Aura vs LifeLock - Which gives you the best protection?
I have been spending a lot of time looking into services that could protect my identity, monitor my credit reports, and similar stuff. LifeLock and Aura were frequently mentioned online, so I decided to test both and share my experience, and my research.
Let's start with the basics.
| Feature | Aura | LifeLock |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9 – $25/mo. (with coupon below) | $7.50 – $32.99/mo. |
| Money-back Guarantee | 60 days | 60 days |
| Credit Monitoring | 3 bureaus (all plans) | 1 bureau (3 bureaus with premium plans) |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Android | Android, Mac, Windows, iOS |
| Browser extension | Chrome, Firefox, Edge | Chrome, Firefox, Edge |
| Customer Support | 24/7 live chat | 24/7 live chat |
| Identity Theft Insurance | Up to $1 million ($5M with family plans) | Up to $3 million |
| Coupons | 68% Off Coupon | 52% Off Coupon |
Aura has a great deal available now: https://www.aura.com/deals/coupon-68off
Aura's standard plan is more affordable and provides robust credit monitoring. It includes three bureaus: Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian, which is a significant advantage. To get the same treatment, you will have to get a premium LifeLock plan.
Insurance and Coverage: Aura vs LifeLock
| Coverage Type | Aura | LifeLock |
|---|---|---|
| Identity Theft Insurance | $1M (individual), $2M (couple), $5M (family plan) | $1M for lawyers & experts, $1M personal expense (Ultimate plan) |
| Stolen Funds Reimbursement | Up to $1M | $25,000 to $1M (based on your plan) |
Although LifeLock has the same insurance as Aura, it only covers the cost of experts and lawyers unless you get an Ultimate plan. Their reimbursement will heavily depend on the plan you choose.
Security Features: Is Aura better than LifeLock?
| Feature | Aura | LifeLock |
|---|---|---|
| Antivirus and VPN | Yes | Yes (extra fee) |
| Ad-blocker | Yes | Yes (only iOS) |
| Password Manager | Yes | Yes (standalone) |
| Social Media Account Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Lock | Yes | Yes |
| Lost Wallet Remediation | Yes | Yes |
| Family-focused Plans | Yes | Yes |
| Dark Web Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Alerts and Notifications | Yes | Yes |
I found Aura more well-rounded when it comes to security. While Norton provides a free password manager, it is standalone and not integrated with LifeLock. I also didn't like that I had to pay extra to use its VPN and antivirus, considering it's already expensive.
Financial Monitoring
| Feature | Aura | LifeLock |
|---|---|---|
| Account Monitoring | Complete (all plans) | Limited (Advantage plan), Complete (Ultimate Plus plan) |
| High-Risk Transaction Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Lost Wallet Remediation | Yes | Yes |
Aura provides extensive monitoring that includes credit cards, checking accounts, savings accounts, investment accounts, and 401 k. It also alerts users to unusual transactions and changes to banking details.
LifeLock offers varying levels of account monitoring based on the plan. The “Standard” plan does not include detailed account monitoring, while the “Advantage” and “Ultimate Plus” plans do.
Child Identity Monitoring
| Feature | Aura | LifeLock |
|---|---|---|
| Parental Controls | Yes | No |
As part of its family plan, Aura offers robust parental controls, including content filtering, screen time management, and alerts about cyberbullying.
LifeLock provides protection for children’s identities and monitors their social media activities. However, it lacks specific parental control features.
Ease of Use
I found Aura has a more intuitive user interface. Registration and setting up vas very quick, and I only had to give my email, name, and phone number.
There's also a great deal on Aura here: https://www.aura.com/deals/coupon-68off
LifeLock asked me for more financial and personal information to tailor itself to my needs, which is great. However, its UI is a bit clumsy, and I found it overwhelming at times.
Overall, I think I will continue using Aura. Despite its lower price, it offers solid credit monitoring and many useful security features.