See how much of your debt could be settled
Checking takes about a minute, costs nothing and does not affect your credit. These are the three highest-scoring firms on this page.
Sponsored. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Two things worth knowing before you compare: CuraDebt matches you to a provider rather than negotiating itself, and Accredited Debt Relief is a DBA of Beyond Finance, so it is the same company as number 8 below.
Before you sign anything: settlement fees run 15 to 25 percent of your enrolled debt, and that percentage is negotiable. Get quotes from two or three firms and tell each one what the others offered.
Fourteen settlement companies, scored on live BBB, Google and Trustpilot ratings.
I have been writing about consumer debt for more than twenty years, and the question that lands in my inbox most often is which settlement company to actually call. Nobody was publishing a list ordered by what real customers say, so I built one and I rebuild it every few months.
One thing I want to flag up front, because it surprises people: a company can sit at 4.9 stars on Trustpilot and still carry a 1.75 out of 5 customer rating on the BBB. That exact gap showed up in this refresh, and it moved one company down ten places. Averaging everything into a single number without looking at each source is how shaky operators end up looking like the best in the business.
Not sure settlement is the right tool?
Settlement hurts your credit, costs 15 to 25 percent of what you enrol, can draw a lawsuit while you save, and leaves a tax bill on the forgiven balance. Consolidation, nonprofit counseling or bankruptcy suits plenty of people better. The quiz walks you through all four in about a minute, before you speak to anyone.
Jump to: Top picks · How we scored them · The 14 settlement companies ranked · Counseling and tax rankings · FAQ
| Best For Settlement (top rated) | ✓New Era Debt Solutions (sponsored) |
| Best For Settlement (largest provider) | ✓Beyond Finance Free financial therapy sessions (sponsored) |
| Best For Debt Consolidation | ✓Accredited Debt Relief Refund guarantee, 24/7 app (sponsored) |
| Best For Tax/IRS Debt | ✓CuraDebt Also covers tax and business debt (sponsored) |
| Best For Business Debt | ✓CuraDebt (sponsored) |
| Best For Bankruptcy | ✓Bankruptcy Attorneys (free evaluation, sponsored) |
| Best Counseling & DMP | ✓NFCC |
Preferred starting point
Not sure where to start? Begin with a nonprofit
For a lot of people the smartest first move isn’t a for-profit settlement company at all , it’s a free consultation with a nonprofit credit-counseling network. We’d start with the NFCC (National Foundation for Credit Counseling), the oldest and largest nonprofit counseling network in the U.S. It costs nothing to talk to, and it routes you to a vetted 501(c)(3) member agency , for example ACCC, the highest-scoring counseling agency we track , that handles the actual counseling or debt-management plan.
Find a nonprofit counselor (NFCC) →
The 14 best debt settlement companies of 2026, at a glance
Ratings below were pulled fresh in November 2026. Scores move, sometimes sharply, so treat this as a snapshot rather than a permanent league table, and check the live profiles before you commit. If you are still deciding whether settlement is even the right tool, start at our debt relief hub instead.
| # | Company | Our score | BBB | Trustpilot | Reviews | Next step | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Era Debt Solutions Small family firm, settlement only since 1999 |
4.90 ★★★★★ |
5.00 (18) not counted |
4.9 (255) | 4.9 (452) | 707 | Get a free quote |
| 2 | CuraDebt Matching service, also covers tax debt |
4.85 ★★★★★ |
4.88 (26) not counted |
4.8 (352) | 4.9 (214) | 566 | Get a free quote |
| 3 | Accredited Debt Relief Refund guarantee, 24/7 app and dashboard |
4.83 ★★★★★ |
4.89 (3,884) | 4.8 (14,413) | 4.8 (12,631) | 30,928 | Get a free quote |
| 4 | Pacific Debt Relief Takes payday loan debt too |
4.80 ★★★★★ |
4.91 (1,076) | 4.7 (624) | 4.8 (2,633) | 4,333 | Visit site |
| 5 | DMB Financial Single Massachusetts office since 2003 Not BBB accredited. CFPB enforcement action settled 2021 |
4.78 ★★★★★ |
4.86 (98) | 4.7 (977) | none | 1,075 | Visit site |
| 6 | Americor Consolidation loan exit after six months |
4.74 ★★★★★ |
4.73 (5,015) | 4.8 (14,002) | 4.7 (17,629) | 36,646 | Visit site |
| 7 | National Debt Relief Also covers student and business debt |
4.66 ★★★★★ |
4.67 (5,512) | 4.6 (14,672) | 4.7 (45,441) | 65,625 | Visit site |
| 8 | Beyond Finance Free financial therapy sessions |
4.66 ★★★★★ |
4.77 (10,000) | 4.6 (14,416) | 4.6 (23,311) | 47,727 | Get a free quote |
| 9 | ClearOne Advantage Baltimore and Tempe, since 2008 BBB grade B-, not BBB accredited |
4.65 ★★★★★ |
1.00 (13) not counted |
4.5 (5,230) | 4.8 (10,998) | 16,228 | Visit site |
| 10 | Freedom Debt Relief Money-back guarantee, Achieve group |
4.52 ★★★★★ |
4.35 (1,361) | 4.6 (9,828) | 4.6 (51,893) | 63,082 | Visit site |
| 11 | CreditAssociates Own client app, $7,500 minimum |
4.41 ★★★★☆ |
4.22 (342) | 4.2 (2,586) | 4.8 (22,724) | 25,652 | Visit site |
| 12 | Century Support Services Named SmartTrack four-stage program |
4.40 ★★★★☆ |
3.71 (124) | 4.7 (949) | 4.8 (3,794) | 4,867 | Visit site |
| 13 | TurboDebt Publishes its excluded states BBB customer rating is 1.75/5 on 40 reviews |
3.85 ★★★★☆ |
1.75 (40) | 4.9 (8,247) | 4.9 (15,153) | 23,440 | Visit site |
| 14 | Guardian Debt Relief New York based, takes some student loans BBB grade C+, not BBB accredited |
1.40 ★☆☆☆☆ |
1.00 (2) not counted |
none | 1.4 (53) | 53 | Visit site |
Figures in brackets are review counts. Greyed-out sources fall below our 30-review minimum and are excluded from the score. Red flags are shown in the company column where a BBB grade, accreditation status or rating gap deserves a second look.
The fee is negotiable. Most people never ask.
Nearly every firm on this page charges somewhere between 15 and 25 percent of the debt you enrol. On $40,000 of debt that spread is the difference between roughly $6,000 and $10,000, for the same work. It is not a fixed price list, it is an opening offer, and in twenty years of writing about this I have lost count of the readers who found that out too late.
So do this before you enrol anywhere:
- Call two or three firms, not one. Quotes are free and nothing is owed until a debt settles.
- Ask each one for its fee as a percentage of enrolled debt, in writing, and get the monthly payment too.
- Tell each firm what the others quoted. A few points off a 22 percent fee is a real saving, and they would rather discount than lose you.
- Check what happens if you drop out early, because many people do not finish a full programme.
And if you are not certain settlement is even the right tool, do not enrol yet. It wrecks your credit and can trigger a lawsuit and a tax bill. Check which option actually fits your situation first.
Compare the three highest-scoring settlement firms
All three quote for free and none of them charges a fee until a debt actually settles, so getting two or three numbers side by side costs you nothing but a few minutes.
Sponsored links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you, and it does not affect the ranking above.
How we scored these companies
The method is deliberately boring, because boring is what keeps it honest. Three sources, equal weight, published figures:
- Three sources. Live customer ratings from the Better Business Bureau, Google and Trustpilot.
- Equal weight. Each source counts for one third of the score. Earlier versions of this page weighted each source by its review volume, and the result was effectively a Trustpilot ranking, because the Trustpilot counts here run into the tens of thousands while BBB counts are often in the hundreds. Equal weight fixes that.
- A 30-review minimum. Any source with fewer than 30 reviews is excluded from the score. A perfect 5.00 built on two reviews tells you nothing, and it used to push companies to the top of this list.
- Volume breaks ties. When two companies land on the same score, the one with more counted reviews ranks higher.
- Partnerships change nothing. Four companies on this page pay us. Their scores are calculated exactly like everyone else’s, and every underlying figure is printed so you can check.
I will be blunt about what this does and does not tell you. A high score means customers who left reviews were mostly happy. It does not mean settlement will work for you, and it does not mean the fee you are quoted is fair. The CFPB is clear that these programs can leave you deeper in debt, and the IRS treats forgiven debt as taxable income in most cases, which catches people out every single April. When I worked through six figures of card debt myself, the tax bill on the forgiven portion was the part nobody had warned me about.
The four types of company you will see on this page, because they are not interchangeable:
- Debt settlement. Negotiates with creditors to clear your balance for less than you owe. Can cut what you pay, but damages credit, carries fees of roughly 15 to 25 percent of enrolled debt, and leaves you exposed to lawsuits while you save up.
- Debt consolidation. Rolls several balances into one loan or payment. Works best if your credit is still reasonable and your income is steady.
- Nonprofit counseling and DMPs. Free advice plus a structured repayment plan at reduced interest. You repay the full balance, and your credit takes far less damage.
- Tax and IRS relief. Back taxes, liens, wage garnishment and payment plans with the IRS or your state.
The 14 best debt settlement companies of 2026, reviewed
Ranked by the scores above. Each entry carries the three source ratings, the review counts behind them, and any flag worth knowing about. A note on the one that moved furthest: CreditAssociates and TurboDebt both look superb on Trustpilot and ordinary or worse everywhere else, which is exactly the pattern the 30-review minimum and equal weighting were meant to expose. And if the balances are large enough that settling them still leaves you underwater, it is worth reading settlement against bankruptcy before you enrol anywhere.
1. New Era Debt Solutions (4.90/5)
Debt Settlement
Logo of New Era Debt Solutions (credit: neweradebtsolutions.com)
- URL: www.neweradebtsolutions.com
- Minimum Debt: $10,000
- Fees: 14-25% of enrolled debt; nothing upfront (charged only after a debt is settled)
New Era Debt Solutions Overview & Reviews:
Headquartered in Camarillo, California, New Era Debt Solutions is one of the longest-running settlement-only firms (founded 1999). It focuses on credit card debt relief and employs debt-relief specialists, financial professionals, attorneys and support staff, negotiating unsecured debts on your behalf and charging no upfront fees , you pay only after a debt is settled. It has resolved $275M+ in debt and posts unusually strong, consistent reviews, though on a smaller review base than the national giants below.
What sets them apart: Family owned and settlement only since 1999, which is genuinely long for this sector. In 26 states the negotiation is carried out in association with its affiliate law firm, CFLN.
- Our score: 4.90/5 ★★★★★
- BBB: 5.00/5 ★★★★★ from 18 reviews (below our 30-review minimum, not counted)
- Google: 4.9/5 ★★★★★ from 255 reviews
- Trustpilot: 4.9/5 ★★★★★ from 452 reviews
- Reviews counted: 707 across 2 sources
- Certifications: IAPDA
2. CuraDebt (4.85/5)
Debt Settlement
Logo of CuraDebt (credit: curadebt.com)
- URL: www.curadebt.com
- Minimum Debt: $5,000
- Fees: 15% to 25%
CuraDebt Overview & Reviews:
Founded in 1996, CuraDebt (which we previously reviewed here) is probably the oldest debt settlement company reviewed in this list. What makes them stand out, aside from their longevity, is their low minimum. They are the only company that advertises low minimums of $5,000 and they will sometimes take clients with debt lower than that.
What sets them apart: Not a settlement operator. Its own disclosure states that settlement is “offered only by independent third-party providers or law firms, not by CuraDebt”, so it matches you to someone else in its network. It also covers IRS tax debt and merchant cash advance debt, which almost nobody else here does.
- Our score: 4.85/5 ★★★★★
- BBB: 4.88/5 ★★★★★ from 26 reviews (below our 30-review minimum, not counted)
- Google: 4.8/5 ★★★★★ from 352 reviews
- Trustpilot: 4.9/5 ★★★★★ from 214 reviews
- Reviews counted: 566 across 2 sources
- Certifications: IAPDA, AADR
3. Accredited Debt Relief (4.83/5)
Debt SettlementConsolidation
- URL: www.accrediteddebtrelief.com
- Minimum Debt: $10,000
- Fees: 25%
Accredited Debt Relief Overview & Reviews:
Accredited Debt Relief is a highly-rated debt settlement and consolidation company that heavily advertises the ability to help customers be debt-free in 24-48 months. A brand of Beyond Finance, Accredited reports 1.3 million+ clients helped and over $15 billion in debt resolved, which it cites as the largest in the U.S. by clients served. Like its sister brand Beyond Finance (#8 below), Accredited also gives enrolled clients a financial wellness program , including free group financial-therapy sessions led by Certified Financial Therapists Dr. Erika Rasure and Nathan Astle , which is unusual in this industry. Unlike other agencies reviewed previously, Accredited Debt Relief does offer debt consolidation loans through their partners, and the APRs can be quite high, up to 35.99% for those with less desirable credit scores.
What sets them apart: A DBA of Beyond Finance, LLC, so legally the same company as number 8 on this list. It publishes a guarantee with an actual mechanism: at graduation it compares what you paid creditors plus fees against your enrolled balance, and refunds the difference out of its own fees if you paid more.
- Our score: 4.83/5 ★★★★★
- BBB: 4.89/5 ★★★★★ from 3,884 reviews
- Google: 4.8/5 ★★★★★ from 14,413 reviews
- Trustpilot: 4.8/5 ★★★★★ from 12,631 reviews
- Reviews counted: 30,928 across 3 sources
4. Pacific Debt Relief (4.80/5)
Debt Settlement
- URL: www.pacificdebt.com
- Fees: 15% to 35%
- Minimum Debt: $10,000
Pacific Debt Relief Overview & Reviews:
Pacific Debt Relief is a debt settlement company with the ability to handle many types of debt, including medical bills, overdue utility payments, credit cards, personal loans, tax debt, payday loans, bankruptcy, and certain contracts, like gym memberships. They also offer financial education.
What sets them apart: San Diego based, founded 2002, and one of the few here that explicitly names payday loans among the debts it will take on.
- Our score: 4.80/5 ★★★★★
- BBB: 4.91/5 ★★★★★ from 1,076 reviews
- Google: 4.7/5 ★★★★★ from 624 reviews
- Trustpilot: 4.8/5 ★★★★★ from 2,633 reviews
- Reviews counted: 4,333 across 3 sources
- Certifications: CDRI, IAPDA
5. DMB Financial (4.78/5)
Debt Settlement
Logo of DMB Financial (credit: dmbfinancial.com)
- URL: www.dmbfinancial.com
- Minimum Debt: $10,000
- Fees: 15% to 25%
DMB Financial Overview & Reviews:
DMB Financial is a Massachusetts-based debt settlement company. DMB Financial advertises the ability to help you consolidate all of your high-interest credit card balances into one lower, flat monthly program payment, which is similar to what most of the other companies on this page do.
What sets them apart: Founded 2003 and still run from a single office in Beverly, Massachusetts, with Saturday hours. Smallest footprint on this list.
Worth knowing before you call: the CFPB sued DMB Financial in December 2020 over abusive and deceptive practices under the Telemarketing Sales Rule. A stipulated judgment in May 2021 imposed $7.7 million in consumer redress, suspended on payment of $5.4 million based on inability to pay, plus a $1 civil penalty. The case is closed, and the CFPB action page has the full record. Their review scores are strong, but this is the kind of thing star ratings never surface.
- Our score: 4.78/5 ★★★★★
- BBB: 4.86/5 ★★★★★ from 98 reviews
- Google: 4.7/5 ★★★★★ from 977 reviews
- Trustpilot: no profile found
- Reviews counted: 1,075 across 2 sources
- Flag: Not BBB accredited
- Certifications: IAPDA
6. Americor (4.74/5)
Debt Settlement
Logo of Americor (credit: americor.com)
Overall rating: 4.69 / 5 (24,900+ combined reviews) • Debt Settlement + Consolidation Loans (via Credit9)
Americor is one of the largest debt relief companies in the country, in business since 2008, pairing debt settlement with consolidation loan options through its Credit9 lending affiliate. It charges no upfront fees on settlement, and its review volume is among the biggest in the industry.
What sets them apart: Has a built-in exit route: complete six months in the program and you may qualify for an Americor Advantage consolidation loan through its partner lender Credit9. Stated floor is more than $7,500 of unsecured debt.
- Our score: 4.74/5 ★★★★★
- BBB: 4.73/5 ★★★★★ from 5,015 reviews
- Google: 4.8/5 ★★★★★ from 14,002 reviews
- Trustpilot: 4.7/5 ★★★★★ from 17,629 reviews
- Reviews counted: 36,646 across 3 sources
- Fees: No upfront fees; settlement fees charged only after a debt settles
- Availability: Most U.S. states (exclusions vary, check eligibility)
Read our full Americor review Check If You Qualify →
7. National Debt Relief (4.66/5)
Debt SettlementConsolidation
- URL: www.nationaldebtrelief.com
- Fees: 15% to 25%
- Minimum Debt: $10,000
National Debt Relief Overview & Reviews:
National Debt Relief is similar to Turbo Debt. However, they do also offer loans, which isn’t necessarily a good thing if you’re in a tough financial situation, as you won’t qualify for a good rate. They also offer debt settlement, debt consolidation, credit counseling and more. Learn more by reading our National Debt Relief review.
What sets them apart: Offers consolidation loans through affiliate Reach Financial, and covers an unusually wide set of niches including private student loan, marital and business debt. Operating since 2009.
- Our score: 4.66/5 ★★★★★
- BBB: 4.67/5 ★★★★★ from 5,512 reviews
- Google: 4.6/5 ★★★★★ from 14,672 reviews
- Trustpilot: 4.7/5 ★★★★★ from 45,441 reviews
- Reviews counted: 65,625 across 3 sources
- Certifications: AADR, IAPDA
8. Beyond Finance (4.66/5)
Debt SettlementConsolidation
- URL: www.beyondfinance.com
- Minimum Debt: $10,000
- Fees: 15% to 25%
Beyond Finance Overview & Reviews:
Beyond Finance is a large debt settlement provider founded in 2011 and based in Chicago, IL. It markets under “debt consolidation,” but its core program is settlement, and it can evaluate you for a consolidation loan through partners (APRs can run high for weaker credit). It’s best known for a strong mobile app, responsive support, and an integrated financial wellness program , free group financial-therapy sessions led by Certified Financial Therapists Dr. Erika Rasure and Nathan Astle, plus budgeting tools. Worth knowing for transparency: Accredited Debt Relief (#5 above) is a brand of Beyond Finance, so the two are the same company and run the same wellness program , they’re not two independent options.
What sets them apart: The only firm here with certified financial therapists on staff, running five live wellness sessions a week, alongside its named Financial Wellness RESET framework. Its app also lets enrolled clients approve settlement offers in real time. This is the clearest staffing difference in the whole list.
- Our score: 4.66/5 ★★★★★
- BBB: 4.77/5 ★★★★★ from 10,000 reviews
- Google: 4.6/5 ★★★★★ from 14,416 reviews
- Trustpilot: 4.6/5 ★★★★★ from 23,311 reviews
- Reviews counted: 47,727 across 3 sources
- Certifications: ACDR, IAPDA
9. ClearOne Advantage (4.65/5)
Debt Settlement
- URL: www.clearoneadvantage.com
- Minimum Debt: $10,000
- Fees: 20% to 25%
ClearOne Overview & Reviews:
ClearOne Advantage is another popular and well-reviewed debt settlement company that offers free initial consultations to help you determine the best plan of attack to tackle your debt.
What sets them apart: Operating since 2008 out of Tempe, Arizona and Baltimore, Maryland. The least differentiated company on this page: no named program, no affiliated lender, no published minimum or state exclusions that we could verify.
- Our score: 4.65/5 ★★★★★
- BBB: 1.00/5 ★☆☆☆☆ from 13 reviews (below our 30-review minimum, not counted)
- Google: 4.5/5 ★★★★★ from 5,230 reviews
- Trustpilot: 4.8/5 ★★★★★ from 10,998 reviews
- Reviews counted: 16,228 across 2 sources
- Flag: BBB grade B-, not BBB accredited
- Certifications: IAPDA
10. Freedom Debt Relief (4.52/5)
Debt Settlement
- URL: www.freedomdebtrelief.com
- Fees: 15% to 25%
- Minimum Debt: $10,000
Freedom Debt Relief Overview & Reviews:
Freedom Debt Relief is a highly-rated debt counselling agency with a particular focus on credit card debt. They offer debt settlement, debt management plans and credit counseling.
What sets them apart: A subsidiary of Achieve, the consumer lending group, which is where its loan options come from. Publishes a money-back guarantee with stated terms and offers a Legal Partner Network for extra negotiation support.
- Our score: 4.52/5 ★★★★★
- BBB: 4.35/5 ★★★★☆ from 1,361 reviews
- Google: 4.6/5 ★★★★★ from 9,828 reviews
- Trustpilot: 4.6/5 ★★★★★ from 51,893 reviews
- Reviews counted: 63,082 across 3 sources
- Certifications: AADR, IAPDA
11. CreditAssociates (4.41/5)
Debt Settlement
Logo of CreditAssociates (credit: creditassociates.com)
What sets them apart: Dallas based, and unusually specific about where it will not work: it names New Jersey and Pennsylvania as excluded. Runs a named client app, DebtApp, and its lowest intake tier starts at $7,500.
- URL: www.creditassociates.com
- Minimum Debt: None
- Fees: 25%
- Our score: 4.41/5 ★★★★☆
- BBB: 4.22/5 ★★★★☆ from 342 reviews
- Google: 4.2/5 ★★★★☆ from 2,586 reviews
- Trustpilot: 4.8/5 ★★★★★ from 22,724 reviews
- Reviews counted: 25,652 across 3 sources
12. Century Support Services (4.40/5)
Debt Settlement
- URL: www.centuryss.com
- Minimum Debt: $10,000
- Fees: 25%
Century Support Services Overview & Reviews:
This company was founded in 2008 and has been operating for over 15 years. They serve clients nationwide, although they exclude some states. Just like others reviewed in this list, they offer debt settlement, debt resolution, debt management plans and more.
What sets them apart: Markets a named four-stage method, SmartTrack, and is one of the few that publishes its CEO and headcount. Its referral program excludes residents of Colorado and Nevada.
- Our score: 4.40/5 ★★★★☆
- BBB: 3.71/5 ★★★★☆ from 124 reviews
- Google: 4.7/5 ★★★★★ from 949 reviews
- Trustpilot: 4.8/5 ★★★★★ from 3,794 reviews
- Reviews counted: 4,867 across 3 sources
- Certifications: AADR, IAPDA
13. TurboDebt (3.85/5)
Debt Settlement
- URL: www.turbodebt.com
- Fees: 15% to 25%
- Minimum Debt: $10,000
TurboDebt Overview & Reviews:
TurboDebt carries huge volumes of positive feedback on Google and Trustpilot, close to 23,000 reviews between them, but its BBB customer rating is 1.75/5 across 40 reviews. That gap is why it sits near the bottom of this list rather than near the top, and it is worth understanding before you call. They can help you decrease and pay off several types of debt, including credit card, tax, personal loans, student loans, medical bills and more. Learn more by reading our TurboDebt review.
What sets them apart: Publishes a precise state exclusion list rather than the usual vague wording: not available in Connecticut, Minnesota, Oregon, Vermont, West Virginia or Wisconsin. Uses IAPDA-certified arbitrators.
- Our score: 3.85/5 ★★★★☆
- BBB: 1.75/5 ★★☆☆☆ from 40 reviews
- Google: 4.9/5 ★★★★★ from 8,247 reviews
- Trustpilot: 4.9/5 ★★★★★ from 15,153 reviews
- Reviews counted: 23,440 across 3 sources
- Flag: BBB customer rating is 1.75/5 on 40 reviews
14. Guardian Debt Relief (1.40/5)
Debt Settlement
- URL: www.guardiandebtrelief.com
- Minimum Debt: $7,500
- Fees: 25%
Guardian Debt Relief Overview & Reviews:
Guardian Debt Relief doesn’t have the most flattering review profile, but we included them because they are a well-known brand when it comes to debt settlement. Based in New York, they offer debt settlement, debt management, financial counseling and more.
What sets them apart: Run from the Financial District in New York City, markets its offering as the Guardian Program, and lists some student loans among eligible debts.
- Our score: 1.40/5 ★☆☆☆☆
- BBB: 1.00/5 ★☆☆☆☆ from 2 reviews (below our 30-review minimum, not counted)
- Google: no profile found
- Trustpilot: 1.4/5 ★☆☆☆☆ from 53 reviews
- Reviews counted: 53 across 1 source
- Flag: BBB grade C+, not BBB accredited
- Certifications: IAPDA, AADR
Is bankruptcy actually your best path?
If your debt is severe enough that settlement math doesn’t work , or creditors are already suing , bankruptcy may be the cleaner reset, and it’s a legal process where a licensed attorney matters. You can request a free case evaluation with a bankruptcy attorney in your area to find out whether Chapter 7 or 13 fits before committing to anything.
Get a Free Bankruptcy Case Evaluation →
We may receive a fee if you request a consultation through this link, at no cost to you.
Narrowed it down? Get your numbers before you commit
Quotes are free and nothing is charged until a debt actually settles, so there is no reason to take the first offer you are given. Two or three comparisons is the single cheapest thing you can do here.
New Era (4.90/5) CuraDebt (4.85/5) Accredited (4.83/5) Beyond Finance (4.66/5)
Sponsored links. Scores come from the table above and are not affected by these partnerships. Accredited Debt Relief and Beyond Finance are the same company trading under two names.
Not debt settlement? Start here instead
Settlement is one tool out of several, and it is the wrong one for plenty of the people who land on this page. The other two categories now have their own rankings, scored on the same method:
- Nonprofit credit counseling and debt management plans. You repay the full balance at reduced interest, and your credit takes far less damage. Eight agencies ranked in our credit counseling guide.
- Tax and IRS debt. Back taxes, liens, levies and payment plans are a separate specialism. Ten firms ranked in our tax relief company rankings.
Debt Relief by State , find your state’s guide (28 states)
And if what you actually want is one lower-rate payment with your credit intact, that is a loan rather than a settlement programme. I ranked the best debt consolidation companies on the same three review sources used here, and found that only two of the eight actually lend you the money.
Frequently Asked Questions About Debt Settlement
1. What is debt settlement and how does debt settlement work?
2. How were the debt settlement companies ranked in this list?
3. What services do debt settlement companies usually offer?
4. What fees do debt settlement companies charge?
5. What is the minimum debt required for debt settlement?
6. Do debt settlement companies offer debt consolidation loans too?
7. What certifications should a reputable debt settlement company have?
8. How long does debt settlement usually take?
9. Does debt settlement hurt your credit score?
10. How do I choose the right debt settlement company?
11. Are nonprofit credit counseling agencies better than for-profit debt settlement companies?
12. Why does a company with 4.9 stars on Trustpilot have a 1.75 rating on the BBB?
13. Which debt settlement company has the best reviews right now?
14. Is a settlement company with only a few hundred reviews less trustworthy than a national one?
Amine is an entrepreneur, investor and financial writer that covers the US economy, inflation, alternative investments, cryptocurrencies and more. He has been involved in the space for over a decade.
