Experian is one of the three major credit reporting agencies in the U.S. It provides credit reports and scores to lenders, landlords, and consumers, playing a vital role in determining eligibility for things like credit cards, mortgages, auto loans, and more. Unlike free credit monitoring apps, Experian receives direct reports from banks and lenders about your credit history—including balances, payment behavior, and credit limits. This data helps lenders evaluate risk and set interest rates. Many top-tier credit cards and loan offers are only accessible to consumers with strong reports from Experian and the other bureaus, making it essential for credit-building.