Will consolidation hurt my credit score?

Short-term: small drop from the hard pull + new account. Long-term: typically helps as utilization on the cards drops to ~0%. Net effect after 6-12 months is usually positive.

Should I close the cards after consolidating?

Generally no. Keeping zero-balance cards open helps your credit utilization and average account age — both important for your score.

What's a balance transfer vs consolidation loan?

Balance transfer: 0% APR for 12-21 months on a new card, then high APR. Consolidation loan: fixed APR for the full term. Balance transfer wins if you can pay off in the intro period; consolidation wins if you can't.

How much do I need to owe to make consolidation worth it?

Most lenders consolidate $2k+; the math works on $5k+ if there's a meaningful APR delta. Below $2k, balance transfer cards or aggressive payoff usually wins.

Will consolidation hurt my credit score?

Short-term: small drop from the hard pull + new account. Long-term: typically helps as utilization on the cards drops to ~0%. Net effect after 6-12 months is usually positive.

Should I close the cards after consolidating?

Generally no. Keeping zero-balance cards open helps your credit utilization and average account age — both important for your score.

What's a balance transfer vs consolidation loan?

Balance transfer: 0% APR for 12-21 months on a new card, then high APR. Consolidation loan: fixed APR for the full term. Balance transfer wins if you can pay off in the intro period; consolidation wins if you can't.

How much do I need to owe to make consolidation worth it?

Most lenders consolidate $2k+; the math works on $5k+ if there's a meaningful APR delta. Below $2k, balance transfer cards or aggressive payoff usually wins.

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Last updated: May 2026How we rate

Best Debt Consolidation Programs

Turn high-APR cards into one lower-APR loan.

Debt consolidation works best when (1) the new loan's APR is meaningfully lower than your weighted-average credit card rate AND (2) you don't run the cards back up after paying them off. Compare lenders below and run the math against your current debts.

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Program type

Consolidation / Settlement

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State

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Best for Overall pick

Alpha Lending539 reviews by Trustpilot

Apply online in minutes

Placeholder editorial review for Alpha Lending (Debt Relief). Real content lands separately.

APR: 5.99%–29.99% APR
Loan amount: $1,000 to $100,000

8.4

Very good ⌄

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APR

5.99%–29.99% APR

Loan amount

$1,000 to $100,000

Term

12–84 mo

Min credit

580+ credit

Best for Lowest APR

Theta Loans951 reviews by Trustpilot

Apply online in minutes

Placeholder editorial review for Theta Loans (Debt Relief). Real content lands separately.

APR: 5.99%–29.99% APR
Loan amount: $1,000 to $100,000

8.4

Very good ⌄

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APR

5.99%–29.99% APR

Loan amount

$1,000 to $100,000

Term

12–84 mo

Min credit

580+ credit

Best for Fast funding

Beta Financial1,363 reviews by Trustpilot

Apply online in minutes

Placeholder editorial review for Beta Financial (Debt Relief). Real content lands separately.

APR: 5.99%–29.99% APR
Loan amount: $1,000 to $100,000

8.4

Very good ⌄

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APR

5.99%–29.99% APR

Loan amount

$1,000 to $100,000

Term

12–84 mo

Min credit

580+ credit

Best for Bad credit

Eta Lending1,775 reviews by Trustpilot

Apply online in minutes

Placeholder editorial review for Eta Lending (Debt Relief). Real content lands separately.

APR: 5.99%–29.99% APR
Loan amount: $1,000 to $100,000

8.4

Very good ⌄

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More Details:

APR

5.99%–29.99% APR

Loan amount

$1,000 to $100,000

Term

12–84 mo

Min credit

580+ credit

Best for Large loans

Gamma Bank2,187 reviews by Trustpilot

Apply online in minutes

Placeholder editorial review for Gamma Bank (Debt Relief). Real content lands separately.

APR: 5.99%–29.99% APR
Loan amount: $1,000 to $100,000

8.4

Very good ⌄

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More Details:

APR

5.99%–29.99% APR

Loan amount

$1,000 to $100,000

Term

12–84 mo

Min credit

580+ credit

Best for Customer service

Epsilon Direct2,599 reviews by Trustpilot

Apply online in minutes

Placeholder editorial review for Epsilon Direct (Debt Relief). Real content lands separately.

APR: 5.99%–29.99% APR
Loan amount: $1,000 to $100,000

8.4

Very good ⌄

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More Details:

APR

5.99%–29.99% APR

Loan amount

$1,000 to $100,000

Term

12–84 mo

Min credit

580+ credit

Best for Soft credit pull

Iota Mortgage3,011 reviews by Trustpilot

Apply online in minutes

Placeholder editorial review for Iota Mortgage (Debt Relief). Real content lands separately.

APR: 5.99%–29.99% APR
Loan amount: $1,000 to $100,000

8.4

Very good ⌄

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More Details:

APR

5.99%–29.99% APR

Loan amount

$1,000 to $100,000

Term

12–84 mo

Min credit

580+ credit

Best for No origination fee

Zeta Capital3,423 reviews by Trustpilot

Apply online in minutes

Placeholder editorial review for Zeta Capital (Debt Relief). Real content lands separately.

APR: 5.99%–29.99% APR
Loan amount: $1,000 to $100,000

8.4

Very good ⌄

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More Details:

APR

5.99%–29.99% APR

Loan amount

$1,000 to $100,000

Term

12–84 mo

Min credit

580+ credit

Best for Repeat borrowers

Kappa Trust3,835 reviews by Trustpilot

Apply online in minutes

Placeholder editorial review for Kappa Trust (Debt Relief). Real content lands separately.

APR: 5.99%–29.99% APR
Loan amount: $1,000 to $100,000

8.4

Very good ⌄

See my rate

More Details:

APR

5.99%–29.99% APR

Loan amount

$1,000 to $100,000

Term

12–84 mo

Min credit

580+ credit

Best for Branch network

Delta CU4,247 reviews by Trustpilot

Apply online in minutes

Placeholder editorial review for Delta CU (Debt Relief). Real content lands separately.

APR: 5.99%–29.99% APR
Loan amount: $1,000 to $100,000

8.4

Very good ⌄

See my rate

More Details:

APR

5.99%–29.99% APR

Loan amount

$1,000 to $100,000

Term

12–84 mo

Min credit

580+ credit

Our Top Choice

Frequently asked questions

Will consolidation hurt my credit score?
Short-term: small drop from the hard pull + new account. Long-term: typically helps as utilization on the cards drops to ~0%. Net effect after 6-12 months is usually positive.
Should I close the cards after consolidating?
Generally no. Keeping zero-balance cards open helps your credit utilization and average account age — both important for your score.
What's a balance transfer vs consolidation loan?
Balance transfer: 0% APR for 12-21 months on a new card, then high APR. Consolidation loan: fixed APR for the full term. Balance transfer wins if you can pay off in the intro period; consolidation wins if you can't.
How much do I need to owe to make consolidation worth it?
Most lenders consolidate $2k+; the math works on $5k+ if there's a meaningful APR delta. Below $2k, balance transfer cards or aggressive payoff usually wins.

Best Debt Consolidation Programs

⚙️ Are you eligible for a better rate?

♛Our Top Choice

Frequently asked questions

Are you eligible for a better rate?

Our Top Choice