--- title: 5 Best Credit Repair Companies of September 2026 description: Here's a list of the best credit repair companies out there that can help you remove inaccurate or outdated items from your credit report. authors: - name: Christina Majaski role: Contributing Writer url: https://money.com/author/christina-majaski/ bio: Christina Majaski is a decade-long personal finance writer and expert in credit cards, credit card and finance compliance and consumer financial products. Her 10+ years of experience analyzing credit card details includes insight into rewards programs, fees and the best strategies for maximizing benefits. Her work ensures consumers have the accurate and up-to-date information they need to make informed financial decisions. Christina specializes in breaking down complex financial topics, from regulatory compliance to the evolving landscape of personal finance and fintech. She believes financial literacy is key to empowerment and aims to deliver clear, accurate and helpful information in every piece she is part of, whether writing, editing or in compliance. Christina’s work has been featured and behind the scenes in compliance and SEO for a range of personal financial publications, including Credit Karma, Forbes, MSN and Yahoo Money. at_money_since: 2024 articles: 7 covers: - Credit - Housing - Insurance - Investing - Lifestyle - Loans former_staff: true editors: - name: José Omar Rodríguez role: Content Manager url: https://money.com/author/jose-omar-rodriguez/ bio: As an editor, José Omar specializes in personal finance topics and in-depth company reviews. His work has been featured in publications such as the Sacramento Bee, the Miami Herald, and the Kansas City Star. education: University of Puerto Rico at_money_since: 2019 articles: 21 covers: - Credit - Banking - Business - Career Advice - Credit Cards - Economy and Politics - Housing - Identity Theft - Insurance - Investing - Lifestyle - Loans - Mortgages - Pets - Professional Services - Retirement - Taxes - Technology updaters: - name: Andrea Agostini Ferrer role: Lead Staff Writer url: https://money.com/author/andrea-agostini/ bio: Andrea has been writing for Money Group since 2020. Her articles, which have been featured across a wide variety of publications, have helped our readers navigate multiple areas of personal finance including credit, loans and insurance. She's currently part of our team of insurance experts, specializing in travel and pet insurance. education: University of Puerto Rico at_money_since: 2020 articles: 62 covers: - Credit - Banking - Business - Credit Cards - Debt - Economy and Politics - Education - Health and Wellness - Housing - Identity Theft - Insurance - Lifestyle - Loans - Mortgages - Personal Finance - Pets - Professional Services - Retirement - Shopping - Taxes published: '2026-09-01T20:29:13.000Z' modified: '2026-09-01T20:29:13.000Z' section: Credit word_count: 1831 canonical: https://money.com/best-credit-repair-companies/ type: Article source: structured-blocks --- > **Disclosure:** We may earn a fee if you click on the links below. Compensation does not determine ranking. Not all brands are included. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/). ![5 Best Credit Repair Companies of September 2026](https://img.money.com/2023/12/Best-Credit-Repair-mbci_p5wy3__lwmvlx.jpg?quality=85&w=1012&h=569&crop=1) * * * ## Our Partners ### TOP PARTNER ![View Plans](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/28241/medium_ae18ab6b-f004-4597-a78c-b5057ebf3778.png) Our Partner [View Plans](https://money.com/go/b27434b390d3?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-credit-repair-companies%2F&bidid=4030365696&ptid=662395344&ptoken=13e4c69203d826426ab3e6060027d867&zip=20149) 🥇 Most Affordable Credit Help Company! - The advisory team helps you take the necessary steps to improve your credit health overall - Setup or First Work Fee: $99 - $195 - Monthly Fees: $79.99 - $139.99 - Over 10,000 Google Reviews at 4.8 Stars - 90-day Money-Back Guarantee * * * ![View Plans](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/541/medium_AEPRGHMZaPsbrAuaWpZtkFWwSMTooS.png) Our Partner [View Plans](https://money.com/go/ec63084519d6?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-credit-repair-companies%2F&bidid=4030365692&ptid=662395344&ptoken=fb7f33d75faf60a635b88bc5e308eb52&zip=20149) Get your free credit assessment today! - Licensed attorneys, paralegals, and personalized score improvement strategies - $139.95 per Month - $1M coverage in identity theft - Mobile app allows you to monitor the development of your case - Free credit assessment - Cancel Anytime * * * ![View Plans](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/1992/medium_Sky_Blue_Credit_Repair_Logo.png) Our Partner [View Plans](https://money.com/go/34d6f5a71bd4?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-credit-repair-companies%2F&bidid=4030365694&ptid=662395344&ptoken=af12135c94e9191ec1784addc3286420&zip=20149) Offers a single, low-cost credit repair package - ​​Pause and resume your membership at will through your online account - Setup or First Work Fee: $79 ($119 for couples) - Monthly Fees: $79, $99 or $119 ($119, $149 or $179 for couples) - Discounts available for couples - 90-day Money-Back Guarantee * * * ![View Plans](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/544/medium_AzCOfmOSdIObukHTtkAFkkVcednFPx.png) Our Partner [View Plans](https://money.com/go/ab076c76fe0e?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-credit-repair-companies%2F&bidid=4030365698&ptid=662395344&ptoken=7d4d852ec4a44165abead00bd8e8db56&zip=20149) All plans include unlimited disputes to all three credit bureaus - Monthly fees: $99 or $119 - Flat-rate six month fee for $599 also available - First work fee: $45 - No available discounts - Money-back satisfaction guarantee refunds the month you cancel the service and previous month * * * ![View Plans](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/29349/medium_5f909068-0d8c-41f9-91b3-62c42c6b942c.webp) Our Partner [View Plans](https://money.com/go/58786836c6cf?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-credit-repair-companies%2F&bidid=4030365700&ptid=662395344&ptoken=9efebd1faea126dc0332843b2179a04e&zip=20149) Plans include financial management tools - Credit monitoring is included with every plan, regardless of the price - Setup or First Work Fee: $29 - $49\*\* - Monthly Fees: $69 - $149 - 60-day Money-Back Guarantee \*\*(With $100 back coupon orig. price of $129 - $149) * * * ![View Plans](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/18442/medium_858ec71c-1bd8-43f5-b6dc-a05335c9cebb.png) Our Partner [View Plans](https://money.com/go/ad6f003668cd?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-credit-repair-companies%2F&bidid=4030365703&ptid=662395344&ptoken=511f5d58f0d158177f95612c79291f5a&zip=20149) Over 15 years of experience in the industry - First work fee: $129 - Monthly fees: $129.99 - Includes free consultation, credit score analysis and more - No available discounts - 90-day money-back guarantee ## Key Takeaways - Credit Saint is the best credit repair company for people looking for comprehensive plans and clear pricing policies. - Methodology: To choose the best credit repair companies, we evaluated over 20 companies based on the following factors: transparency, pricing, services, money-back guarantee, user experience and regulatory actions. - Although you can repair your credit yourself, hiring a credit repair service can be helpful if your reports have multiple mistakes. - A reputable credit repair company can review your reports for mistakes and dispute them with the credit bureaus on your behalf. - Note that you (and credit repair companies) can only remove inaccurate information from your credit report. ## Our Top Picks for Best Credit Repair Companies of September 2026 - [Credit Saint](#creditsaint) – Best for Comprehensive Plans - [MSI Credit Solutions](#msicredit) – Best for Customized Pricing - [Safeport Law](#safeportlaw) – Best for Legal Support - [The Credit People](#creditpeople) – Best for Low Setup Fees - [Sky Blue Credit](#skyblue) – Best Value ## Take the first step to improve your credit ### Credit Saint works with credit bureaus and creditors to resolve issues with your credit report. Why wait? Select your state to start today! [View Plans](https://money.com/pr/b88f1c641645?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-credit-repair-companies%2F) ## Best Credit Repair Companies Reviews * * * ## Best for Comprehensive Plans: Credit Saint ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/28241/large_ae18ab6b-f004-4597-a78c-b5057ebf3778.png) [View Plans](https://money.com/pr/ke6c70e2de3b?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-credit-repair-companies%2F) **Pros** - 90-day money-back guarantee - Clear pricing policies - Online sign-up available - Online chat available weekdays from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. **Cons** - Service not available in South Carolina - First work fee of up to $195 ### HIGHLIGHTS Monthly fee: $79.99 – $139.99 Set-up fee: $99 - $195 Money-back guarantee: 90 days **Why we chose this company:** [Credit Saint](https://money.com/pr/u0b8c76b662e?apxa2=&apxa3=&%3Bapxa1=%2Fbest-credit-repair-companies%2F&%3Bca_referer=money.com%2Fbest-credit-repair-companies%2F%3A%3A%3ACredit+Saint&%3Bapxp1=Credit+Saint&%3Bap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-credit-repair-companies%2F) is best for clear pricing policies and comprehensive package options. The company offers three credit repair packages: Credit Polish, Credit Remodel and Clean Slate. The packages range from $79.99 to $139.99 per month and differ in the number of claims they’ll dispute each month, from five with the basic “Credit Polish” plan to unlimited with the premium “Clean Slate” plan. Each package also features a different suite of financial tools. The basic plan, for instance, includes a credit score tracker. The highest-tier plan includes credit reports and scores from all three reporting bureaus. Credit Saint offers a free consultation to evaluate your particular situation and identify the next steps you should take. Once you sign up, you're assigned an advisory team that schedules calls to keep you informed. The company also provides a credit score analysis and educational content to help customers better understand their credit. [Read full review>>](https://money.com/credit-saint-credit-repair-review/) * * * ## Best for Customized Pricing: MSI Credit Solutions ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/24901/large_0e7f885c-260f-4016-a0f4-1f054fba58ce.png) [View Plans](https://money.com/pr/tf88ec17ee7a?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-credit-repair-companies%2F&url=) **Pros** - Customizable pricing based on individual credit needs - Free initial consultation to assess your credit situation - Access to a dedicated credit consultant for personalized guidance - Unlimited dispute letters sent to all three major credit bureaus **Cons** - Service not available in Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, South Carolina and Vermont. - Initial setup fee varies based on individual credit situation​ ### HIGHLIGHTS Monthly Fee: $98 for individual accounts; $69 per person for joint (couples) accounts Setup Fee: Customized based on credit assessment Money-Back Guarantee: If MSI does not meet their minimum deletion standards and you've met your obligations, they'll refund your initial service fee **Why we chose this company:** [MSI](https://money.com/pr/n64b68b3d509?data-trk-company=msi-credit-solutions-review&data-trk-imp=true&data-trk-pcu-type=direct_link&data-trk-pcu-uuid=n64b68b3d509&encoded_id=&ap_referrer=https%253A%252F%252Fmoney.com%252Fbest-credit-repair-companies%252F) provides customized plans based on each person’s unique credit challenges. A dedicated credit consultant guides you through the entire process, which gives MSI an edge over other credit repair companies that may not offer the same level of customization. MSI's services are not limited to simply sending dispute letters to credit bureaus; they include comprehensive credit monitoring, expert advice, educational resources and, in the premium packages, personalized credit building guides. The company's fee structure ensures you only pay for the services you need. Additionally, MSI offers a money-back guarantee if it doesn't meet its minimum deletion standards and you've met your obligations under the agreement, adding another layer of security if you’re unsure about credit repair. * * * ## Best for Legal Support: Safeport Law ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/18442/large_858ec71c-1bd8-43f5-b6dc-a05335c9cebb.png) [View Plans](https://money.com/pr/cf6fd9818dac?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-credit-repair-companies%2F&url=) **Pros** - 90-day money-back guarantee - Legal expertise from licensed attorneys - Transparent pricing - Online sign-up and 24/7 account access **Cons** - Service not available in South Carolina - No credit monitoring tools included ### HIGHLIGHTS Monthly fee: $89.99 (Credit Cleanse) or $129.99 (Credit Cleanse Plus) Set-up fee: $89.99 (Credit Cleanse) or $129.99 (Credit Cleanse Plus) Money-back guarantee: 90 days​ on Credit Cleanse plan **Why we chose this company:** [Safeport Law](https://money.com/pr/t9b5f5a4ad79?data-trk-company=safeport-law-credit-repair-revies&data-trk-imp=true&data-trk-pcu-type=direct_link&data-trk-pcu-uuid=t9b5f5a4ad79&encoded_id=&ap_referrer=https%253A%252F%252Fmoney.com%252Fbest-credit-repair-companies%252F) stands out in the credit repair industry because of its unique legal expertise. Unlike many competitors, Safeport Law’s licensed attorneys handle each case, providing greater expertise and a more personalized approach to credit repair. This legal team disputes inaccurate or outdated information on credit reports and provides legal intervention if necessary, a rare feature in the credit repair world. Safeport Law’s clear, transparent pricing helps eliminate confusion about how much you'll pay and what services you'll receive. * * * ## Best for Low Setup Fees: The Credit People ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/544/large_AzCOfmOSdIObukHTtkAFkkVcednFPx.png) [View Plans](https://money.com/pr/dcf5efd06f2d?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-credit-repair-companies%2F&url=) **Pros** - Simple pricing structure - Low one-time first work fee ($45) - Unlimited challenges with all three bureaus **Cons** - No standalone identity-theft/credit-monitoring product - No financial management tools ### HIGHLIGHTS Monthly fee: $99, $119 or $599 six-month flat rate Set-up fee: $45 (No setup fees with six-month plan) Money-back guarantee: Cancel at any time and you won't be charged for that month of service. If you choose the flat-fee plan, you have a full six-month satisfaction guarantee **Why we chose this company:** [The Credit People](https://money.com/pr/g75434302152?ap_referrer=https%253A%252F%252Fmoney.com%252Fbest-credit-repair-companies%252F) is the best option for low startup fees, as it charges only $45 for an initial trial. This sets it apart from competitors that usually charge around $79 or more to set up your account and pull your credit report. Additionally, The Credit People offers an excellent money-back guarantee. You can cancel your subscription at any time and receive refunds for the last and previous month's payments. Most companies have a 90-day money-back guarantee or only refund you for the previous month of service. The Credit People’s interface is also a plus — you can monitor updates to your credit report or score from all three credit bureaus from its easy-to-use online dashboard. It also lets you track open disputes and connect to customer service with any questions. [Read full review>>](https://money.com/the-credit-people-credit-repair-review/) * * * ## Best Value: Sky Blue Credit Repair ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/1992/large_Sky_Blue_Credit_Repair_Logo.png) [View Plans](https://money.com/pr/xd68f093a051?ap_referrer=%2Fbest-credit-repair-companies%2F&url=) **Pros** - 50% discount for couples - 45-day dispute cycle on Full Service and Premium plans - Pause your subscription whenever you like **Cons** - Basic plan includes 60-day credit updates; only Full Service and Premium include 45-day updates. ### HIGHLIGHTS Monthly fee: $79, $99 or $119 for individuals ($119, $149 or $179 for couples) Set-up fee: $79, $99 or $119, depending on plan Money-back guarantee: 90 days **Why we chose this company:** [Sky Blue Credit Repair](https://money.com/pr/u29b63022ba9?ap_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoney.com%2Fbest-credit-repair-companies%2F) is our pick for best value because its low-cost credit-repair packages include everything you need to clean up your credit report quickly. For $79 a month, Sky Blue’s basic package includes credit bureau disputes, three bureau reports and scores, one-on-one consultations, an online client portal and a credit score tracker. The company also offers a full-service and a premium package for $99 and $119 a month, respectively. These include everything in the basic package, plus creditor interventions, debt validation letters, cease and desist letters, personal information correction letters and credit-building tools. You can pause and resume your subscription as needed, and you won't be charged while your account is paused. This could save you money on the startup fees that most credit repair firms charge when you use their services. [**Read full review>>**](https://money.com/sky-blue-credit-repair-review/) * * * ### 🥇 Most Affordable Credit Help Company! ![View Plans](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/28241/medium_ae18ab6b-f004-4597-a78c-b5057ebf3778.png) Our Partner [View Plans](https://money.com/go/7025a3d9dde3?bidid=4030365680&pmeta=p129-c527-u27456&ptid=662395340&ptoken=93b2c7e0d28a57d2c7140b5f6191b480) ### Get your free credit assessment today! ![View Plans](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/541/medium_AEPRGHMZaPsbrAuaWpZtkFWwSMTooS.png) Our Partner [View Plans](https://money.com/go/7c01c2627c66?bidid=4030365677&pmeta=p129-c527-u27456&ptid=662395340&ptoken=ed75d9b1a22e5d8a64fb0065a7b4d48b) ### Offers a single, low-cost credit repair package ![View Plans](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/1992/medium_Sky_Blue_Credit_Repair_Logo.png) Our Partner [View Plans](https://money.com/go/a68af4dcd1d4?bidid=4030365678&pmeta=p129-c527-u27456&ptid=662395340&ptoken=5de6779e2518b66853b6dc5923c942d0) ### All plans include unlimited disputes to all three credit bureaus ![View Plans](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/544/medium_AzCOfmOSdIObukHTtkAFkkVcednFPx.png) Our Partner [View Plans](https://money.com/go/993e2d5f594b?bidid=4030365682&pmeta=p129-c527-u27456&ptid=662395340&ptoken=2d409e8f706d1893ea21427fb1d8f930) ### Plans include financial management tools ![View Plans](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/29349/medium_5f909068-0d8c-41f9-91b3-62c42c6b942c.webp) Our Partner [View Plans](https://money.com/go/c53195be356d?bidid=4030365684&pmeta=p129-c527-u27456&ptid=662395340&ptoken=b6105950f461101eed7a8e226f06fee1) ## What You Need to Know About Credit Repair Companies Credit report mistakes are much more common than you might think. Addressing these mistakes promptly can raise your [credit score](https://money.com/what-is-a-credit-score/), improve your chances of being approved for the [best credit cards](https://money.com/best-credit-cards/) and loans and help you qualify for more favorable interest rates. While you can repair your [credit report](https://money.com/what-is-a-credit-report/) for free, the process can be frustrating and time-consuming. It involves reviewing your credit history for inaccuracies and disputing them with the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Examples of inaccuracies include incorrect personal information, accounts mistakenly reported as closed or a misreported late payment history. A reputable credit repair company can review your reports for mistakes and dispute them with the credit bureaus on your behalf. The key, however, is choosing a reputable company since many make false claims and lure customers into paying for services that won’t deliver results. ### How does credit repair work? Whether you do it yourself or hire a company, credit repair usually involves: - Requesting your credit reports from the three credit bureaus (you can get them for free from [annualcreditreport.com](http://annualcreditreport.com)) - Reviewing them for inaccurate information - Filing a dispute with the credit bureau that generated the report that has errors Per the [Fair Credit Reporting Act](https://money.com/what-is-the-fair-credit-reporting-act-fcra/) (FCRA), you can dispute any information you believe is inaccurate. The [credit reporting agencies](https://money.com/what-are-credit-reporting-agencies/) must investigate within 30 days and delete the item from your report if it's incorrect. They must also send you the results of their investigation within five business days of completing it. Note that you (and credit repair companies) can only remove inaccurate information from your credit report. If your report doesn’t have errors, you should focus on paying your bills on time, keeping a low credit utilization ratio and reducing your total debt. ### Credit disputes and negotiations Credit disputes and negotiations are essential components of the credit repair process. Reputable credit repair companies can help individuals dispute errors on their credit reports and negotiate with creditors to remove negative marks. The process typically begins with a review of the individual’s credit reports from the three major credit bureaus. Credit repair companies then identify any errors or inaccuracies and submit dispute letters to the credit bureaus. ### Warning signs of a credit repair scam The credit repair industry has its share of controversies and scams. With this in mind, it’s important to recognize red flags that may indicate a company is engaging in questionable practices. According to the [Consumer Financial Protection Bureau](https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/092016_cfpb_ConsumerAdvisory.pdf) (CFPB), red flags include: - Asks for upfront fees before providing any services - Guarantees that your credit score will improve if you hire their services - Claims to remove all negative information from your report, even if it’s accurate and up-to-date - Advises you to dispute correct information in your credit report - Says you shouldn’t contact the credit bureaus yourself - Doesn’t inform you of your rights, including the ability to cancel your contract with the company within three business days after signing it - Doesn’t provide a written contract outlining details such as service costs and guarantees - Asks you to waive any of your rights under the CROA - Offers you a “new” credit identity or profile - Provides clients with stolen social security numbers, which can lead to identity theft and other legal issues ## How We Chose the Best Credit Repair Companies To choose the best credit repair companies, we evaluated the following factors: **Transparency:** We considered whether companies provided clear, upfront information about their prices, fees, services, guarantees, terms and conditions and privacy policies. **Pricing and discounts:** We compared companies’ service plans based on cost, favoring providers that offered multiple options at several price points. We also considered their setup fees, also known as first-work fees, and noted any available discounts, such as for couples or service members. **Services:** All credit repair services claim to review and dispute inaccurate and/or outdated information affecting your credit history. However, we favored companies that offered solutions tailored to different budgets and additional services, such as credit score trackers, identity theft monitoring, free credit consultations, creditor interventions and cease and desist or goodwill letters. **Money-back guarantee and cancellation policy:** We favored companies that offered refunds or guarantees if they couldn’t remove or correct errors from your credit report within 90 days. We also preferred companies that didn’t charge cancellation fees. **User experience and customer satisfaction:** We reviewed customer feedback across third-party platforms, including the Better Business Bureau, and preferred companies that offered several contact options for customer support. We also prioritized companies with nationwide availability and those that offered a portal or app for clients to track their dispute status and credit repair progress. ## Latest News in Credit Repair On Aug. 10, 2026, the [Federal Trade Commission announced](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/08/ftc-stops-sprawling-credit-repair-scheme-scammed-consumers-out-nearly-200-million) that a federal court had temporarily shut down Credit Glory, a large credit repair operation that the agency alleges took nearly $200 million from consumers through deceptive practices. According to the agency, the operation had been telling customers since at least 2016 that it could significantly raise their credit scores by getting negative information removed from their credit reports. Consumers were then allegedly charged hundreds of dollars in illegal upfront fees, in addition to a $1 charge that telemarketers described as being for identity verification. The complaint also alleges that customers were enrolled in recurring payments without giving express, informed consent and were sometimes told they would only be charged for a few months, even though billing continued longer. The FTC also says refund requests were routinely denied. According to the agency, the alleged conduct violated several federal laws, including the FTC Act, the Credit Repair Organizations Act, the Telemarketing Sales Rule, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act and the Electronic Fund Transfer Act. Two allegations in particular stand out for consumers. The first involves paid Google search ads. According to the FTC, the operation bought ads aimed at people searching online for debts they owed. When consumers called the number in the ad, telemarketers allegedly pretended to represent the creditor or debt collector the person had been trying to reach. In other words, consumers may have believed they were speaking with one company when they had actually reached Credit Glory's operation. The second concerns military servicemembers. The FTC alleges the defendants specifically pursued people who owed money to military-affiliated creditors, including the Army & Air Force Exchange Service and USAA. Christopher Mufarrige, director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, said the alleged use of paid search ads to mislead consumers, including servicemembers, while promising credit improvements was conduct the agency would not tolerate. The complaint also accuses the operation of submitting false identity theft reports through IdentityTheft.gov in customers' names without their knowledge. For now, these remain allegations. The court has issued a temporary restraining order, but the case has not yet been resolved. ## Credit Repair FAQs ### Do credit repair companies actually work? They can help, but only when there are legitimate errors on your credit reports. A credit repair company can challenge information that's inaccurate or incomplete, but it can't legally erase negative marks that are correct and up to date. That's true whether you hire a company or handle the dispute yourself. As the Federal Trade Commission notes, anything a credit repair service can legally do for you is something you can generally do on your own at little or no cost. In most cases, you're paying for convenience and someone else to manage the process. ### How much does credit repair cost? Credit repair typically costs somewhere between $80 and $140 per month. Many companies also charge an upfront setup fee, sometimes called a first-work or initial fee, which usually falls between $45 and $195. Among the services we reviewed, monthly pricing starts at $79 with Sky Blue and goes as high as $139.99 for Credit Saint's Clean Slate plan. Some providers offer longer-term packages instead of monthly billing. The Credit People, for example, charges $599 for six months of service. ### How long does it take to repair credit? There isn't one set timeline because everyone's credit situation is different. "The amount of time it takes varies greatly depending upon each person's unique circumstances and other actions they take to improve their credit," says Thomas Nitzsche, vice president of public relations at Money Management International. There are some timing rules you can use as a guide. Once you dispute an item, the credit bureaus generally have 30 days to investigate it. Credit repair companies often work through disputes in 30- to 45-day cycles, so going through several rounds can easily take a few months. If an error is successfully removed, you might see your credit score improve within one to three months. Accurate negative information, however, can remain on your reports for up to seven years. ### How long do negative items stay on your credit report? Most negative marks can remain on your credit report for seven years, while bankruptcies may stay for as long as 10 years. That period is generally measured from the date the account first became delinquent, not from the day you eventually pay it off. Paying a collection account, for example, doesn't reset the clock or cause the item to disappear sooner. There are a few situations in which older information may still be reported. Credit bureaus may disclose negative information beyond the normal reporting period when you're applying for a job that pays more than $75,000 a year or seeking a loan or insurance policy worth more than $150,000. ### Can credit repair remove collections? If the debt belongs to you and is being reported accurately, a credit repair company can't legally force it off your report. Any company guaranteeing that it can remove accurate collections should be treated with caution. ### How often can you get a free credit report? You can currently get a free credit report from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion every week through AnnualCreditReport.com, the federally authorized website for obtaining them. Equifax is also providing six additional free reports per year through 2026. ### Is medical debt still on your credit report? It can be. A federal rule that would have prohibited medical debt from appearing on credit reports was struck down by a Texas federal court in July 2025. The court found that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau had exceeded its authority under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The government did not appeal the decision, so the rule never took effect. The major credit bureaus still follow their own voluntary policies, however. Paid medical collections are removed from credit reports regardless of the amount, and unpaid medical collections with an original balance below $500 are not included. ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://money.com/best-credit-repair-companies/#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://money.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Credit", "item": "https://money.com/credit/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Credit Repair", "item": "https://money.com/credit-repair/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "5 Best Credit Repair Companies of September 2026" } ] }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://money.com/#website", "url": "https://money.com", "name": "Money", "publisher": { "@id": "https://money.com/#organization" } }, { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://money.com/best-credit-repair-companies/#webpage", "url": "https://money.com/best-credit-repair-companies/", "name": "5 Best Credit Repair Companies of September 2026", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://money.com/#website" }, "datePublished": "2026-09-01T20:29:13.000Z", "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://money.com/best-credit-repair-companies/" }, "inLanguage": "en-US", "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://money.com/best-credit-repair-companies/#breadcrumb" }, "dateModified": "2026-09-01T20:29:13.000Z" }, { "@type": "Article", "headline": "5 Best Credit Repair Companies of September 2026", "articleSection": "Credit", "image": [ { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://img.money.com/2023/12/Best-Credit-Repair-mbci_p5wy3__lwmvlx.jpg?quality=85", "width": 2880, "height": 1920 } ], "author": [ { "@type": "Person", "name": "Christina Majaski", "url": "https://money.com/author/christina-majaski/", "@id": "https://money.com/author/christina-majaski/#author", "description": "Christina Majaski is a decade-long personal finance writer and expert in credit cards, credit card and finance compliance and consumer financial products. 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She believes financial literacy is key to empowerment and aims to deliver clear, accurate and helpful information in every piece she is part of, whether writing, editing or in compliance.\r\nChristina’s work has been featured and behind the scenes in compliance and SEO for a range of personal financial publications, including Credit Karma, Forbes, MSN and Yahoo Money.", "image": "https://img.money.com/2025/02/Author-Christina-Majaski.png?w=400&h=400&crop=1", "email": "christina.majaski@money.com" } ], "publisher": "https://money.com/#organization", "datePublished": "2026-09-01T20:29:13.000Z", "description": "Here's a list of the best credit repair companies out there that can help you remove inaccurate or outdated items from your credit report.", "abstract": "Here's a list of the best credit repair companies out there that can help you remove inaccurate or outdated items from your credit report.", "@id": "https://money.com/best-credit-repair-companies/", "inLanguage": "en-US", "dateModified": "2026-09-01T20:29:13.000Z", "editor": [ { "@type": "Person", "name": "José Omar Rodríguez", "url": "https://money.com/author/jose-omar-rodriguez/", "@id": "https://money.com/author/jose-omar-rodriguez/#author", "description": "As an editor, José Omar specializes in personal finance topics and in-depth company reviews. 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