For millions of Americans, debt has become a debilitating, but everyday, part of life. Between inflation, unexpected medical bills, and the ever-increasing cost of living, many people are forced to carry debt just to make ends meet. And with interest rates at record highs, debt can quickly spiral out of control. As one of the largest and most trusted debt relief companies in the country, Freedom Debt Relief offers a lifeline for people drowning in unsecured debt. In this review, we’ll summarize the company’s services, pros and cons, pricing and more to help you decide if Freedom Debt Relief could help you regain control of your finances and future.
| Highlights |
|---|
| $20 billion in debt resolved* |
| Served over 1 million clients since 2002 |
| Resolve your unsecured debt in as little as 24 - 48 months |
| A+ rating on Better Business Bureau |
About Freedom Debt Relief
Established in 2002, Freedom Debt Relief has become one of the largest debt settlement companies in the United States, serving more than one million clients, and settling more than $20 billion in debt*.
The company specializes in helping people reduce and resolve their unsecured debts—like credit cards, personal loans and medical bills—when they’re struggling to keep up with payments. Their team of professional debt experts works by negotiating directly with creditors to settle debts for less than what’s owed, helping their clients get on the path to becoming debt-free in as little as 24 to 48 months.
By providing a customized plan to consolidate unsecured debt for your unique situation, plus personalized support from a team that guides you every step of the way, Freedom Debt Relief helps people who have lost hope find a way forward.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| More than 20 years in business and more than a million clients served | As with any service of its kind, your credit will likely suffer due to missed payments |
| Potential to settle debts for less than what is owed | Must have a minimum of $7,500 of unsecured debt to qualify |
| Hundreds of expert debt negotiators could help you not just settle debt, but save | Not available in all 50 states |
| Debts typically settled in as little as two to four years—faster than with minimum payments | |
| Easy online access to track progress and settlement updates 24/7 | |
| Focus on transparency with clear steps and fees spelled out | |
| You don’t need good credit to qualify | |
| Settlement fees do not apply until a debt is successfully settled | |
| Accredited member of the Association for Consumer Debt Relief (ACDR) | |
| A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and an "Excellent" rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot |
Debt Relief Program
Debt relief, otherwise known as debt settlement or debt resolution, is essentially a strategy to resolve your unsecured debt (most often credit card debt that is not backed by collateral like a car or a house) by negotiating with creditors to reduce the amount you owe. While you can choose to negotiate on your own behalf, working with a company like Freedom Debt Relief to handle the process for you can make the process go much smoother, saving you time, money and stress.
Freedom’s team of debt specialists will negotiate directly with creditors to settle clients’ enrolled debts for (sometimes significantly) less than what’s owed. Clients make one affordable monthly deposit into a dedicated account, and as funds build up, that money is used to pay negotiated settlements.
This process typically takes as little as two to four years, which may help you get rid of debt faster than making minimum payments while potentially saving you on interest. Freedom’s proprietary technology and advanced algorithms help identify what debts to prioritize and settle first, providing a clear roadmap to follow until you’re free of that unsecured debt.
While this strategy isn’t always guaranteed to work, the idea is that creditors are more likely to accept something over nothing, and the team at Freedom is well versed in how to best settle debts with creditors. Still, a debt relief program should only really be considered by those who have exhausted the typical routes to debt resolution or who are already considering bankruptcy.
Debt Consolidation Loans
The Freedom Debt Relief program is designed to help you not only resolve, but also potentially reduce your unsecured debt—regardless of your credit and without taking on additional loans. That said, they do work with affiliated loan partners that may be able to offer debt consolidation or personal loans if you prefer. During the initial consultation, a Freedom Debt Relief representative can help you understand your options and as well as see if you pre-qualify for a debt consolidation loan.
Freedom Debt Relief Process
The Freedom Debt Relief program is designed to help you completely settle your enrolled debts in less time than minimum payments and for potentially less than what you initially owed. Here’s a step-by-step summary of how Freedom could help you tackle your unsecured debt if you are eligible:
- Get started with a free evaluation.
Since everyone’s debt is different, Freedom offers a free online or over-the-phone assessment to review your unique situation and educate you regarding your options prior to enrolling into their program.
- Set up a dedicated account to deposit funds.
If you choose to enroll in the Freedom Debt Relief program, instead of struggling with minimum payments to your creditors, you’ll deposit money in a special, FDIC-insured account that will be used to fund debt settlements and their fees.
- Approve and authorize settlement offers.
Once enough money has accrued in your dedicated account, the Freedom Debt Relief team will contact your creditors to negotiate a settlement amount that provides the best savings possible. Once both you and the creditor have approved the settlement terms, payments are made directly from your account to the creditor. This process is repeated until all of your unsecured debt is paid off and put behind you.
Eligibility & Requirements
Unlike a debt consolidation or personal loan, you don’t need good credit to qualify for the Freedom Debt Relief program, making it easier for more people to access regardless of their financial standing. But there are some requirements you’ll need to meet in order to enroll, like:
- At least $7,500 in unsecured debt, like credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, private student loans, collection accounts and more.
- Proof you’re experiencing financial hardship, meaning you’re finding it difficult or impossible to keep up with regular payments on the enrolled debts.
- Enough income to make the monthly deposits into the dedicated account that is used to make settlement payments.
It’s important to note that Freedom Debt Relief, like all debt settlement companies, cannot guarantee specific results for every client, and the process will likely negatively impact your credit score.
Fees
Working with a debt relief company could help you save money when it comes to your overall unsecured debt, but their expert services do come at a cost. Freedom Debt Relief’s fee falls somewhere between 15 to 25 percent of the debt you enroll, depending on your location. With Freedom, there are no upfront settlement fees to get started and their fees are performance-based, which means you will not be responsible for paying any fees until a debt is successfully negotiated and the first payment has been made. There is also a small setup fee and monthly maintenance fee associated with the dedicated account used for settlements.
While Freedom cannot guarantee that creditors will accept reduced settlements, they do guarantee that they will refund up to 100 percent of your fees if the total settlement amount plus fees comes out to more than the original amount you owed when you enrolled**.
Support
From expert guidance to personalized service, Freedom Debt Relief’s team is made up of hundreds of certified debt consultants, expert debt negotiators and dedicated customer service representatives who are committed to helping you find freedom from debt. They have live phone support seven days a week, as well as email support and 24/7 access to a helpful client dashboard so you can actively monitor your debts and progress.
Freedom Debt Relief Compared to the Competition
Freedom Debt Relief vs. National Debt Relief
Freedom Debt Relief and National Debt Relief offer similar services by helping people struggling with unsecured debt settle what they owe for less. Freedom Debt Relief stands out for its longer track record serving more than one million clients, easy-to-use online dashboard, debt relief program guarantee** and strong client support. They also emphasize a commitment to only enrolling those who are a good fit for the program, which can give you more confidence you’re making the right choice.
Freedom Debt Relief vs. JG Wentworth
While both companies offer appealing programs to help negotiate unsecured debt, Freedom Debt Relief has a lower minimum debt threshold (around $7,500). On the other hand, JG Wentworth typically requires higher enrolled debt (often $10,000 or more) and the program’s fees and process are not as transparent as Freedom Debt Relief’s.
The Bottom Line: Why We Love It
As one of the most trusted names in debt settlement, Freedom Debt Relief has the debt expertise and decades of experience to help people take the necessary steps to regain financial control. Their free evaluation helps identify a personalized plan to meet your unique situation, and their team of expert debt negotiators works diligently to help you settle your enrolled debt for even less than what you originally owed. They provide a secure online dashboard that makes it easy to track your progress, plus resources and support to help you learn how to put debt behind you for good. With a proven track record and a focus on transparency, Freedom Debt Relief makes it easier to take steps toward becoming debt-free.
FAQs
Freedom Debt Relief works with consumers who have at least $7,500 in unsecured debt. The most common types of unsecured loans that you might be able to settle with debt relief include:
- Credit card debt
- Personal loans
- Medical bills
- Private (not government-guaranteed) student loans
Debt relief is not for loans secured by collateral, like mortgages or auto financing. If you stop paying secured creditors, they can foreclose on your home or repossess your car. They also do not settle debt from taxes, utility bills, child support, lawsuits or federal student loans.
Savings will vary by person, but many Freedom Debt Relief clients see their total debt reduced by around average 28 percent after program fees***. The exact amount depends on your total debt, the creditors involved, and how consistent you are with your monthly deposits. While results aren’t guaranteed and creditors are under no obligation to settle debts for less, successful participants have the potential to save more when compared to paying their debts in full.
Your credit will likely be affected if you choose to enroll in any type of debt relief program. Since you stop making payments to enrolled creditors while saving for settlements, your accounts may become delinquent, which can lower your credit score. However, as debts are settled and paid off, and it’s generally considered much less destructive to your credit than filing for bankruptcy. Freedom Debt Relief is transparent about this trade-off—credit impact in exchange for long-term debt resolution.
Disclaimer
*Statistics reflect the results of the members we and our affiliates have served since 2002 (as of July 2025).
**This guarantee takes effect when you graduate the program—or even if you leave before graduating. When you exit the program, Freedom Debt Relief use the combined total of all the debts you enrolled and settled and the fees you paid to us to calculate your eligibility for a refund.
***Savings claims are an average, inclusive of FDR’s fees, for all clients who either completed or terminated a debt resolution program in the year 2023. Individual results will vary based on your circumstances. If debt resolution ends up being a suitable option for you, we’ll provide you a tailored estimate of your program.
Estimates are based on prior results, which will vary depending on your specific enrolled creditors and your individual program terms. Not all clients are able to complete their program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. Freedom Debt Relief does not guarantee that your debts will be resolved for a specific amount or percentage or within a specific period of time. Freedom Debt Relief does not assume your debts, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice or credit repair services. Freedom Debt Relief service is not available in all states, including New Jersey, and fees may vary from state to state. Please contact a tax professional to discuss potential tax consequences of less than full balance debt resolution. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment. The use of debt settlement services will likely adversely affect your creditworthiness, may result in you being subject to collections or being sued by creditors or collectors and may increase the outstanding balances of your enrolled accounts due to the accrual of fees and interest. However, negotiated settlements obtained on your behalf resolve the entire account, including all accrued fees and interest. C.P.D. Reg. No. T.S.12-03825.
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