The 3 Business Credit Bureaus Compared: D&B vs Experian vs Equifax
There is not one business credit score. There are three bureaus, three files, and three scoring models. Here is how they compare and which one matters when.
Company Base OS Research
Updated July 11, 2026 · 8 min read
People say business credit score as if there is one number. There is not. Three bureaus each keep a separate file on your business, each with its own scoring model, and lenders may check any of them. If you only build with one in mind, you can look strong to one lender and thin to another. Here is how the three compare.
| Bureau | Best known score | What drives it | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dun & Bradstreet | PAYDEX | Payment timing, on time or early | 1 to 100 |
| Experian Business | Intelliscore Plus | Payment history, credit usage, and risk factors | 1 to 100 |
| Equifax Business | Business credit risk scores | Payment history and available credit | Varies by model |
Dun & Bradstreet and the PAYDEX score
Dun & Bradstreet is the bureau most associated with business credit. Its PAYDEX score runs from 1 to 100 and is driven almost entirely by whether you pay on time or early. To even have a PAYDEX score you generally need a D-U-N-S number and reporting tradelines. A PAYDEX of 80 means on-time payment. Higher means you pay early.
Experian Business
Experian builds a business file automatically once there is activity to report, and its Intelliscore Plus blends payment history, credit usage, and other risk factors into a 1 to 100 score. You do not apply to start an Experian file the way you register with D&B. It forms as your business generates reportable activity.
Equifax Business
Equifax keeps a separate business file and offers risk scores that weigh payment history and available credit. Like Experian, its file forms from reported activity rather than a registration step.
Build for all three
Because a lender may check any bureau, the goal is reporting tradelines and clean, early payment history that shows up across files, not just a strong number on one.
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Get my free Fundability ScoreFrequently asked questions
Which business credit bureau matters most?
It depends on the lender, which is why you build for all three. Dun & Bradstreet and its PAYDEX score are the most widely recognized starting point.
Do I have to pay to start a business credit file?
You can register with Dun & Bradstreet to get a D-U-N-S number. Experian and Equifax business files generally form on their own once you have reportable activity.
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Company Base OS Research
Company Base OS is an educational platform that helps business owners build business credit and get funded, in the right order. Our team tracks lender and bureau criteria so you always know your exact next move.
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