Reviewed by an Accredited Financial Counselor

The debt relief company you pick decides what it costs your credit.

We review the major debt-relief companies the honest way: real fees, FTC compliance, and the credit-score and tax tradeoffs most sites bury. No upfront fees, ever, is the law.

David OkaforBy David Okafor, Accredited Financial Counselor
EDITOR'S PICK

National Debt Relief

4.6/5 · our top-rated company
Read the review →
7
companies reviewed
AFC®
counselor-reviewed
FTC
fee rules checked
$0
upfront, by law

Our top picks for 2026

Rated on fees, terms, FTC compliance and outcomes
1 National Debt Relief Editor’s Pick 4.6/5
Min. debt
$7,500
Fees
15-25%
States
45+
Timeline
24-48 mo

Our top pick. Strong track record, transparent fees, no upfront charges as the law requires.

2 Freedom Debt Relief Best for large debts 4.4/5
Min. debt
$7,500
Fees
15-25%
States
40+
Timeline
24-48 mo

The largest settlement firm in the country; a solid choice for sizable balances.

3 Accredited Debt Relief Best for fast enrollment 4.3/5
Min. debt
$10,000
Fees
15-25%
States
30+
Timeline
12-48 mo

Quick onboarding and good support, with a higher minimum balance.

Partner link on our top pick. We may be paid a fee at no cost to you; it never changes our ratings. Disclosure.

Compare every company

The numbers, side by side
CompanyRatingMin. debtFeesStatesReview
National Debt Relief 4.6/5 $7,500 15-25% 45+ Read →
Freedom Debt Relief 4.4/5 $7,500 15-25% 40+ Read →
Accredited Debt Relief 4.3/5 $10,000 15-25% 30+ Read →
Americor 4.1/5 $7,000 14-29% 30+ Read →
Pacific Debt Relief 4.0/5 $10,000 15-25% 29 Read →
CuraDebt 3.9/5 $5,000 15-25% 19 Read →
Debt settlement is not for everyone. It can lower what you owe, but it also hurts your credit, may create a tax bill on forgiven debt, and charges fees of 15 to 25 percent. If you can keep up with reduced payments, nonprofit credit counseling usually protects your credit better. We say so on every page. See when each option fits.

Understand your options first

Plain-English guides
START HERE

How does debt relief work?

Settlement, consolidation and counseling, explained without the sales pitch.

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THE TRADEOFFS

Is debt relief worth it?

What it does to your credit, your taxes, and when to walk away.

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HEAD TO HEAD

National vs Freedom

The two biggest firms, compared on fees, minimums and results.

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VETERANS

Debt relief for veterans

Programs, protections and options specific to service members.

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David Okafor
Why trust Debt Relief Verdict
David Okafor · Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®)

Eight years counseling families through debt, now reviewing the companies full time. We read the contracts, check fees against FTC rules, and rate by outcomes, not commissions. About us →