You may need help to correct errors on your credit report in order to get things back on track. While you can do this yourself and save money, a credit repair company can assist you. Even though credit repair companies are not guaranteed to be successful, they can simplify the process of disputing errors and contacting each credit bureau.
To choose the best credit repair companies, we evaluated 17 credit repair companies in the following categories: costs and fees (40.5%), services provided (34%), customer experiences (22.5%), and stability (3%). Many credit repair companies only work with one or two major credit bureaus, but each one on our list works with all three—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
How to compare credit repair companies
When comparing credit repair companies, keep these tips in mind:
Scams to watch out for:
In general, credit repair companies have a bad reputation, right or wrong. Hence, it is crucial to watch out for any potential red flags. Companies may promise to erase negative items, avoid explaining your rights, or advise you not to contact credit reporting companies. A company’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) file and any Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) complaints should also be examined.
Packages and fees should be evaluated as follows:
There are no two credit repair companies alike. Not only will they offer a variety of packages, but they will also charge different fees. Some charge a monthly setup fee, while others only charge a monthly fee. When it comes to cost, it’s important to compare all packages and fees.
Make sure they offer credit monitoring:
Make sure to check if credit monitoring is included when comparing companies or packages within one company. Some companies offer credit monitoring for no additional charge, and others may require you to upgrade to a higher-tier package.
You should look for a money-back guarantee:
To hedge your bets, look for a credit repair company that offers a money-back guarantee.
If there are any potential discounts, review them:
Look for discounts if you want to save money on your credit repair. For example, some companies on this list offer discounts to active military members, veterans, and couples.
Credit Repair: What Is It?
In credit repair, consumers work with companies that specialize in removing errors from credit reports in order to improve their credit scores. A person’s credit score may also be updated for free, their credit is monitored, they may be able to write cease and desist letters to debt collectors or they may even be able to write letters of recommendation to lenders.
You need a good credit score because lenders use it to determine if you qualify for loans, mortgages, and credit cards; landlords may also use it when reviewing rental applications.
The best credit repair companies
- Best Overall: The Credit Pros
- Most Aggressive Timeline: The Credit People
- Best for Transparency: Lexington Law
- Best for Dispute Services: CreditFirm.net
- Best Simple Credit Repair Options: Credit Saint
- Best for Discounts: Ovation Credit Services
- Best Customer Experience: CreditRepair.com
- Most Experienced: Sky Blue Credit
- Best for Additional Services: Credit Assistance Network
# Credit Saint – Best Simple Credit Repair Options
- Monthly disputes: Unlimited
- Lowest monthly fee: $79.99
- Lowest first work fee: $99
Why Did We Pick It?
As a credit repair company based in New Jersey, Credit Saint claims to have helped over 200,000 clients worldwide, and claims to offer the most comprehensive service in the industry. Its office is in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, but it serves clients nationwide.
There are three different credit Saint packages with monthly fees ranging from $79.99 to $119.99 and one-time setup fees of $99 or $195. After the first 90 days, Credit Saint offers a conditional money-back guarantee, which you can pause or cancel at any time without additional charge.
Despite several persistent complaints, Credit Saint’s customer feedback is generally positive. With just over 100 reviews on each Trustpilot and Better Business Bureau profile, the company has ratings of 3.6 and 4.1 stars out of five, respectively. More than 20% of those reviews are just one star, but most are four or five stars.
Almost 9,000 reviews have been left on Google, where Credit Saint averages 4.8 out of five. Reviews submitted by users nationwide are attached to Credit Saint’s listing for its office in New Jersey. A lack of results (which is a common complaint against all credit repair companies) and difficulty exercising the money-back guarantee are the most common complaints against Credit Saint.
Credit Saint has avoided legal problems unlike some of its competitors who have been sued by federal regulators for illegal billing practices.
A credit score tracker and challenges to all three credit bureaus are included in the Credit Polish Package, the most basic (and least expensive) service package offered by Credit Saint. It costs $79.99 a month and $99 a setup fee, also known as a first work fee, for the Credit Polish Package.
You can get bureau challenges and score trackers with the Credit Polish package, as well as credit score analysis with the Credit Remodel package. Both packages have the same $99 setup fee.
On top of the benefits you get from Credit Remodel, the Clean Slate Package adds creditor intervention letters and inquiry targeting. It is recommended by Credit Saint for customers with public records, such as repossessions, bankruptcies, and foreclosures. A monthly fee of $119.99, as well as an initial working fee of $195, is included in the Clean Slate package.
When inaccuracies on your credit report occur, such as late payments, duplicate accounts, or typos, Credit Saint can help you dispute them. Instead of using generic online templates, Credit Saint uses handwritten, customized disputes. If you are unsure of your ability to challenge this information on your own, consider enlisting the assistance of a credit repair agency.
# The Credit People – Most Aggressive Timeline
- Monthly disputes:Â Unlimited
- Lowest monthly fee:Â $79
- Lowest first work fee:Â $19
Why Did We Pick It?
With offices in Chicago, Illinois, and Orlando, Florida, The Credit People was founded in 2001.
Credit People experts examine your credit reports to identify errors or incorrect items and dispute them with credit reporting agencies.
If the entries are erroneous, credit reporting companies can remove them from your credit reports, which can help you improve your FICO score. According to the Credit People website, users’ credit scores might improve by 50 to 100 points.
There are no hidden fees in the company’s pricing. After paying an initial fee of $19, the client has the option of paying a $79 monthly fee for the Standard Plan or a $99 monthly fee for the Premium Plan. Additionally, couples can receive a $20 discount if they register together for the six-month Premium Plan. A flat fee of $499 is also available for the six-month Premium Plan.
We analyze your credit reports to determine whether the information reported by your creditors and lenders is accurate. We then dispute any incorrectly reported items or accounts that are not yours.
# The Credit Pros – Best Overall
- Monthly disputes:Â Unlimited
- Lowest monthly fee:Â $119
- Lowest first work fee:Â $119
Why Did We Pick It?
With The Credit Pros, people can repair their credit history and increase their credit scores by removing errors and inaccuracies.
There are three plans to choose from, each costing $69 – $149 per month, depending on which one you choose: Money Management, Prosperity, and Success Plus.
It’s worth noting that the Money Management plan doesn’t offer credit repair, despite its high monthly cost and first work fee. Instead, it offers a budgeting system, credit monitoring, and light identity theft protection. However, for the price you’re paying for these services, the Money Management plan is far from the best credit monitoring service or the best identity theft protection service.
A full credit repair service is available only with the Prosperity plan or Success Plus plan. As well as credit disputes, these services offer various letter templates you can use to ask creditors to forgive a late payment and remove it from your credit report, such as goodwill letters. While these are services you can do yourself, some guidance might be nice.
A $5,000 credit builder loan is included in the Success Plus plan through National Credit Direct, a partner of The Credit Pros. If you don’t need a credit builder loan, the Prosperity plan should be enough for you. You can find our guide to the best credit builder loans here. Even if you’re looking to improve your credit, you’d be better off looking into companies that specialize in building credit.
One highlight of Credit Pros service is a stipulation in its refund policy that covers clients for deleted items that reappear on the client’s credit report. If that happens, Credit Pros will reinvestigate those items for life for free. This guarantee is only available to Prosperity or Success Plus subscribers.
In addition to receiving an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau without accreditation, Credit Pros has an average customer rating of 3.97 stars out of five. Trustpilot, it has an average rating of 4.7 stars across 358 reviews, with 93% of customers giving it four or five stars.
Maine, Minnesota, Kansas, and Oregon residents cannot access The Credit Pros.
# Lexington Law – Best for Transparency
- Monthly disputes: 19 per 45–60 days
- Lowest monthly fee:Â $24.95
- Lowest first work fee:Â $24.95
Why Did We Pick It?
Lexington Law Firm has specialized in credit repair services since 2004 when attorney John C. Heath took over as director. The company has two offices, one in West Valley City, Utah, where Heath works, and another in Phoenix, Arizona.
Several attorneys and paralegals work for Lexington Law, some at the firm’s two offices and others elsewhere. As well as being licensed to practice law in various states, many of these attorneys and paralegals serve as credit advisors.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, however, filed a complaint in 2019 against Lexington Law’s parent company, PGX Holdings, Inc., subsidiaries Progrexion Teleservices Inc., eFolks LLC, and CreditRepair.com Inc. In addition to Lexington Law director John C. Heath, Attorney at Law PLLC, the complaint alleges that Progrexion has violated both the Telemarketing Sales Rule and Consumer Financial Protection Act.
The credit repair firm’s team sends disputes to the top three credit bureaus – Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax – and engages in creditor interventions to remove negative items and derogatory marks.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act ensures that everyone has a right to an accurate credit report, even though no credit repair firm can guarantee a bad credit score will improve. If you are struggling to remove erroneous information from your credit report, a professional credit repair company can be helpful. It is important to ensure your credit score is based on accurate information before you start working toward better credit.
# CreditFirm.net – Best for Dispute Services
- Monthly disputes:Â Unlimited
- Lowest monthly fee:Â $49.99
- Lowest first work fee:Â $49.99
Why Did We Pick It?
Founded in 1997, CreditFirm.net offers credit repair, credit monitoring, and credit coaching assistance to consumers through monthly subscriptions.
In addition to offering one-on-one coaching, pay-for-delete creditor negotiations, student loan consolidation, and tax preparation services, the company also assists consumers with home and auto loan approvals.
In addition to providing a free credit consultation, CreditFirm.net also offers MOV requests, Debt Validation, Permissible Purpose Verification, and Goodwill Requests.
Consumers can reduce overall debt and improve their credit scores with CreditFirm.net’s credit restoration services.
CreditFirm.net offers its clients customized credit repair plans and stops harassing debt collector calls. They also assist clients with obtaining mortgage loans for home purchases.
CreditFirm.net offers unlimited credit bureau challenges, unlimited inquiries challenges, unlimited goodwill interventions, and unlimited debt validation services, unlike most credit repair companies.
In comparison to other companies in the credit repair industry, CreditFirm.net charges customers $49.99 per month.
A first-time fee of $49.99 is also charged by the company, which is significantly lower than what other credit repair companies charge.
CreditFirm.net’s website states that customers can cancel their services at any time without penalty.
One of the oldest credit repair companies in the industry, CreditFirm.net was founded in 1997, making it one of the oldest in the industry. Having been in business for so long, the company possesses a level of experience and respect that newer companies may not. Providing comprehensive credit restoration services to individuals needing long-term credit repair, CreditFirm.net is a private credit repair company.
A variety of services are offered, including one-on-one credit coaching, pay-for-delete creditor negotiations, student loan consolidation, and tax preparation.
# Ovation Credit Services – Best for Discounts
- Monthly disputes: Unlimited
- Lowest monthly fee: $79
- Lowest first work fee: $89
Why Did We Pick It?
Ovation Credit Services, Inc. has been operating since 2004 from Florida, offering two plans: Essentials Plan and Essentials Plus Plan. Both plans include unlimited disputes, which is nice since some credit repair companies limit the number of disputes they’ll send on their cheaper tiers.
There are additional financial management tools provided with the Essentials Plan, as well as expert-guided disputes. For individuals with multiple errors on their credit reports that negatively impact their credit, the Essentials Plus Plan adds letter templates for other credit-related scenarios. Each service costs $79 and $109 monthly. The first work fee is $89 for both services.
In spite of this high cost, Ovation is one of the least expensive credit repair services on the market. Ovation also offers discounts for several groups of people, which you can find in our cost section.
With its low cost and unlimited disputes, Ovation is a great option compared to the rest of the credit repair industry. Consumers can, however, dispute inaccuracies in their credit reports directly with the three major credit bureaus using free resources available online.
In addition to its Essentials and Essentials Plus credit repair plans, Ovation also offers two other credit repair plans. The Essentials and Essentials Plus plans cost $79 and $109, respectively, with an initial $89 first work fee. They build on the foundation that the Essentials plan established.
# CreditRepair.com – Best Customer Experience
- Monthly disputes: 19 per 45–60 days
- Lowest monthly fee:Â $24.95
- Lowest first work fee:Â $24.95
Why Did We Pick It?
PGX Holdings, Inc., also known as Progexion, owns CreditRepair.com and Lexington Law, a credit repair company based in Utah.
Over five million collections have been removed from credit reports by CreditRepair.com since 2012. Salt Lake City and Phoenix are the company’s physical locations, but it is also available online and by telephone anywhere in the country. CreditRepair.com serves customers in 38 states; currently, service is unavailable in Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, and Wisconsin.
With three different service plans, CreditRepair.com offers a free credit evaluation before enrolling, as well as first-work and monthly fees of $69.95 to $119.95. The company does not offer a service guarantee but does offer a free credit evaluation. This evaluation includes your credit score, a list of negative items on your credit report, and suggestions on how to remove them. A toll-free number can also be used to cancel service at any time.
One concern about CreditRepair.com is the prevalence of negative reviews posted by customers online. The company has a Trustpilot rating of 2.7 out of five based on 625 reviews, of which only 77% are four stars or higher—that seems to fit with the company’s claim that 76% of its members saw their credit scores improve by an average of 40 points over six months. Meanwhile, 17% of Trustpilot ratings are two stars or lower. The Better Business Bureau gives CreditRepair.com a D rating, listing 79 complaints closed in the past three years, and customer reviews average 1.16 stars. Common complaints among reviews include a lack of results, a negative impact on credit scores, and hidden or unexpected charges.
A class action lawsuit filed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) named CreditRepair.com as a defendant is another concern. It seeks a judgment of $3.1 billion for alleged billing violations. Progexion, the parent company, has filed for bankruptcy. Although the outcome and impact of these proceedings are uncertain, they do not inspire confidence.
# Sky Blue Credit – Most Experienced
- Monthly disputes:Â Unlimited
- Lowest monthly fee:Â $79
- Lowest first work fee:Â $79
Why Did We Pick It?
With its service, Sky Blue offers customers with low credit scores the chance to increase their score in order to purchase a home or get better interest rates. Sky Blue was founded in 1989 and is based out of Boca Raton, Florida. The company offers custom disputes, 35-day dispute cycles, score assistance, and debt validation, as well as coaching on-call to help you overcome your credit problems.
Individuals pay $79 a month for all of these services, while couples pay $119 a month and get a 50% discount.
Sky Blue’s new members have a 90-day money-back guarantee if they aren’t satisfied with the service. Plus, you can pause your membership and fees at any time through the online portal.
As opposed to other credit repair agencies, Sky Blue uses a 35-day dispute cycle – that’s 10 days faster than most competitors. This shorter cycle may speed up the process of removing items from your credit report, thus allowing you to save money.
# Credit Assistance Network – Best for Additional Services
- Monthly disputes:Â Unlimited
- Lowest monthly fee:Â $49
- Lowest first work fee:Â $149
Why Did We Pick It?Â
If you have less-than-perfect credit, you may have more issues than just a low credit score. You may find that you struggle to stick to a budget or that you may be a victim of identity theft. If that’s the case, you may need more help than just a basic credit repair service. The Credit Assistance Network stands out from other companies in this regard.
Rather than offering only credit disputes and repair services, the Credit Assistance Network partners with other companies to provide comprehensive financial management tools. With your subscription, you’ll get access to tools for repairing your credit and budgeting, bill reminders, identity monitoring, and additional discounts.
Credit Assistance Network does not require long-term contracts, and it offers a 90-day service guarantee. However, there is little information and reviews about the company.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What are the benefits of using a credit repair company?
If you don’t have the time or are overwhelmed by the idea of fixing your credit on your own, a credit repair company can be a good choice. Even though these services are expensive, they can be worth it. The peace of mind that comes from knowing someone is working on your behalf is greatly appreciated.
How can you repair your credit the fastest?
A credit repair service may be the fastest way to improve your credit if you require significant assistance. While most of these services don’t provide a set timeframe for improvement, they’ll begin working on your credit right away. It may take several months, or even longer, for your credit report and score to change even if a company starts working quickly.
Bankruptcies and collections can be removed by credit repair companies?
If you’ve paid off the debt, they may request a goodwill deletion request on your behalf. Bankruptcies and collection accounts can be removed by credit repair companies in certain circumstances. If the account information is inaccurate or outdated, it could be removed by the credit repair service with a dispute letter. Chapter 13 bankruptcies, for instance, are supposed to be removed from your credit report after seven years.
What are the benefits of credit repair companies?
Your credit report and score improve over time when a credit repair company contacts the credit reporting bureaus on your behalf to remove inaccurate or outdated information. Additionally, many companies offer a variety of services to help rebuild and maintain your credit, such as credit monitoring, budgeting tools, and identity theft protection.
What is the best way to choose a credit repair company?
Choose a credit repair company that has been around for a long time and has helped customers a lot. To find out whether customers have been satisfied or filed complaints with federal agencies or business watchdogs, you can look online. It is also common for companies to offer free consultations; this allows you to learn about the company’s process and timeline and answer any questions you may have before making a purchase.