Home › Credit › Credit-builder loans & accounts › Self vs Credit Strong
Both are meant to help build credit history. Here's what Self and Credit Strong each say about cost and reporting.
| Self | Credit Strong | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Credit-builder loan (money held, paid out at end) | Credit-builder loan (installment) or revolving line |
| Monthly cost | Plans shown from $25/mo (example: $35/mo for 24 months returns $717) | From $15/mo (revolving, $1,000–$10,000) or $16/mo (installment, $1,000–$25,000) |
| Other fees / interest | APR up to about 16% depending on plan; $9 nonrefundable admin fee (per Self) | No hidden fees (per Credit Strong) |
| Reports to | All 3 bureaus | not found |
| Credit check to apply | not found | No credit check |
Sources: Self page (checked 2026-10-12) · Credit Strong page (checked 2026-10-12)
More on Self · More on Credit Strong · All credit-builder loans & accounts
What it is: Self Credit-builder loan (money held, paid out at end), Credit Strong Credit-builder loan (installment) or revolving line; Monthly cost: Self Plans shown from $25/mo (example: $35/mo for 24 months returns $717), Credit Strong From $15/mo (revolving, $1,000–$10,000) or $16/mo (installment, $1,000–$25,000); Other fees / interest: Self APR up to about 16% depending on plan; $9 nonrefundable admin fee (per Self), Credit Strong No hidden fees (per Credit Strong); Reports to: Self All 3 bureaus, Credit Strong not found; Credit check to apply: Self not found, Credit Strong No credit check.
Estimates, not financial advice. Taxes, insurance, PMI and fees vary by lender, county and city; confirm with your lender, dealer and state agency before acting.