Equifax vs TransUnion: what's different in Canada
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Canada has two main credit bureaus, Equifax and TransUnion, and the Equifax vs TransUnion question comes up the first time two apps show you two different scores. Both bureaus build a credit report from what lenders send them, and both turn it into a score that usually runs from 300 to 900. However, they do not keep the same data for the same length of time, and they do not give away the same things for free.
This guide compares the two bureaus point by point, with every figure checked against Equifax, TransUnion, and the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) as of October 18, 2026. For the basics of scores, start with our credit score hub.
Equifax vs TransUnion: the short answer
Neither bureau is "the real one." Lenders, landlords, and insurers can pull either report, and some pull both. As a result, the useful habit is to check both files, not to pick a favourite.
The practical differences come down to four things:
- Free score: Equifax gives a free score in every province and territory. TransUnion includes a free score only for residents of Ontario and Quebec.
- How long data stays: TransUnion keeps positive history for up to 20 years and lender inquiries for 6 years. Equifax keeps closed accounts for up to 10 years and inquiries for 3 years.
- Disputes: Equifax quotes 15 to 20 days for an online dispute. TransUnion says investigations are typically concluded within 30 days.
- Credit freeze: Equifax offers a free credit lock to residents of Quebec and Ontario. TransUnion offers its credit freeze to Quebec residents only.
Why your two scores don't match
Your Equifax score and your TransUnion score are calculated from two separate files. Each file holds what lenders reported to that bureau, so a missing account or a late payment recorded on one side can move one score and not the other.
The formulas also differ. The FCAC notes that bureaus and lenders use different formulas and don't share the exact details. In addition, the score a lender sees may not be the one you see, because a lender can give more weight to certain information.
A gap of a few points is normal and says nothing about which bureau is right. A large gap is a signal to open both reports and compare them line by line. Our guide on why a credit score drops covers the usual causes.
Same scale, different numbers
According to the FCAC, Canadian credit scores usually range from 300 to 900, and a higher score is better. Both bureaus work on that scale. For a breakdown of what each band means to a lender, see our page on credit score ranges.
What each bureau gives you for free
Both bureaus must let you see your file at no charge. The FCAC confirms that you can access your credit report online for free from Equifax and TransUnion, and that both update the information every month.
Equifax
Equifax gives free online access to your credit report and credit score through its myEquifax account. Its product page says the free version is updated once per month. Equifax also sells paid monitoring under the Equifax Complete name.
You can also ask Equifax for your report by phone at 1-800-465-7166, or by mail with photocopies of 2 valid pieces of identification.
TransUnion
TransUnion calls its free report a Consumer Disclosure. Its FAQ says you can receive it for free every 30 days through its self-service website, or request a mailed copy by phone or mail. The phone number is 1-800-663-9980.
The free Consumer Disclosure does not include a score unless you live in Ontario or Quebec, where provincial law requires it. TransUnion's paid monitoring service costs $24.95 per month plus tax, as listed on its home page on October 18, 2026. We explain the TransUnion side in more detail in our TransUnion credit score guide.
How long each bureau keeps your data
This is where the two bureaus differ the most. The figures below come from the FCAC, the Equifax dispute page, and the TransUnion FAQ, all read on October 18, 2026.
Positive history works in your favour, so a longer retention helps. Negative items, on the other hand, drop off after a set period, and that period sometimes depends on your province.
| Feature | Equifax | TransUnion |
|---|---|---|
| Score scale | 300 to 900 | 300 to 900 |
| Free online report | Yes, updated monthly | Yes (Consumer Disclosure), every 30 days |
| Free score | All provinces and territories | Ontario and Quebec residents only |
| Positive history | Open accounts while open; closed accounts up to 10 years | Up to 20 years, even after closing |
| Hard inquiries | 3 years | 6 years |
| Single bankruptcy | 6 years after discharge | 6 years, or 7 in NL, ON, PE and QC |
| Judgments | 6 years after filing | 6 years, 7 in NL, ON and QC, 10 in PE |
| Dispute processing | 15 to 20 days online, 20 to 25 days by mail | Typically within 30 days |
| Consumer statement | 800 characters or less | 100 words (200 in Saskatchewan) |
| Credit lock or freeze | Free, Quebec and Ontario residents | Free, Quebec residents only |
Inquiries
A hard inquiry is created when a lender checks your credit after you apply. Equifax removes inquiries 3 years after the date of the inquiry. TransUnion removes them after 6 years.
Checking your own report does not create a hard inquiry. The FCAC states that checking your own credit report or score doesn't affect your credit score. We also cover this in does checking your credit score lower it.
Bankruptcy and judgments
Equifax removes a single bankruptcy 6 years after discharge. TransUnion uses 6 years in most provinces and 7 years in Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec. With either bureau, a second bankruptcy stays for 14 years.
Judgments follow a similar split. Equifax removes them 6 years after filing. TransUnion keeps them 6 years in most provinces, 7 years in Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, and Quebec, and 10 years in Prince Edward Island.
Disputes, consumer statements, and freezes
Both bureaus correct errors for free, and the FCAC confirms that bureaus must correct errors at no charge. The process and the limits differ slightly.
Dispute timelines
Equifax lists about 15 to 20 days for an electronic dispute and 20 to 25 days for a mailed one. TransUnion says investigations are typically concluded within 30 days of receiving your request. Both accept disputes online, by phone, or by mail.
Consumer statements
If a dispute fails, you can add a short note to your file to explain your side. Equifax allows a consumer statement of 800 characters or less. TransUnion allows 100 words, or 200 words in Saskatchewan.
Credit locks and freezes
A freeze stops most lenders from pulling your file for new credit, which blocks fraud. Equifax offers a free credit lock to residents of Quebec and Ontario. TransUnion offers a free credit freeze to Quebec residents only, available since February 1, 2023.
Which report do lenders use?
There is no rule that a bank must use one bureau. In practice, a lender may pull one report or both, and the choice can change by product. As a result, a problem on the bureau you never check can still cost you an approval or a better interest rate.
The FCAC's own advice is to get your report from both Equifax and TransUnion so you can detect problems sooner. It costs nothing and protects you against errors and identity theft on both sides.
If you are building a file from scratch, the steps in our guide to building your credit score in Canada apply to both bureaus at once.
Conclusion
Equifax and TransUnion work on the same 300 to 900 scale, but they are not interchangeable. Equifax gives everyone a free score and clears inquiries after 3 years. TransUnion keeps more history, including 20 years of positive data, and gives a free score only in Ontario and Quebec.
The simplest plan is to open a free account with each bureau, check both files a few times a year, and dispute anything that doesn't match your records. To see where your number stands today, read our guide to getting a free credit score in Canada.
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Frequently asked questions about Equifax vs TransUnion
Is Equifax or TransUnion more accurate in Canada?
Neither bureau is more accurate by design. Each one reports what lenders sent it, so accuracy depends on the data in your own file. If a lender reports to only one bureau, or reports late, the two files will differ. Check both and compare them line by line. Our guide on how to check your credit score in Canada shows where to find each report.
Why is my TransUnion score higher than my Equifax score?
The two scores come from two separate files and two different formulas. A small gap is normal. A large gap usually means one file has an account, an inquiry, or a late payment that the other doesn't. Pull both free reports and look for the item that appears on only one side. If it is wrong, dispute it with the bureau that shows it.
Do Canadian banks use Equifax or TransUnion?
Banks can use either bureau, and some use both. The choice can vary by lender and by product, and it is not published in a single list. Because you rarely know which file a lender will pull, the safest approach is to keep both files clean. The FCAC recommends getting your report from both bureaus.
Can I get my TransUnion score for free?
TransUnion includes a free score in your Consumer Disclosure only if you live in Ontario or Quebec. Elsewhere, the free Consumer Disclosure shows your report without a score, and TransUnion sells a monitoring service at $24.95 per month plus tax as of October 18, 2026. Equifax gives a free score in every province. See our free credit score guide for other free options.
How long do inquiries stay on Equifax and TransUnion?
Equifax removes credit inquiries 3 years after the inquiry date. TransUnion removes them after 6 years. Only hard inquiries, created when you apply for credit, count against you. Checking your own report never lowers your score, as we explain in does checking your credit score lower it.
Does a dispute with one bureau fix the other?
No. Each bureau keeps its own file, so a correction at Equifax does not change your TransUnion report. If the same error appears on both, file a dispute with each bureau. You can also ask the lender that reported the error to send corrected data to both bureaus, which the FCAC says may speed things up.
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