What is credit repair?

Credit repair is just like it sounds: a process by which your credit history and score are improved. This happens through negotiations with creditors, removing negative information reported to credit bureaus, and other strategies.

Do I qualify for credit repair services?

That will depend on several factors: your state of residence, the type(s) of issues you're looking to resolve, and so on. Most credit repair services offer a free consultation, to determine if you're eligible for their help and which approach to take in your specific case.

How much does credit repair cost?

Credit repair services typically charge a one-time setup fee and monthly service fees. One-time fees range from $19 to $195, and monthly fees from $29 to $159.95. You might get a discount if you sign up as a couple, or if you're a current or former member of the military.

Why should I use a credit repair service? Can't I do it all by myself?

Most of the actions taken on your behalf by a credit repair service can be done on your own. But, how much time do you have? Are you typically available to make calls during business hours? Hiring a credit repair provider can save you a significant amount of time and hassle. And, there's something to be said for letting the experts do the work, using their knowledge and connections to ensure that your credit repair process is done effectively.

What should I expect once I sign up for credit repair help?

The first step with any credit repair service will likely involve a thorough review of your credit report. Your representative will discuss your credit history in detail, help you identify actionable items, and give you a recommendation for which services are best suited to your needs. From there, credit repair providers work diligently to address the issues and resolve them, for as long as you maintain your subscription to their services.

How long will it take to repair my credit?

Most services state that you'll see negative items removed from your credit history within the first 90 days. The amount of time it will take to see an improvement in your credit score will depend on your particular circumstances.

Is there a guarantee that my credit score will improve?

Sometimes. A few credit repair services guarantee that you'll see those deletions within the first three months, and you'll get a refund of any fees paid if that doesn't happen. Other providers actually specify a minimum credit score improvement. It's a good idea to know exactly what you'll get from the service you select, before you sign up as a member.

Are companies offering credit repair too good to be true?

Credit repair is legitimate: working with a reputable service, you can absolutely see big changes in your credit report. On the other hand, there are companies that don't deliver what they promise. Be sure to check out the reputation of any credit repair service you're considering: customer feedback, number of years in business, and the service's BBB rating are all helpful indicators of a provider's trustworthiness.

Credit Monkey Review for March 2026 | Best Credit Repair Companies

Item: Credit Monkey Review
Rating: 1
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Saturday, March 7th We evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

2026 Credit Repair Company Reviews

Which Credit Repair Service is the Best? Credit scores are like the gatekeepers to many financial opportunities in life, from buying a car to getting approved for a mortgage. However, many people don't fully understand what goes into a good credit score - or how easy it can be to damage one. That's where credit repair comes in - a process designed to help you improve your credit profile and unlock those financial doors.

1.0

POOR

Poor

Credit Monkey

6 credit repair plans
Pricing ranges from $99.99 to $499.99 per month
Available everywhere but PA
In business since 2019

POOR

1.0

On the Credit Monkey website

In operation since 2019, Credit Monkey serves clients in every state but Pennsylvania. They jump in right away with some big statements like "Start to Instantly Increase Your Credit Score Up to 120 Points!" While we'd like to tell you more about this credit repair service, they're pretty opaque about who they are and how they work - even the "Meet the Team" page on the website makes vague references to their "credit repair team" but never discloses who's at the helm and what their qualifications are. Are you starting to see why this credit repair option is still at the bottom of our list?

Website is out of date and full of typos

For a while, we wondered if Credit Monkey was still in operation. During our most recent visit, the site copyright was two years out of date, and even the "reviews from happy customers" posted by Credit Monkey were several years old. (For what it's worth, we also didn't find evidence of the supposed 13,273+ reviews on Facebook, 12K+ on Yelp) And, the website still has all of the weird typos and formatting issues we noticed last time. It's just not an online platform that inspires much confidence in the credit repair services being offered.

6 (expensive) credit repair plans

But, since we did find client comments left within the last year, we'll go ahead and tell you what Credit Monkey does seem to be offering now with respect to credit repair. There are six plans you can choose from:

Plan A ($99.99/month): removes up to 5 negative items and includes up to 5 active credit cards and can tackle collections plus late payments on credit/store cards. Comes with $1MM in ID fraud insurance and "ID The Alerts" (a typo we think was supposed to say "Theft Alerts").
Plan B ($159.99/month): removes up to 10 negative items. The rest of the benefits are the same as Plan A.
Plan C ($199.99/month): includes the same benefits as Plans A and B but also comes with "Inquires" (and Credit Monkey doesn't go into detail on what that entails).
Plan D ($299.99/month): all of the benefits of A-C, plus public records/judgments and late car loan payments.
Plan E ($399.99/month): expands the benefits of A-D by adding help with tax liens, medical bills, bankruptcy, and any other negative public items. Credit Monkey includes a $5,000 credit line on this plan, but again, stops short of explaining that feature.
Plan F ($499.99/month): this top tier comes with a $10,000 credit line and adds mortgages to the credit relief services.

Confusing guarantee

Credit Monkey leaves us absolutely mystified with its "Glorious Risk-Free Guarantee". It's a 90-day satisfaction guarantee - and yet the terms say you have to work "in good faith" with Credit Monkey for at least six months, and you can get a refund if "3 or less items" have not been removed within the first three dispute cycles. What?! Do the math and you'll see that at a minimum, you'll put in nearly $600 before you're eligible for any kind of guarantee. And how does "90 days" work if you have to be a client for at least 180 days?

Terrible reputation

Unsurprisingly, there's nothing about Credit Monkey's reputation that gives us much peace of mind. While we're happy to see an improvement in the service's listing with the Better Business Bureau - from a "C" to a "B+" - the number of complaints and negative reviews also increased since our last evaluation. Not only do all of those comments express outrage over how much they paid here and got so little progress for it, but they almost always talk about the unprofessionalism of Credit Monkey's representatives. What really disturbed us was seeing how, in response to complaints filed with the BBB, Credit Monkey pushed the client to remove their complaints in order to get a refund - holding it over their head. No, good sirs (or madams?), if the client is eligible for a refund, they have every right to complain until said refund is received! That's pretty shady, in our book.

At the bottom of the barrel

The first time we evaluated Credit Monkey, we thought that maybe they were just really new and still working out some of the kinks; we were optimistic that we'd see improvements going forward. Nope. We can't find a single reason to even take Credit Monkey up on its offer of a free consultation, not when there are so many rivals within the credit repair industry doing a better job. Credit Monkey earns our lowest possible rating.

On the Credit Monkey website

Continued from above...

Which Credit Repair Service is the Best?

Credit scores are like the gatekeepers to many financial opportunities in life, from buying a car to getting approved for a mortgage. However, many people don't fully understand what goes into a good credit score - or how easy it can be to damage one. That's where credit repair comes in - a process designed to help you improve your credit profile and unlock those financial doors.

First, let's break down what can hurt your credit score. It's more than just missing a bill payment. Applying for too many credit cards in a short period, carrying high balances on your accounts, or even becoming a victim of identity theft can drag your score down. These issues can make it harder for you to secure loans, rent an apartment, or even get decent insurance rates.

Unfortunately, many people don't realize they have credit problems until it's too late. Maybe you're trying to buy a home, and your application gets denied because of something on your credit report. Or perhaps you're only being offered high-interest rates on loans due to a low credit score. In these situations, credit repair services can be a lifeline.

Credit repair involves identifying and challenging inaccurate or outdated information on your credit report. This can include errors like late payments you didn't actually miss, accounts that aren't yours, or debts that should have been removed after bankruptcy. While you can do this on your own, it can be time-consuming and frustrating, especially if you're not familiar with how credit reporting works.

That's why many people turn to credit repair services. These companies specialize in reviewing your credit report, spotting errors, and disputing them with the credit bureaus on your behalf. Some even offer additional services like credit monitoring, personalized financial coaching, and sending cease-and-desist letters to debt collectors.

When considering credit repair, it's important to keep realistic expectations. It's not a magic solution that will instantly boost your credit score by hundreds of points. In fact, most people see modest improvements, often in the range of 40 to 100 points. Fortunately, even a small increase can make a significant difference in your financial options.

If you're thinking about using a credit repair service, here are a few things to keep in mind as you compare your options:

Services offered. Not all credit repair companies offer the same services. Some may limit the number of disputes they'll handle each month, while others might include perks like credit monitoring or financial advice. Make sure you know what you're getting for your money.
Costs. Credit repair services aren't free, and the costs can vary. Some charge a monthly fee, while others might have a one-time setup charge (usually called a "first work fee") or require payment per item disputed. Be wary of any company that demands full payment upfront (because that's prohibited by federal law) or promises results that seem too good to be true.
Expected timeframe for results. Repairing your credit takes time. Even with the best services, it could be a month or two before you start seeing changes on your credit report. Patience is key.
Reputation and reviews. Before signing up with any credit repair service, do your homework. Look at customer reviews, check their standing with the Better Business Bureau, and see if they've been involved in any lawsuits or regulatory actions. A good credit repair provider should have a solid reputation and transparent practices.

Credit repair isn't just about fixing your score - it's about giving you the tools and knowledge to maintain good credit in the long run. To help you find the right provider, Top Consumer Reviews has researched and ranked today's most popular credit repair services. Use this information to choose a partner in your journey towards financial stability - you've got this!

Choosing a Credit Repair Company

If your credit score needs some professional help here's how to search for a quality credit repair company.

Start at the Computer
Searching online for a credit repair company provides many benefits in finding and choosing the right service provider for you and here's why:

If you do your credit repair research online you avoid the annoying sales pitch from a pushy salesman that is most concerned about their next commission check.
Perform your research when it's most convenient for you, in the quiet of your home and without children playing or co-workers nearby.
The internet allows you to quickly identify the services of several credit repair companies at once. If you are looking for credit dispute offerings plus advice on how to improve your credit score long term you can easily identify what companies offer this level of service.
Knowing what several companies charge for their repair services provides you the knowledge to make an educated decision. Feel confident that you are improving your financial outlook and doing so while saving money over other providers.
The internet will allow you to read and educate yourself on the Fair Credit Reporting Act that governs credit agencies, promotes accuracy in reporting and regulates how negative information is reported and disputed.

Look for These Characteristics
When searching for the best credit repair company look for the following characteristics in a quality company before making your selection:

Make sure you identify a credit repair company with a solid reputation before considering it a worthy contender. Look for red flags like promises to wipe your credit clean with little effort, a request for a large payment upfront to cover costs, or discussions of creating a new identifier to fool the credit agencies.
Make sure you understand what you're signing up for. Will you be obligated to use the service for a specified period of time? Do they identify rules on how many disputes they will file in a specific period? Make sure you read the fine print and understand their policies before moving forward.
When you're working closely with your credit repair service you'll appreciate the convenience of companies that offer an online account for you to monitor the status of their efforts. Companies that require a lot of hand holding, phone calls, and emails are not going to be efficient.
You'll want credit repair company that puts the customer first. Companies that fail to return calls timely or are unprofessional on the phone are going to wear thin over time. Make sure you identify if your credit repair company of choice prioritizes the customer.

Credit Monkey Review: Credit Repair Companies

2026 Credit Repair Company Reviews

Credit Monkey

Which Credit Repair Service is the Best?

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