Post Published on April 5, 2012.
Last Updated on April 28, 2016 by davemackey.
Update: Scrap this post entirely and read my post on eating crow and why Quizzle is actually worth your time here.
In 2010 I wrote about free credit card reporting services Quizzle and CreditKarma. At the time I recommended using them both – and while that still can’t hurt, I have to say for me personally it is time to say goodbye to Quizzle and depend more fully on CreditKarma. Why? Well, a few quick reasons:
- Quizzle is freemium. They let you refresh your credit card score once every six months…CreditKarma lets me refresh it all day if I want. Quizzle charges for extra refreshes – CreditKarma is nice and free.
Okay…really, that is the big reason, but I’ll also throw out there that I’m not particularly impressed with Intuit (which owns Quicken which owns Quizzle), in fact I’m downright disappointed. They’ve neutered a leading innovator in online money management (Mint) through failing to develop it further1Yes, yes, some features have been added…but I’ve almost stopped using it since better tools have been released…and their products, generally, over significantly overpriced (yikes, QuickBooks!). I don’t expect to see industry leading innovations from Intuit – they are a big behemoth that takes its time turning, like so many established enterprises – I generally prefer to look to the quick and nimble companies.2Thanks to Pete who pointed out that I was wrong about the relationship between Intuit and Quicken Loans…while they share branding this is a licensed relationship rather than a sub-entity, etc.- I don’t need Quizzle’s emails in addition to CreditKarma’s. I already have information (and email) overload…so this is an easy way to trim down the fat.
So, if you want to keep checking two credit reporting services – keep Quizzle…but to simplify life, I find CreditKarma to be more than sufficient.
Criticism 2 is incorrect. Quizzle was formerly part of Quicken Loans, which shares no affiliation with Intuit, maker of Quicken software (as well as Turbo Tax and whatever else). You may want to consider removing that bullet as it does not apply.
Thanks Pete. I’ve updated the post to reflect your correction.
Dave,
We’re super sorry to see you go 🙁
If I could add a couple of notes (maybe even win you back):
1. A credit score is just a credit score. In most cases free credit score providers use a proprietary score. That means at best it’s a guide to how you’re doing managing your credit, not necessarily the exact credit score your credit card company or lender will use to qualify you.
2. We give you a free Experian credit report too (the only one). Not once, but every six months. That is something that a credit card company or lender will review to qualify you. Even more important–it is the only way to see what is affecting your credit score. Everyone else makes you buy that part.
3. If you want to reduce your credit education emails–simply opt-out. You still get your free credit score AND report!
We’d love to have you reconsider.
Bill: You are absolutely right. It is time for me to eat some crow – Quizzle does offer value, and I’ve just written a new post highlighting this and the error of my ways.
Thanks for spreading the karma! Find us on Twitter and Facebook or the Credit Advice Center (http://www.creditkarma.com/all/advice) if you ever have any questions.
Thanks Bethy!