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Accredited Debt Relief vs. National Debt Relief: Which Debt Settlement Company Is Better?
June 12, 2026
June 12, 2026
The average American’s debt reached $104,755 in June 2025, according to Experian. If you’re motivated to reduce your debt, you might be in the market for the right debt settlement program. Here we break down the pros and cons of each company so you can determine which is better for you (and whether debt settlement is a good fit for your financial situation).
Best standout feature: No minimum debt requirements
Minimum debt: No minimum debt limit
Estimated time to pay off debt: 24 to 48 months
Debt settlement fee: 15% to 25% of debt enrolled in the program
Why we like it: Accredited Debt Relief says it has no minimum debt requirement, so you may qualify for debt relief even if you don’t have $10,000 in unsecured debt (a common requirement with many debt settlement companies). The company does state that typical customers have at least $5,000 in qualifying debt.
Pros:
No minimum debt requirement
4.8/5.0 score on Trustpilot; A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Debt consolidation loan referrals available
Cons:
Debt settlement fees ranging up to 25%
Unavailable in some states
No proprietary mobile app
Check out our full Accredited Debt Relief review here.
Best standout feature: Wide range of financial services
Minimum debt: $7,500
Estimated time to pay off debt: 24 to 48 months
Debt settlement fee: 15% to 25% of debt enrolled in the program
Why we like it: National Debt Relief offers standard debt settlement, but it also provides access to a variety of financial services through its partner network – including debt consolidation loan referrals, credit counseling, and bankruptcy counseling.
Pros:
Wide range of financial services
4.7/5.0 score on Trustpilot; A+ rating with the BBB
Free online estimates
Cons:
Debt settlement fees ranging up to 25%
Unavailable in some states
No proprietary mobile app
Check out our full National Debt Relief review here.
Accredited Debt Relief | National Debt Relief | |
Minimum debt | No minimum debt requirement | $7,500 |
Debt settlement fee | 15% to 25% | 15% to 25% |
Time in business | 13+ years | 17+ years |
Potential debt savings | Eligible monthly payments can be reduced by 40% | Total debt can be reduced by 45% before fees, 20% after fees, for clients who complete the program |
Typical debt repayment timeline | 24 to 48 months | 24 to 48 months |
Trustpilot score | 4.8/5.0 | 4.7/5.0 |
BBB rating | A+ | A+ |
U.S. availability | Not available in all states | Available in 45 states and Washington, DC |
Best-fit borrower | Borrowers with lower amounts of debt | Borrowers that want additional financial services |
Dedicated mobile app? | No | No |
The best debt settlement company for you depends on several factors:
Accredited Debt Relief has no minimum debt requirements, but its typical customer has at least $5,000 in unsecured debt. National Debt Relief, on the other hand, requires at least $7,500 in unsecured debt. If your debt balances are on the lower side, you may want to check with Accredited Debt Relief first.
Both Accredited Debt Relief and National Debt Relief charge 15% to 25% of the total debt enrolled in their programs. The actual rate you pay depends on factors including the amount of debt you enroll and the state you live in.
Accredited Debt Relief can refer borrowers to debt consolidation loans, through affiliate partners, ranging from $1,000 to $100,000. National Debt Relief can refer borrowers to debt consolidation loans, as well as credit counseling services and bankruptcy assistance.
Accredited Debt Relief will evaluate your debt and may recommend options in all 50 states and Washington, DC. However, it may only be able to offer debt settlement services in certain states; according to its website, 11 states only have “free evaluations.” Accredited Debt Relief did not respond to a request for comment about the states where it offers debt settlement services.
National Debt Relief says it is available in 46 states and Washington, DC, plus Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
With Accredited Debt Relief, you start the process by submitting an online inquiry or calling 800-947-1965. The company will assign you a company representative to review your current finances and provide you with a debt settlement plan.
For National Debt Relief, you can fill out an online form or call 888-415-0214 to get a free consultation. The company will contact you directly to build a custom plan and enroll your debts in a debt settlement program.
Before you sign up for a program, it’s important to understand how it works as well as the debt settlement pros and cons.
Debt settlement companies negotiate lower payoff amounts with your creditors on your behalf. Before they start, you will be advised to stop making payments on your debts to give the company more bargaining power.
Debt settlement companies also manage your payments for all enrolled debts. The money you send to the debt settlement company is held in an escrow account, and used to pay your creditors directly. Many debt settlement companies claim that enrolled debts can be fully settled within 24 to 48 months.
Debt settlement is not a guarantee because your creditors have no requirement to negotiate or accept lower payoff amounts. If a debt settlement company promises you guaranteed results, you should avoid that company.
Debt settlement companies usually charge a fee of 15% to 25% of all debts enrolled in the program. For example, if you enroll $10,000 worth of debt in a debt settlement program with a 25% fee, you will owe the debt settlement company $2,500. Some companies also charge one-time setup fees or monthly service fees.
To gain leverage with your creditors, debt settlement companies will instruct you to stop making payments for all the debts you wish to settle. This may motivate your creditors to lower your balances, but missed payments and accounts in collections can severely lower your credit score. It can also result in late fees and penalties piling up, and even your creditors or debt collectors filing a lawsuit against you, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Debt settlement companies only work with unsecured debt that has no collateral associated with it. Examples of unsecured debt include credit cards, personal loans, medical debt, and more. They do not work with secured debts like auto loans or mortgages. Tax debts and student loans are also ineligible for debt settlement.
You may owe taxes on the amount of debt that gets waived during the debt settlement process. This is because the IRS considers forgiven debt as a form of income and you will need to report it on your tax returns. There are a few exceptions, such as insolvency or bankruptcy.
Before you choose a debt settlement company, take a look at these factors:
Availability: Make sure the debt settlement company is able to provide services in your state. Many debt settlement companies also require you to have a minimum amount of debt in order to work with you; if you can’t meet that minimum, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
Transparency: Any legitimate company should offer clear information about its services, fees, risks, and more. Look for a company that clearly outlines:
How the service works
The timeline to pay off your debt
The fees associated with the program
The risks to your credit score and finances
Customer service: You want a debt settlement company that will provide a strong customer experience. To evaluate the customer experience, do the following:
Ask lots of questions: Make sure to ask questions during the consultation process before you sign up for debt settlement. Avoid companies that lack transparency or avoid difficult questions.
Read all the paperwork: Closely review the paperwork associated with the debt settlement program. Documents should provide the services offered, how much it costs, and more.
Check consumer reviews: Look for consumer reviews and complaints with review sites like Trustpilot and agencies like the Better Business Bureau. Watch out for companies with poor reputations or common complaints.
Don’t believe the hype: If a debt settlement company makes pie-in-the-sky promises or guarantees it can settle your debt for a lower amount, look elsewhere.
The best debt settlement company for you depends on your preferences and financial situation. Both Accredited Debt Relief and National Debt Relief provide the same type of service for similar fees, so your choice may come down to your state of residence, the amount of debt you have, and whether you want additional services like debt consolidation loans or financial counseling.
Remember, debt settlement isn’t a magic bullet. There are no guarantees, and you will still have to make monthly payments on your renegotiated debt to pay it off. The debt settlement process also costs a significant amount of money, and can damage your credit score in the short-term. Make sure you understand the trade-offs before you agree to debt settlement.
Brian Acton is a seasoned personal finance journalist at BestMoney.com who specializes in loans and debt consolidation. His work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, TIME, USA Today, MarketWatch, Inc. Magazine, HuffPost, and other notable outlets.
