models; consumer score may differ from lender's
- Lender inquiries kept6 years (FCAC)
- Data heldMay differ — not all creditors report to both
- Used by lendersYes (varies by lender)
Inquiry retention per the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada. Your consumer scores may differ from the scores lenders see. See how lender tiers work.
Common questions,
clear answers.
Scores, inquiries, free checks, and errors — answered plainly.
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?
Most Canadian lenders pull Equifax. Some also check TransUnion — especially if Equifax shows limited history. The score that matters most is whichever bureau your specific lender uses. A clean report at one bureau isn't enough; we make sure both look right before we submit your file.
What's a good credit score at each bureau?
Both bureaus score on a 300 to 900 scale, but each uses its own models and its own "good" bands, so the numbers aren't directly comparable. For a mortgage, 680+ commonly opens prime (A-lender) approvals and 760+ tends to get the sharpest pricing.
How long does a hard inquiry stay on my report?
Per the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, lender inquiries can stay on file for 3 years with Equifax or 6 years with TransUnion. The score effect of a single mortgage inquiry is small and fades within months; what matters more is avoiding many new-credit applications right before you apply.
How do I check both credit reports for free?
You can get your credit report free from both Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada, online or by mail, and several Canadian apps and 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.
We’ll try to beat your rate.
If we can’t, we pay you $500.¹
¹ Rate Beat: eligible Big-6 bank written offers only · same product, term & amount · $500 paid to you or your nominated charity at closing · conditions apply
Mortgage broker by city
Your credit bureau scores work the same across Canada — but the lenders we can access for your file, the rate tiers available at your score, and the local market context all vary. Find your city below.