Kikoff Review [2024] 

The average American has a FICO credit score of 718. Are you short of that mark? If so, it’s probably time to do something about it.

And even if your score is already above average, it couldn’t hurt to bring it even higher. 

But how?

One idea is to use Kikoff. It’s an online service that uses lines of credit, credit-builder loans, and secured credit cards to boost your credit score. 

In this Kikoff review, I’ll show you how the service works. I’ll also explain why it could be just the medicine your credit score needs.

What is Kikoff?

Kikoff is an online credit builder that lends you money so that you can improve your credit score. 

There are three credit-building products available from Kikoff:

1. Credit Account. For $5 a month, this account gives you a line of credit that’s designed to improve your credit score. Kikoff considers this its “primary product,” while the other two products are “add-ons.”  
2. Credit Builder Loan. This is a special type of loan where you make a year’s worth of $10 payments as a way to boost your credit score.
3. Secured Credit Card. You can use the card to build credit through everyday transactions.

Kikoff also lets you dispute errors in your credit report and receive credit for paying your rent. 

How Does Kikoff Work?

Part of what makes Kikoff such an appealing app is that it offers three different products. In this Kikoff review, I’ll explain how each of them works – and in detail!

Let’s start with Kikoff’s primary product- the Kikoff Credit Account. 

This product is designed to attack three factors that affect your credit score: account age, credit utilization, and payment history. It does this by creating a stable account where you’ll use way less than the available credit and consistently pay off your entire balance.

Here’s step-by-step how the Kikoff Credit Account works:

1. Sign up for a Kikoff account. There’s no credit check, and you should get approved the same day.
2. Buy things at the “Kikoff store” with your $750 line of credit. The cheapest items are just $10, and users report that the store mostly sells books. 
3. Make monthly payments to pay off your balance. Kikoff will then report these payments to Equifax and Experian, two of the major credit bureaus. 

You’ll get all of this for just $5 per month – with no interest payments or hidden fees to worry about.  

Now, let’s look at the Kikoff Credit Builder Loan – a product designed to build your credit while also helping you save $120 in a year.

Here’s what to expect with a Kikoff Credit Builder loan:

1. Take out the $120 “loan.” I put “loan” in quotation marks because you won’t actually receive the money. But that’s okay! The idea here isn’t to borrow funds but to build credit. Kikoff will set the money aside for safekeeping.
2. Make $10 payments each month. Kikoff reports the payments to TransUnion and Equifax, which will likely boost your credit score. 
3. Receive $120 at the end of 12 months. So not only will you have (hopefully) improved your credit score, but you’ll also have set some money aside in savings!

Kikoff’s final “add-on” product is the Kikoff Secured Credit Card. This is basically a checking account that dresses up as a credit card. Why the clever disguise? To boost your credit score, of course!

Here’s how the Kikoff Secured Credit Card works:

1. Sign up for the card. There’s no credit check required.
2. Deposit money into the account. The minimum deposit is $50 if you want your transactions reported to the three major credit bureaus.
3. Use the card to make purchases and withdraw cash. The card works anywhere that accepts Mastercard, and you’ll get fee-free access to 55,000 Allpoint ATMs all over the world. 

In addition to being simple to use, the Kikoff Secured Credit Card has some help super helpful features, including:

• Fee-free overdrafts (with a $20 monthly limit that could eventually rise to $200/month)
• No annual fee
• No interest
• Paychecks up to 2 days early (when you sign up for direct deposit)
• Cash-back offers

Also, the money you’ve deposited in the Kikoff Secured Credit card account is held by Coastal Community Bank, which is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). So if the bank somehow failed and your money disappeared, the federal government would pay you back. 

Along with these products, Kikoff gives you additional tools to improve your credit score. For example, you can use Kikoff to dispute errors in your credit reports. You can also use the rent reporting feature to earn credit just for paying your landlord on time. These strategies take hardly any effort, but they can have a major impact on your credit score. 

Are you interested in any of these credit-building products from Kikoff? Then here’s some good news: You can start building credit right away – as in today!

Just head to the official Kikoff website and click “Sign up” in the top-right corner. You can also start by downloading the Kikoff mobile app, which is available for iOS and Android. 

And for more credit-boosting options, check out this article on the best credit repair companies. 

Is Kikoff Legit?

Kikoff is a legitimate company with headquarters in San Francisco, CA. It also has a track record of successfully boosting people’s credit scores. 

Don’t believe me? Take a look at the ratings that Kikoff gets from users:

• 4.9 stars on the Apple App Store
• 4.6 stars on Google Play
• 4.2 stars on Trustpilot

You wouldn’t see such high ratings if Kikoff hadn’t worked!

Is Kikoff Safe?

Kikoff is definitely safe to use. Want proof? Here’s what I’ve found:

• When you deposit money with Kikoff, it’s insured by the federal government (thanks to Coastal Community Bank, which partners with Kikoff and is a member of the FDIC).
• There are no secret fees or surprise interest payments.
• Kikoff has a clear privacy policy, and it shows your data is only used for legitimate reasons.

So, don’t worry – these aren’t nasty scammers! 

Pros and Cons of Kikoff 

Kikoff is a super useful service, but it also has its limitations. Here are the pros and cons to consider before signing up. 

Pros

• The Kikoff Credit Account costs just $5 per month. There are no interest payments or extra fees to worry about.
• There’s no credit check required. That means you can start using the products the same day you sign up.
• Kikoff reports to all 3 of the major credit bureaus. Just make sure you sign up for a Credit Builder Loan since it will report to TransUnion. The Credit Builder Account reports only to Equifax and Experian.

Cons

• Closing an account quickly could affect your credit score. You can absolutely cancel your Kikoff service right after signing up, but your credit score could take a hit – which would make the whole process counterproductive.
• With the Kikoff Credit Account, you can only shop at the Kikoff store. If you want to shop anywhere while building credit with Kikoff, you’ll have to use the Secured Credit Card. 
• The Kikoff store has limited offerings. Users report that the store primarily features books.

Kikoff Reviews

Let’s take a look at some Kikoff reviews that users have left on Trustpilot. 

One person wrote a 5-star review saying Kikoff “does what it says,” which is to increase your credit score. 

In a 4-star Kikoff review, someone said their credit score had increased by 125 points since signing up for Kikoff. 

While most Kikoff reviews are positive, there are some exceptions. For example, one user complained that it can take days to hear back from customer service representatives.

And in a 1-star Kikoff review, someone complained that their credit score dropped by 117 points. It seems to be a complicated case – they were sent to prison, causing them to miss payments. Apparently, Kikoff then reported the missing payments, which caused the person’s credit score to plummet.

Kikoff App Review

Kikoff maximizes convenience by giving users access to a mobile app, which is available for iOS and Android. 

You can use the Kikoff app to:

• Sign up for Kikoff’s credit-building products.
• Make payments towards your accounts.
• Buy items from the Kikoff store.
• Track your credit score.

Users seem to appreciate the app-based model. The Kikoff app has been downloaded over a million times from Google Play, where Android users give it 4.6 stars.

And on the Apple App Store, the Kikoff app gets 4.9 stars from users. That’s almost perfect!

But what if you’re looking for a personal finance app that does more than just build credit? I’d consider Chime, which acts as a well-rounded digital bank. Read this Chime review to learn more. 

Kikoff Credit Builder Review

It’s time for this Kikoff review to focus on the company’s primary product: The Kikoff Credit Account. This is what you initially get when you sign up for Kikoff. The other two products (the Credit Builder Loan and Secured Credit Card) are add-ons. 

Based on user responses, it seems the Kikoff Credit Account often succeeds at accomplishing its main purpose, which is to lift your credit score. You’ll get a large line of credit, then use just a small portion of it. You’ll also pay off your balance every month. The result? Usually, it will be a higher credit score!

But there’s a real limitation: You can only use the line of credit at the Kikoff store – which isn’t exactly Amazon when it comes to the selection. Some users complain that they can’t find a single item that they actually want. 

So, this isn’t a product that’s going to help you make important purchases. But that’s not really your goal here, is it? My advice is to keep your eyes on the prize – and the prize is better credit. As long as you maintain that mindset, you’re likely to enjoy your experience with the Kikoff Credit Account. 

For another credit-building tool, check out Cushion – which is especially useful if you tend to use buy now pay later (BNPL) services. Interested? Read this Cushion app review.   

Kikoff Credit Review

Now, let’s look carefully at another Kikoff product: The Kikoff Secured Credit Card. 

There’s a lot to like about this product. For one thing, you can use it to shop anywhere – giving you way more flexibility than what you get with the standard Kikoff Credit Account. You’ll also have fee-free access to 55,000 Allpoint ATMs. Together, these features allow you to use your Kikoff card account as your main checking account – and boost your credit score while you’re at it.

Another perk of the Kikoff Secured Credit Card is that your payments will be reported to all three credit bureaus. That means the card isn’t just convenient. It’s also effective!

So my verdict is clear: If you’re going to use the Kikoff Credit Account and you’re serious about boosting your credit, you should probably sign up for the Kikoff Secured Credit Card, too. 

Kikoff Reviews Reddit

I found a Reddit thread with someone asking whether Kikoff is legit.

One person responded by saying they considered Kikoff but decided against it. They didn’t like the idea of having to make purchases through the Kikoff store. 

Another user called Kikoff a “cheap and effective” option for people who need to build credit.

In another Kikoff review on Reddit, someone said the app increased their credit score by 35 points. 

Kikoff Reviews BBB

Kikoff gets a B- grade from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), where it’s not an “accredited business.” 

At the time of this article’s publication, the BBB had received 536 complaints about Kikoff. That might sound like a lot, but Kikoff has a lot of users. Remember – it’s been downloaded over a million times!

So, 536 complaints and a B- grade, while far from perfect, shouldn’t scare you from using Kikoff to improve your credit score. 

Kikoff Bad Reviews

Kikoff generally receives good reviews from users. That’s why it averages 4.2 stars on Trustpilot. 

But there are some bad reviews mixed in – so let’s take a look at the specific issues people are having. 

A few people complained about the fact that the Kikoff Credit Account can only be used for purchases through the Kikoff store. I can see why that would be frustrating, but it’s worth remembering that Kikoff also offers a secured credit card that can be used anywhere.

In another 1-star Kikoff review, someone complained that their credit score still hadn’t improved. They also reported having trouble buying books through Kikoff. 

I’m not sure what happened with the book fiasco – but when it comes to the stagnant credit score, it’s important to remember that everyone’s credit situation is different. You can never count on immediate results, even with a legit service like Kikoff. 

Is Kikoff Worth It? 

Here’s the conclusion of this Kikoff review: The Kikoff credit builder is worth it! It costs just $5 a month, and it can have a meaningful impact on your credit score.

Of course, it’s important to remember what Kikoff’s products won’t do for you. 

First of all, the Kikoff Credit Account, which comes with a $750 line of credit, won’t help you meet all your shopping needs. You can only use it to buy products through Kikoff, so your options will be limited. 

And the Kikoff Credit Builder Loan isn’t actually a way to borrow money. You won’t even get access to the funds until you’ve paid off the whole loan.

But those limitations aren’t flaws. They’re side effects of the fact that Kikoff’s products are geared towards one main goal: to boost your credit score. 

So, is a higher credit score your objective? Then you should give Kikoff a try!

Commonly Asked Questions About Kikoff 

What are Alternatives to Kikoff?

Here are some credit-builder apps that work like Kikoff:

• StellarFi (read this full StellarFi review)
• Dovly (read this full Dovly review)
• Cushion (read this full Cushion App review)
• Cheese (read this full Cheese Credit Builder review)
• CreditStrong (read this full Credit Strong review)
• Cleo (read this full Cleo Credit Builder Card review)
• Chime (read this full Chime review)
• Nevly Money (read this Nevly Money review)

For more ways to fix your credit, check out our comparison of Credit Saint vs Lexington Law, or see if working with the best tradeline companies could be the right credit repair solution for you. 

Meanwhile, learn how to budget for non recurring expenses so you can be prepared for unexpected costs going forward. 

And to learn which budgeting app could best help you manage your finances and boost your savings, check out these comparisons of Rocket Money vs the competition:

• Rocket Money vs YNAB
• Rocket Money vs Simplifi
• Rocket Money vs Copilot

Then use a net worth tracker to see how your new financial strategies are paying off. 

Is Kikoff a Scam? 

Kikoff definitely isn’t a scam. It’s a legitimate credit-building service with a 4.2-star rating on Trustpilot and a B- grade from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). When people claim it’s a scam, it’s often because they don’t understand how the products work. 

What is The Catch With Kikoff?

The “catch” with Kikoff is that the main product, called the “Credit Account,” can only be used to make purchases from the associated Kikoff store. Luckily, Kikoff also offers a secured credit card that you can use anywhere, and that will also help you build credit. 

Also see how much you could save by learning how to cancel all subscriptions on your debit card or credit card. 

Do You Actually Get Money From Kikoff?

A credit builder loan from Kikoff doesn’t actually give you money upfront – but that’s a feature, not a bug. The goal of the loan isn’t to access funds. It’s to increase your credit score. You’ll make payments for a year, then get your money back at the end. 

Can I Buy Anything With Kikoff Credit?

You can only use the Kikoff Credit Account to shop through Kikoff’s associated store. But Kikoff also offers a secured credit card that you can use anywhere (like a normal debit or credit card). 

Is Kickoff Reputable?

Kikoff is a reputable company with headquarters in San Francisco. The Kikoff mobile app also has 4.9 stars on the Apple App Store – so users are really digging it!