Top Debt Settlement Companies for 2026

Are Debt Settlement Companies Right for You?

A debt settlement company may be able to help you reduce what you owe and save a significant amount of money. However, it may not be the right option for everyone.

Debt settlement may be right for you if:

• You’ve maxed out one or more credit cards.
• You’re getting frequent calls from debt collectors.
• You’re struggling to make even the minimum monthly payments.
• You have several missed payments and mounting late fees.
• You have bad credit, which makes it hard to qualify for new loans.
• You can’t afford to pay off your balances in full.

If you’re still weighing whether debt settlement is the right fit, reviewing the pros and cons of settling your debts can help you understand the main risks and how it compares with other debt relief options.

Best Debt Settlement Companies in 2026

The best debt settlement companies charge clear, transparent fees, have a strong track record with customers, and are experienced in negotiating fair settlements.

We analyzed highly rated debt settlement companies in the U.S. to pick our top recommendations for 2026. We ranked these companies based on the following criteria: free consultations, customer reviews, geographic availability, digital experience, fees, and minimum debt requirements.

TurboDebt®

Minimum Debt Required: $10,000
Time to Complete Program: 24-48 Months
Fees: 15%-25% of Total Enrolled Debt
Consultation: Free

TurboDebt® is a top-rated debt settlement company offering strategic planning to help you review your options and find a debt relief program that fits your financial situation.

The team of experts at TurboDebt works with your lenders to negotiate settlements on unsecured debts, including credit card balances, personal loans, business debt, and medical bills.

Clients who stay with the program often resolve their enrolled balances for less than they originally owed (before fees), compared to paying everything in full over time.

TurboDebt's ratings include thousands of 5-star reviews on Trustpilot and Google. If you’re struggling to keep up with debt payments, TurboDebt is one of the highest-rated options for debt settlement support in the U.S.

New Era Debt Solutions

Minimum Debt Required: $10,000
Time to Complete Program: 24-48 Months
Fees: 14%-23% of Enrolled Debt
Consultation: Free

Based in California, New Era Debt Solutions is a debt settlement company that has worked with consumers since 1999, making it one of the longest-operating organizations in the industry. The firm focuses on negotiating settlements for credit cards, personal loans, medical bills, and other unsecured debt.

New Era promotes long-term experience in the settlement space and generally earns high customer satisfaction ratings, but its programs are not available in every state.

The company advertises average client savings of around 57% on enrolled debts (before fees). Nonetheless, actual results may vary, and fees are typically calculated as a percentage of the total debt enrolled rather than the amount actually settled.

Accredited Debt Relief

Minimum Debt Required: $10,000
Time to Complete Program: 24-48 Months
Fees: Up to 25% of Enrolled Debt
Consultation: Free

Accredited Debt Relief is a San Diego–based company that has been offering debt settlement services since 2011. The firm focuses on unsecured debts such as credit cards, personal loans, medical bills, and some department store credit debt.

One of Accredited’s main strengths is customer support. Clients can reach the company by phone, email, mail, or live chat and track their progress through an online client portal. However, its programs are not available in every state, so availability is more limited than some competitors on our list.

National Debt Relief

Minimum Debt Required: $7,500
Time to Complete Program: 24-48 Months
Fees: 15%-25% of Total Enrolled Debt
Consultation: Free

Founded in 2009, National Debt Relief is a long-standing debt settlement firm based in New York City. While the company focuses on debt settlement, it also refers consumers to partners for other services, such as debt consolidation and credit counseling.

National Debt Relief negotiates settlements for unsecured debts, including credit card balances, personal loans, medical bills, business debts, and some private student loans.

Freedom Debt Relief

Minimum Debt Required: $7,500
Time to Complete Program: 24-48 Months
Fees: 15%-25% of Enrolled Debt
Consultation: Free

With over 20 years of experience, Freedom Debt Relief claims to have helped clients resolve more than $20 billion in debt. It also has mostly positive reviews on Trustpilot.

Freedom Debt Relief helps people with a wide range of unsecured debts, including credit cards, medical bills, some private student loans, and certain payday loans.

The company also offers a program guarantee that may limit the fees you pay if you do not achieve a certain level of savings.

Company details in this guide are for general comparison and may change over time. Check the current fees, eligibility, and program terms on each company’s website before you decide.

How to Choose the Best Debt Settlement Company

There are several factors you should focus on to find the best debt settlement company:

• Determine Your Debt
  Be sure that the company can settle your type of debt. Most companies can only help with unsecured debts, as secured debts often require different solutions.
• See If You Qualify
  Check if you qualify for debt relief based on the amount of debt you have. Most debt settlement companies require a minimum debt threshold to enroll in their programs.
• Analyze Prices
  Compare the costs of different companies to find affordable fees. Some companies charge fees based on enrolled debt rather than settled debt, which can lead to higher prices.
• Avoid Upfront Fees
  Make sure the company doesn’t charge any upfront fees before the debt settlement process starts. Legitimate debt settlement companies don't charge customers until they complete negotiations with lenders.
• Check Reviews
  Look for reviews on Google, Trustpilot, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see what actual clients say about their experiences. The BBB also rates businesses based on their practices and transparency. Avoid organizations with consistent complaints.

What to Expect When You Enroll With a Debt Settlement Company

Working with a debt settlement company follows a fairly standard path. If you think debt settlement is the right option for you, follow these steps to apply and understand what to expect.

Before You Enroll

1. Make a list of top-rated debt settlement companies that settle your type of debt.
2. Compare settlement fees, minimum debt requirements, and areas they serve to find the best fit.
3. Contact the company for a free consultation to discuss your financial situation.
4. Provide details about your unsecured debts, lenders, interest rates, total balances, and any other information the company requests.
5. Sign a debt settlement contract allowing the company to negotiate with lenders on your behalf.

After You Enroll

1. Once you join a debt settlement program, you’ll stop making payments on enrolled debts and start putting aside money in a dedicated settlement account.
2. You’ll continue saving money until you’ve built up enough for a settlement.
3. Your debt settlement company will negotiate with your lenders to reduce what you owe.
4. When a lender accepts a settlement offer, funds from your account are used to make the lump-sum payment and settle that account.

Alternatives to Debt Settlement Companies

There are a number of other debt relief services available if debt settlement isn’t right for you. Consider these alternatives:

• Debt Management Plans: Nonprofit credit counseling agencies can enroll you in a debt management plan (DMP) to help you pay off your debts in three to five years. You’ll make a single payment each month to the agency, which will be distributed to your creditors.
• Debt Consolidation Loans: You can use a debt consolidation loan or a balance transfer credit card to combine multiple debts. Ideally, the new loan will have a lower interest rate compared to what you’re currently paying.
• Direct Negotiation: Another option is to negotiate a debt settlement on your own. Your lender may agree to a new repayment plan or a settlement if you can demonstrate financial hardship.
• File for Bankruptcy: As a last resort, you may want to declare bankruptcy. It's best to consult a bankruptcy lawyer to determine if this is the right option for you.

TurboDebt® Helps Consumers Pay Off Debt

If you're looking for a debt relief company to help you settle heavy loads of unsecured debts, TurboDebt® is here to help. We assist clients in paying off debts faster for less than their original balance, often as much as 45%.

With over 20,000 positive reviews across Trustpilot and Google, we've proven ourselves as a trusted source for settling debts.

It only takes a few minutes to find out if you qualify for one of our customized debt relief plans. Contact the experts at TurboDebt today to start your free consultation and begin your journey toward financial freedom!