How it works
Here's how one soft pull becomes your plan.
Bivo checks your Equifax report once with a soft pull. Then it explains every factor, ranks your next steps and answers your questions. This page walks through each step and everything you get.
Soft pull only. Checking never affects your score. No credit card.
Before you start
Setup takes seven short screens from sign-up to your plan. Here's what to have ready.
- You're 18 or older.
- You live in the US and have a Social Security number.
- You have an email address you can open.
- You know your current home address.
- You're signing up for yourself. Each person gets one account.
- You won't need a credit card. Bivo is free.
The Terms of Service set out who can use Bivo in section 3 and say it's free in section 7.
Five steps take you from sign-up to your plan
Bivo checks your credit once. Everything after that comes from that one soft pull.
Step 1 of 5
Create your account and verify it's you
You sign up with your email, confirm it with a code and tell Bivo who you are. Equifax uses those details to find your file.
- What you need
- Your email, your name and date of birth, your current address and your Social Security number.
- What happens
- You choose a password and enter the 6-digit code Bivo emails you. Then you fill in your details and authorize the soft pull.
- How long it takes
- It takes five short screens. Two create your account and three collect your details.
- What Bivo does with your data
- Your details travel over an encrypted connection. Bivo uses your full SSN once for the check and keeps only the last four digits.
Check your email
Enter the 6-digit code we sent to you@example.com.
An example code is typed in.
Verify & continueAlmost there
Used once to match your Equifax credit file. Soft check — no impact to your credit score.
Checked: I authorize Bivo to obtain my Equifax credit report through a soft inquiry to verify my identity and provide credit insights. This won't affect my credit score.
Step 2 of 5
Bivo makes one soft pull
Bivo asks Equifax for your credit report and your VantageScore® 4.0 score with a soft inquiry. A soft inquiry doesn't affect your score.
- What you need
- You don't need anything else. You gave your permission on the screen before.
- What happens
- Equifax matches your details to your file and sends back your report. Bivo reads it, explains your factors and builds your plan.
- How long it takes
- It runs while the checking screen is open. If Equifax takes longer than usual, Bivo tells you and lets you check again.
- What Bivo does with your data
- Bivo never runs a hard inquiry. No report is pulled unless your details match your Equifax file.
Checking with Equifax
This is a soft pull. It won't affect your score.
- Sending your details to Equifax securely (done)
- Reading your report (done)
- Explaining your factors (done)
- Building your plan (done)
Your snapshot is ready.
If Equifax can't finish the check
Sometimes Equifax can't send a report. Bivo then shows a screen that says what happened and what you can do. Checking doesn't affect your score, and when a retry can work, Bivo keeps your other details so you only re-enter your SSN.
Step 3 of 5
See every factor in plain English
Your snapshot shows your score, a one-line summary and the five factors behind it. Each factor gets a status and a sentence about your own numbers.
- What you need
- You don't need to do anything. Your snapshot opens as soon as the check is done.
- What happens
- Bivo sorts your report into payment history, credit utilization, inquiries, age of credit and account mix. Equifax's own reasons sit under the factor they explain.
- How long it takes
- Your snapshot fits on one screen. The full report waits in Report whenever you want it.
- What Bivo does with your data
- Your report is a snapshot from the day of your pull. It doesn't update on its own.
Score 724, Good, on a scale of 300 to 850.
You've paid every account as agreed. Your card balances are holding your score back.
VantageScore® 4.0 from Equifax. Lenders may use different scores.
Report pulled Sep 14, 2026 with a soft inquiry.
What's shaping your score
Step 4 of 5
Get a ranked plan
You pick a goal and Bivo turns the factors that need work into steps. The step that matters most comes first.
Estimated score impacts are illustrative projections, not promises or guarantees.
- What you need
- You need a goal. You can choose to buy a home, lower utilization, build credit or something else.
- What happens
- Each step says why it's there, what its likely impact is and how to do it. Your goal decides the order when two steps tie.
- How long it takes
- Picking a goal is the last setup screen. Your plan is ready on Home right after.
- What Bivo does with your data
- Your goal and the steps you mark done are saved to your account. Marking a step done doesn't change your report.
What are you working toward?
Pick the one that matters most right now.
- Buy a homeGet your file ready before you talk to lenders.
- Lower utilizationBring your card balances down compared with your limits.(selected)
- Build creditBuild a longer record of on-time payments.
- Something elseTell us in your own words.
Your plan
Goal: Lower utilizationStep 5 of 5
Ask the Advisor anything
The Advisor is AI. It answers your questions in plain English using a summary of your report and your recent messages.
- What you need
- Bring a question about an account, a factor or what to pay first.
- What happens
- You type a question or tap one that Bivo suggests from your report. The answer appears in your conversation.
- How long it takes
- Ask whenever you like after setup. Your conversation stays in your account.
- What Bivo does with your data
- Your conversations are saved to your account. Deleting your account deletes them.
Advisor AI
Ask about your accounts, your score and your plan. Answers use your report from Sep 14, 2026.
You: What's hurting my score the most?
Advisor: It's your credit utilization. You're using 36% of your card limits, and lowering that is the first step in your plan.
You: Which card should I pay down first?
Advisor: Start with Card ····4821. It's at 46% of its limit, which is the highest of your cards. Getting it under 30% is a good first move.
You could also ask
- Why is my utilization 36%?
- What does “not enough available credit on revolving accounts” mean?
The Advisor is AI and can make mistakes. Its answers are for education only and aren't financial advice. It reads a summary of your report and your recent messages.
Home shows where you stand after setup
Your snapshot, your next step and your plan sit together on one screen. This is Home for the example person.
Hi Sam
Here's your snapshot and what to do next.
Score 724, Good, on a scale of 300 to 850.
You've paid every account as agreed. Your card balances are holding your score back.
VantageScore® 4.0 from Equifax. Lenders may use different scores.
Report pulled Sep 14, 2026 with a soft inquiry.
Your next step · 1 of 3
Pay your cards down below 30%
Your cards are using 36% of their $10,000 total limit.
Estimate: Paying $700 across your cards would bring them to 29%.
What's shaping your score
Your plan
Goal: Lower utilizationWhat you get
One soft pull gives you your full report, a plain-English explanation of every factor, a ranked plan and an Advisor that has read your report.
- Your full reportEvery account and inquiry that Equifax sent.
- Every factor explainedFive factors with a status and plain English for each.
- A ranked planYour next steps with the one that matters most first.
- The AdvisorAI answers to your questions about your report.
Your full Equifax report
Report holds everything Equifax sent, sorted so you can find it. Try the tabs on the example.
- OverviewIt shows your score, the five factors in reading order and Equifax's reasons in plain English. The reasons sit under the factor they explain.
- AccountsIt lists every account Equifax reports, grouped into cards, loans and other accounts. Open accounts come first and closed ones fold away.
- Payment historyEach account has a month-by-month grid. On-time months, late months and missing data each look different and come with a legend.
- InquiriesIt lists every company that checked your credit. A company that checked twice on the same day counts once.
Your Equifax report
Every part of your report in plain English.
Score 724, Good, on a scale of 300 to 850.
You've paid every account as agreed. Your card balances are holding your score back.
VantageScore® 4.0 from Equifax. Lenders may use different scores.
Report pulled Sep 14, 2026 with a soft inquiry.
What's shaping your score
These are the five factors in plain English. Equifax's reasons sit under the factor they explain.
Payment history
Good4 of 4 accounts paid as agreed
On-time payments are working for you. Keep them going.
Credit utilization
Fair36% $3,600 of $10,000
Getting under 30% of your limits helps.
Equifax's reason
- Your card balances are high compared with your limits.
Equifax's wording: NOT ENOUGH AVAILABLE CREDIT ON REVOLVING ACCOUNTS
Inquiries
Good1 in the 12 months before your snapshot
There are few recent applications on your report.
Age of credit
Fair6 yr average · oldest 9 yr
Only time grows this. Keep older accounts open.
Account mix
Good3 cards · 1 loan
Cards and loans both count. Never borrow just to change your mix.
Cards & credit lines (3 open)
| Account | Balance | Limit | Used | Latest status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Card ····4821Revolving · Open | $1,840of $4,000 | $4,000 | 46% used | Paid as agreed |
| Card ····1093Revolving · Open | $1,760of $5,000 | $5,000 | 35% used | Paid as agreed |
| Card ····7730Revolving · Open | $0of $1,000 | $1,000 | 0% used | Paid as agreed |
Loans (1 open)
| Account | Balance | Monthly payment | Latest status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student loanInstallment · Open | $18,900$212 a month | $212 | Paid as agreed |
Card ····4821 · month by month
Every month on time
Every month from September 2024 to August 2026 was paid on time.
- On time
- 30 days late
- 60 days late
- 90 days late
- 120+ days late
- Charged off or in collections
- No data
Not every credit check affects your score.
Bivo counts a company only once per day.
In the 12 months before your snapshot (1)
- Card issuerCredit card · Mar 3, 2026 · 1 entry
How each factor is explained
Every factor has its own page in Report. It shows your number, what the factor is, Equifax's reasons and what helps. Pick a factor to see its page for the example person.
Payment history
All 4 accounts are paid as agreed.
In your report
4 of 4 accounts paid as agreed
What it is
It shows whether you've paid each account as agreed and how late any missed payments were.
It covers the open and closed accounts on your report.
What helps
- Pay every account on time. Paying the minimum on time keeps an account current.
- Bring a late account current as soon as you can.
- Autopay for the minimum is an easy safety net.
Your plan step
Keep paying on time
Ask the Advisor about this
“How is my payment history affecting my score?”
How Bivo sets this label
- Good (the example)
- Every account is paid as agreed.
- Fair
- Late payments are on record and every account is current now.
- Needs work
- An account is late, charged off or in collections now.
Credit utilization
Your cards are using 36% of their limits.
In your report
36% $3,600 of $10,000
What it is
It's the share of your card limits you're using.
Bivo counts open cards that report a limit. Loans and closed cards aren't part of it.
Equifax's reasons
Your card balances are high compared with your limits.
Equifax's wording: NOT ENOUGH AVAILABLE CREDIT ON REVOLVING ACCOUNTS
What helps
- Keep card balances low compared with their limits.
- Under 30% is a common target.
- Start with the card closest to its limit.
Your plan step
Pay your cards down below 30%
Ask the Advisor about this
“Why is my utilization 36%?”
How Bivo sets this label
- Good
- Under 30% of your card limits
- Fair (the example)
- 30% to 49%
- Needs work
- 50% or more
Inquiries
Bivo counts 1 credit check in the year before your snapshot.
In your report
1 in the 12 months before your snapshot
What it is
These are the companies that checked your credit. Equifax lists every check. Some of them don't affect your score.
Bivo counts the 12 months before your snapshot. A company that checked twice on the same day counts once.
What helps
- Apply for new credit only when you need it.
- Look for offers that use a soft check first.
- You can dispute a check you don't recognize with Equifax.
Ask the Advisor about this
“Does my recent credit check hurt my score?”
How Bivo sets this label
- Good (the example)
- None or one in the 12 months before your snapshot
- Fair
- Two or three
- Needs work
- Four or more
Age of credit
Your accounts average 6 yr. The oldest is 9 yr.
In your report
6 yr average · oldest 9 yr
What it is
It's how long your accounts have been open on average. Bivo also shows your oldest account.
Bivo measures it on the date of your snapshot.
What helps
- Keep your oldest accounts open.
- Open new accounts only when you need them.
- Only time grows this factor.
Your plan step
Keep your oldest accounts open
Ask the Advisor about this
“How does the age of my accounts affect my score?”
How Bivo sets this label
- Good
- An average of seven years or more
- Fair (the example)
- Two to seven years on average
- Needs work
- Under two years on average
Account mix
You have both cards and loans.
In your report
3 cards · 1 loan
What it is
It's the kinds of credit on your report. Cards and loans are the main kinds.
Bivo looks for at least one card and one loan. Other kinds of accounts are counted on their own.
What helps
- Handle the accounts you already have well.
- Never borrow just to change your mix.
Ask the Advisor about this
“Does my account mix matter for my score?”
How Bivo sets this label
- Good (the example)
- At least one card and one loan
- Fair
- Only cards or only loans
Good, Fair and Needs work are Bivo's labels. Bivo sets them from the numbers in your report with the rules shown under each example.
Your plan puts the step that matters most first
Bivo builds your plan with fixed rules, so the same report and goal always give the same steps. Each step says why it's there, its likely impact and how to do it.
How Bivo orders your steps
- A factor marked Needs work comes before one marked Fair.
- Your goal decides the order when two factors tie.
- Factors marked Good don't get a step of their own.
- The plan ends with “Keep paying on time” when your payments are on track.
What “Likely impact” means
- Likely impact: HighEstimate
- The step works on a factor marked Needs work.
- Likely impact: MediumEstimate
- The step works on a factor marked Fair.
- Protects your score
- The step keeps up something that's already working. It doesn't promise a change.
Estimated score impacts are illustrative projections, not promises or guarantees.
From report order to plan order
- Credit utilizationFairPlan step 1: Pay your cards down below 30%
- Age of creditFairPlan step 2: Keep your oldest accounts open
- Payment historyGoodPlan step 3: Keep paying on time
- InquiriesGoodNo step needed
- Account mixGoodNo step needed
Credit utilization and age of credit are Fair, so they come first. Payments are Good, so the plan ends with “Keep paying on time.” Inquiries and account mix are Good and need no step.
One step opened on Plan
Next up
Step 1: Pay your cards down below 30%
Your cards are using 36% of their $10,000 total limit.
Estimate: Paying $700 across your cards would bring them to 29%.
How to do it
- Pay down the card using the biggest share of its limit first.
- Hold off on new charges while you pay it down.
- Keep the card open once it's paid down.
Marking a step done is for your own tracking. It doesn't change your report.
The Advisor answers questions about your report
It's AI. It reads a summary of your report and your recent messages and answers in plain English. Here's what it does and where it stops.
What it does
- It explains your score, your factors and your accounts in plain English.
- It suggests questions written from your report.
- You can ask about any factor, account, inquiry or plan step from the page you're on.
- It writes a few short notes on your plan when you ask.
- It keeps your conversation in your account until you delete it.
Where it stops
- It isn't a person. It can make mistakes.
- Its answers are for education only and aren't financial advice.
- It doesn't give legal or tax advice.
- It can't change your report. It can't apply for credit or file a dispute for you either.
- It's instructed never to ask for your SSN or full account numbers.
Ask from the page you're on
Factors, plan steps, accounts and inquiries each have an Ask link. It opens the Advisor with a question written from your report, and nothing is sent until you send it.
On the credit utilization page
Why is my utilization 36%?
On your first plan step
How do I pay my cards down below 30%?
On an inquiry
Why would Card issuer have checked my credit on Mar 3, 2026?
Advisor notes AI
Get the Advisor's take on your plan. It reads your report and writes a few short notes.
The notes sit beside your steps on Plan. AI can make mistakes, and Bivo doesn't save these notes. Your plan's own steps stay the same.
Good to know
These four limits are worth knowing before you start.
Your report is a snapshot.
Bivo checks your Equifax report one time during setup. Your score, your accounts and your plan all come from that day.
Bivo only uses soft pulls.
Checking your credit with Bivo uses soft inquiries, which do not affect your credit score.
How the soft pull worksDisputes go to Equifax.
You have the right to dispute anything inaccurate or incomplete on your report. You can dispute it directly with Equifax or with the creditor that reported it. Bivo doesn't file disputes for you.
How disputes workBivo isn't a lender.
Bivo is not a lender and does not make credit decisions.
What Bivo is and isn't
Questions about the steps
Short answers to what people ask before they start. The FAQ has the rest, grouped by topic.
You need to be a US resident aged 18 or over, with a Social Security number. You confirm your email with a 6-digit code, enter your name, date of birth, address and SSN, and authorize a soft pull. Your report and plan are ready once the pull completes.
No. Bivo uses a soft inquiry to get your Equifax report, and soft inquiries don't affect your score.
No. Bivo checks your Equifax report one time during setup. Your score, your accounts and your plan all come from that day.
Bivo shows your VantageScore® 4.0 score from your Equifax report. Lenders may use different scores.
Yes. The Advisor is AI, and its answers can be wrong or incomplete. They're for education only and aren't financial advice, so check anything important before you act on it.
Yes. Close your account in Settings to permanently delete your credit reports, scores, account history, plan and Advisor conversations from our production systems and revoke your authorization. Some records, like consent records, are kept where the law requires.
Ready to see where your credit stands?
It's free, you don't need a credit card, and the soft pull never affects your score.