Aura vs IdentityIQ: In-Depth Review (One Clear Winner)

Are you trying to decide between Aura and IdentityIQ for identity theft protection? In this in-depth guide we’ll compare both services directly to help you find the best fit. We'll explore their features, trustworthiness, and value for your money, so you can make an informed choice.

We'll take a close look at the specifics of both services, focusing on their core identity protection capabilities, additional digital defenses, ease of use, and customer support. Our analysis is based on thorough testing, real-world performance, user feedback, and their overall effectiveness in safeguarding against identity theft.

Identity theft protection is more important now than ever. With the rise of AI-powered cyber threats, data breaches, and online fraud, having a reliable service is essential to protect your personal information and financial well-being.

Our expertise in this field, backed by extensive research and hands-on testing, ensures that you can trust our insights and recommendations. By the end of this article, you’ll know which service, Aura or IdentityIQ, aligns best with your needs and offers the most comprehensive protection in today's digital age.

	Aura	IdentityIQ
Website	Aura.com	IdentityIQ.com
Pricing	$9 – $25/month (with coupon)	$6.99 – $28.04/month
Money-back guarantee	60 days	Not stated
3-bureau credit monitoring	Yes (all plans)	1 bureau (3 bureaus with most expensive plans)
24/7 customer support	Yes	Yes
Identity theft insurance	Up to $1 million (up to $5 million with family plans)	Up to $1 million
Best deal	68% Off Coupon >

Key takeaways from Aura and IdentityIQ comparison

• Aura is currently our top pick for identity theft protection. It offers a fine range of digital security features, including antivirus software, a password manager, and a virtual private network (VPN). Plus, its plans are user-friendly and pricing is transparent.

• IdentityIQ excels in credit bureau monitoring and offers customizable plans. It also focuses on credit score simulators and dark web surveillance. However, it doesn't have some of the advanced digital defenses that Aura provides.

• Both services are known for their excellent customer support and reliability. But Aura’s transparency and comprehensive feature set, which includes child protection and financial safeguards, make it the better choice for overall identity protection.

• Regarding value, Aura is the winner, especially if you take advantage of this 68% off coupon.

How to select the right identity theft protection service: Aura vs IdentityIQ

To help you make an informed decision, let’s quickly outline the essential factors to consider before comparing Aura and IdentityIQ:

1. Monitoring: Identity theft protection services like Aura and IdentityIQ keep a close watch on various data points to detect potential identity theft. They monitor public records, credit files, and even the dark web to spot any compromise of your personal information. This thorough surveillance acts as an early warning system to catch threats.

2. Protection: These services go beyond monitoring by offering essential privacy tools to keep your information safe. Features such as antivirus software, secure browsing via VPNs, and spam call blocking are included. They also assist in removing your personal info from data brokers and other risky online places, reducing the chances of identity theft.

3. Notifications: Timely alerts are crucial in minimizing the damage caused by identity fraud. Aura and IdentityIQ send fraud alerts to notify you of suspicious activity, allowing you to take quick action.

4. Resolution: If identity theft does happen, both Aura and IdentityIQ provide dedicated support to help you through the resolution process. They offer insurance to cover eligible expenses and losses, ensuring you have the financial backing to recover from the incident.

Let’s quickly look at how Aura and IdentityIQ stack up to determine the best fit for your identity theft protection needs.

Aura vs IdentityIQ: Side-by-side comparison

Let’s see how Aura and IdentityIQ stack up against each other to determine which service best meets your identity protection needs. Here’s an overview of their key features:

	Aura	IdentityIQ
Pricing	$9 – $25/month (with coupon)	$6.99-$28.04/month
Family-focused plans and features	Yes	Yes
3-bureau credit monitoring and reports	Yes (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax)	1-bureau (Experian) or 3-bureau (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax)
Dark web monitoring and alerts	Yes	Yes
Identity theft insurance	Up to $1 million (up to $5 million with family plans)	Up to $1 million
Social media account alerts	No	No
Credit lock	Yes	No
Lost wallet remediation	Yes	Yes
Antivirus and VPN	Yes	Yes but as an add-on for an extra fee
Password manager	Yes	Yes but as an add-on for an extra fee
24/7 customer support	Yes	Yes
Best deal	68% Off Coupon >	N/A

Aura vs IdentityIQ: Which company is more trustworthy?

When deciding on identity theft protection services, it's essential to consider the company’s reputation, the number of users, and their adherence to industry standards.

Now, let’s examine both of our contenders in detail.

Aura overview

Founded in 2014 by Hari Ravichandran after experiencing a credit information breach himself, Aura is on a mission to make the internet a safer place. Today, it proudly serves over a million members worldwide, all striving for a more secure online experience.

Aura's dedication to a seamless user experience has earned it numerous accolades, from the Mom’s Choice Awards to recognition by Inc. Magazine and Forbes. Their impressive TrustScore of 4.6 on Trustpilot, based on 523 reviews, speaks volumes about their commitment to service excellence.

With the strategic acquisition of Identity Guard, Aura has expanded its offerings to include three tailored plans for individuals, couples, and families. These plans come equipped with advanced cybersecurity tools like antivirus software, VPN, and a password manager, ensuring robust protection against digital threats.

Aura pros and cons

Let's explore the pluses and minuses of selecting Aura for your digital identity protection:

See the latest Aura prices and deals: https://aura.com/save-50-offers

Let's now turn our attention to IdentityIQ.

IdentityIQ overview

IdentityIQ emerges as a formidable contender in the realm of identity protection with a laser focus on credit bureau monitoring and dark web surveillance. Founded in 2009 and operating out of California, IdentityIQ is part of the IDIQ family, specializing in identity theft protection and credit monitoring services. It is known for its well-rounded protection solutions and educational initiatives on credit and personal identity management.

With the rise of sophisticated scams like government benefits fraud and tax-related identity theft, IdentityIQ’s vigilant services are more important than ever for early detection and support. Priding itself on a strong track record of data security, IdentityIQ has avoided major data breaches, showcasing its dedication to safeguarding user information.

On Trustpilot, IdentityIQ has a 4.0 rating from 338 reviews, yet 20% of users gave a one-star rating, mainly due to cancellation issues. Customers struggle with being unable to cancel online and facing long hold times on calls during limited service hours. Complaints also mention unexpected recurring charges and poor interactions with customer service representatives.

IdentityIQ pros and cons

Now, let’s examine the advantages and disadvantages of opting for IdentityIQ to safeguard your digital identity:

Is Aura or IdentityIQ more trustworthy?

Aura’s reputation as a trustworthy service is well-earned due to its transparent pricing model, comprehensive features, and commitment to privacy, including a strict no-data-selling policy. Also, Aura’s consistently high ratings from users and trusted platforms like Trustpilot further bolster its position as the more reliable and trustworthy service in the fight against identity theft.

Trustworthiness winner: Aura

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Availability and insurance coverage: Does Aura or IdentityIQ offer more comprehensive protection?

Both Aura and IdentityIQ offer $1 million insurance policies to reimburse stolen funds and cover identity restoration costs.

	Aura	IdentityIQ
Identity theft insurance amount	$1M for each adult member, up to $2M on the “Couple” plan, and up to $5M on the “Family” plan	Up to $1M
Stolen funds reimbursement	Up to $1M	Up to $1M

Aura provides up to $1 million in coverage per adult, with couples plans offering up to $2 million and family plans up to $5 million. This includes stolen funds reimbursement to help you recover if identity theft occurs. This was also an advantage we noted in the LifeLock vs Aura comparison.

Meanwhile, IdentityIQ also offers $1 million stolen funds reimbursement across all plans, covering legal costs during identity restoration. The “Secure Max” plan adds $25,000 in identity theft insurance for children under 24 living at home, legal support, compensation for lost wages up to $1,500 per week, and assistance in renewing important documents like driver’s licenses and passports.

	Aura	IdentityIQ
Windows	Yes	Yes
macOS	Yes	Yes
Android	Yes	Yes
iOS	Yes	Yes
Web browser extensions	Yes (Chrome, Firefox, and Edge)	No

As for platform availability, Aura’s comprehensive protection extends across multiple platforms, ensuring your details are safeguarded no matter where you are. It diligently monitors the dark web, data broker lists, and public records, and keeps an eye on new account registrations. Aura is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Android, and integrates smoothly with browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.

IdentityIQ provides a versatile user experience through its web interface and mobile app for Android and iOS. Alerts are prominently displayed, and if configured during registration, IdentityIQ sends notifications via text messaging, ensuring you are always informed of any suspicious activity.

Aura wins this round due to its comprehensive protection plans that offer up to $5 million in coverage for families and its extensive platform compatibility.

Availability and insurance coverage winner: Aura

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Core identity protection capabilities: Who wins Aura and IdentityIQ face-off?

Aura and IdentityIQ both offer strong identity theft protection. Aura stands out with its superb digital security tools like VPN and antivirus, while IdentityIQ excels in credit monitoring and dark web surveillance.

Now, let's explore their fundamental identity protection features.

Credit monitoring across the bureaus

Unlike IdentityIQ, which only offers this in its premium plans, Aura monitors all three major credit bureaus – Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion – right from the start. This is a big deal because it ensures you’re not missing any critical information that could be reported to just one of the bureaus, giving you a more complete picture of your credit health.

Using Aura, we felt more in control of our financial well-being. We appreciated the regular monthly credit scores and the annual credit report, which helped us keep track of our financial habits. However, we did notice that credit reports are only available once a year, and Aura doesn’t offer credit simulators or financial planning calculators, which might be a downside for some users. On the upside, we found Aura’s real-time alerts and comprehensive monitoring to be top-notch, always keeping us informed about any changes to our credit status.

Meanwhile, with IdentityIQ's “Secure Max” plan, we enjoyed thorough credit monitoring across all three major credit bureaus. This provided us with a panoramic view of our financial activities and any updates to our credit reports. The real-time notifications about potential credit card fraud, overdraft alerts, and warnings when our personal information might be compromised were particularly reassuring, allowing us to act quickly to prevent identity theft.

We also liked that IdentityIQ allows monthly credit report checks. The credit score provided is the VantageScore 3.0, which is a reliable model developed by the major credit bureaus. This gave us a consistent understanding of our credit health across various lenders. However, we did notice that the entry-level “Secure Plus” plan only monitors your credit report from one bureau. For comprehensive credit monitoring across all three bureaus, you’ll need to opt for IdentityIQ’s higher-tier plans.

In the end, Aura wins this round because it offers three-bureau credit monitoring with real-time alerts across all plans.

Credit monitoring winner: Aura

Dark web surveillance

The dark web, a shadowy corner of the internet notorious for the unauthorized trading of personal data, is under constant surveillance by Aura’s dark web monitoring. This proactive threat intelligence is a cornerstone of identity theft protection, alerting you to address data breaches swiftly.

Aura’s advanced dark web monitoring tools comb through thousands of sites daily, scouring for any trace of your personal information across obscure forums and marketplaces. Should your details emerge, Aura promptly alerts you, enabling you to secure your accounts and prevent misuse. And as we noted in the Aura vs McAfee comparison, Aura extends its vigilance to social media platforms, guarding against cyberbullying and predators.

Similar to Aura, IdentityIQ alerts you if your sensitive information surfaces in these dubious markets. The service also watches for your data in criminal records and notifies you if your identity is misused for criminal activities. Address change alerts further safeguard against mail diversion or property fraud attempts.

Both Aura and IdentityIQ offer advanced dark web monitoring tools that effectively scan the dark web for any trace of your personal information, providing timely alerts to protect against identity theft.

Dark web surveillance winner: Tie

Financial and investment account safeguards

The financial domain is often the prime target for identity thieves, making the safeguards around financial and investment accounts crucial. Both Aura and IdentityIQ equip their users with robust identity restoration services and $1 million insurance coverage to protect against theft and legal battles.

IdentityIQ’s plans include stolen wallet protection, aiding users in replacing stolen cards and account numbers. Aura offers 24/7 support, ensuring assistance is always available.

Both services provide insurance and support, but Aura’s comprehensive features, including real-time alerts and the ability to lock and unlock credit files, offer superior financial protection.

Account safeguards winner: Tie

Which provides superior core identity protection features?

Aura takes the lead in the identity protection race with its comprehensive credit monitoring from all three credit bureaus in every plan, vigilant dark web surveillance, and thorough financial and investment account safeguards. By providing these features, Aura offers a robust and all-encompassing defense against identity theft threats.

In short, Aura wins because it monitors all three major credit bureaus – Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion – from the beginning.

See Aura's monitoring capabilities here >

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Additional digital defenses: Who offers better extras?

Both Aura and IdentityIQ offer high-quality identity protection, but they also come with valuable additional features.

Parental controls and child identity monitoring

Aura takes this seriously, offering robust security features to keep your little ones safe online. The parental controls are a standout, giving us the power to filter unsuitable content, manage screen time, and receive alerts about potential cyberbullying or online predators. Setting up and monitoring a child's online activities was surprisingly easy, thanks to the user-friendly interface.

We particularly liked Aura’s “Family” plan, which bundles all these protective measures together, making it simple to ensure kids could explore the internet securely. The plan also includes monitoring for our child’s SSN and comprehensive credit freeze capabilities.

On the other hand, when we looked at IdentityIQ, we found their approach to family protection to be equally impressive. The “Secure Max” plan covers the primary account holder and up to four children under 18 at the same address. The SSN monitoring for children was a crucial feature for us, providing a critical defense against identity theft at an early age.

In conclusion, both Aura and IdentityIQ excel in providing robust parental control features, ensuring a safe online environment for children.

VPN protection

In today’s world, where online privacy is always at risk, having a VPN is a must for keeping your digital footprint safe. Aura has you covered with a military-grade VPN included in all its plans, offering secure and easy-to-use browsing across various devices and platforms.

We found Aura’s no-logs VPN, part of its digital security suite, to be quite impressive. It uses AES-256 encryption to keep your privacy intact, especially when you’re on public Wi-Fi. Even though Aura is based in the US, it has a strict no-logs policy, so your browsing habits stay private. Turning on Aura’s VPN is a breeze – just log into the app, scroll down to “Online security,” and toggle the switch next to “Protect this device.”

IdentityIQ also steps up with Bitdefender’s VPN services, which can secure up to 10 devices and protect your online activities, even on public Wi-Fi. For an extra $3 on any plan, you can get the Bitdefender Security Suite, which includes antivirus and a VPN, along with parental controls and a password manager for Windows devices.

While Bitdefender’s antivirus is well-regarded, the VPN has a daily data limit of 200 MB, which might not be enough for regular use. This extra feature makes us wonder if IdentityIQ should focus more on its core identity protection. Still, Bitdefender’s tools are a nice bonus for cybersecurity.

Advanced antivirus

Aura’s antivirus, powered by AI, ensures you can browse safely on Windows PC, macOS, and Android. It’s a separate download, but it’s super easy to install and runs quietly in the background, scanning and removing threats like viruses, ransomware, spyware, and trojans. The AI-driven approach not only catches and neutralizes threats but also learns and adapts to new risks, giving you a dynamic shield against cyber threats.

For IdentityIQ users, there’s an option to boost their identity security by adding the Bitdefender security suite for an extra $3 per plan. This suite has a robust antivirus designed to tackle a wide range of malware. By integrating with Bitdefender, IdentityIQ offers a comprehensive security solution beyond identity protection, making it a great option for users looking for enhanced digital safety.

Ad and tracker blocking extension

We appreciate how Aura elevates your web experience by getting rid of distractions and keeping your privacy intact with its advanced ad and tracker-blocking technology.

We installed the Aura browser extension, which works seamlessly with Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, ensuring we were protected across all our devices. This ad-blocker also shields you from online scams and phishing attempts, and it blocks malicious websites that could harm your device with malware.

One thing we noticed is that this type of ad-blocking relies on a browser extension. If you prefer a VPN ad-blocker, it can protect all browsers and apps from ads and tracking. Luckily, Aura's VPN, included in all its plans, offers this comprehensive protection, making sure your browsing experience stays smooth and secure.

We also tried Bitdefender's VPN and found it had solid ad-blocking abilities. It’s just as fast as most standalone VPNs and does a great job of keeping your identity safe online while blocking those annoying ads and trackers. If you're an IdentityIQ user and opt for the Bitdefender Security Suite, you can enjoy these perks too. Just keep in mind that the VPN has a daily data limit of 200 MB, which might not be enough if you’re a heavy user, similar to free trial VPNs.

Password manager

We're impressed that Aura outfits all plans with a user-friendly password manager. It boosts your online defenses by keeping an eye out for compromised or weak passwords. Plus, it simplifies your digital life by automating password updates on select websites, ensuring your accounts stay secure. Aura’s password manager also generates complex passwords, stores them securely, and auto-fills login details, ensuring your credentials are always safe and easily accessible.

When we checked out IdentityIQ, we found that its password manager is included with the Bitdefender suite, which is great for bolstering family safety and credential security on Windows devices.

Although Bitdefender password manager is pretty basic, we think it’s a solid product. All your data is encrypted and decrypted locally, so only you have access to the master password. The password manager helps you organize and manage your passwords efficiently, giving you a secure way to store and retrieve your credentials.

Opt-out IQ and data cleanup service

You know how overwhelming it can be to deal with all those unsolicited offers and messages bombarding your inbox and phone? It’s not just annoying – it can also open the door to potential identity theft. But with Aura, it's like having a personal assistant to help you declutter and protect your privacy. Their opt-out service is fantastic – it helps you remove your info from those pesky data broker lists and reduces the flood of unwanted solicitations. It’s not just convenient; it’s like taking back control of your digital life.

Now, when it comes to IdentityIQ, they’ve got a similar feature called Opt-out IQ. It’s like having your own privacy bodyguard, helping you unsubscribe from marketing lists and directories, and giving you some much-needed peace from all that junk mail and calls.

While both services offer ways to clean up and manage your personal data, Aura’s approach feels more comprehensive.

Which service has better extras: Aura or IdentityIQ ?

Aura really stands out with its suite of digital defenses, including AI-powered scam protection, a VPN, and much more. Their Family Plan is impressive, covering multiple households for comprehensive protection. Plus, they offer a password manager, ad and tracker blocking, and an opt-out service, giving you a full digital shield for privacy and security.

Additional digital defenses winner: Aura

See all Aura features here >

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Ease of use and support: Is Aura or IdentityIQ more user-friendly?

Picking an identity theft protection service should be a breeze, right? Well, when it comes to Aura and IdentityIQ, they both offer solid protection, but let's talk about what really matters – how easy they are to use and how much support they give you.

So, let's take a closer look at both and see which one ticks all the boxes for you.

Signing up and setting up your protection

Setting up protection with Aura is straightforward. To sign up for Aura identity theft protection, navigate to Aura’s official website, select a subscription, and provide your name, email, phone number, and a strong password. Click the “Sign Up” button, and voilà – you’ve just created your new Aura account.

The streamlined signup process and user-centric design make it easy to get started. The interface offers quick access to features like VPN and antivirus, with separate downloads for safe gaming to keep setup uncomplicated.

Setting up an account with IdentityIQ’s requires basic information like your SSN, date of birth, and phone number. Once your account is set up, you can easily manage your personal details, password, security questions, and plan from the account details page. The setup process with IdentityIQ is fairly quick, taking about ten minutes.

Winner: Tie

Navigating your dashboard and apps

The dashboard is the heart of any identity theft protection service, where you keep an eye on all your security features.

We found that Aura’s dashboard is really user-friendly, making it easy to stay on top of your digital security. Their app, available for both iPhone and Android, is just as easy to use, giving you control at your fingertips, no matter what device you're on. Plus, you can tailor the dashboard to show what's most important to you, like social media activities, financial account statuses, or the security of personal info like credit card details.

For those of us always on the move, Aura’s mobile app is fantastic. It’s compatible with both iOS and Android, and it’s super easy to use. The app lets you manage your protection, access your account, and link financial accounts for monitoring right from your smartphone. Plus, the instant mobile notifications kept us promptly informed of any security issues, no matter where we were.

On the other hand, IdentityIQ’s dashboard offers a similar level of control and customization. Features like Data Explore and Certification Statistics dashboards provide insightful analytics, helping us stay on top of our identity data. Navigating the IdentityIQ dashboard was straightforward, and we could easily access credit score trackers and simulators. Plus, we appreciated the option for text message alerts for quick updates.

IdentityIQ’s alert system keeps us informed about potential risks through the web interface or mobile app. The app also offers biometric logins and easy access to credit scores and reports. However, some higher-tier plans lack features like social media monitoring and parental controls, which could be a drawback for families needing more comprehensive protection.

Winner: Aura

Customer support and resources

Both Aura and IdentityIQ offer 24/7 customer support, so help is always available when you need it. Aura really shines with its US-based team, providing personalized guidance through dedicated case managers. We found it super easy to reach out via phone, email, or live chat, and they also have a great collection of self-help documents.

IdentityIQ also has a US-based support team available via a toll-free number with extended weekday hours and even on Saturdays. However, some users on Trustpilot have mentioned that they had less satisfactory experiences with responsiveness and cancellation issues.

Overall, while both services are reliable, we felt that Aura has an edge with its consistently positive feedback and quicker fraud alerts.

Winner: Aura

Which service is more user-friendly: Aura or IdentityIQ?

Aura definitely wins in terms of user-friendliness. Signing up was a breeze with their straightforward process, and we loved how intuitive the dashboard was. Managing accounts and tracking financial activities felt effortless. Plus, their mobile app is super easy to use and keeps us updated with instant notifications. IdentityIQ has its strengths too, but Aura’s user-centric design made everything smoother for us.

Ease of use and support winner: Aura

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Financial health: Who offers more helpful credit reports and scores?

With Aura, you get three-bureau credit monitoring in all plans, plus monthly credit score updates and an annual credit report. While we appreciated these features, we did notice that Aura doesn’t offer credit simulators or financial planning calculators, and you only get credit reports once a year. However, Aura’s real-time alerts for any changes in your credit status kept us always informed, which we found really helpful.

Meanwhile, when we accessed our IdentityIQ dashboard, we were impressed by the quick summary of credit, identity, and score monitoring alerts. It provided easy access to monthly credit reports and alerts, helping us stay on top of our identity protection.

IdentityIQ’s “Secure” plan is the most budget-frieldy but doesn’t include credit scores or reports. If you move up to the “Secure Plus” plan, you get one bureau credit monitoring, annual reports, and scores from all three bureaus. Higher-tier plans like “Secure Max” offered the most value, with monthly updates and comprehensive monitoring across all three bureaus.

Overall, both services have their strengths, but we found IdentityIQ’s detailed monthly updates particularly useful for keeping our financial health in check.

Winner: IdentityIQ

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Security and privacy: Is Aura or IdentityIQ a safer choice?

When it comes to keeping your personal information secure, both Aura and IdentityIQ take it seriously. However, we found that Aura’s extra digital security tools really set it apart.

Aura uses top-of-the-line 256-bit AES encryption to safeguard your data. While it collects necessary information like account details and service usage, we were reassured knowing that our data was protected. Plus, Aura offers a VPN for added security, though being US-based raised some minor privacy concerns for us due to potential government data requests.

On the other hand, IdentityIQ also employs strong security measures, like SSL encryption. However, we noticed that it requires sensitive information for subscriptions and shares data with government entities and third parties under certain circumstances, which might worry some users.

Teaming up with Bitdefender, IdentityIQ provides useful tools like antivirus protection, a VPN, safe browsing features, and spam call protection for up to 10 devices.

But what really impressed us about Aura were the additional features like AI-powered scam call blocking, real-time credit monitoring, dark web monitoring, and social media monitoring, all of which provided an extra layer of protection. With Aura's stellar reputation and high user ratings, it felt like the safer choice for robust security and privacy.

Security and privacy winner: Aura

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Plans and pricing: Does Aura or IdentityIQ offer greater value for money?

Selecting the right identity theft protection service involves considering the balance between cost and benefits. Aura's pricing structure is crystal clear, eliminating any uncertainty or confusion when it comes to renewing your subscription:

1. Individual Plan: This plan is perfect for single users, priced at $12 monthly ($9/mo. with coupon) when billed annually. It encompasses $1 million in identity theft insurance, 1GB of secure cloud storage in the Vault, and comprehensive security for up to 10 devices.

2. Couple Plan: Ideal for two users, this plan is available at $22 per month ($17/mo. with coupon) with annual billing. It includes the same $1 million insurance coverage for identity theft, doubles the cloud storage to 2GB, and extends device security coverage to 20 devices.
3. Family Plan: Designed with families in mind, this plan is priced at $37 per month ($25/mo. with coupon) when billed annually. It significantly increases the insurance coverage to $1 million per adult, provides a generous 5GB of cloud storage space, and secures up to 50 devices.

With Aura, what you see is what you get – their transparent pricing policy means no unexpected add-ons or upsells. New subscribers also benefit from substantial savings, making it a win-win situation.

IdentityIQ takes a personalized approach to identity protection, offering a range of plans to suit every individual's needs. Join me as we explore these plans and discover which one best fits your security priorities:

1. Secure Plan – priced at $6.99/month (annual billing): It offers basic features including daily 1-bureau credit report monitoring and up to $1 million in stolen funds reimbursement.

Beyond the basic plan, there are additional options you can select:

1. Secure Plus – priced at $8.50/month (annual billing): It includes annual 3-bureau credit reports and scores, 1-bureau credit report monitoring, and up to $1 million stolen funds reimbursement.

2. Secure Pro – priced at $16.99/month (annual billing): The plan covers everything from “Secure Plus”, as well as enhanced credit report monitoring, alerts on crimes committed in your name, and score change alerts.

3. Secure Max – priced at $25.50/month (annual billing): Includes everything from previous plans plus credit scores simulator and tacker, $25K ID theft insurance for family protection and fraud restoration with LPOA.

Alongside identity theft protection, IdentityIQ offers bundled plans that incorporate antivirus and VPN services:

1. Secure Plus (with antivirus and VPN) – priced at $10.19/month (annual billing): Includes everything from “Secure Plus,” and a VPN with unlimited encrypted traffic for up to 10 devices, antivirus and antispyware and password manager for Windows OS.
2. Secure Pro (with antivirus and VPN) – priced at $18.69/month (annual billing): Includes everything from “Secure Pro,” and a VPN with unlimited encrypted traffic for up to 10 devices, antivirus and antispyware and password manager for Windows.
3. Secure Max (with antivirus and VPN) – priced at $28.04/month (annual billing): Includes everything from “Secure Max,” and a VPN with unlimited encrypted traffic for up to 10 devices, antivirus and antispyware and password manager for Windows OS.

IdentityIQ does not explicitly mention the availability of free trials or a money-back guarantee on its official website. According to IDIQ’s Terms of Service, free trials are available for some services, at their discretion. In contrast, Aura provides a 60-day money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied with their services.

Aura takes the lead in this chapter with its clear and uncomplicated plans, delivering superior value and confidence through a money-back guarantee.

Plans and pricing winner: Aura

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Conclusion: Which service wins?

When comparing Aura and IdentityIQ for identity protection, there are a few key points to consider based on our experience with both services. Here's a quick rundown of how they stack up in the areas we looked at:

1. Trustworthiness: Aura

2. Availability and insurance: Aura

3. Core identity protection capabilities: Aura

4. Additional digital defenses: Aura

5. Ease of use and support: Aura

6. Financial health reports: IdentityIQ

7. Security and privacy: Aura

8. Plans and pricing: Aura

In the end, both Aura and IdentityIQ are solid and offer similar features, but Aura really stands out. We appreciated that Aura offers comprehensive identity and credit monitoring along with fantastic online safety tools, all included in every plan with no hidden costs. With Aura, what you see is what you get, and there are no surprises at renewal time – unlike with IdentityIQ. This makes Aura an excellent choice, particularly for budget-conscious users.

Identity theft protection comparisons on RestorePrivacy:

• Aura vs LifeLock
• Aura vs Experian IdentityWorks
• IDShield vs Aura
• Aura vs McAfee
• LifeLock vs IDShield
• Aura vs Incogni
• Aura vs IDShield
• Identity Guard vs Aura
• Identity Guard vs LifeLock
• LifeLock vs Experian Identity Works

Aura vs IdentityIQ FAQ

How does Aura's credit monitoring compare to IdentityIQ's?

Aura offers three-bureau credit monitoring with real-time alerts across all plans. In contrast, IdentityIQ provides one-bureau monitoring on its lower-priced plans and three-bureau monitoring on higher-tier plans.

So, if you want consistent three-bureau monitoring on a tight budget, Aura might be the more attractive option.

Can Aura's identity theft protection extend to my family?

Yes, Aura's “Family” plan can cover five adults and an unlimited number of children. It includes features like parental controls, safe gaming tools, and child identity monitoring, making it a great option for extending identity theft protection to your entire family.

How do I cancel my IdentityIQ subscription?

To cancel your IdentityIQ subscription, you'll need to get in touch with their customer service team directly. Unfortunately, there's no option to cancel online. You can call their toll-free number during business hours. Have your account info ready and be prepared to explain why you're canceling. It's a good idea to follow up with an email confirmation to make sure your request goes through.

Some users have found this process a bit of a hassle, sometimes dealing with pushy sales tactics and long wait times. To avoid any issues, make sure to document your cancellation request and follow up if you don’t get a confirmation.

Do Aura and IdentityIQ offer antivirus and VPN protection?

Yes, both Aura and IdentityIQ include antivirus and VPN protection in their services. Aura provides these features in all its plans, offering military-grade encryption and AI-driven antivirus for comprehensive digital security.

IdentityIQ, on the other hand, offers antivirus and VPN protection through Bitdefender. These are available as add-ons or included in higher-tier plans. Bitdefender's suite includes antivirus, VPN, and other security tools to boost your online safety.

This Aura vs IdentityIQ comparison guide was last updated on July 21, 2024.