What Is a VantageScore, and How Is It Different from FICO?

When it comes to credit scores, most people are familiar with FICO—but it’s not the only scoring model lenders use. The second most common model in the United States is VantageScore. Now, you might wonder, “What is a VantageScore, and how is it different from FICO?” Both are widely accepted, use similar data, and serve the same purpose — but they’re not created equal. Knowing the difference could save you from surprises when you apply for a credit card, car loan, or mortgage.

In this guide, we’ll break down what VantageScore is, how it compares to FICO, and which matters more depending on your goals. If you’re serious about building your credit profile, you’ll want to know which score to track and why Beem gives you the one lenders trust most.

Why There’s More Than One Credit Score

Having a ‘credit score’ sounds simple, but you don’t just have one score, you have many. Here’s why:

• There are different scoring models (FICO, VantageScore, etc.)
• Each model has multiple versions (FICO 8, FICO 9, VantageScore 3.0, etc.)
• Scores can be based on data from different credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion)

Your credit score reflects how each model evaluates the data in your credit file. And since lenders, apps, and financial institutions may all pull from different models or bureaus, the score you see can vary — sometimes by 20–40 points or more.

At Beem, we simplify this by showing you the FICO® Score from Experian, the most widely used model by lenders in the U.S.

Read related blog: What Is VantageScore: Best Answers

What Is a FICO® Score?

The FICO® Score was introduced in 1989 by the Fair Isaac Corporation. Since then, it has become the financial industry’s standard for credit risk assessment. Today, over 90% of top U.S. lenders use FICO Scores when making credit decisions — for everything from credit cards to mortgages.

Here’s how FICO works:

• It pulls your credit report data from one of the three major bureaus.
• It evaluates your History using a scoring algorithm that considers five main factors: payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, credit mix, and new credit inquiries.
• It produces a score between 300 and 850, with higher scores indicating lower credit risk.

There are multiple FICO score versions (like FICO 8 and FICO 9) and industry-specific versions (like FICO Auto Score or FICO Bankcard Score), and each is tuned slightly differently depending on the loan type or institution using it.

What Is a VantageScore?

VantageScore was created in 2006 by the three major credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion — as an alternative to FICO. It was designed to standardize scoring across bureaus and provide a more inclusive model that could generate scores for consumers with limited credit histories.

Like FICO, VantageScore also ranges from 300 to 850 and evaluates similar data points, including payment history, credit utilization, account age, types of credit, and recent credit behavior. However, a few key differences exist in how it interprets that data, especially in its most commonly used versions, VantageScore 3.0 and 4.0.

Notably, VantageScore is often the model used in free credit score platforms like Credit Karma, Credit Sesame, and some mobile banking apps.

Read related blog: FICO Score: More Enmity And Less Friendly

Why Your FICO Score and VantageScore Might Be Different

Even though both models rely on similar data, they don’t always interpret it the same way. Here are a few reasons your scores might not match:

1. Different Emphasis on Factors

VantageScore tends to weigh recent behavior more, especially trends in credit utilization and payment patterns. FICO, on the other hand, emphasizes long-term factors like payment history.

For example, if you recently paid down a high balance or made a large on-time payment after being behind, your VantageScore might reflect an improvement faster than your FICO score.

2. Minimum Scoring Requirements

FICO requires at least six months of credit activity to generate a score, and at least one account must have been reported to the bureau in the past six months.

VantageScore can generate a score with as little as one month of History, making it more accessible to users with limited credit profiles.

This is why new immigrants, students, or young adults may get a VantageScore before a FICO score becomes available.

3. Use of Trended Data

VantageScore 4.0 uses trended credit data, which looks at your credit usage patterns over time — not just a snapshot. This can mean your score is influenced by whether your balances have been trending up or down over recent months.

FICO still focuses more on a point-in-time analysis for most of its versions.

4. Different Bureau Data

If the scores are based on different bureaus (e.g., Experian vs. TransUnion), and those reports contain slightly different account info, your scores will naturally differ. Some lenders report to only one or two bureaus — not all three.

Read related blog: What Is a FICO Score: Best Guide

Which Score Do Lenders Use?

In most real-world lending decisions — especially those involving major financial products like:

• Mortgages
• Auto loans
• Personal loans
• Credit cards

Lenders rely on FICO® Scores. Most underwriters pull a FICO score from one or more bureaus as part of their decision-making process. This makes FICO the most relevant score to monitor if you’re preparing for a loan or credit-based application.

That’s why Beem shows you your FICO® Score directly from Experian — to help you prepare based on the score lenders are most likely to see.

Some fintech lenders or alternative credit providers might consider VantageScore in specific cases, but these are exceptions, not the norm.

How the Two Models Compare: A Quick Breakdown

Category	FICO® Score	VantageScore
Created By	Fair Isaac Corporation	Equifax, Experian and TransUnion
Year Introduced	1989	2006
Score Range	300 – 850	300 – 850
Minimum History Required	6 months	1 month
Trended Data Used	Not in most versions	Yes (4.0)
Used By Lenders	90%+	Less commonly
Shown in Free Apps	Rarely	Frequently
Industry-Specific Models	Yes (auto, card, mortgage)	No

Why It Matters Which Score You Monitor

You’re applying for a mortgage, and your VantageScore says 720. You think you’re in great shape. But the lender pulls your FICO score, and it’s 665. Suddenly, you’re dealing with a different interest rate — or even worse, you’re denied.

Monitoring the wrong score can set you up for misaligned expectations, delays, or financial setbacks. That’s why tracking your FICO score — not just any score — matters. And it’s why Beem shows you your FICO® Score from Experian.

With Beem, you’re looking at the same type of score most lenders will see when they evaluate your application.

How Beem Helps You Track the Right Score and Plan Ahead

Beem doesn’t just show you a score — it helps you understand and improve it. Here’s what makes it a competent partner for your credit journey:

• Real FICO® Score from Experian: The industry-standard score in most lending decisions.
• Credit Alerts: Know immediately when your score changes, a new inquiry appears, or your utilization spikes.
• Score Simulator: Test what might happen if you open a new credit card, pay off a balance, or close an account.
• Debt Analysis: Track how much you owe vs. how much you earn to understand your credit-to-income ratio better.
• Soft Inquiry Only: Checking your score through Beem won’t hurt it.

This access is crucial for building, repairing, or optimizing your credit profile.

Read related blog: Highest FICO Score – Know About What Is The Highest Credit Score

Know the Score That Matters Most

It’s okay to see different credit scores in different places. It’s not a sign that something’s wrong — it’s just the result of different models using different criteria.

That said, if you’re preparing to apply for credit — whether it’s a personal loan, car financing, or a mortgage — you want to keep your eyes on the score lenders are most likely to pull. That score is almost always a FICO® Score.

Apps that show your VantageScore can still help monitor general trends or for users with limited credit history, but they shouldn’t be your only guide.

With Beem, you can track your FICO score in real-time, simulate future changes, and stay one step ahead — all without impacting your credit. That means no surprises when it matters most. Download the app here.

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