5 best Aura alternatives for identity theft protection [2026]
Aura has positioned itself as the “all-in-one” digital protection solution.
It bundles everything into one subscription: identity monitoring, VPN, antivirus, password manager, parental controls, and more—all for $12/month.
It’s a solid package but it may not sit right for everyone.
We’ve analyzed the major competitors to help you decide: stick with Aura, or switch to something better suited to your needs.
Let’s dive in!
Quick verdict: Which Aura alternative is right for you?
| Best overall alternative: LifeLock If you want stronger brand trust and restoration guarantees, LifeLock is the better choice—offering up to $3 million in reimbursement coverage and US-based restoration specialists. |
| Best for deep credit monitoring: IdentityForce If you want detailed credit data and three-bureau monitoring, IdentityForce offers a credit score simulator and in-depth tracking that goes beyond Aura’s simpler approach. |
| Best for cybersecurity bundles: Surfshark One+ If Aura’s VPN feels too basic, Surfshark One offers a premium VPN, personal data removal, and antivirus—without the extra features you might not use. |
The 5 best Aura alternatives
| Best for: If brand trust and comprehensive restoration support matter to you, LifeLock is the strongest Aura alternative. It costs more, but you’re paying for proven expertise and the biggest reimbursement package in the industry. |
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Up to $3 million in reimbursement coverage ✅ Dedicated restoration specialists based in the US ✅ The widest range of monitoring alerts, all in one place ✅ 100% restoration guarantee or your money back ✅ 30-day free trial | ⛔ Premium tiers cost more than Aura’s basic plan ⛔ Subscription costs rise significantly after the first year ⛔ Free trial requires a credit card ⛔ Entry-level plan has fewer features ⛔ Number of plans may be confusing ⛔ Bundle with Norton 360 costs extra |
LifeLock is one of the most trusted names in identity theft protection, earning a 4.8 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot—significantly higher than Aura’s 4.3 stars.
Its top plan, Ultimate Plus, includes up to $3 million in coverage for stolen funds, personal expenses, and legal help. Aura’s plans include up to $1 million per member, which is standard across the industry.
Some unique coverage features of LifeLock:
- Stolen wallet reimbursement (up to $500 cash limit)
- Tax refund fraud covered
- Benefits fraud (SSI, unemployment) covered
- Arrest-related expenses (bail bonds)
- 100% restoration guarantee (12-month refund if unsuccessful)
- No coverage if family member commits fraud (unless reported to police)
Now let’s look at how the services actually work.
Both LifeLock and Aura monitor the dark web
They scan hidden forums, marketplaces, and breach dumps and alert you when your information shows up.
Independent tests, however, show Aura usually finds more exposures and sends alerts faster.
Credit monitoring is important too
Both services offer three-bureau monitoring, pulling data from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
This helps catch inquiries, new accounts, and address changes that single-bureau checks may miss.
LifeLock’s disadvantage: full three-bureau monitoring is available on Ultimate Plus only. Aura includes it on all plans.
Recovery support is also fairly similar between both services
Aura provides white glove fraud resolution, giving you a US-based specialist who helps manage the recovery process and guides you through disputes and reports.
LifeLock also assigns a dedicated specialist with limited power of attorney, meaning they can contact creditors, file reports, and coordinate with banks directly on your behalf.
On top of that, LifeLock adds a restoration guarantee: if they can’t fix your case, you may receive 12 months of your subscription refunded.
Where LifeLock pulls ahead is in the number of threats it watches for
It monitors things like social-media account takeover, SIM-swap attempts, Buy Now Pay Later fraud, and utility account fraud—areas where Aura provides less coverage.
The tough part with LifeLock is choosing a plan
The introductory rates look reasonable, but renewal prices can rise sharply, nearly doubling after the first year.
Some of the most important features, like full three-bureau credit monitoring, are locked behind the most expensive tiers, which means you may be pushed toward higher plans to get complete protection.
LifeLock delivers strong monitoring and robust recovery help, but the long-term cost and complex tier system are its biggest tradeoffs.
Here’s a quick overview with main (but not all) features:
| Identity Advisor | Standard |
| $3.33 per month for the first year, then ~$4.16 per month | $7.50 per month for the first year, then ~$10.40 per month |
| ➡️ 1 person ➡️ Restoration support ❌ No coverage ❌ No credit monitoring | ➡️ 1 person ➡️ Up to $1 million coverage ➡️ Credit monitoring: one bureau ➡️ …and more |
| Advantage | Ultimate Plus |
| $14.99 per month for the first year, then ~$19.99 per month | $19.99 per month for the first year, then ~$28.33 per month |
| ➡️ 1 person ➡️ Up to $1.2 million coverage ➡️ Credit monitoring: one bureau ➡️ …and more | ➡️ 1 person ➡️ Up to $3 million coverage ➡️ Credit monitoring: three bureaus ➡️ …and more |
| Selectwith Norton 360 | Ultimate Plus with Norton 360 |
| $8.33 per month for the first year, then ~$13.33 per month | $25.00 per month for the first year, then ~$30.40 per month |
| ➡️ 1 person ➡️ Up to $1 million coverage ➡️ Credit monitoring: one bureau ➡️ Norton 360 ➡️ …and more | ➡️ 1 person ➡️ Up to $3 million coverage ➡️ Credit monitoring: three bureaus ➡️ Norton 360 ➡️ …and more |
| Standard Couple | Standard Family |
| $12.49 per month for the first year, then ~$20.00 per month | $18.49 per month for the first year, then ~$29.99 per month |
| ➡️ 2 adults + 5 kids ➡️ Up to $1 million coverage per person (kids included) ➡️ Credit monitoring for each adult: one bureau ➡️ …and more | ➡️ 2 adults ➡️ Up to $1 million coverage per person ➡️ Credit monitoring for each adult: one bureau ➡️ …and more |
2. IdentityForce (TransUnion): The deep credit data alternative
| Best for: Choose IdentityForce if you want deep visibility into your credit profile. The score simulator and three-bureau monitoring go beyond what Aura offers—but you’ll miss the convenience of Aura’s bundled cybersecurity tools. |
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Credit score simulator for predictive planning ✅ Three-bureau credit monitoring on premium plans ✅ Payday loan and court record monitoring ✅ Up to $2 million in identity theft insurance ✅ Backed by TransUnion’s data infrastructure and expertise | ⛔ Lower Trustpilot rating (3.5 stars) due to service complaints ⛔ More expensive than Aura for similar features ⛔ Full credit reports not included in the entry-level plan ⛔ No built-in VPN or cybersecurity tools ⛔ Customer reviews mention slow support during identity theft cases |
IdentityForce, owned by TransUnion, takes a different approach than Aura—emphasizing credit depth over bundled convenience.
The premium tier offers up to $2 million in coverage—higher than Aura’s $1 million.
Here are some unique features covered:
- Medical identity theft explicitly covered (healthcare fraud, pharmaceutical services, false insurance claims)
- Court defense for criminal charges (after proving innocence)
- Initial legal consultation ($2,000 sublimit)
- Lost wages covered ($2,000 per week for up to 5 weeks)
- Travel expenses, elder/child care, and document replacement costs covered ( $2,000 per policy period).
IdentityForce looks out for your data by scanning websites on the dark web
Just like other services, IdentityForce also keeps an eye on the dark web for exposed Social Security numbers, bank accounts, credit card numbers, medical IDs, username/password combinations, and more.
It does so by continuously monitoring “thousands of websites” frequented by hackers and cybercriminals; however, the exact number isn’t disclosed.
Credit monitoring is where IdentityForce shines
While Aura offers basic credit monitoring with a simple interface, IdentityForce provides deeper insights—including a credit score simulator that shows how financial decisions could affect your score before you make them.
With IdentityForce’s premium tiers, you get three-bureau credit monitoring across Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion at the same time. However, the base plan has no credit monitoring at all—which is a major limitation compared to Aura.
IdentityForce also monitors payday loans and court records, catching fraud attempts that might slip past Aura’s standard alerts.
IdentityForce provides standard restoration services
A dedicated case manager guides you through the recovery process, which includes notifying credit bureaus, filing FTC reports, and coordinating with financial institutions.
The keyword here is “guides.”
With IdentityForce, your case won’t be taken care of by someone else. You will be provided with instructions and support—a Personalized Action Plan, as they call it—but the heavy lifting will be on you.
What makes IdentityForce stand out from the rest is its credit score simulator
No other service in this comparison offers predictive credit modeling. If you’re actively managing your credit or planning major financial decisions, this tool provides insights Aura can’t match.
TransUnion’s backing also means direct access to one of the three major credit bureaus’ data infrastructure, which means potentially faster credit alert delivery than third-party services.
But this depth comes at a cost
Because it doesn’t bundle in cybersecurity tools, you may end up paying for separate apps, like a VPN or password manager, anyway.
You’re trading comprehensiveness for detail, basically.
IdentityForce may be a good fit if you want the most thorough monitoring possible, but it’s less appealing if you prefer an all-in-one setup or a simpler, more streamlined experience.
| UltraSecure | UltraSecure + Credit |
| $19.90 per month | $34.90 per month |
| ➡️ 1 person ➡️ Up to $1 million coverage ➡️ …and more ❌ No credit monitoring | ➡️ 1 person ➡️ Up to $2 million coverage ➡️ Credit monitoring: three bureaus ➡️ …and more |
| UltraSecure Family | UltraSecure + Credit Family |
| $24.90 per month | $39.90 per month |
| ➡️ 2 adults + 10 kids ➡️ Up to $1 million coverage ➡️ …and more ❌ No credit monitoring | ➡️ 2 adults + 10 kids ➡️ Up to $2 million coverage ➡️ Credit monitoring: three bureaus ➡️ …and more |
3. Identity Guard: The sibling rivalry option
| Best for: Identity Guard makes sense if you want Aura’s protection at a lower price—and don’t need the modern interface or bundled cybersecurity features. |
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ US-based customer support team ✅ Lower starting price than Aura ✅ Same core protection as Aura ✅ Tiered plans for flexibility in features and pricing | ⛔ Price bumps after the first year ⛔ No credit monitoring on the entry-level Value plan ⛔ Premium restoration only available on the higher-priced Ultra plan ⛔ Less features than Aura ⛔ Lower Trustpilot rating (3.5 stars) than competitors ⛔ No free trial |
Identity Guard is owned by the same parent company as Aura, so it’s less of a true alternative and more of a different front to the same service.
Coverage is identical to Aura: up to $1 million per member (or $5 million aggregate for families on the Value Family plan).
The insurance provider is American Bankers Insurance Company of Florida (Assurant)—the same as Aura.
Unique coverage features:
- Covers fraud from data breaches at financial institutions
- Covers forgery and embezzlement
- Covers theft of property related to member’s information
- Covers lost wages (up to 12 months)
- Covers legal fees (capped at $125/hour)
- No coverage for cryptocurrency
The core is essentially the same
You get Aura’s identity monitoring, identity theft insurance, and restoration support—minus all the extras that come with Aura.
No antivirus, no password manager, no VPN, no data removal, no parental controls. You get pure identity monitoring and protection without the bundled extras.
You’re staying in the same “ecosystem”—just choosing between a bundled experience (Aura) or specialized identity protection (Identity Guard).
So, what’s the upside?
Identity Guard offers tiered pricing that can be cheaper than Aura if you don’t need all the features
The Value plan ($7.50/month for individuals) keeps costs low, but it also cuts out essentials like credit monitoring and hands-on fraud recovery, which means you may end up needing the Ultra tier anyway.
It’s a stripped-down option for budget-conscious users.
In practice, Identity Guard works best as a short-term budget option rather than a long-term replacement for Aura’s more complete security suite.
If you need the full package (VPN, antivirus, password manager), you’ll end up paying more by adding separate subscriptions than just staying with Aura.
| Value | Value Family |
| $7.50 per month for the first year, then $8.99 per month | $12.50 per month for the first year, then $14.99 per month |
| ➡️ 1 person ➡️ Up to $1 million coverage ➡️ …and more ❌ No credit monitoring | ➡️ 5 adults + unlimited kids ➡️ Up to $5 million coverage ➡️ …and more ❌ No credit monitoring |
| Total | Total Family |
| $16.67 per month for the first year, then $19.99 per month | $25.00 per month for the first year, then $29.99 per month |
| ➡️ 1 person ➡️ Up to $1 million coverage ➡️ Credit monitoring: three bureaus ➡️ …and more | ➡️ 5 adults + unlimited kids ➡️ Up to $5 million coverage ➡️ Credit monitoring: three bureaus ➡️ …and more |
| Ultra | Ultra Family |
| $25.00 per month for the first year, then $29.99 per month | $33.33 per month for the first year, then $39.99 per month |
| ➡️ 1 person ➡️ Up to $1 million coverage ➡️ “White glove” fraud resolution ➡️ Credit monitoring: three bureaus ➡️ …and more | ➡️ 5 adults + unlimited kids ➡️ Up to $5 million coverage ➡️ “White glove” fraud resolution ➡️ Credit monitoring: three bureaus ➡️ …and more |
4. IDShield (LegalShield): The legal support alternative
| Best for: IDShield is a good fit for people who mainly want strong monitoring and hands-on support after identity theft—without the broader cybersecurity tools and bundled features that services like Aura include. |
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Licensed private investigators for complex cases ✅ Up to $3 million in reimbursement (matching LifeLock) ✅ Standard monitoring plus basic cybersecurity tools | ⛔ No annual billing discount—monthly pricing only ⛔ Mixed reviews on customer support quality ⛔ Cybersecurity tools require a separate app⛔ No free trial |
IDShield takes a unique approach by providing access to licensed private investigators—not just customer support specialists.
It offers the highest coverage, on par with LifeLock: $3 million for individual and family plans. However, it’s unclear whether the $3 million sum is per family member or aggregated for the entire family.
Unique coverage features:
- Licensed private investigators (not just specialists)
- Investigators licensed in Oklahoma, FCRA certified
- Full-service restoration with “whatever it takes, as long as it takes” promise
- Child monitoring under age 18
- Children 18-26 and dependent parents: consultation/restoration only, no monitoring.
This hands-on support differs from Aura’s standard restoration assistance—and can be valuable for complex fraud cases that require deeper investigation.
IDShield monitors dark web records
It scans forums, marketplaces, and breach databases for your Social Security number, driver’s license, passport number, bank accounts, credit/debit cards, medical IDs, and username/password combinations.
The system checks “thousands of websites” and sends real-time alerts via email or push notification when your information is found.
Credit monitoring can cover one or three bureaus
Base plans include Experian monitoring only (single bureau). The 3-bureau option adds TransUnion and Equifax for comprehensive coverage.
Credit alerts are instant—you’re notified immediately when hard inquiries, new accounts, or changes appear on your reports.
Monthly credit score tracking shows your score with 12-month historical trends.
Recovery support is where IDShield stands out
You get assigned a licensed private investigator (licensed in Oklahoma, FCRA certified, CITRMS certified) who handles your entire case.
The process: your investigator has full power of attorney to act on your behalf.
They contact creditors, file reports with government agencies, work with law enforcement, and coordinate with financial institutions and credit bureaus.
The service promise is “whatever it takes, as long as it takes”—no time limits on restoration efforts.
Unlike other services where specialists guide you through steps, IDShield’s investigators actively conduct the investigation and handle all communication with agencies, creditors, and authorities.
The licensed private investigator model is unique in this space. Most services (including Aura and LifeLock) provide customer support specialists or restoration experts.
The only other service that provides access to licensed investigators is Surfshark—but more about that later in the article.
It also includes basic cybersecurity tools
The service also includes a password manager, malware protection, and a VPN—though these feel like add-ons rather than core features.
The downside?
IDShield doesn’t offer discounted annual plans, and full three-bureau credit monitoring is only available on higher-tier options—making it less cost-efficient than Aura for long-term protection.
While its monitoring and restoration support are solid, IDShield feels more focused on reaction than prevention.
The cybersecurity tools are helpful, but limited compared to Aura’s broader security ecosystem.
For many users, the biggest tradeoff is paying a similar or higher price for fewer proactive features.
| 1 credit bureau monitoring | 3 credit bureau monitoring |
| $14.95 per month | $19.95 per month |
| ➡️ 1 person ➡️ Up to $3 million coverage ➡️ Credit monitoring: one bureau ➡️ …and more | ➡️ 1 person ➡️ Up to $3 million coverage ➡️ Credit monitoring: three bureaus ➡️ …and more |
| 1 bureau family option | 3 bureau family option |
| $29.95 per month | $34.95 per month |
| ➡️ 2 adults + 10 kids ➡️ Up to $3 million coverage ➡️ Credit monitoring: one bureau ➡️ …and more | ➡️ 2 adults + 10 kids ➡️ Up to $3 million coverage ➡️ Credit monitoring: three bureaus ➡️ …and more |
| Best for: Choose Surfshark One+ if you want a premium VPN with comprehensive identity protection. Surfshark is primarily a VPN provider, but it has recently upgraded its offering by including identity theft protection—$1 million in coverage, licensed investigators, and personal data removal through Incogni. However, you’ll have to sacrifice credit monitoring. |
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ Premium VPN with 4,500+ servers and unlimited devices ✅ Incogni removes data from 420+ brokers (vs. Aura’s 80+) ✅ Includes antivirus and data breach monitoring ✅ Focuses on preventing identity theft through data removal ✅ Licensed identity theft investigators | ⛔ No credit monitoring or credit score tracking ⛔ Focused on prevention, not recovery ⛔ Not a full replacement for comprehensive identity protection |
If Aura’s VPN feels too basic (with just 80+ server locations), Surfshark flips the equation—starting with a premium VPN and adding identity protection on top.
Surfshark offers up to $1 million in coverage
This includes identity theft recovery expenses and miscellaneous, unnamed costs.
Unique feature: mental health counseling—Surfshark is the only service in this comparison offering this benefit.
If identity theft causes significant stress, you can access licensed mental health professionals for support.
Licensed identity theft investigators provide 12 months of case management service—a full year of dedicated support after an identity theft event
Unique coverage features:
- Mental health counseling ($1,000)
- Licensed identity theft investigator access
- Miscellaneous unnamed costs ($1,000)
- 12 months of case management service
- Shortest reporting window: 60 days
- No credit bureau monitoring included in service.
Surfshark keeps an eye on the dark web
Surfshark monitors dark web sites and breach databases for your email addresses, personal information, Social Security number, and credit card details through its feature called Alert.
Data breach alerts notify you when your information appears in known breaches.
Surfshark’s biggest gap is its lack of credit monitoring
Surfshark One+ has no credit bureau monitoring at all. No credit score tracking, no alerts for new accounts or inquiries, no three-bureau coverage.
The service is better designed for users who want to prevent identity theft by removing their personal data from circulation (via Incogni) rather than monitoring credit after exposure.
If credit monitoring matters to you, Surfshark won’t cut it.
But you do get restoration assistance
Licensed investigators provide case management and guide you through identity restoration.
They assist with forensic IT review (determining breach extent), legal review, notification to affected parties, and coordination with financial institutions.
The support is professional, but less hands-on than LifeLock’s dedicated specialists or IDShield’s private investigators.
You’re getting guidance through the process rather than someone handling everything on your behalf.
It’s the suite of security products that make Surfshark stand out
With Surfshark One+ you gain access to a personal data removal service called Incogni.
It’s an industry-leading product with coverage spanning across 420+ data brokers (vs Aura’s 80+).
Incogni submits opt-out requests, tracks confirmations, and re-submits every 60–90 days since brokers often re-list data.
This proactive approach may prevent identity theft before it even happens—removing your information from databases that criminals may use to build profiles.
The VPN is also premium quality: 4,500+ servers across 100 countries, unlimited devices, fast speeds, and strong encryption.
If you’re primarily buying a VPN and want identity protection as a bonus, this makes sense.
Antivirus and malware protection are included, providing comprehensive device security.
In short, Surfshark One+ is best for privacy-focused users who value prevention and a strong VPN, but less ideal for those who want full-service identity monitoring and recovery.
Note: Surfshark offers more plans, but only the Surfshark One+ comes with identity theft protection and personal data removal services.
| Surfshark One+ |
| $6.29 per month for the first 15 months, then~$9.90 |
| ➡️ 1 person ➡️ Up to $1 million coverage ➡️ Personal data removal from the web ➡️ …and more ❌ No credit monitoring |
Comparison table: Aura vs key alternatives
| Service | Starting price | Max coverage | Best for |
| Aura | $12/mo | $1 million | All-in-one convenience |
| LifeLock | $7.50/mo | $3 million | Premium protection & restoration |
| IdentityForce | $19.99/mo | $2 million | Deep credit monitoring |
| Identity Guard | $7.50/mo | $1 million | Budget option |
| IDShield | $14.95/mo | $3 million | Investigative support |
| Surfshark One+ | $6.99 | $1 million | VPN and data removal bundle |
Can you protect your identity for free?
While paid services bring in protections you can’t fully replicate, there are still several steps you can take to protect your identity at no cost.
- You can place credit freezes at all three major bureaus to block new accounts, though this doesn’t protect existing accounts or detect breaches.
- Credit Karma offers free credit monitoring and score tracking, giving alerts for some changes but without full three-bureau coverage or restoration support.
- Google’s Dark Web Report can check if your email appears in known breaches, but it won’t monitor Social Security numbers or financial accounts.
- Fraud alerts through the credit bureaus require businesses to verify your identity before new credit is issued, though they must be renewed every year.
FAQ
Which service is better: LifeLock or Aura?
LifeLock offers stronger hands-on restoration support with US-based specialists, but it gets much more expensive after the first year. Aura comes with more products under one plan and usually costs less over time. Most people get better overall value with Aura, while LifeLock is the “premium” option.
Does Aura sell my personal data to third parties?
No—Aura doesn’t sell your personal information to anyone. They only use the information you provide to monitor for identity theft and deliver the security services you’re subscribed to.
How to cancel my subscription at Aura?
Canceling is straightforward—you can handle it yourself through your online account, or reach out to their support team for assistance. Aura doesn’t create obstacles when you want to end your subscription.
Are there any better alternatives to Aura?
LifeLock is a better choice if you want top-level restoration support and don’t mind paying more. It offers similar monitoring to Aura but with better coverage—up to $3 million compared to Aura’s $1 million. Think of it as a premium alternative to Aura.
What are other services similar to Aura?
Identity Guard works very similarly because it’s owned by the same company and uses the same monitoring technology. Surfshark One+ follows a comparable approach as well—it combines internet privacy tools (VPN), antivirus protection, and identity monitoring into a single subscription, much like Aura does.
Is it worth subscribing to Aura?
Yes—Aura is particularly valuable for families because it combines identity protection, device security, and parental controls in one subscription. However, if you’re comfortable with technology and prefer using separate specialized tools for different purposes, you might find more focused solutions more appealing.
Who are Aura’s competitors?
Aura’s primary competitors include LifeLock by Norton, IdentityForce, and IDShield. These services offer similar features—they monitor for identity theft, track your credit, and provide protection for your devices against various threats.
Our methodology
We evaluated these identity theft protection services based on information provided by each service and other sources.
Evaluation criteria:
- Monitoring scope: Number of data sources checked (credit bureaus, dark web sites, public records)
- Alert quality: Speed, accuracy, and actionable guidance in notifications
- Restoration support: Availability of specialists, response time, and hands-on assistance level
- Coverage limitations: Features excluded, common complaints, and blind spots
- Price transparency: Introductory vs. renewal rates, cancellation policies
Technical depth verification:
We analyzed insurance policy documents for each service to understand exact coverage limits, exclusions, and claim requirements.
Limitations and disclaimers:
- Pricing and features can change after publication.
- Individual results may vary based on credit history and fraud complexity.
- We cannot test actual identity theft restoration without experiencing fraud.
- Some technical details are proprietary and confirmed through company documentation.
Sources:
Information gathered from official service websites, insurance policy documents (American Bankers Insurance, United Specialty Insurance, AIG, HSB Specialty Insurance), user reviews on Trustpilot and BBB, Reddit discussions, independent reviews from other sources.
