VantageScore vs FICO: How Credit Score Models Differ

Did you know you don’t have just one credit score? That’s right — your score can actually vary depending on which scoring model is used to calculate it. And the two most commonly used models?

Let’s just say it always comes down to VantageScore vs FICO. These are the scoring systems lenders, banks, and even landlords rely on to decide whether to approve your application — and what interest rate you’ll get.

But here’s what most people don’t realize: your score can look different depending on which model is used. And that difference could affect your next financial move. So what exactly are these models? How are they different? Which one matters more to you? Let’s break it down.

What Are Credit Scoring Models Anyway?

Credit scoring models analyze your credit history and convert it into a 3-digit number between 300 and 850. The number, then, helps lenders assess how likely you are to repay money you borrow. But here’s the catch: not every scoring model uses the same formula. That’s why your FICO® score might show 720 while your VantageScore® shows 690. Both are based on your credit report — but each model looks at things a little differently.

Example #1:

You have a credit card with a $1,500 limit. You just spent $1,400 on a large purchase. If your lender reports that balance before you make your payment, your credit utilization spikes.

• FICO might penalize you more heavily for that high usage.
• VantageScore may factor in trended data — if it sees you usually pay off your balances, the hit might be smaller.

The Models In Question: VantageScore vs FICO 

VantageScore

1. Built by the three major credit bureaus in 2006
2. Gaining popularity in credit monitoring apps and lending
3. Score range: 300–850

What it considers (v4.0):

• 40% Payment History – Just like FICO, paying on time is of primitive importance.
• 20% Credit Utilization – Your usage ratio still matters here.
• 21% Credit Mix & Age – Combines both variety and length of credit.
• 11% New Credit – Looks at recent inquiries and new accounts.
• 8% Available Credit – Focuses more on how much unused credit you have.

Advantage:

VantageScore can generate a score with just 1–2 months of credit history (vs. FICO’s 6-month requirement), making it more accessible for newcomers.

FICO Score

1. Created by Fair Isaac Corporation in 1989
2. Used by over 90% of major lenders
3. Score range: 300–850

What it considers:

• 35% Payment History – Whether you’ve paid your bills on time.
• 30% Credit Utilization – How much of your available credit you’re using.
• 15% Length of Credit History – How long your accounts have been active.
• 10% Credit Mix – Variety of credit types (credit cards, loans, etc.).
• 10% New Credit – How many accounts you’ve recently opened.

Worth noting:

FICO scores are built for different types of lending. That’s why mortgage lenders often use older versions like FICO 2, 4, or 5, while credit card companies may rely on FICO 8 or 9.

Credit Score Ranges: VantageScore VS FICO 

Now, even though both use the 300–850 range, their category divisions differ, so your score can land in different brackets.

VantageScore Ranges

Score Range	Category	What It Means
781 – 850	Excellent	Very low risk; qualifies for top credit products.
661 – 780	Good	Solid profile; likely approval at competitive rates.
601 – 660	Fair	Higher rates; fewer premium options.
500 – 600	Poor	Limited approvals; must shop carefully.
300 – 499	Very Poor	High risk; approvals are rare and costly.

FICO Score Ranges

Score Range	Category	What It Means
800 – 850	Exceptional	Top-tier credit; best rates and terms.
740 – 799	Very Good	Low-risk borrower; strong approval odds.
670 – 739	Good	Solid credit; most lenders will approve you.
580 – 669	Fair	Higher rates expected; approvals still possible.
300 – 579	Poor	Difficult to qualify; limited options and high interest.

Comparing VantageScore VS FICO

Feature	FICO Score	VantageScore
Score Range	300 – 850	300 – 850
Average Score (US)	717 (2024)	701 (2024)
Created By	Fair Isaac Corporation	Equifax, Experian, TransUnion
First Released	1989	2006
Minimum Credit History	6 months	1–2 months
Who Uses It	90%+ of top lenders	Credit apps, personal loans, landlords
Version Flexibility	Multiple versions for lending types	Streamlined versions (v3.0, v4.0)
Trended Data	Only in newer versions (FICO 10T)	Used in VantageScore 4.0
Medical Debt Handling	FICO 9 & 10 reduce impact	VantageScore 4.0 often ignores it
Paid Collections	May still affect score	Ignored in latest versions
Free Score Access	Usually not included	Often available in free apps

Similarities Between FICO and VantageScore

Even with all the differences, FICO and VantageScore share a lot of DNA. Here’s what they both have in common, and what that means for you:

1) Score Range

Both go from 300 to 850 — so the number scale is consistent.

2) Source of Data

They pull data from the same three credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

3) Core Factors

Both models factor in payment history, credit usage, age of credit, types of accounts, and new credit activity — they just weigh them differently. Let’s understand how!

Credit Factor	FICO Weight	VantageScore Weight	What It Means
Payment history	35%	~40% (Extremely influential)	How consistently you pay bills on time. Missing payments hurts both scores, but it’s weighed even more in VantageScore.
Credit usage (utilization)	30%	~20%–30% (Highly influential)	How much of your available credit you’re using. Keeping it below 30% is key.
Age of credit	15%	~15% (Moderately influential)	The longer your accounts have been open, the better. Shows stability and experience.
Types of accounts	10%	~10% (Less influential)	A mix of credit cards, loans, etc. tells lenders you can manage different kinds of debt.
New credit activity	10%	~5%–10% (Less influential)	How often you apply for new credit. Too many inquiries in a short time can ding your score.

4) Credit Behavior Over Time

Newer versions of both models (FICO 10T and VantageScore 4.0) use trended data, which looks at patterns over time instead of a one-time snapshot.

5) They Both Matter

Lenders, landlords, and even insurance companies can use either score — you never know which one they’re checking, so keep both in good shape, just in case.

Different Models Within VantageScore VS FICO — And Why They Matter

Lenders don’t always use the newest version of a credit scoring model. That’s why your score might look different on a loan application than it does in your credit monitoring app.

FICO Versions

▪ FICO 8

This is the one you’ll most often see in credit card approvals, personal loans, and general lending. It’s widely used because it offers a balanced view — still strict on missed payments and high credit usage, but not overly harsh.

▪ FICO 9

This version made some updates: it’s more forgiving of paid medical debt, and it ignores collections that have a zero balance. A lot of landlords and newer lenders have moved toward this.

▪ FICO 10 & FICO 10T

The “T” stands for trended data, meaning it looks at your behavior over time — not just a snapshot. So if you’ve been gradually paying down debt, 10T gives you credit for that pattern. But if you’ve been racking up debt? It’ll notice that, too.

▪ FICO 2, 4, 5

Yes, these older models are still in use today, especially by mortgage lenders. Why? Because the housing industry hasn’t fully moved on to newer versions. So if you’re applying for a mortgage, you’ll likely be judged by these legacy scores.

VantageScore VS FICO: Which One’s Better?

There’s no clear winner — it depends on your situation:

• New to credit? VantageScore can score you faster.
• Applying for a mortgage? FICO matters more.
• Want free access to your score? VantageScore is more widely offered.
• Need a complete picture? Use a service that tracks both — like CoolCredit.

Why Do Credit Scores Vary?

Your FICO and VantageScore may vary because of:

• Data freshness: They may pull your data on different days.
• Weighting: Each model prioritizes certain behaviors differently.
• Inclusion rules: VantageScore may score you with limited history; FICO won’t.
• Version differences: Newer versions may treat things like medical collections differently.

According to Experian’s 2024 data: Average FICO Score: 717 Average VantageScore: 701 That small difference can actually impact loan approval or interest rates — especially when you’re on the borderline.

How to Check Your Credit Score

You can:

• Check with your credit card issuer (usually one model only).
• Use a free credit app (usually VantageScore).
• Or get a full, accurate view with CoolCredit.

CoolCredit gives you:

• Access to both FICO and VantageScore
• Full credit reports
• Tools to dispute negative items
• Personalized score improvement tips
• Expert help when you need it

Why Credit Monitoring Matters (A Lot)

• Detect Fraud Fast: Get alerts when someone applies for credit in your name.
  
• Catch Errors Early: Report mistakes before they impact your score.
  
• Track Your Progress: See how your score improves as you pay down debt or manage balances better.
  
• Prep for Major Life Moves: Be ready to apply for a home or car with no last-minute surprises.
  
• Know Your Real Standing: No guessing. Just clear, consistent insights across both models.

Conclusion

You don’t need to be a credit expert — but you do need to understand the basics of how your scores are calculated and used. FICO and VantageScore may approach things differently, but they’re both key players in your financial future.

FAQs

Q: Why do I have multiple credit scores?

A: Because there are different scoring models (FICO, VantageScore) and multiple versions of each. Plus, each of the three credit bureaus may have slightly different information about you.

Example: You might have paid off a loan, but only Experian has updated that info. If a lender checks your Experian-based score, it’ll look better than one based on TransUnion data.

Q: Which score do lenders really use — FICO or VantageScore?

A: Most major lenders (especially for mortgages and auto loans) use FICO. However, VantageScore is growing in popularity, especially among personal loan lenders, credit card companies, and landlords.

Bottom line: You can’t control what score a lender pulls — so it’s smart to keep an eye on both.

Q: Why does my score look different in one app vs. another?

A: Each app may show a different score depending on:

• The scoring model it uses (FICO vs. VantageScore)
• The version of the model (FICO 8 vs. 10T, VantageScore 3.0 vs. 4.0)
• The bureau the data is pulled from

Some apps only pull one bureau. CoolCredit pulls from all three, so you get the full picture.

Q: Do FICO and VantageScore treat medical debt differently?

A: Yes.

• FICO 9 and 10 reduce the impact of medical collections.
• VantageScore 4.0 may completely ignore paid medical collections.

This means if your credit file has medical debt, VantageScore might give you a higher number.

Q: How do I improve my score across both models?

A:

• The fundamentals apply to both:
• Pay bills on time
• Keep credit usage low
• Don’t open too many new accounts too quickly
• Keep older accounts open
• Monitor your report regularly for errors

You can get personalized help on all of these with CoolCredit — plus, dispute errors, monitor real-time alerts, and boost your score with expert advice.