| Criterion | FICO | VantageScore |
|---|---|---|
| Developer and governance | FICO scores are developed and licensed by Fair Isaac Corporation, an independent analytics company that does not own or operate a credit reporting company. | VantageScore was developed by the three national credit reporting companies working jointly, and is managed by VantageScore Solutions, a separate entity from those companies. |
| Score range | Most FICO score versions run from 300 to 850, and the scale is the one most consumers recognize. | VantageScore 3.0 and 4.0 also run from 300 to 850, though the earliest version used a 501 to 990 range, which is still seen in some older disclosures. |
| Score versions and segmentation | FICO releases many model versions tailored to product types, including separate versions for auto lending, bankcards, and mortgages, plus newer generations that change how certain data is weighted. | VantageScore has released fewer generations, and each generation is generally applied more uniformly across product types rather than split into industry-specific scores. |
| Scoring threshold requirements | A FICO score typically requires at least one account open for six months or more and activity reported within the past six months; a file that does not meet these rules produces no score. | VantageScore can generate a score with a shorter credit history, using a single account reported within the past 24 months, which can produce a score for thinner files. |
| Treatment of collections and medical debt | FICO ignores paid collection accounts in its newer generations and does not count medical collections once they are paid; unpaid collections are still considered in most versions. | VantageScore generations also exclude paid collections and give reduced weight to medical collections, with the specific treatment varying by generation. |
| Credit utilization weighting | FICO weighs revolving utilization heavily, and balance-to-limit ratios on individual cards and across all cards both matter. | VantageScore also weighs utilization substantially, but has historically placed somewhat more emphasis on total debt and payment history relative to per-account balances. |
| Where consumers encounter it | FICO scores are the model most commonly used in mortgage underwriting, and many lenders, card issuers, and banks provide a FICO score to customers through disclosure programs. | VantageScore is widely used in credit monitoring services, bank and card app score displays, and by some lenders for account review and prescreen offers. |
Frequently asked questions
Do FICO and VantageScore use different data?
No. Both models are calculated from the credit file maintained by a national credit reporting company. The difference lies in how each model weighs and categorizes the same reported information, not in the underlying records.
Why is my VantageScore different from my FICO score?
The models apply different algorithms, versions, and weighting to the same file, so the resulting numbers can diverge. The gap can be large for consumers with recent collections, high revolving balances, or a short credit history.
Which model do mortgage lenders use?
Mortgage underwriting commonly relies on FICO score versions designated for mortgage lending, and the middle of three scores from the national credit reporting companies is typically used. VantageScore is generally not the model used for that decision.
Is one model more lenient than the other?
Neither is consistently more lenient. Depending on the file, one model may produce a noticeably different number than the other in either direction. The outcome varies by individual credit history rather than by model reputation.
Can I see both scores?
Yes. Many banks, card issuers, and monitoring services display a VantageScore or a FICO score at no cost, and some show both. Federal law also allows consumers to request their credit file from each national credit reporting company.