Aura vs. IDShield 2024: A Side-By-Side Comparison

We discovered that Aura is the better identity theft protection service compared to IDShield. Families may prefer Aura since it monitors for children's identity theft, provides parental controls, and has safe gaming features. However, IDShield offers extensive legal support for those who are victims of identity theft. It also includes a large insurance policy and a dedicated private investigator.

There are additional considerations when determining if Aura or IDShield is the best identity theft protection service for you. Let's compare these two choices side by side and see how they rank.

Aura vs. IDShield review at a glance

Aura offers additional tools for children's security, such as parental controls and safe gaming features. However, individuals or couples will appreciate the 24/7 customer support and easy setup.

IDShield may be a better choice if you want more insurance protection (up to $3 million) as well as social media account monitoring.

• Aura: Best for families
• IDShield: Best for legal support

Aura vs. IDShield compared

Star rating	4.9 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	4.4 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Price	$12.00–$32.00/mo	$14.95–$34.95/mo
Types of identity monitoring	Dark web, social media, SSN, and home title monitoring	Dark web, social media, and SSN monitoring
Credit monitoring
Identity theft insurance	Up to $5 million	Up to $3 million
Identity restoration services
24/7 customer support
Learn more	Get Aura Read Aura Review	Get IDShield Read IDShield Review

Aura pros and cons

IDShield pros and cons

Which identity theft protection is the better value?

Though both services offer similar plans, Aura offers a 60-day money-back guarantee to allow you to test the service out first. IDShield doesn't offer anything similar.

	Our Pick
Price range	$12.00–$32.00/mo	$14.95–$34.95/mo
Best value plan	Family for $25.00/mo (billed annually)	Family (3 credit bureau monitoring) for $34.95/mo
Money-back guarantee	60 days
Learn more	Get Aura Read Aura Review	Get IDShield Read IDShield Review

Aura plans

Aura offers three different plans: Individual, Couple, and Family. The biggest difference between the three is that the Family plan includes parental controls, safe gaming features, and spam call protection.

Aura has a 14-day free trial, and there is a 60-day money-back guarantee if you choose an annual plan. So you have plenty of time to determine if Aura is right for you before committing.

• Individual: This plan covers one person and up to 10 devices. It has a $1 million identity theft insurance policy and monitoring for finances, as well as home and auto titles. This plan offers three-bureau credit monitoring as well as a credit lock. The plan doesn’t include spam call protection.
• Couple: The Couple plan covers two people and up to 20 devices. It has a $2 million identity theft insurance policy ($1 million per adult), and it has all of the same features as the Individual plan. If you need parental controls or safe gaming features, then you'll find more value in the Family plan.
• Family: This plan covers five adults, unlimited kids, and unlimited devices. It has a $5 million identity theft insurance plan ($1 million per adult) and includes parental controls, safe gaming features, and spam call protection. It also provides child identity theft monitoring.

IDShield plans

IDShield offers Individual and Family plans with one- and three-bureau monitoring choices. IDShield says it offers these options to keep prices affordable and it's rare for signs of credit identity theft to not appear on all three credit bureau reports.

The Individual plan covers only one person, while the Family plan covers two adults and unlimited children. Keep in mind that there is not a free trial or a money-back guarantee if you are unhappy with IDShield.

• Individual (one-bureau monitoring): This plan covers one person and up to three devices. It includes features like a $3 million protection policy, fraud monitoring, and full-service identity restoration, complete with a licensed private investigator.
• Individual (three-bureau monitoring): The only difference from the above plan is that this plan monitors all three credit bureaus.
• Family (one-bureau monitoring): The Family plan covers two adults, unlimited children, and up to 15 devices. It has all of the same features as the Individual plan.
• Family (three-bureau monitoring): The only difference from the above plan is that this plan monitors all three credit bureaus.

Which identity theft protection has the better features?

Aura offers more monitoring methods that IDShield like home title.

Feature	Our Pick
Social Security number monitoring
Financial activity alerts
Credit monitoring
Three-bureau credit reports	Yes — Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian	Yes — Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian
Credit score
Credit lock and freeze
Identity theft insurance	Up to $5 million	Up to $3 million
Dark web monitoring
Social media monitoring
Home title monitoring
USPS address change alerts
Learn more	Get Aura Read Aura Review	Get IDShield Read IDShield Review

One of the biggest differences between Aura and IDShield is credit bureau monitoring. All Aura plans monitor the three major credit bureaus. Meanwhile, IDShield gives you the option to monitor only one credit bureau, claiming that this is effective and can still spot identity theft.

However, comprehensive credit monitoring would check all three credit bureaus. Aura monitors the three credit bureaus at a more affordable rate than IDShield.

Both services have dark web, social media, and SSN monitoring. Yet, Aura has home and auto title monitoring, which aren't included with IDShield.

While these alerts aren't critical, it's important to know what notifications you want to receive from identity protection services.

Which identity theft protection is more secure?

Identity theft protection services collect all of your personal data. After all, they need it to accurately monitor your financial and personal records for fraud. When you give your personally identifiable information to any service, you need to ensure it’s equipped to keep it secure.

Aura vs. IDShield data security

Both services have similar security. Both collect your data to track for identity breaches.

Collects data
Shares data with third parties
Learn more	Get Aura Read Aura Review	Get IDShield Read IDShield Review

Luckily, both Aura and IDShield offer two-factor authentication (2FA) to keep your account safe from hackers. Both services also provide a clear privacy policy on what data they collect and how they use it.

Generally speaking, Aura and IDShield use your data only for business and operational purposes. Aura does say it may use third-party service providers to deliver marketing and advertising content.

If you don’t want your data to be used for ads, then this may be a concern for you. IDShield also uses a third-party service to collect reviews, but you have the choice to opt out.

Which identity theft protection has better compatibility and customer service?

Aura offers more contact methods than IDShield, as well as 24/7 customer support.

Platform	Our Pick
Android
iOS
Dedicated restoration specialists
Lost wallet remediation
24/7 customer support
Customer support options	Live chat, phone, email, online guides	Live chat, phone, email, FAQs
Learn more	Get Aura Read Aura Review	Get IDShield Read IDShield Review

One of IDShield’s biggest flaws is its lack of 24/7 customer support. Phone and live chat are available only during certain business hours. While you can email, it can take up to 24 hours to get a response.

IDShield also only has a short FAQ page with no extensive online guides. If you face a problem, it may take some time to find a solution due to the limited support.

We had different experiences when testing Aura and IDShield. Aura was easy to install and set up. Meanwhile, we had difficulty installing IDShield and faced buggy issues. We were able to use it eventually, but it wasn't a smooth start.

FAQs

Aura vs. IDShield: Which is better?

Overall, Aura is the better identity theft protection service. It has more features, children's online security tools, and robust customer support. We also had an easier experience using it.

However, IDShield may still be a good fit, if you become a victim of identity theft and are looking for strong legal support.

Category	Our Pick
Value
Features
Test results	Tie	Tie
User experience
Learn more	Get Aura Read Aura Review	Get IDShield Read IDShield Review

Top identity theft protection alternatives

While Aura and IDShield have their benefits, they may not have the right identity theft protection features for you. There are a few other options that are worth considering:

• LifeLock: LifeLock provides financial reimbursement for stolen funds, legal support, and personal expenses. It also has home title monitoring, which IDShield lacks.
  
  Get LifeLock | Read Our LifeLock Review
  
• Identity Guard: Identity Guard provides affordable plans for both individuals and families. You can choose which plan has the features that best fit your needs, ranging from basic to premium identity and credit protection.
  
  Get Identity Guard | Read Our Identity Guard Review
  
• IdentityIQ: IdentityIQ offers monthly reports and scores from all three credit bureaus. It also includes fraud restoration, a $1 million reimbursement for stolen funds, and enhanced credit report monitoring.
  
  Get IdentityIQ | Read Our IdentityIQ Review