Freedom Debt Relief Review
The industry's largest and oldest settler ($20B+ resolved since 2002), with a 2019 CFPB settlement it must live down.
By Michael Hewitt, Founder & Editor-in-Chief. Rates last checked September 7, 2026.
Our verdict
Freedom Debt Relief charges 15% to 25% of enrolled debt plus a $9.95 setup fee and $9.95 a month, and carries a 2019 CFPB settlement of $20M in restitution plus a $5M penalty over fee and disclosure practices. In return you get the industry's longest operating history. Ask what fee you'd pay, since the average charged isn't disclosed.
Skip it if a past CFPB settlement rules a company out for you, or if it doesn't serve your state directly.
About Freedom Debt Relief
The industry's largest and oldest settler ($20B+ resolved since 2002), with a 2019 CFPB settlement it must live down. Freedom Debt Relief is offered by Freedom Debt Relief, LLC (an Achieve company). Our editorial rating is 3.4 out of 5.
Best for: Borrowers who want maximum scale and negotiating history and accept the record.
Editorial grade: B- (composite score 68/100).
Highlights
- Operating since 2002; self-described largest US debt settlement company
- Average completer: 8 accounts, $438/mo deposits, 39 months
- Achieve ecosystem can pivot qualifying clients into consolidation loans
What we like
- Longest operating history and largest resolved-debt total in the industry
- Detailed outcome disclosures and a 50,000+ Trustpilot review base
- Founding member of the AADR trade association
Where it falls short
- 2019 CFPB settlement: $20M consumer restitution + $5M penalty over fee and disclosure practices (the industry's landmark enforcement case)
- Discloses a 15-25% fee range but not the average actually charged
- Not available directly in roughly 9-10 states
Fees, minimums, and rates
Monthly fee: 15-25% of enrolled debt + $9.95 setup and $9.95/mo dedicated-account fees. Minimum to open: Not stated on provider site. Rates and fees last checked on September 7, 2026.
How we reviewed it
This is a desk review: we have not opened an account with Freedom Debt Relief, LLC (an Achieve company). It is built from Freedom Debt Relief, LLC (an Achieve company)'s published rates, fee schedule and terms and from the public complaint record, and compared with the other products in the Debt Relief shortlist. The rubric is the same for every brand.
Similar products to compare
Read our full editorial methodology for how we review products.