StellarFi, a Kikoff credit alternative

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Why is credit important?

A good credit score can help you reach major milestones, save money, and more. Here are some of the reasons why building credit is important:

• You need good credit to get a mortgage and buy a home
• With a higher credit score, you’ll pay lower interest rates on loans and credit cards
• Landlords, rental companies, and even some employers check your credit to determine whether you’re a good candidate
• People with poor or invisible credit pay higher deposits on utilities

What is StellarFi?

StellarFi is a revolutionary, but simple, new way to build credit. With StellarFi, you can build credit without the downsides.

• NO minimum score
• NO interest expenses
• NO deposit
• NO surprise fees
• NO new debt

How StellarFi works

StellarFi is simple to use. You just need a bank account and some bills to get started.

1. Sign up as a StellarFi member.
2. Link your bank account.
3. Add the bills you want to use to build your credit by replacing current billing information with your StellarFi Virtual Bill Card number.
4. Your bills are paid using your StellarFi Virtual Bill Card
5. The amount spent on your StellarFi Virtual Bill Card will be simultaneously withdrawn from your bank account.

With StellarFi, your bills are conveniently automated and paid on time, AND your bills help you build credit.

How StellarFi improves your credit score

StellarFi impacts the important credit factors that contribute to your credit score:

• StellarFi creates a credit account on your credit report that reports similarly to a line of credit.
• StellarFi reports on-time monthly payments to major credit bureaus, improving your payment history.
• StellarFi optimizes your credit utilization ratio by providing a payment cushion.
• Because a new account is created on your credit report, StellarFi can enhance your credit mix.
• As you continue to use StellarFi, the account’s age can also contribute to your score.

StellarFi Pros and Cons

StellarFi was built for a wide range of people looking to build or improve their credit scores.

Here are some of the best reasons to use StellarFi:

• Anyone at any point in their credit journey can use StellarFi, including:
• Anyone at any point in their credit journey can use StellarFi. That includes people with poor credit or no credit, anyone interested in taking their score from “good” to “excellent”, and those looking to maintain an optimal score.
• People with poor credit.
• People with no credit/invisible credit.
• People looking to take their score from “good” to “excellent”.
• People looking to maintain an optimal score.
• StellarFi shows up like a line of credit on a credit report, with the potential to report up to $25,000.
• There’s no credit check or inquiry to get started.
• You don’t need to pay a security deposit.
• You’ll build credit history with major credit bureaus.
• You can manage monthly bills in one dashboard.
• Access your credit report, current credit score, and advanced credit tools such as personalized score projections.
• You can use your StellarFi Virtual Bill Card to link any recurring bills that you normally pay with a credit or debit card.

So, what are the downsides? Here are some situations in which StellarFi may not be a good fit:

• You’re currently in the underwriting, pre-approval, or under contract phase of buying a home and have been advised against any changes to your credit report
• You don’t have a bank account
• You pay all your bills by check

How does Kikoff work?

The Kikoff Credit Account gives users access to a $750 line of credit. This can only be used to purchase e-books in the Kikoff store, which start at a cost of $10.

As you repay your Kikoff account for items you’ve purchased, Kikoff reports Credit Account payments to Equifax and Experian. This builds a positive payment history.

Kikoff pros and cons

Here are some of the benefits of the Kikoff Credit Account:

• There’s no credit check or hard inquiry to get started. Credit inquiries can harm your credit score, and you should avoid them as much as possible.
• There’s no interest charged on your Kikoff purchases. While your purchases are limited to the e-books in the Kikoff store, the credit building service does not assess interest fees on your spent balance.
• Kikoff is designed to build your payment history with affordable monthly payments spread over time. Repayment plans start at $5/month, with payments reported to Experian and Equifax.

Here are some drawbacks to using Kikoff:

• Kikoff Credit Account payments are only reported to Equifax and Experian. 
• Though the Kikoff credit account CAN be used in a way that keeps your credit utilization low, as with any revolving line of credit, the temptation to overspend could dash your plans.
• To keep your credit utilization under 10%, you’d need to maintain a balance of $75 or less. With only a few purchases, you could overspend.
• Whereas the StellarFi credit builder allows members to build credit with bills they already pay, you’ll need to incur additional debt in order to use the Kickoff Credit Account.
• Kikoff is not available in all areas of the United States. If you live in Delaware or Indiana, you’ll be unable to use the Kikoff Credit Account.

StellarFi vs. Kikoff: What’s the best way to build credit?

Your credit history and credit needs are unique. Finding the right solution is not a one-size-fits-all scenario. That’s why it’s important to take an objective look at your options.

Kikoff is a good choice for those who are just beginning their credit journey or need a milder impact on their credit score. Kikoff users can benefit from the Credit Account if they are already managing other monthly bill payments and debts well. Kikoff reports very low monthly payments, so it doesn’t have the same potential impact on your credit score. 

StellarFi is the best option for people who want to build credit quickly and have a lasting impact. It can help you build and improve credit, no matter where you are on your credit journey. StellarFi influences every FICO Score and VantageScore that lenders use – your entire credit profile. Any progress you make with StellarFi will count when you’re applying for a credit card, qualifying for a home loan, seeking interest rate reductions, and more.

Because StellarFi can report up to $25,000 in monthly payments, members have a chance to make a dramatic impact on their credit scores. This makes StellarFi a powerful option for people with any level of credit damage, people with invisible credit, and more.

Lastly, StellarFi is also a great solution for those who would like to go beyond credit building, by using the platform to manage their bills and monitor their credit report.

By comparing credit builders side-by-side, you’re sure to find the right tool, or combination of tools, for your goals.