Bottom Line
- Legitimate nonprofit agencies accredited by the NFCC or FCAA offer free consultations and operate under strict ethical oversight. If an agency does not have one of these accreditations, keep looking.
- A debt management plan (DMP) can cut your credit card rates by 5-10% and roll all your payments into one monthly bill. On $20,000 in credit card debt at 22% APR, even a 7% rate reduction saves over $4,000 in interest.
- Credit counseling does not damage your credit score. Making consistent DMP payments can actually improve it over time -- the opposite of what happens with debt settlement.
- Monthly DMP fees run $0-$50, making this the most affordable form of professional debt help. Some agencies waive fees entirely for clients in severe financial hardship.
- Watch out for for-profit companies posing as nonprofits. Always verify accreditation through the NFCC or FCAA website before enrolling.
Before you consider settlement or bankruptcy, take a hard look at credit counseling. A good nonprofit agency can cut your credit card interest rates by 5-10%, consolidate your payments into one monthly bill, and get you debt-free in 3-5 years -- all without trashing your credit score. We evaluated 25+ agencies, verified their NFCC accreditation, checked their actual rate reduction track records, and compared their fees. These seven agencies earned their spot.
How It Works
Free Consultation
Talk to a certified counselor who will review your debts and financial goals.
Debt Analysis
Your accounts are reviewed to identify the best strategy for reducing what you owe.
Negotiation
Experienced negotiators work directly with your creditors to lower your balances.
Resolution
Debts are settled or restructured, and you move forward on solid financial ground.
Zogby is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. We may receive compensation from the companies whose products appear on this site. This compensation may impact how, where, and in what order products appear. Zogby does not include every financial company or every product available in the marketplace.
Credit card interest rates have climbed to an average of 22%, the highest level in decades.
Source: Bankrate Credit Card SurveyHow Does Credit Counseling Work?
You start with a free consultation -- a certified counselor reviews your income, expenses, and debts. No commitment, no pressure. If your situation fits, they will recommend a debt management plan (DMP). If settlement or bankruptcy makes more sense, a good agency will tell you that honestly.
On a DMP, the counselor calls your creditors and negotiates lower interest rates and waived fees. You then make one monthly payment to the agency, and they distribute it to all your creditors on your behalf. Most DMPs run 3-5 years. Your accounts stay current the entire time, which means your credit score stays intact or even improves -- a major advantage over debt settlement.
Our Top Picks for Credit Counseling
1. GreenPath Financial
GreenPath has been around since 1961. That is not a typo -- 63+ years of helping people get out of debt, through recessions, financial crises, and everything in between. Based in Farmington Hills, Michigan, they operate 50+ offices nationwide with NFCC-certified counselors who undergo real training (not a weekend certification). Their DMPs have helped over 750,000 people reduce credit card rates by 6-9%. But they do more than just debt management. GreenPath also offers HUD-approved housing counseling, student loan help, and free financial wellness workshops. If you want a full-picture approach to fixing your finances rather than just treating the symptoms, GreenPath delivers.
Show Pros & Cons
Pros
- 63+ years of continuous operation—longest track record on our list
- 50+ office locations nationwide with NFCC-certified counselors
- Free financial wellness workshops and HUD-approved housing counseling included
Cons
- Monthly DMP fees can reach $50 for complex plans
- Rate reductions depend on creditor agreements and vary by card issuer
2. Money Management International
- Monthly Fee
- $0-$35/mo
- Avg. Rate Reduction
- 7-10% reduction
- Accreditation
- NFCC member
3. InCharge Debt Solutions
- Monthly Fee
- $0-$25/mo
- Avg. Rate Reduction
- 5-8% reduction
- Accreditation
- NFCC member
4. American Consumer Credit Counseling
- Monthly Fee
- $0-$39/mo
- Avg. Rate Reduction
- 6-9% reduction
- Accreditation
- NFCC member
5. CuraDebt
- Monthly Fee
- $0-$50/mo
- Avg. Rate Reduction
- 5-8% reduction
- Accreditation
- IAPDA member
6. Consolidated Credit
- Monthly Fee
- $0-$40/mo
- Avg. Rate Reduction
- 5-9% reduction
- Accreditation
- NFCC member
7. Apprisen
- Monthly Fee
- $0-$30/mo
- Avg. Rate Reduction
- 6-8% reduction
- Accreditation
- NFCC member
How They Stack Up
| Metric |
GreenPath Financial Top Pick
|
Money Management International |
InCharge Debt Solutions |
American Consumer Credit Counseling |
CuraDebt |
Consolidated Credit |
Apprisen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fee | $0-$50/mo | $0-$35/mo | $0-$25/mo | $0-$39/mo | $0-$50/mo | $0-$40/mo | $0-$30/mo |
| Avg. Rate Reduction | 6-9% reduction | 7-10% reduction | 5-8% reduction | 6-9% reduction | 5-8% reduction | 5-9% reduction | 6-8% reduction |
| Accreditation | NFCC member | NFCC member | NFCC member | NFCC member | IAPDA member | NFCC member | NFCC member |
| Rating |
4.9
|
4.8
|
4.7
|
4.6
|
4.6
|
4.5
|
4.5
|
Consumer Protection & Debt News
Apr 17, 2026Holding Government Contractors Accountable for Wrongdoing
Jan 21, 2025Argus Information and Advisory Services, a subsidiary of TransUnion, has agreed in writing that it will not seek any government contract with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for three years.
Blog | Consumer Financial Protection BureauStrengthening Appraisal Oversight: Progress at the Appraisal Subcommittee
Jan 17, 2025CFPB Deputy Director Zixta Martinez discusses changes at the ASC since she became Chair in 2022, including enhanced state oversight, landmark hearings on appraisal bias, and improved collaboration with The Appraisal Foundation to create a more equitable and accountable appraisal industry.
Blog | Consumer Financial Protection BureauBack from the Dead: Zombie Second Mortgages
Jan 17, 2025Forgotten second mortgages may be coming back to haunt homeowners who haven’t received notices or account statements for years.
Blog | Consumer Financial Protection BureauHeadlines sourced from government agencies and legal publications. Updated every 12 hours.
Related Articles & Guides
Estimate Your Savings
Use our free calculators to estimate your potential savings and find the best path to financial relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did You Know?
Balance transfer cards with 0% APR introductory periods can save thousands in interest if the balance is paid off before the period ends.
Nonprofit credit counseling agencies are required to provide free initial consultations under NFCC accreditation standards.
MCA (merchant cash advance) debt has exploded — the industry grew from $10B to over $25B between 2020 and 2025.
Nearly 1 in 3 American adults has debt in collections, according to the Urban Institute.
Authoritative Resources on Debt Relief
We consulted these government and regulatory resources while researching debt relief options.
FTC — Settling Credit Card Debt
Federal Trade CommissionOfficial FTC guidance on debt settlement practices and consumer protections.
CFPB — Debt Collection & Relief
Consumer Financial Protection BureauKnow your rights when dealing with debt collectors under the FDCPA.
U.S. Courts — Bankruptcy Basics
United States CourtsOfficial guide to Chapter 7, 11, and 13 bankruptcy as debt relief alternatives.
IRS — Tax Debt Relief
Internal Revenue ServiceIRS installment agreements and offers in compromise for tax debt resolution.
FTC — Coping with Debt
Federal Trade CommissionGovernment guide on managing debt and finding legitimate debt relief help.
NFCC — Financial Counseling
National Foundation for Credit CounselingNonprofit credit counseling agency locator and financial wellness resources.
We evaluated 25+ credit counseling agencies nationwide, checking accreditation status, fee structures, actual rate reduction track records, and what clients say in verified reviews. Agencies without NFCC or FCAA accreditation had to clear a higher bar to make the list. We also contacted each agency directly to test their intake process.
Fees & Affordability
30%What does the DMP actually cost month to month? We checked setup fees, monthly charges, and whether the agency waives fees for clients who truly cannot pay. The cheapest agencies scored highest.
Accreditation & Compliance
25%NFCC or FCAA accreditation is the gold standard. These organizations enforce strict ethical and operational requirements that weed out bad actors. Agencies with both accreditation and HUD approval scored highest.
Rate Reductions & Creditor Relationships
25%The whole point of a DMP is the rate reduction. We compared average reductions, the breadth of creditor networks, and whether the agency has pre-established terms with major card issuers. A 2% difference in rate reduction can mean thousands in savings.
Customer Experience & Support
20%Are counselors actually certified? Can you reach someone by phone without a 30-minute hold? We checked counselor qualifications, support channel availability, educational resources, and what clients say in verified reviews.
How We Tested
Economic Snapshot
Source: Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED). Indicators refresh daily.
Important Debt Relief Disclaimers
- Debt settlement programs may negatively affect your credit score. When you enroll, you typically stop making payments to creditors, which results in late payments, collections, and potential charge-offs on your credit report.
- There is no guarantee that a debt settlement company can settle all of your debts or reduce them by a specific amount. Creditors are not required to negotiate or accept settlement offers.
- Debt settlement fees are typically 15%-25% of the enrolled debt amount. You should not pay fees before a debt has been successfully settled. The FTC prohibits debt settlement companies from charging upfront fees before settling at least one debt.
- Forgiven debt of $600 or more may be considered taxable income by the IRS. You may receive a Form 1099-C from creditors for canceled debt. Consult a tax professional about potential tax consequences.
- Creditors may continue collection efforts, including lawsuits, wage garnishment, and bank levies, while you are enrolled in a debt settlement program. A debt settlement company cannot guarantee protection from legal action.
- Alternatives to debt settlement include debt consolidation loans, credit counseling through nonprofit agencies, debt management plans, and bankruptcy. Consider all options and consult with a licensed financial advisor or attorney before enrolling in any debt relief program.
- Zogby does not provide debt relief services. We are an independent comparison service. We do not negotiate with creditors on your behalf or manage debt settlement accounts.
The information provided on this page is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as, and should not be construed as, financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making any financial decisions.
Editorial Independence
We make money from some companies on this page. That doesn't change our rankings -- the editorial team scores every product independently, and the business side has no say in what we recommend.