IDShield vs IdentityForce 2024: Can the Shield Stop the Force?

If you're looking for ID theft protection with unique features, then IdentityForce is the better service compared to IDShield. While not as good, IDShield helps you condense your security into one service, providing a virtual private network (VPN) and malware protection in addition to identity theft protection.

Identity theft protection is one of those services that you may not think about until you need it, but when you need it, you really need it. To help you decide, we’ve compared IDShield and IdentityForce, with consideration of pricing, features, compatibility, customer support, and more.

IDShield vs. IdentityForce review at a glance

Identity theft losses can be devastating.

If you’re looking to protect your identity and monitor your credit, then you need an identity theft protection plan. IDShield offers 1-bureau monitoring for less than a streaming subscription, which means you can have protection at an affordable monthly price. IdentityForce offers a variety of unique features like junk mail opt-out, which we don’t see on its competitors’ products. You need to determine which service fits your needs best by looking at a side-by-side comparison below.

• IDShield: Best for bundled services
• IdentityForce: Best for unique features

IDShield vs. IdentityForce compared

Star rating	4.4 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	4.1 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Price	$14.95–$34.95/mo	$16.66–$39.90/mo
Types of identity monitoring	Dark web, social media, and SSN monitoring	Dark web, social media, and SSN monitoring
Credit monitoring
Identity theft insurance	Up to $3 million	Up to $2 million
Identity recovery
24/7 customer support
Learn more	Get IDShield Read IDShield Review	Get IdentityForce Read IdentityForce Review

IDShield pros and cons

IdentityForce pros and cons

Which identity theft protection is the better value?

IdentityForce offers more features for the price. It also comes with a trial period so you can try it before committing to the service.

		Best Value
Price range	$14.95–$34.95/mo	$16.66–$39.90/mo
Best value plan	Individual 1-bureau for $14.95/mo	UltraSecure+Credit for $34.90/mo
Money-back guarantee		30-day trial
Learn more	Get IDShield Read IDShield Review	Get IdentityForce Read IdentityForce Review

IDShield plans

IDShield doesn’t advertise any free trials or money-back guarantees on its product pages, but in the FAQ, it mentions that the service can only be canceled by providing IDShield with a written notice. When we tested the product, we found this to be inconvenient. Otherwise, the service offers a variety of useful features, including dark web monitoring and social media account monitoring.

• Individual: Offers unique features in four categories: identity protection, identity restoration, financial protection, and cybersecurity and device protection. Since IDShield includes a VPN and malware protection as part of its features, you use those instead of purchasing additional services, which could save even more money.
• Family: Includes all of the individual plan’s features but expands it to include a spouse or domestic partner and unlimited dependents. There aren’t any additional features for the family plan since minor child monitoring is also included in the individual plan.

IdentityForce plans

IdentityForce offers a 30-day trial on its UltraSecure plan, which has more features than we typically see in identity theft protection. (Note that you must input your credit card information upfront.) One of the most notable and unique features is deceased relative fraud remediation. That’s not commonly offered, but if you have to deal with this, it can be extremely frustrating (we speak from personal experience), especially when you’re grieving. The list of what’s covered is truly impressive, making IdentityForce quite a robust and well-rounded service.

• UltraSecure: Offers 28 different features in four categories, including monitor, alert, control, and recover. Some notable features include medical ID fraud protection, court record monitoring, lost wallet assistance, deceased family member fraud remediation, and a password manager. This plan even includes online PC protection, which offers protection against phishing and keyloggers
• UltraSecure+Credit: Offers everything in the UltraSecure plan plus 3-bureau credit monitoring, reports, scores, a credit tracker, and a credit score simulator, which tells you how your credit will change based on certain actions.
• Family: Family plans are not listed. You must call to discuss options.

Which identity theft protection has the better features?

IDShield and IdentityForce both offer similar monitoring features. However, IdentityForce also comes with extra features such as deceased family member fraud remediation.

		Best Features
Social Security number monitoring
Financial activity alerts
Credit monitoring
3-bureau credit reports	Yes — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion	Yes — Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion
Credit score
Credit lock and freeze
Identity theft insurance	Up to $3 million	Up to $2 million
Dark web monitoring
Social media monitoring
Home title monitoring
USPS address change alerts
Learn more	Get IDShield Read IDShield Review	Get IdentityForce Read IdentityForce Review

In a side-by-side comparison, these two services look really similar. In some respects, they are. Both comprehensively protect your personally identifiable information, but they do have two different feels to them. IDShield approaches security from a whole-device perspective. That’s why a VPN and malware protection are included in every tier. IdentityForce, on the other hand, looks at its security from a whole-person perspective. That’s why there are unique features like deceased family member fraud remediation and medical ID fraud protection.

Since identity theft protection is personal, it’s up to you to decide which approach is right for you and your family. If you’re already happy with your antivirus and VPN choices, however, then IdentityForce does offer more identity protection features.

Which identity theft protection is more secure?

You’re giving a lot of information to identity theft protection services, so you want to make sure it’s being handled correctly. Two-factor authentication (2FA) and data-sharing practices are especially important. The ideal situation would be no data sharing, but that’s usually not the case (except here with IDShield, which really impressed us). For us, the sale of data is a deal-breaker.

IDShield vs. IdentityForce data security

Both IDShield and IdentityForce collect your data so they can track your information and make sure no one is stealing your identity. However, IDShield doesn't share this data with third parties.

	Best Security
Collects data
Shares data with third parties
Learn more	Get IDShield Read IDShield Review	Get IdentityForce Read IdentityForce Review

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) hasn’t been widely adopted yet. It usually involves more than two forms of authentication. Two-factor authentication is becoming more common, and you’ve likely encountered it on a variety of services. We love a mixture of biometric authentication, like FaceID or a fingerprint, mixed with a passwordless entry, like a code texted or emailed to your device. Some day, maybe we’ll all be using eye scanners and fingerprints instead of passwords. Until then, 2FA and MFA are tough to crack.

Which identity theft protection has better compatibility and customer service?

IdentityForce offers 24/7 customer service. However, IDShield offers a live chat contact method, which we prefer to phone and email.

	Our Pick
Android
iOS
Identity restoration services
Lost wallet remediation
24/7 customer support
Customer support options	Phone, email, live chat, FAQs	Phone, email, message, support page
Learn more	Get IDShield Read IDShield Review	Get IdentityForce Read IdentityForce Review

Honestly, we weren’t in love with the support options offered by either of these services. We did find IDShield’s live chat to be helpful, though. We’re pretty sure it was manned by a real person as well because when we asked a less-than-typical question, we received a decently human response. IDShield’s self-help resources were almost nonexistent.

IdentityForce had a robust self-help section but lacked a chat option. You can call, email, or message. If you’re down to search the help section yourself, you have more options with IdentityForce.

FAQs

IDShield vs. IdentityForce: which is better?

In our breakdown of the two services, they are tied based on features, compatibility, security, and price, but we feel IdentityForce has a sight edge because of the unique features offered, like online PC protection that can protect against phishing and keyloggers. IDShield is a reliable product and can be valuable for bundling three services — antivirus, a VPN, and identity theft protection — into one. It offers a lot of valuable features, but IdentityForce has more.

Ultimately, however, the most important thing is protecting yourself against identity theft. An identity theft and credit protection guide can help you narrow down what you need, but taking action is important. As cybercrime continues to rise, ID theft services become increasingly more important.

		Our Pick
Value
Features
Test results
User experience
Learn more	Get IDShield Read IDShield Review	Get IdentityForce Read IdentityForce Review

Top identity theft protection alternatives

If you’re looking for the best identity theft protection service and neither IDShield nor IdentityForce fits your needs, try one of these below. We’ve tested them individually and are excited about the variety of features offered, like parental controls or coverage for an unlimited number of children. Plus, all of these providers boast a 60-day money-back guarantee on annual subscription purchases.

• Aura: Aura offers a robust identity monitoring solution with plans for individuals, couples, and families. Aura monitors your SSN, auto, and home titles, criminal and court records, along with your financial transactions. It also offers several additional features, including antivirus software, a virtual private network (VPN), and a password manager.

  Get Aura | Read Aura Review

• Norton LifeLock: LifeLock by Norton provides the most extensive identity theft insurance, offering anywhere from $1.05 million to $3 million, depending on your plan. LifeLock also monitors your identity in several different ways, including social media monitoring, home title, crime alerts, and investment account activity.
  
  Get Norton LifeLock | Read Norton LifeLock Review

• Identity Guard: Identity Guard is owned by Aura but includes different pricing and offerings that can cover any budget. The family plans cover up to five adults and unlimited children, allowing you to prevent child identity theft as well.

  Get Identity Guard | Read Identity Guard Review