ClearOne Advantage Overview
Debt types: Credit cards, personal loans, other unsecured debt
Minimum debt required: $10,000
Settlement fees: 18% of 29% of amount owed
ACDR-accredited? Yes
Estimated program duration: 24 months to 60 months
Potential savings: Up to 40% of total debt
Best for: People with $10,000+ in unsecured debt who don’t meet traditional hardship requirements
ClearOne Advantage Full Review
ClearOne Advantage offers almost nationwide availability and positive customer ratings on platforms like Trustpilot. Its weakest performance is in the Cost and User Experience categories due to its high settlement and monthly maintenance fees and the lack of detailed pricing information on its website.
Below, our full ClearOne Advantage review dives deeper into how it stacks up in each ranking category.
Reputation
ClearOne Advantage is a debt relief company founded in 2008 and headquartered in Tempe, Arizona. It has more than 170,000 enrolled clients and has helped resolve more than $3 billion in debt. The company holds accreditations from the Association for Consumer Debt Relief (ACDR) and the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators (IAPDA), which adds to its credibility.
ClearOne Advantage is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and holds an A+ rating. Its average BBB review score is 4.31 out of 5, based on over 600 reviews — slightly below the industry average of 4.55.
ClearOne Advantage debt relief reviews are generally more positive on Trustpilot, where its score of 4.8 out of 5, based on more than 10,500 reviews, is slightly above the industry average of 4.76.
Eligibility and Services
Eligibility
ClearOne Advantage is available in 48 states — more than many other debt relief companies we assessed. Its minimum debt requirement is $10,000, which aligns with industry norms. Some providers we evaluated offer lower minimum debt requirements, which may suit borrowers with smaller debt balances.
The company can help with debt relief for credit cards, personal loans, and other unsecured debt. The website doesn’t clearly state the ClearOne Advantage debt settlement program requirements, but you can generally expect to need a stable income that is enough to cover your monthly payments.
Among the companies we looked at, ClearOne Advantage has relatively loose hardship requirements. This means that, unlike some companies, you won’t need to provide proof of job loss, divorce, disability, or other financial hardship to qualify. (The company will look to see that you can meet your debt repayment minimums, however.)
Services
ClearOne Advantage offers a debt settlement program, with a certified debt specialist guiding you through the best approach for your situation. The company typically negotiates with your creditors on your behalf to replace some (or all) of your payments with a single, more affordable monthly amount.
In addition to offering debt settlement programs for individuals, ClearOne Advantage also provides debt relief to small businesses. Unlike many competitors, ClearOne Advantage doesn’t offer debt consolidation loans directly or through partners.
Expert take: “ClearOne Advantage offers flexible programs and emphasizes negotiation strategies to help clients manage and reduce their debt.” — Nina Abazyan, banking professional and personal lending specialist.
Cost
Free consultation: Yes
Settlement fees: 18% to 29% of the debt amount
Set-up fees: None
Monthly maintenance fees: $17
Other charges: Not disclosed
One positive about the company’s pricing structure is that you won’t pay any setup or enrollment fees. However, approved customers must pay a settlement fee ranging from 18% to 29%, along with a $17 monthly maintenance fee. ClearOne Advantage’s fees are higher than those charged by some competitors, which start at around 14% to 15%.
ClearOne Advantage follows the industry standard of offering a free consultation to potential customers. The company doesn’t publicly advertise discounts or pricing guarantees, unlike some competitors.
User Experience
The ClearOne Advantage website includes only basic information about its products and services. Its resources and blog pages include helpful information on debt relief options, but we couldn’t easily find pricing and fee details, making it difficult to estimate total plan costs.
Expert take: “ClearOne Advantage offers flexible solutions, although the level of transparency may vary depending on individual cases. Overall, the most transparent companies are those that prioritize clear communication, upfront disclosures, and realistic expectations rather than overpromising results.” — Nina Abazyan, banking professional and personal lending specialist.
To get started with ClearOne Advantage, you can call the number listed on the website for a free consultation or use the free online personalized estimate form. We found the latter option to be relatively straightforward and fast. First, we entered our estimated debt amount, ZIP code, and a few other personal details.
We received a response indicating that we might be eligible for a program through the company’s partner, Consolidated Credit.
We then received an automated email telling us that a debt specialist would call us shortly. This made it clear that while the estimate tool gets the process started, additional details — including fees and plan information — are only provided during a phone consultation.
ClearOne Advantage doesn’t have a mobile app, unlike some of its competitors. However, it does have an online portal for existing clients.
Customer Service and Support
Contacting ClearOne Advantage
You can contact ClearOne Advantage’s customer support team by phone at 888-335-0896, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST. Live support is available for enrollment questions Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m EST, and Saturday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST.
Existing customers can ask questions and get help through live chat from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to midnight, and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. The company also offers email support.
Overall, ClearOne Advantage’s support hours fall within industry standards, though there’s no weekend phone support for existing customers.
Response times were generally solid across the channels we tested. When we called the enrollment support line, we connected with someone in less than a minute. We also received an automated response within seconds of emailing the company, followed by a reply from a customer support representative within two business days.
Customer Testimonials
ClearOne Advantage has over 11,000 reviews across Trustpilot and the BBB. Positive reviews mention helpful, knowledgeable staff and excellent customer service.
One Trustpilot review of ClearOne Advantage said, “Jordan S. made the entire process seamless. He patiently and thoroughly answered my myriad of questions and even followed up the next day and answered more! It's early on in the process, so I'm eager to see how this continues to go, but if they're able to do what they've estimated they can do, then they'll have helped me out IMMENSELY. The potential outcome has already lifted such a burden off my shoulders.”
Negative reviews cite issues such as poor communication, difficulties negotiating settlements with creditors, and unclear fees.
ClearOne Advantage regularly responds to reviews on both Trustpilot and the BBB.
Expert take: “ClearOne Advantage offers flexible solutions, but some clients note inconsistencies in communication or expectations.” — Nina Abazyan, banking professional and personal lending specialist
Methodology: How We Review Debt Relief Services
To assess debt relief companies, BestMoney considered more than 30 criteria across five categories, including:
Reputation: We evaluated each company’s years in business, accreditations, and third-party ratings, like BBB and Trustpilot scores.
Eligibility and services: We considered the company’s state availability as well as minimum debt, income, credit score, and hardship requirements.
Costs: We assessed various fee types, including debt settlement and monthly maintenance fees, as well as the availability of free consultations.
User experience: We looked at overall user experience, including digital functionality, ease of accessing information on the website, and the availability of a mobile app and online portal.
Customer support and service: We assessed each company’s customer service experience and considered expert testimonials.
Final Take: Who Is ClearOne Advantage Debt Relief Best for?
ClearOne Advantage serves customers with substantial debt ($10,000+) who are struggling to keep up with their finances. It’s available in 48 states, making it one of the most accessible options out of the companies we assessed.
Despite its potentially high fees, ClearOne Advantage might be worth considering for those who don’t qualify for traditional consolidation loans or balance-transfer credit cards. However, be sure to understand all the charges involved, including settlement fees and monthly fees, before enrolling in a debt settlement plan with ClearOne Advantage or any other debt relief company.
Expert take: ClearOne Advantage provides flexible programs that can accommodate a wide variety of client profiles, especially those who may not fit neatly into standardized program structures. - Nina Abazyan, banking professional and personal lending specialist
FAQs: ClearOne Advantage Debt Relief
Is ClearOne Advantage a legitimate company?
Yes, ClearOne Advantage is a legitimate debt relief provider founded in 2008. The company holds an A+ rating from the BBB and has an average review score of 4.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot, based on more than 10,500 reviews.
How does ClearOne Advantage work?
ClearOne Advantage works by negotiating with your creditors on your behalf to create a structured debt settlement plan designed to be completed in 24 to 60 months.
How much does ClearOne Advantage cost?
A debt settlement plan through ClearOne Advantage involves various costs, including a settlement fee of 18% to 29% of the total plan amount and a $17 monthly maintenance fee. You’ll need at least $10,000 in debt to qualify for a debt settlement plan with the company.
Address
ClearOne Advantage, 1501 S. Clinton Street, Suite 320, Baltimore, MD 21224
