Many or all companies we feature compensate us. Compensation and editorial research influence how products appear on a page. Personal Finance DebtBusters Review: A Standard Option, Not Our Top Pick Updated Jun 23, 2025 7-min read Reviewed by Marc Guberti, CFPC® Reviewed by Marc Guberti, CFPC® Expertise: investing, loans, credit cards, personal finance, banking, business financing Learn more about Marc Guberti, CFPC® Visit Website Our research found that DebtBusters doesn’t stand out much from the competition. If you’re looking for a top-rated debt relief company, we recommend National Debt Relief. It’s accredited by the American Association for Debt Resolution, has settled over $10 billion in debt, and maintains a 4.6-star average from tens of thousands of reviewers. Debt Relief and Consolidation Offers a wide range of services, from debt settlement to bankruptcy support No upfront or monthly fees; charges only if it successfully settles your debt Helpful if you’re overwhelmed and need professional negotiation with creditors Doesn’t stand out compared to top-rated providers Credit score may plummet during the process No accreditation from major industry organizations like the AADR Limited public reviews and transparency about average results Solutions offeredDebt relief, debt settlement, debt consolidation, student loan forgiveness, credit card debt forgiveness, credit repair services, debt management, tax debt relief, and bankruptcy servicesCounseling consultation fee$0Enrollment fee$0Maintenance fee$0Timeline24 – 48 months Table of Contents Services Debt settlement and relief Debt consolidation Credit card and student loan debt forgiveness Credit repair and tax debt help Debt management Help with bankruptcy Cost and fees Pros and cons How it works Reputation Is it worth it? Customer service Alternatives vs. National Debt Relief vs. Freedom Debt Relief vs. Accredited Debt Relief The DebtBusters discussed here is based in Scottsdale, Arizona. DebtBusters in South Africa is a separate company that we haven’t reviewed. DebtBusters offers debt relief, settlement, and related services to help clients reduce or eliminate unsecured debt. While the company has settled over $500 million in debt since 2005, its results, transparency, and accreditations fall short of top-rated competitors like National Debt Relief. Below, we break down what to expect from DebtBusters—and why we ultimately recommend exploring stronger options first. Debt relief companies follow set industry standards. Programs last two to four years, during which clients stop paying creditors, causing credit scores to drop. Clients make monthly deposits into an FDIC-insured escrow account used to fund settlements. The company negotiates lower payoff amounts and charges a 15% to 25% fee only after a settlement is reached. Reputable firms follow FTC rules and belong to groups like the AFCC or IAPDA. What services does DebtBusters offer? DebtBusters offers various services, including debt relief, settlement, consolidation, and credit counseling. If you’re overwhelmed with debt, this might sound like exactly what you need. But these services are standard across the industry, and DebtBusters doesn’t provide detailed success metrics or third-party accreditations to back its performance. Debt settlement and relief DebtBusters negotiates with creditors to reduce balances on unsecured debt. This is typical in the industry, but can harm your credit in the short term. Debt consolidation The company offers basic debt consolidation but lacks details on rates or lender partners. Credit card and student loan debt forgiveness These programs are mentioned on the site but aren’t clearly explained or documented with examples. Credit repair and tax debt help These are available, but unlike specialized firms, DebtBusters offers little insight into outcomes or dispute strategies. Debt management DebtBusters offers debt management plans that help you construct a plan for tackling debt. You can speak with the company’s certified credit counselors for financial education and support. Help with bankruptcy Basic guidance on Chapter 7 and 13 is available, but legal representation is not included. DebtBusters cost and fees DebtBusters charges no upfront or maintenance fees and collects only a performance-based percentage, typically 15% to 25% of enrolled debt. This is consistent with industry standards. Unlike top-rated providers, however, it does not publish average client savings or offer a fee calculator for transparency. Pros and cons of DebtBusters Pros Wide range of services Bankruptcy support and debt management plans might better suit some than debt settlement. No upfront or monthly fees; charges only if it successfully settles your debt (Note: This is how all debt relief companies operate.) Cons Doesn’t stand out We think National Debt Relief, Freedom Debt Relief, and Accredited Debt Relief are stronger alternatives to DebtBusters. Credit score may plummet during the process (Note: This is good to know but typical of debt relief services in general.) No accreditation from major industry organizations like the AADR We recommend considering accredited debt relief companies. Limited public reviews and transparency about average results We’d prefer to see more feedback from actual customers. Pros and Cons of Debt Relief Programs How DebtBusters’ services work DebtBusters’ team will work with your creditors on your behalf. First, you’ll have a free, no-obligation consultation call. You’ll be able to provide financial information, such as how much debt you owe and your employment status, before the call. The debt relief consultation will give you the opportunity to meet with a team member and discuss the best path forward for your finances. If you work with DebtBusters, the company will start negotiating with creditors and provide you with updates along the way. You’ll pay DebtBusters if it successfully settles your debt. You can speak with specialists about the situation and lean on them for financial education. List of Personal Finance Companies What kind of debt does DebtBusters work with? DebtBusters primarily addresses unsecured debt like credit cards and personal loans—often debt that’s not tied to collateral and that may have high interest rates, which gives the company more wiggle room in negotiations. It can take 24 to 48 months for DebtBusters to settle your debt, but the time frame varies based on your creditors. It may take up to five years for some clients. The company says it has wiped away more than $500 million in debt for its clients since it was founded 20 years ago. It’s possible to save thousands of dollars if DebtBusters helps you get a lower rate and a reduced balance. Is DebtBusters legit? DebtBusters has operated for over two decades and claims to have settled $500 million in debt. However, it lacks industry-standard credentials, such as accreditation from the American Association for Debt Resolution (AADR). It also has limited public reviews compared to top competitors like National Debt Relief, which has over 75,000 reviews and full transparency on results. Is DebtBusters worth it? DebtBusters may be a decent fit for borrowers who feel overwhelmed managing negotiations themselves. It offers multiple relief options and doesn’t charge upfront. However, our editorial team found nothing to suggest it delivers better results, lower fees, or stronger customer support than other providers. How to contact DebtBusters You can contact DebtBusters via the website’s live chat, phone, or email. DebtBusters’ phone number is 1-866-954-3316. Its email is [email protected]. You can submit any mail correspondence to the following address: 3370 N. Hayden Rd. 123-670 Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Alternatives to DebtBusters DebtBusters can trim your debt and give you a fresh start with your finances. However, the best debt relief companies offer more transparency, are industry-accredited, and have stellar customer reviews. Best Overall 4.9 Learn More Possible Savings Up to 50% Min. Balance $10K Settlement Fee 15% – 25% 4.9 Learn More Best for Transparency 4.6 Learn More Possible Savings Up to 50% Min. Balance $7.5K Settlement Fee 15% – 25% 4.6 Learn More Best for Customer Experience 4.4 Learn More Possible Savings Up to 50% Min. Balance $10K Settlement Fee 25% 4.4 Learn More National Debt Relief National Debt Relief helps borrowers who have unsecured debt through debt relief, settlement, and consolidation. The company also provides personal finance educational resources. The firm has helped more than 550,000 people get back on track with their finances since 2009. National Debt Relief is a BBB-accredited company with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. It’s also an accredited member of the American Association for Debt Resolution. While DebtBusters offers standard debt relief services, National Debt Relief stands out with stronger accreditations, clear performance disclosures, and overwhelmingly positive client feedback. That’s why we rate it as the best overall choice for debt settlement. Freedom Debt Relief Freedom Debt Relief has served more than 1 million clients and has resolved more than $20 billion in debt. The company’s specialists will also teach you how to manage your money with confidence as their team negotiates with creditors on your behalf. Debt relief, settlement, and consolidation are some of the services that Freedom Debt Relief provides. The team includes 200+ experienced debt negotiators, 500+ certified debt consultants, 300+ customer service representatives, and 1,600+ employees across the country. The BBB-accredited company has an A+ rating from the bureau and is also a member of the American Association for Debt Resolution. It also has excellent reviews on Trustpilot, averaging 4.6 stars from more than 46,000 ratings. Accredited Debt Relief Accredited Debt Relief has helped more than 300,000 people get back on their feet after incurring significant debt. You won’t pay upfront fees and can be debt-free in as little as 24 to 48 months. The company is a member of the Association for Consumer Debt Relief and has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. It specializes in debt relief, settlement, and consolidation, negotiating with creditors on your behalf to secure lower monthly payments and reduced balances.