How we rank debt relief providers

Our comparisons are ranked by the factors below — not by who pays us. We publish this so you can judge our judgment.

What we weigh

• Accreditation & track record — membership in bodies like the AADR/IAPDA, BBB standing, years in operation, and volume of debt resolved.
• Fee transparency — clearly disclosed, performance-based fees with no upfront charges, consistent with the FTC Telemarketing Sales Rule.
• Eligibility & availability — which states and debt types a provider serves, and how clearly it states minimums.
• Customer outcomes — independent review scores (e.g., Trustpilot, BBB) read in aggregate, not cherry-picked.
• Consumer protection — honest marketing, clear disclosure of risks (credit impact, possible taxes on forgiven debt), and no pressure tactics.

What we exclude

We do not rank providers that take illegal upfront fees, promise guaranteed results, imply a government affiliation they don't have, or have unresolved regulatory action. A provider's commission rate is never a ranking factor.

How we handle reviews

We never publish fake or incentivized reviews, in line with the FTC's 2024 rule on consumer reviews. When we cite ratings, we describe them in aggregate and date them.

Keeping it current

Provider terms change. We re-check rankings periodically and when a provider materially changes its fees, availability, or standing. See our editorial policy for more.