Kikoff Review: Can This $5 Credit-Building Tool Really Help Your Credit?

Trying to build your credit but don’t know where to start?

If you want to build your credit and you feel stuck, Kikoff might be worth checking out.

I’ve been hearing about Kikoff for a while now, so I decided to learn more about how it works. Kikoff is an affordable way to start building your credit, even if you have no credit history at all. And with over 1,000,000 users and 80 million+ points increased, a lot of people are already using it.

But does it actually work? Learn what I think in this Kikoff Review today.

Quick summary: Users with starting credit under 600 see an average increase of +86 points in their first year with on-time payments. Kikoff doesn’t actually give you a loan or hand you money. Instead, they set up a small tradeline and report your on-time monthly payments (as low as $5 per month) to all three credit bureaus, helping you build payment history, lower your credit utilization, and increase your average account age – all key factors for building credit. There is no credit check, no hidden fees, and no interest.

You can click here to sign up for Kikoff.

Kikoff Review

Here is my Kikoff Review.

What is Kikoff?

Kikoff is a credit-building platform that was created to help people improve their credit, and it is available in all 50 states. It was founded by Cynthia Chen, who personally saw how hard it was to build credit as a first-generation immigrant. She wanted to make it easier and more affordable for people to get started.

One of the most important things Kikoff does is report your on-time payments to the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion). That’s how you build credit!

Kikoff doesn’t require a credit check, so applying doesn’t hurt your credit.

Plus, Kikoff is the #1 credit-building app on the App Store (iOS).

Who should use Kikoff?

Kikoff is great for anyone who wants to build their credit. If you’re starting from scratch, or your credit is on the lower side, it is an easy and low-risk way to get going.

It’s also helpful for people who’ve been turned down for credit cards in the past. You don’t need credit to qualify, and there’s no hard credit check.

Your credit is used for so many areas in life, so good credit is nice to have. A higher credit score can help you:

• Get a car loan
• Buy a house or get approved for an apartment
• Get a job (yes, some jobs check your credit)

And more.

If you’re looking for something easy, affordable, and beginner-friendly, Kikoff might be a good fit.

Can Kikoff help you build credit?

Yes, Kikoff can help you build credit, but only if you use it the right way. The main thing is to make your payments on time every month. Kikoff reports your activity to the credit bureaus, and positive payment history is one of the most important parts of your credit.

Some people see results in as little as one month. Just keep in mind, results vary, and this isn’t a quick fix. But it can be a helpful first step in improving your credit.

Kikoff also has a free dispute tool that you can use after you create your account. You can use their dispute tool to flag any errors and send them to Equifax to review.

How does Kikoff work?

Here’s how Kikoff works:

1. When you sign up, Kikoff gives you access to a Kikoff tradeline (up to $3,500) that is used to finance your monthly Kikoff plan.
2. Pay on time every month. 
3. Your on-time payments are reported to the credit bureaus, which helps you build credit age, improve your payment history, and lower your credit utilization (because you’re not using the whole credit line).

Pros and cons of Kikoff

The pros of Kikoff are:

• Starts at only $5 per month to build credit
• No credit check, no hidden fees, and no interest
• Reports to all 3 major bureaus
• Easy approval (even if you have bad credit)
• Access to the Kikoff Secured Credit Card for qualified Kikoff Premium and Ultimate users* 

The cons of Kikoff are:

• No physical credit card unless you qualify for the Kikoff Secured Credit Card

I don’t think this is really a “con” of Kikoff, but it is simply something to know so that you aren’t confused about how Kikoff works.

*Kikoff Inc. is a financial technology company “Fin-Tech”, not a bank. Kikoff Secured Credit Card provided by Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC. Terms & conditions may apply.

Is Kikoff legit?

Yes, Kikoff is a real company.

They’ve been featured in CNN, MarketWatch, Forbes, Bloomberg, NerdWallet, and more. Over 1 million people have used it to build their credit. Also, Kikoff has a 4.8 out of 5 star rating on Google Play, with over 1,000,000 downloads. Kikoff also has a 4.6 out of 5 star rating on Trustpilot, with over 2,200 reviews.

In fact, their impact numbers are impressive:

• 80,000,000+ points increased
• Over 433,000+ auto loans opened after using Kikoff
• Over 30,000 mortgages opened

So, yes, they’re legit, and they’re actually helping people.

How much does Kikoff cost?

Kikoff Basic is just $5 per month.

They also have Kikoff Premium, which is $20 a month and includes bill and rent reporting.

Kikoff Ultimate is $35 per month and includes everything in Premium, as well as identity theft protection and more.

How to get started with Kikoff

Getting started with Kikoff is super easy.

1. You just go to their website, choose the plan that works for you, and sign up. There’s no credit check, and the whole process only takes a few minutes.
2. After that, you’ll start making small monthly payments, and Kikoff will report them to the credit bureaus. You can even turn on autopay to make sure you never miss one. It’s really that simple.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to common questions about Kikoff.

Is Kikoff a credit card?

No, Kikoff is not a traditional credit card. It’s a secure tradeline that is intended exclusively for credit building – not for everyday purchases like gas or groceries.

Does Kikoff give you an actual credit card?

Only if you qualify for the Kikoff Secured Credit Card (only available to Kikoff Premium and Ultimate users). If you’re looking to just build your credit, then the Kikoff Basic plan may be all that you need.

Where does the money you give Kikoff go?

When you sign up for one of Kikoff’s plans, you’re actually getting access to a Kikoff tradeline. That means:

• Your payment (for example, about $5 per month on the Basic plan) goes toward financing your Kikoff plan.
• You’re not using the money to buy gas, groceries, or typical items with your Kikoff tradeline. The tradeline is only used to finance the credit‑building plan.
• The monthly amount you pay is reported to the credit bureaus, which is how your credit history gets built.

So, you’re paying for the service of building credit via Kikoff, and your payment history is what gets reported. There is no “refund” at the end of the plan.

Will Kikoff do a hard credit check?

No, Kikoff does not do a hard inquiry.

Does Kikoff actually report to the credit bureaus?

Yes! Kikoff reports to all three major credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

How does Kikoff help you build your credit?

Kikoff reports on-time payments to the credit bureaus, which can improve your payment history (the biggest factor in your credit). It also helps your credit mix and account age, which are smaller but still important parts of your credit.

What are other ways to build your credit?

There are many other ways to build your credit. Some common options include:

• Getting a secured credit card – This is where you put down a refundable deposit that becomes your credit limit.
• Becoming an authorized user – If a family member or close friend adds you to their credit card account (and they have good credit), it can help you build history.
• Paying all your bills on time – On-time payments, even for things like utilities or phone bills (if reported), help improve your credit history.

No matter which route you take, consistency is key. Make sure you’re making payments on time, keeping your balances low, and checking your credit reports regularly.

Can I cancel Kikoff anytime?

Yes, there are no cancellation fees, and you’re not locked into a long-term contract. You’ll just want to make sure that you contact them directly and cancel, as you don’t want to miss any monthly payments.

What are common Kikoff complaints and bad reviews about?

There are a lot of really positive reviews from people who say Kikoff helped them build credit – some even said their score went up by 100 points or more. But I also came across some negative reviews, and most of those seemed to come from people who misunderstood how Kikoff and credit actually work.

For example, with Kikoff, you’re not getting a loan or money you can spend freely. And you don’t get any money back at the end, either. The small monthly payment you make (usually around $5) is not a deposit or something you’ll be refunded. Kikoff reports those on-time payments to the credit bureaus, which is how it helps build your credit. If you’re expecting a traditional loan or a cash back card, Kikoff might not be the right fit – but if you want an easy, low-cost way to build credit, it can be a helpful tool.

You also want to make sure you are paying your monthly payment on time, as that’s what Kikoff is all about and why you are using the tool in the first place! If you miss a payment, then this will hurt your credit, just like with a traditional loan. So, I highly recommend setting up automatic payments if you want to use this credit builder so that you can make sure you don’t miss a monthly payment.

How can I contact Kikoff?

You can call Kikoff at 1-844-741-9292, chat with them online here, or email them at [email protected].

Kikoff Review: Is Kikoff Worth It? – Summary

I hope you enjoyed my review of Kikoff.

If you need to build your credit and you want an easy, low-risk place to start, I think Kikoff can be a smart choice. I like that it doesn’t require a hard credit check and that it’s only $5 a month.

It’s not magic, and it won’t grow your credit overnight, but it can help you start moving in the right direction.

And that’s often the hardest part.

You can click here to sign up for Kikoff.

What are you doing to build your credit? How does your credit look?

Disclaimer:

• Individual results may vary. Subject to approval. Terms & conditions may apply.
• Plans start at $5/mo for 12 mos. Autopay requires opt-in. Features & bureau reporting may vary depending on plan purchased.
• First-month average impact of +25 points for users between Jan-2024 & Nov-2024 who purchased at least one item with Kikoff Credit Account in their first month. First-year average impact of +86 points for users between Jan-2023 & Jan-2024. Average credit score impact figures are calculated based on Credit Account users who started with a VantageScore 3.0 below 600, paid on-time, and had no delinquencies or collections added to their credit profiles during the period. Late payments may negatively impact your credit score. Individual results may vary.

Recommended reading:

• How I Went From A 480 Credit Score To Over 750
• Everything You Need To Know About How To Build Credit
• How Do Credit Cards Work? I Answer The Most Important Questions

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