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National Debt Relief vs. Accredited Debt Relief

Both run debt settlement programs with fees up to 25% of enrolled debt. National Debt Relief has the longer accreditation record and publishes savings after fees; Accredited publishes its account fees and adds a written fee refund guarantee.

By BestGuide Editorial Team is the BestGuide newsroom. Pages without a named reporter were compiled by staff from the sources listed on the page.Updated October 28, 2026This page was compiled from primary sources: company disclosures and terms, the BBB and regulators. Our ratings method is described on the methodology page.
Our pickNational Debt ReliefBestGuide Score: 4.8 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner.
Visit siteThis company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints.Read our National Debt Relief review
Runner-upAccredited Debt ReliefBestGuide Score: 4.2 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner.
Read our Accredited Debt Relief review

Quick verdict

National Debt Relief has the edge for most people. It has been BBB accredited since 2013, publishes what clients who finish keep after fees (about 20% of enrolled debt), and lists its NMLS ID and state licenses so you can check them. Accredited Debt Relief, a brand of Chicago's Beyond Finance, has worked with more than 1.3 million clients since 2011, holds an A+ BBB rating and a 4.8 Trustpilot score, charges 15% to 25%, publishes its account fees and offers a written fee refund guarantee. Both programs mean missed payments, credit damage, possible lawsuits, fees on each settled debt and possible taxes on forgiven debt, and results vary.

On this page11 sections
  1. Quick verdict
  2. Side by side
  3. Ratings and complaint records
  4. Fees and what clients keep
  5. Settlement and loan options
  6. Track record
  7. Risks and the rules that protect you
  8. Pros and cons
  9. Also consider
  10. FAQ
  11. Sources

National Debt Relief vs. Accredited Debt Relief side by side

FeatureNational Debt ReliefAccredited Debt Relief
Settlement feeUp to 25% of enrolled debt, varies by state and balance15% to 25% of enrolled debt, varies by state and amount
Dedicated account feesNot published on its site; ask before you sign$9 setup and $9.75 a month, paid to an independent provider Edge
Savings it disclosesAbout 45% before fees, about 20% after fees, for clients who finish EdgeClients who make every deposit pay back about 55% of enrolled debt before fees; after-fee figure not published
Fee refund guaranteeNone publishedRefund from its fees if creditor payments plus fees exceed enrolled debt Edge
Program length24 to 48 months24 to 48 months on average
Minimum debtNot publishedNot published; typical clients have $5,000 or more
Debts coveredCredit cards, personal loans and medical bills; no secured debtCredit cards, store cards, medical bills, personal loans and some collection accounts; no secured, student or tax debt
Loan optionPartner lenders, 6.25% to 35.99% APR, 24 to 60 monthsAffiliated lender, $1,000 to $100,000 at 4.9% to 35.99% APR, 1% to 6% origination fee
Track recordSince 2009; says 1.5 million people enrolled and $20 billion+ settledBeyond Finance since 2011; says 1.3 million+ clients and $15 billion+ resolved
BBBA+, accredited since February 2013 EdgeA+, accredited since July 2025 (parent Beyond Finance also A+)
Trustpilot4.7 out of 5 from 45,344 reviews4.8 out of 5 from 12,494 reviews
Industry membershipsACDR member, IAPDA Platinum accreditedACDR accredited member; says its specialists are IAPDA certified

"Edge" marks the better option on that line for most people. National Debt Relief leads on 2, Accredited Debt Relief on 2.

Ratings and complaint records

Our score and sub-scores from each company's review, with the facts both reviews list.

FeatureNational Debt ReliefAccredited Debt Relief
BestGuide Score4.8 out of 5 Edge4.2 out of 5
Transparency & Communication90 / 100 Edge85 / 100
Range of Services85 / 10090 / 100 Edge
Customer Support Quality85 / 10085 / 100
Credibility & Reputation90 / 10090 / 100
Overall Client Satisfaction85 / 10085 / 100
BBBA+A+
Trustpilot4.7 out of 54.8 out of 5
CFPB complaints4030

Fees and what clients keep

National Debt Relief charges up to 25% of the debt you enroll, depending on your state and balance, and collects nothing until a debt is settled. Its site does not list the dedicated account fees. Accredited Debt Relief charges 15% to 25% of enrolled debt and collects only after you approve a settlement and make at least one payment on it. Its dedicated account costs $9 to open and $9.75 a month, or about $350 over three years.

The savings disclosures line up before fees and split after. National Debt Relief says clients who finish save about 45% before fees, or about 20% including fees, over 24 to 48 months. Accredited says clients who make every deposit pay back about 55% of enrolled debt before fees, which is the same 45% saving. Add a 15% to 25% fee and you pay roughly 70% to 80% of what you owed, before account fees, interest and late charges.

Accredited adds a written guarantee: if your creditor payments plus its fees come to more than your enrolled debt, it refunds the difference from its fees. National Debt Relief does not publish a similar promise. Neither guarantee nor fee covers tax: the IRS generally treats forgiven debt as income unless an exclusion such as insolvency applies.

Settlement and loan options

Accredited Debt Relief offers two paths. Its core program is debt settlement: you stop paying enrolled creditors, save in a dedicated account, and the company negotiates lump-sum payoffs for less than you owe. The settlement program has no credit score requirement. People with stronger credit may qualify for a consolidation loan from an affiliated lender, listed at $1,000 to $100,000 with APRs of 4.9% to 35.99% and origination fees of 1% to 6%.

National Debt Relief also offers both paths. Its core program is debt settlement, and it lists consolidation loans through partner lenders with APRs of 6.25% to 35.99% and 24 to 60 month terms, not available in every state.

The difference matters. A loan keeps your accounts current. Settlement means late payments, charge-offs and collections on your credit reports, which can stay for up to seven years. Before you sign with either company, ask which product your agreement is for, and get the fee rate, monthly deposit and estimated date of your first settlement in writing.

Track record

National Debt Relief has operated since 2009 and has been BBB accredited with an A+ since February 2013. It says 1.5 million people have enrolled and more than $20 billion has been settled, it is an ACDR member and IAPDA Platinum accredited, and it rates 4.7 out of 5 from 45,344 Trustpilot reviews.

Accredited Debt Relief is a trade name of Beyond Finance, LLC, which the BBB lists as starting in 2011. It says it has served more than 1.3 million clients and resolved more than $15 billion in debt. Both the Accredited and Beyond Finance BBB profiles are A+ and accredited since July 2025, it is an ACDR accredited member, and it rates 4.8 out of 5 from 12,494 Trustpilot reviews.

We found no CFPB, FTC or state attorney general enforcement action against either company in the records we searched.

Risks and the rules that protect you

The CFPB warns that debt settlement can hurt your credit scores, that creditors may sue while you save, and that interest and late fees can make balances grow. Both companies’ own disclosures say not every client completes the program and results are not guaranteed. If a creditor sues, respond to the court papers on time and ask the company what it will do.

The FTC’s Telemarketing Sales Rule applies to both. Neither can charge a fee before it settles a debt, you agree to the settlement and at least one payment goes to the creditor. Your dedicated account must be in your name at an insured institution and run by an independent administrator. You can leave at any time and get your balance back within seven business days, minus fees already earned. Debts that were never settled stay in default, so plan for them before you cancel.

Settled debt can be taxable. Creditors may send Form 1099-C, and Form 982 may let you exclude some or all of it if you were insolvent. Before either company, price a nonprofit debt management plan, which repays the full balance at lower interest without missed payments.

Pros and cons

National Debt Relief

Pros

  • No fee until a debt is actually settled, as federal rules require for phone sales
  • One monthly deposit instead of several creditor payments
  • Long track record since 2009 and an A+ BBB rating with accreditation since 2013
  • Publishes its average savings both before and after fees, which many competitors do not

Cons

  • Fees of up to 25% of enrolled debt eat most of the headline savings: about 20% net for clients who finish
  • Stopping payments damages your credit and can lead to collection calls and lawsuits
  • 403 CFPB complaints in three years, most often about services not delivered and unexpected fees
  • Forgiven debt can count as taxable income

Accredited Debt Relief

Pros

  • No fee until a debt is settled, you approve the offer and a payment is made
  • Published fee range and account fees on its FAQ
  • Written guarantee to refund fees if total costs exceed your enrolled debt
  • Strong review scores on BBB and Trustpilot, and no complaints under its name in the CFPB database

Cons

  • Markets settlement as "consolidation," which confuses some clients
  • Stopping payments damages credit and can lead to collection lawsuits
  • Fees of up to 25% of enrolled debt, not of the amount saved
  • Forgiven debt can be taxable income

Also consider

See every pick in our debt relief guide

Frequently asked questions

Is National Debt Relief better than Accredited Debt Relief?

For most people, yes: it has a longer BBB accreditation record and publishes savings after fees. Accredited offers a fee refund guarantee and published account fees. Results vary, so get written quotes from both.

Which is cheaper, National Debt Relief or Accredited Debt Relief?

Accredited charges 15% to 25% of enrolled debt plus $9 setup and $9.75 a month for the account. National Debt Relief charges up to 25% and does not publish its account fees. Your rate depends on your state and balance.

Is Accredited Debt Relief a debt consolidation company?

It offers both. The main program is debt settlement, where you stop paying creditors and it negotiates payoffs. People who qualify can get a consolidation loan from its affiliated lender instead.

Who owns Accredited Debt Relief?

It is a trade name and division of Beyond Finance, LLC, based at 222 N. LaSalle St. in Chicago.

How much do clients save with each company?

Both disclose about 45% savings before fees for clients who finish. National Debt Relief says that is about 20% after its fees. Accredited does not publish an after-fee figure; with its 15% to 25% fee, the saving would be roughly 20% to 30% before account fees.

Will either company hurt my credit?

Yes. Settlement usually means you stop paying enrolled creditors, so late payments and collections show up on your credit reports and can stay for up to seven years.

Do I pay taxes on debt forgiven through either company?

Possibly. The IRS generally treats canceled debt as income and you may get a Form 1099-C. Insolvency can allow an exclusion on Form 982, so ask a tax professional.

Can I cancel either program?

Yes, at any time. Federal rules require your dedicated account balance, minus fees already earned on settled debts, to be returned within seven business days.

Sources (15)

Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards

  1. National Debt Relief, Home page, memberships and disclosures (accessed Oct 20, 2026) (accessed October 20, 2026)
  2. National Debt Relief, How it works and loan disclosures (accessed Oct 20, 2026) (accessed October 20, 2026)
  3. Accredited Debt Relief, FAQs: fees, account fees, eligible debts (accessed Oct 20, 2026) (accessed October 20, 2026)
  4. Accredited Debt Relief, Our guarantee (accessed Oct 20, 2026) (accessed October 20, 2026)
  5. Accredited Debt Relief, Terms of service and disclosures (accessed Oct 12, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  6. Accredited Debt Relief, Home page (accessed Oct 12, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  7. BBB, National Debt Relief business profile (accessed Oct 12, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  8. BBB, Accredited Debt Relief business profile (accessed Oct 12, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  9. BBB, Beyond Finance business profile (accessed Oct 12, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  10. Trustpilot, National Debt Relief reviews (accessed Oct 12, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  11. Trustpilot, Accredited Debt Relief reviews (accessed Oct 12, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  12. FTC, Debt relief services and the Telemarketing Sales Rule, a guide for business (accessed Oct 12, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  13. CFPB, What are debt settlement/debt relief services and should I use them? (accessed Oct 12, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  14. IRS, Topic no. 431, Canceled debt, is it taxable or not? (accessed Oct 12, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  15. ACDR, Accredited members list (accessed Oct 12, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
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