Credit Counseling Services Reviews

Best Credit Counseling Services of 2025

We've analyzed the best Credit Counseling Services to help you find the right solution for your needs.

2025 Credit Counseling Service Reviews

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.

5.0

EXCELLENT

1

Best Option

  • $33 set-up fee and $25 monthly fee for debt management plans; most credit counseling services are free
  • 24/7 availability for phone consultations and online services
  • Services offered in English and Spanish with additional language support available

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EXCELLENT

5.0

On the Money Management International website

4.5

GREAT

2

Great

  • DMP fees: $39 setup fee; $7 to $70 monthly maintenance fee (average $25/month)
  • Free initial credit counseling session and budget consultation
  • Extensive availability: weekday evenings until 11:30 PM EST and Saturday hours

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GREAT

4.5

On the American Consumer Credit Counseling website

4.4

GREAT

3

Great

  • $45 one-time setup plus $45 monthly for debt management programs; sliding scale available for those who qualify
  • In business since 1955
  • Free initial financial consultation with customized action plan within 48 hours

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GREAT

4.4

On the Apprisen website

4.3

GREAT

4

Great

  • Monthly DMP fees capped at $79, with most clients paying around $40; no setup fee
  • Extended business hours including evenings (until 10 PM) and Saturdays
  • "A+" BBB rating and 4.8/5 stars from over 9,000 Trustpilot reviews

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GREAT

4.3

On the Consolidated Credit website

4.0

VERY GOOD

5

Very Good

  • Setup fee of $35 and average monthly fee of $28 for debt management programs
  • Nationwide availability with extended service hours including evenings and weekends
  • HUD-certified counselors providing comprehensive housing services

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VERY GOOD

4.0

On the GreenPath website

3.5

GOOD

6

Good

  • DMP setup fee is $50, with monthly fees between $10 to $50 on a sliding scale
  • Over 50 years of experience, helping clients manage debt since 1968
  • Multiple counseling options: online (24/7), phone, and in-person appointments

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GOOD

3.5

On the Advantage Credit Counseling Service website

3.4

GOOD

7

Good

  • Pricing: $15 for HUD-approved homebuyer class; most educational content is free
  • Extended availability: Open weekdays 6 AM to 6 PM PT, plus Saturday appointments
  • Spanish language support available

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GOOD

3.4

On the Credit.org website

3.3

GOOD

8

Good

  • Bankruptcy counseling fee: $19.95 per household for both pre- and post-filing courses
  • Experienced counselors with an average of 14 years of experience
  • Certified by National Foundation for Credit Counseling and HUD

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GOOD

3.3

On the Cambridge Credit Counseling Corp website

3.0

AVERAGE

9

Average

  • DMP enrollment fee up to $99, monthly fee up to $59; bankruptcy counseling at $25 (individual or joint)
  • All staff must pass rigorous certification exams and complete ongoing education
  • Free initial credit counseling session

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AVERAGE

3.0

On the DebtWave website

2.9

AVERAGE

10

Average

  • Mix of free and affordable online courses ($9.99 for premium options)
  • Nation's longest-running credit counseling organization (since 1951)
  • Network of 1,500+ certified non-profit credit counselors nationwide

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AVERAGE

2.9

On the NFCC website

Continued from above...

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.

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:

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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Credit Counseling Service FAQ

What is credit counseling?
Credit counseling is a broad term used to refer to any advice or assistance regarding consumer credit. This could be a database of articles about topics like student loans or credit scores, programs designed to work with creditors to consolidate your debt, or even one-on-one guidance from an experienced advisor.
What kinds of programs are included in credit counseling?
That depends on where you go for services. Some programs do an in-depth analysis of your financial situation and help you remove negative entries on your credit history or negotiate with creditors to manage your debt. Others provide advice about getting the best student loans or qualifying for a first-time mortgage. The spectrum of services included in credit counseling is broad: there's something for everyone!
How many people use credit counseling services?
According to the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, more than a million consumers take advantage of counseling every year. And, with so many Americans struggling with debts, unsure how to improve their credit scores, and questioning where to turn for the best advice, many millions more should be using credit counseling programs!
Are credit counseling programs expensive?
Many times, they're free! There are a lot of services whose programs come at no cost to you - and even the ones with nominal fees are usually very affordable when you consider the benefits of reducing your debt and improving your credit score.
Do I have to qualify to receive credit counseling?
For some programs, yes: you might need to have a certain minimum amount of debt (like $5,000). But, there are many credit counseling services where the only requirement is that you're interested in working with them to become better-educated and to get control of your finances.
What documentation do I need to have for my first credit counseling session?
The more thorough you are with your credit counselor, the more accurate the advice they'll be able to provide. Some documentation that can help them have the clearest picture would include your credit card statements, pay stubs from your employer, bank statements, and any notices you may have gotten from bill collectors or creditors.
Are credit counseling providers legitimate?
Absolutely. Some credit counseling services have a history that spans decades, helping millions of people to understand how to make better decisions with their money. Of course, it's always a good idea to see what other consumers have to say before choosing which credit counseling provider to use. The Better Business Bureau is a solid resource for determining a credit counseling service's reputation and overall standing too.

Compare Any 2 Products

Money Management International
American Consumer Credit Counseling
Apprisen
Consolidated Credit
GreenPath
Advantage Credit Counseling Service
Credit.org
Cambridge Credit Counseling Corp
DebtWave
NFCC
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Money Management International vs American Consumer Credit CounselingMoney Management International vs ApprisenMoney Management International vs Consolidated CreditMoney Management International vs GreenPathMoney Management International vs Advantage Credit Counseling ServiceMoney Management International vs Credit.orgMoney Management International vs Cambridge Credit Counseling CorpMoney Management International vs DebtWaveMoney Management International vs NFCCAmerican Consumer Credit Counseling vs ApprisenAmerican Consumer Credit Counseling vs Consolidated CreditAmerican Consumer Credit Counseling vs GreenPathAmerican Consumer Credit Counseling vs Advantage Credit Counseling ServiceAmerican Consumer Credit Counseling vs Credit.orgAmerican Consumer Credit Counseling vs Cambridge Credit Counseling CorpAmerican Consumer Credit Counseling vs DebtWaveAmerican Consumer Credit Counseling vs NFCCApprisen vs Consolidated CreditApprisen vs GreenPathApprisen vs Advantage Credit Counseling ServiceApprisen vs Credit.orgApprisen vs Cambridge Credit Counseling CorpApprisen vs DebtWaveApprisen vs NFCCConsolidated Credit vs GreenPathConsolidated Credit vs Advantage Credit Counseling ServiceConsolidated Credit vs Credit.orgConsolidated Credit vs Cambridge Credit Counseling CorpConsolidated Credit vs DebtWaveConsolidated Credit vs NFCCGreenPath vs Advantage Credit Counseling ServiceGreenPath vs Credit.orgGreenPath vs Cambridge Credit Counseling CorpGreenPath vs DebtWaveGreenPath vs NFCCAdvantage Credit Counseling Service vs Credit.orgAdvantage Credit Counseling Service vs Cambridge Credit Counseling CorpAdvantage Credit Counseling Service vs DebtWaveAdvantage Credit Counseling Service vs NFCCCredit.org vs Cambridge Credit Counseling CorpCredit.org vs DebtWaveCredit.org vs NFCCCambridge Credit Counseling Corp vs DebtWaveCambridge Credit Counseling Corp vs NFCCDebtWave vs NFCC NFCC vs DebtWaveNFCC vs Cambridge Credit Counseling CorpNFCC vs Credit.orgNFCC vs Advantage Credit Counseling ServiceNFCC vs GreenPathNFCC vs Consolidated CreditNFCC vs ApprisenNFCC vs American Consumer Credit CounselingNFCC vs Money Management InternationalDebtWave vs Cambridge Credit Counseling CorpDebtWave vs Credit.orgDebtWave vs Advantage Credit Counseling ServiceDebtWave vs GreenPathDebtWave vs Consolidated CreditDebtWave vs ApprisenDebtWave vs American Consumer Credit CounselingDebtWave vs Money Management InternationalCambridge Credit Counseling Corp vs Credit.orgCambridge Credit Counseling Corp vs Advantage Credit Counseling ServiceCambridge Credit Counseling Corp vs GreenPathCambridge Credit Counseling Corp vs Consolidated CreditCambridge Credit Counseling Corp vs ApprisenCambridge Credit Counseling Corp vs American Consumer Credit CounselingCambridge Credit Counseling Corp vs Money Management InternationalCredit.org vs Advantage Credit Counseling ServiceCredit.org vs GreenPathCredit.org vs Consolidated CreditCredit.org vs ApprisenCredit.org vs American Consumer Credit CounselingCredit.org vs Money Management InternationalAdvantage Credit Counseling Service vs GreenPathAdvantage Credit Counseling Service vs Consolidated CreditAdvantage Credit Counseling Service vs ApprisenAdvantage Credit Counseling Service vs American Consumer Credit CounselingAdvantage Credit Counseling Service vs Money Management InternationalGreenPath vs Consolidated CreditGreenPath vs ApprisenGreenPath vs American Consumer Credit CounselingGreenPath vs Money Management InternationalConsolidated Credit vs ApprisenConsolidated Credit vs American Consumer Credit CounselingConsolidated Credit vs Money Management InternationalApprisen vs American Consumer Credit CounselingApprisen vs Money Management InternationalAmerican Consumer Credit Counseling vs Money Management International
Only the Best Reviews

CBS News on MSN

Can you consolidate debt while on Social Security?

Debt consolidation can simplify your finances, but is it an option if Social Security is your main income source?

Thu, 17 Jul 2025

Only the Best Reviews

CBS News on MSN

Credit counseling vs. debt relief: Which is better for borrowers?

Credit counseling and debt relief are both worth considering, but one may be better than the other. Here's why.

Fri, 07 Feb 2025

Only the Best Reviews

CBS News on MSN

5 times to consider credit counseling (and 5 times not to)

You're struggling to keep up with multiple credit card payments. If you have multiple credit cards with high balances and varying interest rates, credit counseling can help simpli ...

Thu, 20 Mar 2025

Only the Best Reviews

Fox Business

Credit counseling demand surges in 2024, with these states hardest-hit

Credit counseling nonprofit Money Management International (MMI) recently released data from its mid-year analysis, which found a 52% rise in new clients in the first half of 2024 compared to the ...

Tue, 30 Jul 2024

Only the Best Reviews

ConsumerAffairs

Credit Repair vs. Credit Counseling - ConsumerAffairs

Credit counseling agencies and credit repair companies are two third-party options you can use to help improve your personal finances. But while they might sound similar in name, ...

Thu, 04 May 2023

Only the Best Reviews

Yakima ...

How Credit Counseling Can Help If You’re Drowning in Debt

Most credit counseling agencies offer services for free or at a reduced rate to clients whose household income is less than 150% of the federal poverty level. Pro Tip.

Wed, 21 Jun 2023

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