Hi there! Safeguarding your personal information online has never been more crucial. As cases of identity theft continue to rise each year, investing in an identity protection service is one of the smartest things you can do to defend your online identity. But with so many options out there, it can be tough to decide which one best fits your needs and budget.
In this comprehensive comparison guide, we‘ll be breaking down two leading identity protection services—Identity Guard and Complete ID—to help you make an informed decision. We‘ll compare their features, pricing, security protections, and more, so you can confidently choose the right service for you.
Let‘s dive in!
A Quick Comparison of Identity Guard and Complete ID
Before we look at all the details, here‘s a high-level overview of how these two popular services stack up:
- Identity Guard is best suited for tech-savvy users seeking maximum control and customization. It uses advanced AI technology to deliver top-notch monitoring and alerts.
- Complete ID is ideal for families and users looking for an affordable yet robust identity protection solution. Backed by credit bureau Experian, it focuses on simplicity and value.
Take a look at this comparison chart I put together to see their key differences at a glance:
Now let‘s explore what sets these two services apart in greater detail.
The Rising Threat of Identity Theft
Before choosing any identity theft protection, it helps to understand why they‘re so important in today‘s digital world.
According to the Federal Trade Commission‘s 2022 Consumer Sentinel Report:
- Identity theft reports reached nearly 1.5 million in 2021 – That‘s a shocking 65% increase from 2020!
- The most common types of identity theft were credit card fraud, government document/benefit fraud, and employment-related fraud.
- Approximately 37% of reported identity theft victims lost money, with a median loss of $250 per victim.
It‘s clear that the threats to your personal and financial data are only growing over time. An identity protection service is one of the best ways to defend yourself.
Services like Identity Guard and Complete ID work by monitoring your personal information across credit bureaus, financial accounts, the web, and more. If they detect any suspicious activity, they send you alerts so you can take quick action to minimize damages.
But exactly how do Identity Guard and Complete ID stack up against each other? Let‘s compare them across five key categories:
- Pricing and plans
- Monitoring features
- Security protections
- Customer support
- Pros and cons
By the end, you‘ll have all the details you need to decide on the best identity protection for your needs. Time to dive in!
Identity Guard vs. Complete ID: Pricing and Plans Compared
One of the most important factors in choosing an identity protection service is finding one that fits your budget. Here‘s how the pricing and plan structures of Identity Guard and Complete ID stack up:
Identity Guard Pricing
- $6.67 – $39.99 per month
- 3 pricing tiers: Value, Total, Ultra
- 60-day money back guarantee
Complete ID Pricing
- $8.99 – $18.99 per month
- 4 family-focused pricing tiers
- No money back guarantee
Identity Guard offers more flexibility with pricing, but Complete ID‘s family plans are a better value. Let‘s take a closer look:
Identity Guard‘s Tiered Plans
With Identity Guard, you can choose from three different tiers (Value, Total, and Ultra), each offering an expanded set of features.
For example, the entry-level Value plan provides essentials like:
- Up to $1M identity theft insurance
- Dark web monitoring
- High-risk transaction alerts
Meanwhile, the high-end Ultra plan adds things like:
- Social media monitoring
- 401k/investment account monitoring
- Sex offender registry scanning
The more you pay per month, the more robust your protection. This tiered approach lets you customize your coverage based on your specific needs and concerns.
Complete ID‘s Family Plans
In contrast to Identity Guard‘s tiered pricing, Complete ID keeps things simple with just four straightforward family plans:
- One adult
- Two adults
- One adult + five kids
- Two adults + five kids
No matter which you choose, you get Complete ID‘s full range of identity theft protection features. The only difference is how many people are covered.
This simplified, family-focused pricing makes Complete ID a great value if you want to protect your whole household.
The Winner: If affordability for families is your main priority, Complete ID has the edge. But Identity Guard offers more flexibility to customize based on your budget.
Monitoring and Alerts: How Identity Guard and Complete ID Compare
The core purpose of any identity protection service is monitoring your personal data across the web, financial accounts, credit bureaus, and more. If something looks suspicious, you want them to alert you ASAP.
Here‘s how Identity Guard and Complete ID stack up when it comes to their monitoring capabilities and alert systems:
Monitoring
| Feature | Identity Guard | Complete ID |
|---|---|---|
| Credit reports | ✅ | ✅ |
| Credit scores | ✅ | ✅ |
| Financial accounts | ✅ | ✅ |
| Criminal records | ✅ | ✅ |
| Dark web | ✅ | ✅ |
| Social media | ✅ | ✅ |
| SSN | ✅ | ✅ |
Alerts
| Feature | Identity Guard | Complete ID |
|---|---|---|
| Credit inquiries | ✅ | ✅ |
| Account openings | ✅ | ✅ |
| Suspicious financial activity | ✅ | ✅ |
| High-risk transactions | ✅ | ✅ |
| Large purchases | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cash withdrawals | ✅ | ✅ |
| Balance transfers | ✅ | ✅ |
| Late payments | ✅ | ✅ |
| Score changes | ✅ | ✅ |
| Dark web hits | ✅ | ✅ |
| Questionable social media login | ✅ | ✅ |
| Criminal record changes | ✅ | ✅ |
As you can see from the charts, Identity Guard and Complete ID are neck-and-neck when it comes to monitoring capabilities and alerts. All the essentials are covered by both.
One advantage Identity Guard has is giving you more granular control to customize the types of alerts you receive. But for most users, Complete ID‘s out-of-the-box alerts will be just as effective.
The Winner: It‘s a tie. Both services provide excellent monitoring and alerts across the board.
Security Protections: How Safe is Your Data?
With these services accessing so much of your personal and financial data, security is a major concern. You want to know your sensitive information is safe.
Here are some of the key security protections offered by Identity Guard and Complete ID:
Identity Guard Security
- 256-bit SSL data encryption
- Two-factor authentication (2FA)
- Fraud assistance hotline
Complete ID Security
- Norton Security Deluxe included
- HTTPS secure access
- Two-factor authentication
- Fraud resolution support
Again, we see both services taking the essential steps to keep user data secure. The overall security they offer is quite similar.
One advantage of Complete ID is it comes bundled with Norton Security Deluxe. This provides additional malware and virus protection beyond just identity theft.
But both score highly when it comes to protecting your personal information. Based on their publicly stated policies, you can feel confident entrusting your data to either platform.
The Winner: It‘s another tie. Both Identity Guard and Complete ID use industry best practices for data security.
Customer Support: Who Can You Count On?
If you ever need help with the service, top-notch customer support is a must.
When it comes to supporting users, here‘s how Identity Guard and Complete ID stack up:
Identity Guard Customer Support
- Phone, email, chat
- Online knowledge base
- Limited hours
Complete ID Customer Support
- 24/7 emergency phone support
- Online knowledge base
- Direct one-on-one service
Both services offer solid customer support through multiple channels like phone, email, and online knowledge bases. This ensures you can get help when you need it.
However, Complete ID pulls ahead when it comes to their phone support—it‘s available 24/7 for any identity theft emergencies. With Identity Guard, phone support hours are limited.
So if getting immediate help over the phone is important to you, Complete ID is the winner in the customer service category.
The Winner: Complete ID, thanks to their 24/7 phone support availability.
Pros and Cons: A Side-by-Side Overview
To summarize the key strengths and weaknesses of each service, here is a side-by-side look at some of their top pros and cons:
Identity Guard
Pros
- Customizable tiers of protection
- Cutting-edge AI technology
- Extensive monitoring capabilities
Cons
- Expensive monthly price for top tier
- Only offers limited phone support
Complete ID
Pros
- Budget-friendly pricing
- Reliable 24/7 phone support
- Easy to use with transparent pricing
Cons
- Not as customizable as Identity Guard
- Relies on older Experian technology
Looking at both the pros and the cons makes the differentiation clear:
- Identity Guard shines if you want maximum control and innovative features.
- Complete ID is ideal if low cost and family protection are your main priorities.
Each has their advantages based on your specific needs as a user.
The Verdict: Which Is Better for You?
After comparing Identity Guard and Complete ID in depth across these five categories, let‘s recap the key differences:
- Pricing: Complete ID has more affordable family plans. But Identity Guard offers more pricing flexibility.
- Monitoring/Alerts: Both services are neck-and-neck when it comes to monitoring capabilities and alerts.
- Security: The two services offer virtually identical security protections for your data.
- Support: Complete ID pulls ahead with 24/7 emergency phone support.
- Pros/Cons: Identity Guard provides more customization while Complete ID focuses on simplicity and value.
So which is better in the end? It depends entirely on your priorities as an individual:
👍 If you want maximum configuration options and innovative features, Identity Guard is your best bet. Their customizable tiers and tech capabilities are hard to beat.
👍 On the other hand, if low pricing and protecting your family are most important, Complete ID has you covered with their budget plans and robust protection.
You really can‘t go wrong with either service. By understanding your specific needs and which one aligns best, you can feel confident choosing an identity protection plan that secures you and your loved ones.
At the end of the day, the most important thing is taking proactive steps to safeguard your financial accounts and personal data. An identity protection service like Identity Guard or Complete ID can provide invaluable peace of mind.
Hopefully this detailed side-by-side comparison has helped you decide which option best fits your lifestyle and priorities. Thanks for reading and be sure to take care of yourself online!
