The 10 Best Credit Counseling Services
What is the Best Credit Counseling Service?
If you're overwhelmed by debt or want to improve your financial health, you're not alone. Here's a sobering reality: if you're dealing with credit card debt, you're twice as likely to experience anxiety and depression. With 46% of Americans carrying credit card debt (averaging over $7,000), this is a widespread issue affecting both mental and physical health.
Think of credit counseling as your financial GPS - it helps navigate you from debt to financial freedom. Whether you're juggling multiple credit card payments or considering bankruptcy, professional credit counselors can create a roadmap tailored to your situation. They don't just crunch numbers; they can provide financial peace of mind and the support you need during this journey.
Tuesday, June 17th
2025 Credit Counseling Service Reviews
Money Management International
When you need expert help getting your finances back on track, Money Management International (MMI) delivers with over 65 years of experience and a stellar reputation. Their comprehensive services go beyond basic credit counseling, offering everything from debt management plans to unique disaster recovery support - and most of their initial consultations are completely free. We love that you can get started online 24/7 without picking up the phone, and their counselors are known for being both knowledgeable and compassionate. MMI stands out as our top choice for credit counseling, especially if you're looking to avoid bankruptcy, need student loan guidance, or want support after a natural disaster.
American Consumer Credit Counseling
If you're looking to tackle your debt head-on with expert guidance, American Consumer Credit Counseling stands out as one of the most reliable credit counseling services available. Their combination of remarkably affordable fees (starting at just $7 monthly for debt management), extensive educational resources, and stellar customer service has earned them thousands of glowing reviews. Not only do they offer late-night and weekend availability to fit your schedule, but their counselors are consistently praised for their judgment-free, compassionate approach. We give ACCC 4.5 out of 5 stars and particularly recommend them for anyone seeking a well-established, accredited credit counseling service that offers comprehensive debt solutions - with a proven track record of helping clients become debt-free.
Apprisen
Looking for a trusted hand to guide you through your financial journey? Apprisen's extensive experience (since 1955), comprehensive suite of services, and stellar reviews make them a standout choice for credit counseling. Their approach combines personalized attention with modern convenience, offering both traditional counseling and an AI-powered initial assessment tool that lets you start your journey privately. We especially recommend Apprisen for anyone seeking a well-established non-profit credit counseling service that offers both digital convenience and human expertise, particularly if you're interested in additional services like student loan guidance or homebuyer education.
Consolidated Credit
If you're feeling overwhelmed by credit card debt, Consolidated Credit offers a supportive path forward with their debt management programs and financial education resources. Their certified counselors take the time to understand your unique situation and build a personalized plan to help you become debt-free, typically within 3-5 years. While their average monthly fees (capped at $79) could be slightly higher than some competitors, they make up for it with extended evening and weekend hours, comprehensive educational tools, and an impressive track record of helping people succeed. We especially recommend Consolidated Credit for working professionals who need flexible scheduling options and for anyone looking for a thorough, education-focused approach to conquering their debt.
GreenPath
GreenPath Financial Wellness offers competitive credit counseling services - their debt management program enrollment and monthly fees are some of the lowest we've seen in the industry. We appreciate their extended service hours, nationwide availability, and particularly strong housing counseling services backed by HUD-certified experts. Their educational resources stand out too, especially their unique "Real $tories" podcast that lets you hear from real people who've overcome financial challenges. While we wish they'd offer more digital self-service options, GreenPath's combination of experienced counselors, competitive pricing, and excellent educational tools makes them an ideal choice for anyone seeking affordable, trustworthy credit counseling, especially if you're dealing with housing-related financial concerns or appreciate learning from others' experiences.
Advantage Credit Counseling Service
When you're ready to get serious about managing your debt, Advantage Credit Counseling Service offers a blend of modern convenience and time-tested expertise. Their online platform lets you start your journey 24/7 with an instant assessment and personalized action plan, while their certified counselors bring over 50 years of experience to the table. They offer services from basic credit counseling to specialized housing advice and bankruptcy education, all backed by their non-profit status and strong BBB rating. While their fees run slightly higher than some competitors for debt management programs, their sliding scale makes monthly payments manageable for most budgets. This service is best suited for self-starters who want to explore their options independently online first, especially those who are interested in housing-related financial guidance or appreciate having access to well-written educational content.
Credit.org
Credit.org brings decades of experience to credit counseling, with strong credentials and a comprehensive range of services including unique offerings like disaster recovery assistance and military-specific counseling. We appreciate their extended availability (including Saturdays) and Spanish language support, though their website navigation could use some polish. While their long-standing BBB "A+” rating speaks to their reliability, the lack of transparent pricing for debt management plans and limited recent customer feedback gives us pause. They're a solid choice if you need housing counseling or Spanish-language services, but other credit counseling agencies currently offer a more modern and transparent experience.
Cambridge Credit Counseling Corp
Cambridge Credit Counseling Corp offers a solid mix of financial services that could help you get back on track, with experienced counselors who average 14 years in the field. You could benefit from their notably affordable bankruptcy counseling fees, and they have an impressive track record of reducing credit card interest rates for clients. While their weekday-only hours might require some schedule juggling for the desk worker, and you'll need to be on board with a guided rather than self-service approach, their strong reputation and comprehensive homebuyer education programs make them stand out. Cambridge is a solid choice if you're looking for established expertise and affordability, particularly if you need bankruptcy counseling or homebuyer education - just be prepared to work within their business hours.
DebtWave
If you're looking to tackle overwhelming credit card debt, DebtWave offers a solid path forward with their debt management program and free financial education resources. While their DMP fees run a bit higher than competitors, their certified counselors deliver real results - with clients seeing significant drops in interest rates and monthly payments. You'll appreciate their straightforward online portal and comprehensive educational tools, including free webinars and their "Talk Wealth To Me" podcast. DebtWave may be worth considering if you're dealing primarily with credit card debt, though their higher DMP fees should be weighed against comparable services from other agencies.
NFCC
The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) isn't a counseling service itself, but rather your trusted matchmaker to find high-quality, non-profit credit counselors in your area. When you're feeling overwhelmed by financial challenges, NFCC can connect you with certified counselors who specialize in your specific situation, whether that's credit card debt, student loans, or housing issues. With over 1,500 certified counselors nationwide and services in multiple languages, you'll appreciate their thorough vetting process and commitment to maintaining high standards - though you won't know exact fees until you're matched with a local agency. This service is best if you want the peace of mind of working with a vetted non-profit counselor and are willing to go through an extra step in the process to find one.
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Your plan might include a Debt Management Plan (or "DMP”). Your chosen credit counseling service will negotiate with creditors to potentially lower your interest rates and fees. You'll make one monthly payment to the credit counseling agency, and they'll distribute it to your creditors. This consolidation typically lasts 3-5 years, during which you'll close your credit cards and follow a strict budget. But, the payoff is worth it: lower monthly payments, reduced interest rates, and a clear path to becoming debt-free.
Ready to begin? Here's what you'll need: recent pay stubs, monthly expenses list, credit card statements, loan documents, and any collection notices. Some credit consultation services have digital tools that allow you to input your information and receive a budget plan without needing to speak to a consultant - after all, not everyone is in the same situation, and you might only need a nudge in the right direction.
If you'd rather have a guided approach, you can take advantage of a free 30-60 minute consultation where you'll discuss your situation and goals. After reviewing your financial picture, professional credit counselors can help create your personalized action plan.
Finding the right credit counseling service can feel daunting. With so many excellent non-profit credit counseling services to choose from, how do you decide? Here are a few things to keep in mind while you're conducting your research:
- Accreditation. Is the service approved by respected organizations like the NFCC, FCAA, or BBB?
- Fees. Have you reviewed their complete fee structure, including setup and monthly costs? Do they name a monthly cap? Remember that reputable non-profits usually offer free initial consultations.
- Service range. Do their offerings align with your specific needs, whether that's basic budgeting assistance, student loan help, or a comprehensive debt management program? Do they have educational resources you're interested in accessing?
- Support quality. How accessible and responsive is their customer service team? Will you have consistent support throughout your financial journey? Furthermore, do they have hours that match your availability?
Top Consumer Reviews has carefully researched and reviewed the best credit counseling services available today to help you find trustworthy support for your financial journey. In evaluating each service, we looked at what matters most to people like you - their credentials, how well they treat their clients, how upfront they are about costs, and the quality of their guidance. Our goal is simple: to help you connect with counselors who truly understand what you're going through, and can support you in getting out of debt and reaching your financial goals.
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