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Our reviewers 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.
Maybe you've gotten overwhelmed by credit card payments and overdue bills, and now you're wondering if there's any light at the end of the tunnel. Or, perhaps you're a financially-savvy consumer who wants to take advantage of lower interest rates, in order to pay off your mounting credit cards bills. Debt consolidation can be a smart strategy either way.
What, exactly, is debt consolidation? It's important to understand that companies offering it may mean different things. For some, debt consolidation is offered as a personal loan: you borrow funds that you use to pay off all of your outstanding debts. Your interest rate should be much lower than your credit cards, and now you've got a simplified, single payment to make each month. This can be a great way to boost your credit score by reducing the likelihood of making late payments (or none at all) and get on your feet again financially. On the other hand, you're in charge of using your loan money responsibly - and not to buy things you don't need!
Wednesday, June 7th
National Debt Relief has helped over 500,000 people to consolidate their debt by negotiating much lower payments with creditors. You'll pay a low monthly fee based on your total amount of enrolled debt while the company goes to work on your behalf. You won't find any other debt consolidation option with over 80,000 five-star reviews from satisfied clients! National Debt Relief should be the first place you go to schedule a free consultation and get on top of your finances.
Credit.org has provided more than five million financial coaching sessions in the nearly 50 years they've been in operation - and most of their services are absolutely free. You'll get a complimentary consultation to analyze your finances and determine which steps you should take to improve your situation, which may include debt consolidation or other fee-based programs, but there's no obligation to sign up. Credit.org gets high marks from clients for being stress-free and helpful, and it's one of our favorite resources for anyone who needs financial advice.
Upstart employs extensive artificial intelligence to improve access to credit and provides some unique features compared with many providers of consolidation loans. This holistic process makes it more likely that you'll be approved for your loan. Their interest rates are competitive with other lenders, and thousands of people have used this platform to get consolidation loans very quickly once approved.
Reach Financial specializes in loans for the purpose of debt consolidation. The company has a great reputation, both with the BBB and its clients. We wish they were a little more forthcoming about what a prospective borrower can expect, especially with regards to loan amounts, terms, and APR's. Still, we see bright things ahead for this relative newcomer.
LendingTree is an online loan marketplace for every type of borrowing, from auto loans to credit cards and beyond. You can use this service to easily compare offers from up to five lenders at a time, helping you access the best rates and terms for your personal loan. We love the detailed information provided on each lending partner, with thousands of client reviews to help determine which one is the best choice for a personal loan. LendingTree has a great reputation and is a trustworthy option if you want to use a referral service to research and secure a loan.
SoFi has some big benefits compared with other options for consolidation loans: the lowest average interest rates, assistance (and forbearance) if you lose your job while repaying a loan, and even occasional sign-up bonus money. But, an increase in the number of complaints from SoFi clients, describing negative experiences specifically with the customer service department, gave us some cause for concern.
SuperMoney offers comparison "shopping" for many financial products, including consolidation loans. They offer funding through just over a dozen partners, and you can see detailed information and reviews about each one before filling out your application. SuperMoney hasn't been around as long as some of the referral platforms we evaluated and so there's not as much customer feedback yet. This is a good way to gather information about personal loans you might be eligible for, but you'll still have to complete your application directly with the lender you choose.
