When it comes to credit scores, there’s one question that comes up all the time: Which one really matters, FICO or VantageScore?
The answer isn’t as simple as you might think. Let’s break it down so you can understand which model lenders use, how they differ, and what this means for renters who want their on-time rent payments to count.
FICO: The Industry Standard
FICO® Scores have been the dominant player in credit scoring for decades. In fact, over 90% of top lenders use a version of the FICO Score when making lending decisions.
There are several versions of FICO still in circulation:
- FICO Score 8 – Still the most widely used by banks and credit card issuers.
- FICO Score 9 – More forgiving of paid collections and includes rental data if available.
- FICO Score 10 and 10T – The newest, using trended data to assess behavior over time.
The catch? Even though newer versions are available, many lenders are still using older ones, especially in the mortgage industry, which until recently was locked into legacy FICO 2/4/5 scores.
VantageScore: The Challenger
VantageScore was developed by the three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, as a more inclusive alternative.
Key facts:
- VantageScore 3.0: Widely used on free credit monitoring sites like Credit Karma and CreditWise.
- VantageScore 4.0: Uses trended data and machine learning for more accurate risk prediction.
One big advantage? VantageScore can generate a score with just one month of credit history compared to six months for FICO. That means millions more people, especially younger or credit-invisible renters, can finally be scored.
And in a major shift, the FHFA approved VantageScore 4.0 for use in mortgage lending in 202 marking the first time a non-FICO score is accepted by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
So... Which One Do Lenders Use?
- Most credit cards and auto loans → FICO Score 8 or 9
- Most mortgages (as of 2025) → Moving toward FICO 10T and VantageScore 4.0
- Free credit tools and fintech apps → Often show VantageScore 3.0
Bottom line: it depends. That’s why it’s important to build your credit in ways that benefit both scoring models.
What This Means for Renters Using CredHub
Many renters still struggle to build credit, especially if they don’t have loans or credit cards. That’s where CredHub’s rental credit reporting comes in.
Because both FICO and VantageScore consider rental data in newer versions, CredHub ensures that your rent payments are submitted to all four bureaus – Experian, Equifax, TransUnion, and Innovis.
That means no matter which score a lender pulls, your on-time rent payments are helping your credit story.
And since newer scoring models like FICO 9, FICO 10T, and VantageScore 4.0 weigh rent history more favorably, CredHub puts you in the best position as the industry evolves.
Most lenders primarily use FICO Scores, especially for credit cards, auto loans, and mortgages. However, VantageScore is widely used for credit monitoring tools and is gaining adoption, including approval for certain mortgage evaluations.
FICO and VantageScore use different formulas and weighting systems, even though they rely on similar credit report data. Because of this, your scores can vary between models.
Yes. Newer versions of VantageScore can factor in rental payment data if it is reported to the credit bureaus, which can help renters build credit..
FICO Score 8 is still the most widely used version by lenders today. Newer models like FICO 9 and FICO 10T are gaining traction but are not yet universal.
CredHub reports eligible rent payment data to all four major credit bureaus, helping ensure rental history is available to both FICO and VantageScore models as they continue to evolve.
