If your personal details keep showing up online, fueling spam calls and scam emails, you’re not alone. Data brokers collect and trade your information without your consent, and opting out manually is an exhausting and confusing process for many.
If you’ve already been looking for a reliable data removal service, you’ve likely heard of Incogni and Optery. Both remove your data from brokers, but Incogni automates it fully across multiple sites for set-it-and-forget-it peace of mind. On the other hand, Optery mixes in manual steps for more visibility.
Below, we compare coverage, pricing, ease of use, and proof so you can pick a service that gives you real control.
Quick verdict: Incogni wins for most users. It offers wider broker coverage on all plans under $15.00/month, plus immediate unlimited custom removals from 2000+ extra sites. Optery excels with screenshots on people-search sites but requires its pricier Ultimate plan ( $20.70/month) for full features. Choose Incogni for hands-off, broad protection at a better value.
A quick overview: Incogni vs. Optery
| Category | Incogni | Optery |
| Monthly price | From $7.19/month on an annual subscription | From $3.25/month on an annual subscription |
| Automation | Fully automated for standard brokers, manual for custom requests | Mix of automated and manual processes |
| Automated coverage | 420+ data brokers on all tiers | 120-630+ data brokers (tier-dependent) |
| Private data brokers | Covers 420+ sites, including private databases | Covers 630+ sites, including expanded reach |
| Custom removals | Unlimited, available immediately on various sites | Unlimited on top tiers, starts after 30 days, people search focus |
| Recurring removals | Ongoing suppression and follow-up scans | Follow-up scans and maintenance |
| Independent verification | Reports responses from brokers | Profile visibility and screenshot evidence |
| Reports and proof | Provides broker responses and progress reports | Screenshots and evidence of removals |
Pricing and subscription plans
Both Incogni and Optery offer subscription-based plans for data removal, but their pricing structures and value differ significantly. However, annual commitments yield the best value for both, typically halving monthly rates.
Incogni plans at a glance
Incogni offers straightforward pricing with individual and family subscription options, emphasizing annual discounts for core automated removals from 420+ brokers.
| Plan | Monthly price | Annual price per month | Key features |
| Standard | $15.98 | $7.19 ($86.29 for the first year, then $95.88 annually) | Automated removals, 210-420+ brokers |
| Unlimited | $29.98 | $13.49 ($161.89 for the first year, then $179.88 annually) | Custom removals from 2000+ sites |
| Family | $31.98 | $14.39 ($172.69 for the first year, then $191.88 annually) | Up to 5 users |
| Family Unlimited | $45.98 | $20.69 ($248.29 for the first year, then $275.88 annually) | Everything in the Family plan, plus custom removals |
Optery plans at a glance
Optery provides tiered plans from the Free Basic option to the Ultimate plan, scaling coverage and features with price.
| Plan | Monthly price | Annual price per month | Key features |
| Free Basic | Free | Free | Basic scans |
| Core | $3.99 | $3.25 ($39.00 billed yearly) | 365+ sites |
| Advanced | $14.99 | $12.42 ($149.00 billed yearly) | 535+ sites, custom requests |
| Ultimate | $24.99 | $20.70 ($249.00 billed yearly) | 630+ sites, screenshots, full custom |
Note: Pricing verified December 2025 from official sites.
What’s available for free?
Neither service offers a full free plan with data removal, but Optery provides a free scan that reveals your data exposure, with self-service opt-out but no commitment. Incogni lacks a free tier, focusing instead on paid subscriptions with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Winner: Incogni for offering broader coverage and unlimited custom removals at a lower price point on its main plans.
Approach to data removal
Incogni and Optery both automate the process of removing your data from brokers, yet their methods range from fully automated to a mix of automation and manual verification.
Incogni prioritizes full automation, scanning 420+ data brokers and people-search sites for your info. Then it sends removal requests on your behalf with recurring follow-ups every 60-90 days. Setup takes minutes: authorize access, and it handles everything passively, tracking progress via dashboard updates on broker responses. Considering that the service processed over 245 million requests by mid-2025, its set-it-and-forget-it model suits users who avoid manual work.
Optery blends automation with manual oversight across up to 630+ sites, depending on your plan tier. It starts with free scans, offers DIY guides for quick removals, and provides assisted custom requests, along with screenshots as proof. Higher plans unlock more hands-on verification, appealing to those wanting visibility into results.
Essentially, Incogni excels in speed and scale for broad protection, while Optery offers detailed control but requires tier upgrades for full automation.
Winner: Incogni for its more straightforward, fully automated approach with broad broker coverage and immediate custom removals.
Coverage of data brokers and sites
Both data removal services target data brokers and people-search sites to protect your info, but they vary in breadth and consistency of coverage depending on plans and features.
Incogni automatically targets 420+ data brokers and people-search sites across all plans, including major players like Spokeo and BeenVerified, with verified removal confirmations in the Deloitte assurance report. This consistent, broad coverage ensures comprehensive protection without tier limitations, focusing on both public and private databases for spam and identity risks.
Optery’s coverage scales by plan, with 630+ sites available only on the most expensive subscription. While this Ultimate plan matches or even exceeds Incogni in raw numbers (630+ vs. 420+), lower tiers limit scope, requiring upgrades to get access to high-risk brokers.
As such, Incogni provides reliable, plan-agnostic breadth, while Optery offers depth in people search but with tiered restrictions.
Winner: Incogni for consistent 420+ broker coverage on every plan without upgrades.
Custom removals
Incogni and Optery enable removals from sites beyond automated brokers, but their availability, speed, and limits set them apart.
Incogni provides unlimited custom removal requests immediately on Unlimited plans, targeting 2000+ additional sites beyond its 420+ automated brokers. Users submit any URL, and privacy experts handle manual opt-outs with no limits or delays, expanding coverage flexibly.
As for the Optery, it offers unlimited custom removals only on its Ultimate plan for 1,345+ sites in total. However, note that it requires a 30-day waiting period after signup and limits requests on lower tiers. Optery’s focus remains on people-search verification with screenshots.
As you can see, Incogni delivers instant, boundless flexibility, while Optery adds targeted proof but with tangible restrictions.
Winner: Incogni for unlimited access across more sites without delays.
Reporting, verification, and transparency
Both platforms provide updates on removal progress, but their proof methods and levels of detail contrast sharply.
Incogni shares quarterly progress reports, including broker response confirmations and dashboard stats, and they are reviewed by Deloitte for removal standards. No screenshots, but tracks 245+ million requests with clear success metrics.
Optery, on the other hand, excels with detailed monthly reports that include before-and-after screenshots, profile visibility, and PDF downloads that prove exact removals. The Ultimate plan maximizes transparency through human-verified evidence.
So, while Incogni focuses on scalable tracking, Optery prioritizes visual proof, taking the lead in this category.
Winner: Optery for superior screenshots and verifiable evidence.
User experience and support
Incogni and Optery both deliver user dashboards for privacy management, though their simplicity and customer support channels differ – let’s see which fits your style best.
Incogni offers a straightforward and beginner-friendly user interface designed for simplicity and automation. Its streamlined dashboard lets you start protecting your data with just a few clicks and track removal progress via automated privacy reports. Setup is quick with minimal input, making it ideal for users who prefer a hands-off approach.
As for the Incogni customer support, it’s accessible through 24/7 email and ticket systems, backed by Surfshark’s infrastructure, providing reliable assistance whenever you need it.
On the other hand, Optery’s interface is more detailed, featuring a richly organized dashboard that guides users through privacy management with intuitive navigation. It offers comprehensive visibility into removal progress via before-and-after screenshots and detailed reports. If you want transparency and control, you will definitely like it.
Optery also includes a “Removal Issues” tab where users can directly interact with support representatives, adding a layer of personalized help. However, setup requires more user involvement, so you need to be comfortable with customization and active engagement.
In comparison, both platforms are intuitive, but Incogni prioritizes ease of use and automation, while Optery emphasizes detailed reporting and user control. Support on Incogni is broader, with multiple contact channels, whereas Optery focuses on live chat and email.
Winner: Incogni for offering effortless setup and more comprehensive support options suited to most users.
Strengths and weaknesses: Incogni vs. Optery
Incogni and Optery each excel in specific privacy areas, but their pros and cons highlight clear use cases.
Choose Incogni if…
Choose Incogni if you want automated privacy protection that runs quietly in the background, handling data removal across numerous brokers without requiring you to constantly monitor or perform manual steps. It’s best for users looking for simple, hands-off online privacy management with a service that continuously scans and sends removal requests on your behalf.
Pros:
- Fully automated removals from 420+ brokers on all plans
- Unlimited custom requests from 2000+ sites immediately
- Affordable pricing under $15.00/month on annual subscriptions
- Quick setup and recurring scans every 60-90 days
Cons:
- No screenshots or visual proof of removals
- Less emphasis on the people-search site depth
Choose Optery if…
Choose Optery if you prefer detailed verification and hands-on control over your people-search site exposures, complete with visual screenshots proving each removal. It’s best for users who value transparency into exactly where their data appears and disappears online.
Pros:
- Screenshots and before-and-after proof on higher plans
- Free initial scan
- DIY guides plus assisted removals
- Up to 630+ sites on the Ultimate tier
Cons:
- Features locked behind pricier tiers
- 30-day wait for custom removals
- More complex setup requiring user input
Winner: Incogni for superior automation, value, and consistent access across plans.
Final verdict
Incogni and Optery both tackle data broker exposures effectively, but one edges out in almost every category – that’s why Incogni is our clear pick.
We recommend Incogni if you are seeking an automated, comprehensive, and affordable solution for data removal. It provides broad coverage of 420+ data brokers on all plans under $15.00/month, with immediate access to unlimited custom removals. Incogni’s set-it-and-forget-it approach is perfect if you want reliable privacy protection without the hassle of manual intervention or complex management.
While Optery offers more detailed verification with screenshots and deep people-search site coverage, its advanced features require higher-tier plans and more user involvement. For efficient, hands-off protection and excellent value, Incogni stands out as the top choice in 2025.
Choose Incogni for broad, automated data removal that balances simplicity, affordability, and effectiveness – helping you regain control of your online privacy with minimal effort.
