Aura vs LifeLock: all you need to know before choosing
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When it comes to identity theft protection, Aura and LifeLock are two of the most prominent services on the market. LifeLock, established in 2005, has built a solid user base, serving over 80 million users worldwide. In contrast, Aura has rapidly gained traction since its inception, now protecting over 1 million members globally.
Both services offer comprehensive identity theft protection features, including credit monitoring, dark web surveillance, and fraud alert systems. However, I’ve noticed notable differences in their offers and performance. For instance, Aura provides three-bureau credit monitoring with a one-click credit lock across all plans, whereas LifeLock offers one-bureau credit monitoring (Equifax) on most plans. Additionally, Aura includes digital security tools such as VPN and antivirus in all its plans, while LifeLock's digital security features are available at higher-tier plans.
In this comparison, I’ve assessed both providers with the Cybernews research team to help you understand how they differ. I will look at their features side-by-side, go through pricing options, and share the results of my tests to see how well each one protects your identity. Most importantly, I will show you which service deals with threats faster in 2025.
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Aura packs more protection into every plan and offers three-bureau credit monitoring, a built-in VPN, and antivirus from the start, while LifeLock keeps many of these perks locked behind pricier tiers or add-ons.
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LifeLock has the bigger name (with over 80 million users) but Aura is quicker on its feet as it has faster alerts and stronger real-time monitoring, which can make all the difference when stopping identity fraud in its tracks.
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Both services promise $1 million in identity theft insurance but Aura goes the extra mile with a full suite of digital security tools, so it’s a more well-rounded, all-in-one defense against cyber threats.
Aura vs LifeLock: side by side comparison
While I have carefully evaluated and tested Aura and Lifelock, I found that Aura has comprehensive security solutions in every plan, while LifeLock offers standalone provision of identity theft services. This is how the two services stack up on the following key metrics:
| Aura | LifeLock | |
| Rating | 4.8/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Overall rank | #1 out of 5 | #2 out of 5 |
| Price | From $10.00/month (annual billing) | From $7.50/month (annual billing) |
| Free version | No | No |
| Free trial | 14-day | 30-day |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Credit monitoring | All three bureaus on all plans | Three bureaus on Ultimate Plus only |
| Insurance | Up to $5 million (family plans) | Up to $3 million (Ultimate Plus) |
| Discounts | Up to 63% | Variable |
The differences are clear in several areas. Aura's three-bureau credit monitoring is a standard feature across all plans, while LifeLock reserves this for Ultimate Plus subscribers only. Though LifeLock's entry-level price point is lower, this requires careful consideration because many standard features with Aura require additional subscriptions or upgrades with LifeLock.
Aura vs LifeLock: features comparison
Let's examine how these services actually perform in critical areas. I've tested each feature extensively, focusing on what matters most for practical identity protection.
| Features | Aura | Lifelock |
| Credit Monitoring | Three-bureau monitoring in all plans | - Single bureau (Standard/Advantage) - Three-bureau (Ultimate Plus) |
| Dark Web Monitoring | - 5-minute alert time - Comprehensive scanning | - 24+ hour alert time - Basic scanning |
| Antivirus | Included in all plans | Requires Norton 360 bundle |
| Social Media Review | No | Yes |
| VPN | Included in all plans | Requires Norton 360 bundle |
| Password Manager | Included in all plans | Requires Norton 360 bundle |
Now, I’ll break down each of these areas based on my testing:
Credit monitoring
My testing revealed significant practical differences between the credit monitoring capabilities of these two providers. Aura monitors all three major bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) on every plan level, while LifeLock only offers triple-bureau monitoring on its Ultimate Plus tier. This matters because credit issues can appear on one bureau's report before the others.
Another important aspect is response time. In my testing, Aura consistently came through in minutes with an alert when an issue was detected. On the other hand, the alerts sometimes took hours to arrive with LifeLock. This was a period during which fraudsters may have succeeded in causing serious or even irreparable damage.
Take a look at our list of best credit monitoring services in 2025.
Dark web monitoring
Dark web monitoring presents an even more noticeable speed gap between the two services. We intentionally leaked test credentials, and Aura was able routinely to flag this within minutes. LifeLock regularly took more than 24 hours to raise the same flags. This is not just a number; in a real-life identity theft scenario, these hours are critical, and every hour counts when it comes to prevention versus recovery.
Aura also did a better job of scanning, as it was both faster and more accurate in our testing, while LifeLock had one historical alert at login but was slower and less effective at flagging our simulated data leaks. Speed is less important than the depth of scanning here, but both are well worth considering.
Antivirus
The antivirus comparison isn't entirely straightforward. Aura includes antivirus protection in all plans, detecting an outright majority of threats in my testing, although not always finding the very newest threats. LifeLock only offers antivirus through Norton 360 bundles, though if you do get it, you're getting one of the industry's leading solutions. The real question is whether you want to manage – and pay for–separate tools or an expensive bundled subscription.
I found Aura's integrated protection adequate for most users, though it occasionally missed threats that dedicated antivirus solutions would catch. LifeLock's Norton integration provides more comprehensive protection but at a higher total cost. This makes LifeLock the winner on a capabilities basis, even though Aura provides arguably better overall value here.
Social media review
LifeLock has an edge here. Aura doesn’t actively monitor social media, and LifeLock watches for activity related to account takeover incidents or potentially harmful content. Aura doesn’t focus on protecting against social media-based identity theft, which is a growing concern today. However, this remains one of the few gaps in its otherwise comprehensive protection. But, having said that, many social media platforms have significantly improved their security features over time, which lessens the practical impact of this discrepancy slightly.
VPN
Both services offer functional VPN protection but they do so using two very different approaches. Aura's built-in VPN comes as a standard option, while LifeLock requires a Norton 360 bundle. In my testing, Aura's VPN provided solid but basic protection suitable for general browsing and banking. You will get more features and server locations with the Norton 360 VPN but you’ll pay quite a bit extra for this enhanced capability.
Password manager
Similar to the VPN situation, Aura includes a basic but functional password manager in all plans. It handles the fundamentals well: password generation, secure storage, and auto-fill. LifeLock users need the Norton 360 bundle to manage their passwords, though this provides a more feature-rich solution.
For most users, Aura's included password manager does everything necessary. Power users might prefer Norton's additional features as long as they're willing to pay for them.
Aura vs LifeLock: pricing and plans
Looking at real costs rather than introductory prices reveals significant differences between these services. Let's break down exactly what you'll pay and what you get:
| Plan Level | Aura | LifeLock | LifeLock + Norton 360 |
| Individual | - $13/month ($10 with annual billing) - Three-bureau monitoring - All security tools included - Consistent renewal pricing | - Standard: $11.99/month ($7.50 with annual billing)- Single-bureau monitoring - Basic protection - Renews at $124.99/year | - Select: $8.33/month (first year) - Basic protection - Norton security features - Renews at $247.99/year |
| Mid-tier | N/A | - Advantage: $22.99/month ($14.99 with annual billing) - Single-bureau monitoring - Enhanced protection - Renews at $239.99/year | - Advantage: $15.99/month (first year) - Enhanced protection - Norton security features - Renews at $249.99/year |
| Premium | N/A | - Ultimate Plus: $34.99/month ($19.99 with annual billing) - Three-bureau monitoring - Full protection - Renews at $339.99/year | - Ultimate Plus: $24.99/month (first year) - Full protection - Premium Norton features - Renews at $349.99/year |
| Couples | - $24/month ($18/month with annual billing) - Complete protection for two adults - All features included | - Ultimate Plus: $69.99/month ($32.99 with annual billing) - Full protection for two adults - Renews at $679.99/year | - Ultimate Plus: $34.99/month (first year) - Full protection for two adults - Premium Norton features - Renews at $689.99/year |
| Family | - $39/month ($29 with annual billing) - Up to 5 adults - Unlimited children - All features included | - Ultimate Plus: $81.99/month ($38.99 with annual billing) - Two adults + five children maximum - Renews at the annual rate | - Ultimate Plus: $81.99/month (first year) - Two adults + five children - Premium Norton features - Renews at $819.99/year |
One of the major contrasts in how these two online platforms do business becomes quite clear when you take a look at their pricing structures. Aura has flat rate pricing that turns out to be much more affordable when comparing monthly billing to an annual plan. On the other hand, promotional rates, renewal fees, and bundle options make it challenging to determine exactly what you might need and how much LifeLock will cost you.
The discrepancy is stark when these low-cost promotional prices disappear, and we look at the true costs behind these offerings. LifeLock's standalone plans increase by $35-100 annually, while the Norton 360 bundles jump $50-58 for individual plans. The family plan renewal rates show the largest gap. While Aura maintains consistent pricing for up to five adults and unlimited children, LifeLock's annual family plan renewal hits $819.99 with stricter user limits.
These aren't just numbers - they affect how you'll actually use the service. Aura's pricing includes all security tools from the start. LifeLock users face choices between standalone identity protection or bundled security features, with each choice affecting their total cost.
Aura vs LifeLock: interface and ease of use
You have to check on your identity protection tools regularly for them to be effective, and there are big differences in the way these two services handle this basic requirement.
Aura's single dashboard puts everything in one place. Credit scores, threats, and monitoring status appear immediately at login. Core functions like dark web alerts and VPN settings are readily accessible. This alert organization is practical because serious issues will always capture your attention, and you can hold onto historical data.
A logical settings layout. Everything was consistently located where I expected it, including configuration files to monitor, alert settings, and security tools. In credit monitoring, you can see the familiar arrangement of detailed-oriented information has been changed into easy-to-read actionable information.
LifeLock's setup depends on whether you go with standalone protection or buy a LifeLock plan as part of Norton 360. Users who use the standalone system mainly use the identity protection dashboard. Users must switch to another interface meant to manage security capabilities. Its split-screen approach, which enables the monitoring rather than a screen to watch something on, meant I spent more time navigating versus watching here during testing. The notification system is functional but takes a few extra clicks to view detailed alert information.
Desktop apps
Aura maintains a similar desktop experience, whether on Windows or macOS. The main dashboard, as shown in the screenshot below, is similar to that of the web interface, so you get traditional alerts available and ease of accessing monitoring tools. You start to see real-time notifications in the system tray notifying you of potential threats or actions that require your attention.
However, LifeLock's desktop presence depends on which version of the service you choose. Most users of the standalone version interact almost exclusively through the web interface, whereas bundle subscribers to Norton 360 must deal with several applications. The security tools are great, but this segmented approach is burdensome.
Mobile apps
With the Android apps of Aura and LifeLock, we noticed a marked difference in approach. Aura rolls it all into one app that closely mimics what you would find on your desktop and makes the navigation fairly simple.
For its mobile experience, LifeLock splits between two apps and offers Norton Identity as the LifeLock identity protection app and Norton 360 for the broader protection features. Although each app works great by itself, this separation complicates things that should be simple monitoring tasks.
Aura vs LifeLock: which is right for you?
| Features | Aura | LifeLock |
| Features | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Pricing and plans | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Interface and ease of use | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
The key differences between these services emerged clearly during testing. Aura's alert system detected and reported threats within as little as 5 minutes, while LifeLock could take more than 24 hours for the same alerts. This isn't just a numbers game, though. In real identity theft scenarios, those hours matter.
LifeLock's core identity protection works well, and the Norton 360 integration adds solid security features. But using it means dealing with separate interfaces and understanding a complex pricing structure. The renewal rates jump significantly after the first year, particularly for family plans.
Aura does the job more efficiently. Everything works through a single interface, and you won't need separate subscriptions for security tools. The family plan covers more users, at up to five adults and unlimited children, versus LifeLock's two-adult limit.
Unless you specifically need social media monitoring or already use Norton 360, Aura's faster response times and straightforward approach make more sense for real-world identity protection.
See how other identity theft protection services compare:
Aura vs IDShield: see how these services stack up in features, pricing, and identity protection
Identity Guard vs Lifelock: which one offers better monitoring and fraud protection?
FAQ
Is Aura better than LifeLock?
Yes, for most users. During testing, Aura consistently detected threats within minutes compared to LifeLock's 24+ hour response time. It includes all security tools without requiring additional subscriptions, monitors all three credit bureaus on every plan, and offers more straightforward pricing with better family coverage options.
How much is LifeLock per month?
LifeLock's monthly rates start at $11.99 ($7.50 with annual billing) for Standard, reaching $34.99 for Ultimate Plus. After the first year, prices increase by 33-42%. Norton 360 bundles add features but with additional complexity and cost. LifeLock Select starts at $8.29 monthly, and LifeLock Ultimate Plus starts at $24.99.
Is Aura really worth it?
Yes. Our testing showed Aura's five-minute alert speed and comprehensive monitoring justify its pricing. All plans include three-bureau credit monitoring, dark web scanning, and security tools like VPN and antivirus. The consistent pricing and unlimited child protection on family plans add practical value.
Is Aura based in China?
No. Aura Identity Protection and its website, Aura.com, are owned by Aura Sub, LLC, a US company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. Meanwhile, Aura International operates as a training and management consulting firm in Beijing, China. These are two different companies with no connections to each other.
Can LifeLock be trusted?
Yes. Although the original company had some regulatory challenges back in 2015, it has since been transformed under the ownership of Norton and its integration into Gen Digital. Today, LifeLock has rigorous security protocols, proven protection features, and the backing of a cybersecurity giant.
What's the difference between Aura and LifeLock pricing?
Aura uses straightforward pricing with consistent renewal rates. LifeLock's pricing varies significantly - promotional rates increase 33-42% after the first year, and getting complete protection requires Norton 360 bundle costs. Aura includes all security tools standard, while LifeLock's extras add to its total cost.
Is Norton LifeLock better than Aura?
No, not for most users, based on our testing. While Norton's security tools are solid, LifeLock's core identity protection lags behind Aura in critical areas. Alert times are slower, bundle pricing becomes somewhat complex, and features like three-bureau credit monitoring require premium tiers. Aura delivers better protection without the complexity.
Which is faster at detecting threats: Aura or LifeLock?
Aura is faster than LifeLock. Aura detected and reported threats within as little as a few minutes. LifeLock consistently took over 24 hours to flag the same issues. Aura is also much faster and more effective for dark web monitoring than LifeLock.
Which is better for family protection: Aura or LifeLock?
Aura offers better family coverage. It protects up to five adults and unlimited children under one plan, while LifeLock caps at two adults and five children. Aura's consistent pricing and included security tools mean you won't pay extra to protect everyone.
How does Aura credit monitoring compare to LifeLock?
Aura monitors all three credit bureaus on every plan level. LifeLock restricts three-bureau monitoring to Ultimate Plus subscribers. In testing, Aura's alerts arrived within minutes of suspicious credit activity, while LifeLock's typically took hours to appear.
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