⚡ Quick Answer: Does Brigit Credit Builder Work?
Yes, but with caveats. Brigit Credit Builder reports to all 3 credit bureaus and can improve your score by 30-100 points over 12 months. It works best for people with limited credit history ("thin files"). Those with established credit see smaller improvements. At $14.99/month, it's pricier than standalone credit builder options but includes cash advances up to $500.
*Based on Brigit's reported data and user reviews. Individual results vary significantly.
⚠️ Disclosure
We are NOT affiliated with Brigit Inc. Some links are affiliate links—we may earn a commission at no cost to you. This does not affect our analysis. Full disclosure →
What Is Brigit Credit Builder?
Brigit Credit Builder is a credit-building feature included with Brigit's Premium subscription ($14.99/month). It uses a "credit-builder loan" model to help users establish or improve their credit history by reporting positive payment history to all three major credit bureaus.
Key Features at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Loan Amount | $600 |
| Term Length | 12 months |
| Monthly Payment | ~$50 (paid automatically by Brigit) |
| APR | 0% (no interest) |
| Credit Bureaus | All 3: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion |
| Credit Check Required | No hard pull |
| What You Get Back | $600 after 12 months |
💡 How Credit Builder Loans Work
Unlike traditional loans where you receive money upfront, credit-builder loans hold the funds in a secured account. You "pay off" the loan over time, and each payment is reported to credit bureaus. At the end, you receive the full amount. You're essentially building credit by proving you can make consistent payments.
How Brigit Credit Builder Works: Step-by-Step
Here's exactly what happens when you enroll in Brigit Credit Builder:
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Subscribe to Premium ($14.99/month)
Credit Builder is only available with Brigit's Premium plan. You'll also get access to cash advances up to $500, Express Delivery, identity protection, and credit score monitoring.
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Brigit Opens a $600 Credit-Builder Loan
Once enrolled, Brigit creates a $600 installment loan in your name. The $600 is held in a secured account—you don't receive it yet. No hard credit check is performed.
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Automatic Monthly Payments (~$50)
Each month, Brigit automatically makes a ~$50 payment on the loan on your behalf. You don't need to do anything—the payments come from Brigit, not your bank account (your subscription fee covers this).
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Payments Reported to All 3 Bureaus
Every monthly payment is reported to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion as an on-time installment loan payment. This builds your payment history—the biggest factor in your credit score (35% of FICO).
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Receive $600 After 12 Months
After completing all 12 payments, the $600 is unlocked and deposited into your linked bank account. You've now established 12 months of positive payment history.
True Cost Analysis: Is It Worth $14.99/Month?
Let's break down exactly what you're paying for with Brigit Credit Builder:
12-Month Cost Breakdown
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly Premium Fee (×12) | $179.88 |
| Credit Builder Loan Received | +$600.00 |
| Net Cost for Credit Building | $179.88 |
However, Premium also includes:
- Cash advances up to $500 (0% APR)
- Express Delivery (~20 min)
- Identity theft protection
- Credit score monitoring
Cost Comparison: Brigit vs Credit Builder Alternatives
| Product | 12-Month Cost | Reports to All 3 Bureaus | Extra Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brigit Credit Builder | $179.88 | ✅ Yes | Cash advances, ID protection |
| Self Credit Builder | $300-$575 | ✅ Yes | Secured card option |
| MoneyLion Credit Builder | $0-$239.88 | ✅ Yes | Cash advances, banking |
| Chime Credit Builder | $0 | ❌ TransUnion only | Secured card (no deposit) |
| Secured Credit Card | $0 + deposit | ✅ Usually | Credit card benefits |
💰 Value Assessment
If you ONLY want credit building, cheaper options exist (Chime is free). But if you also need cash advances, Brigit Premium bundles both—making the effective credit builder cost lower since you'd pay for advances anyway.
Real Results: How Much Will Your Score Improve?
Based on Brigit's claims, user reviews, and credit-building research, here's what to realistically expect:
Expected Improvements by Starting Profile
| Your Current Situation | Expected Improvement (12 months) |
|---|---|
| No credit history (thin file) | +50 to +100 points |
| Limited history (1-2 accounts) | +40 to +70 points |
| Damaged credit (late payments, collections) | +20 to +50 points |
| Established credit (5+ accounts, long history) | +10 to +30 points |
Timeline of Improvements
Month 1-2: Initial Impact
The new account may cause a small temporary dip (new account lowers average age). Most users see a 5-15 point increase as the first payments report.
Month 3-6: Growth Phase
Consistent on-time payments accumulate. Users typically see 20-40 point improvements. Payment history begins to outweigh the new account penalty.
Month 7-12: Maturation
The account ages, payments continue. Total improvements of 30-100 points for thin-file users. The loan balance decreases, improving utilization metrics.
After Completion
The paid-off installment loan remains on your credit report for up to 10 years, continuing to benefit your score with its positive payment history.
📊 Why Results Vary
Credit scores are complex. The same action affects different people differently based on: existing accounts, credit utilization, negative marks, account age, and credit mix. Brigit's 45-point average is just that—an average. Your results may be higher or lower.
Who Benefits Most from Brigit Credit Builder?
✅ Ideal Candidates
- Credit beginners: Young adults or immigrants with no US credit history
- "Thin file" consumers: People with only 1-2 credit accounts
- Those rebuilding after bankruptcy: Need new positive accounts
- People who also need cash advances: Get both features in one subscription
- Anyone seeking "set it and forget it": Brigit handles everything automatically
❌ May Not Be Worth It For
- Established credit users: Multiple cards, loans, long history—impact will be minimal
- Those who only want credit building: Cheaper options exist (Chime, secured cards)
- People with recent negative marks: Collections/late payments need to age before scores improve significantly
- Anyone who can't commit 12 months: Canceling early may affect the loan
Brigit Credit Builder: Pros and Cons
✅ Pros
- Reports to all 3 bureaus: Maximum credit impact
- 0% APR: No interest charges
- No hard credit check: Won't hurt your score to enroll
- Completely automatic: Brigit makes payments for you
- Get $600 back: Forced savings component
- Bundled with cash advances: Two features in one plan
- No upfront deposit: Unlike secured cards
❌ Cons
- $14.99/month is pricey: Cheaper options exist
- Requires 12-month commitment: Long term for some
- Only $600 loan: Some competitors offer more
- Limited impact for established credit: Best for thin files
- Can't customize loan amount: Fixed at $600
- Must have Premium plan: Not available separately
Brigit Credit Builder vs Alternatives
Here's how Brigit stacks up against other credit-building options:
| Feature | Brigit | Self | MoneyLion | Chime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Credit-builder loan | Credit-builder loan | Credit-builder loan | Secured card |
| Monthly Cost | $14.99 | $25-$48 | $0-$19.99 | $0 |
| Reports to 3 Bureaus | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ TransUnion only |
| Cash Advances | ✅ Up to $500 | ❌ No | ✅ Up to $500 | ✅ SpotMe $20-$200 |
| Loan Amount | $600 | $500-$3,000 | $500-$1,000 | N/A (secured) |
| Best For | Cash advance + credit | Credit building only | Banking + credit | Free option |
🎯 Our Recommendation
Choose Brigit if: You need both cash advances AND credit building. The bundled value makes sense.
Choose Self if: You want a dedicated credit builder with higher loan amounts.
Choose Chime if: You want a free option (but only TransUnion reporting).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Brigit Credit Builder report to all 3 bureaus?
Yes, Brigit Credit Builder reports to all three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. This is important because different lenders check different bureaus, so having positive history on all three maximizes your benefit when applying for credit.
How long does it take to see credit score improvement?
Most users see initial improvements within 1-2 months as the first payments report. More significant improvements (20-50 points) typically occur between months 3-6. The full benefit (30-100+ points for thin files) is usually visible after completing all 12 months.
What happens if I cancel Brigit before 12 months?
If you cancel before completing the Credit Builder program, the loan may be closed early. Any payments already made would have been reported, so you'd keep that credit history. However, you may not receive the full $600, and the account closure could slightly impact your score. Contact Brigit support for specific details.
Do I need good credit to use Credit Builder?
No. Brigit does not perform a hard credit check to enroll. Credit Builder is specifically designed for people with no credit, limited credit, or damaged credit. There are no minimum credit score requirements—eligibility is based on your Brigit account status and subscription.
Is the $600 my money or Brigit's?
The $600 is technically a loan that Brigit provides and holds in a secured account. As you "repay" it (through your monthly subscription), ownership transfers to you. After 12 months of payments, the full $600 belongs to you and is deposited into your bank account. Think of it as forced savings with a credit-building bonus.
Our Verdict: Is Brigit Credit Builder Worth It?
Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best for: People who need both cash advances AND credit building, especially those with thin credit files.
The Bottom Line
Brigit Credit Builder is a legitimate, effective way to build credit—especially if you have little or no credit history. The fact that it reports to all 3 credit bureaus (unlike some competitors) is a significant advantage.
At $14.99/month ($179.88/year), it's more expensive than standalone credit builders. But since Premium also includes $500 cash advances, Express Delivery, and identity protection, the combined value can be worthwhile if you'd use those features anyway.
We recommend Brigit Credit Builder if:
- You have limited credit history and want to build it
- You also need occasional cash advances
- You prefer a hands-off, automatic approach
- You can commit to 12 months
Consider alternatives if:
- You only want credit building (try Self or Chime)
- You already have established credit (impact will be small)
- You need a free option (Chime, secured cards)
📚 Sources & References
- Brigit Official Website: hellobrigit.com/credit-builder
- FICO Score Factors: myfico.com
- CFPB: "Credit-builder loans" guidelines
- Experian, Equifax, TransUnion credit bureau documentation
- User reviews from App Store, Google Play, Trustpilot
Last updated: January 20, 2025. Features and pricing may change—verify with official sources.