The best data removal service depends on how much you want to pay and how hands-off you want to be. DeleteMe is a long-running service with human-reviewed reports, Incogni is a lower-cost automated option, and Optery offers a free scan so you can see your exposure before paying. Data removal services ask people-search sites and data brokers to delete your name, address, phone number and other details, then keep checking because the data often returns. This guide compares six options and the free steps you can take yourself.
Key takeaways
- Data brokers collect and sell personal details that scammers use for phishing, stalking and identity theft.
- Removal services send opt-out requests on your behalf and repeat them, because brokers often relist people.
- No service removes everything: public records, social media and news sites are usually out of scope.
- Start with a free scan, such as Optery’s, to see how exposed you are.
- You can do removals yourself for free, but it takes many hours.
Which is the best data removal service? Quick picks
All the services below remove listings from data brokers and people-search sites. The main differences are price, how many sites they cover, how they report results and whether a person or software handles removals.
| Tool | Best for | Platforms / type | Free option |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeleteMe | Detailed, human-reviewed removal reports | Web service, US focus with some international | No, paid plans |
| Incogni | Low-cost automated removals | Web service, US, UK, EU and more | No, paid plans |
| Optery | Free exposure scan before you pay | Web service, US focus | Yes, free scan and basic plan |
| Kanary | People who want hands-on exposure management | Web service, iOS and Android apps | No free tier |
| Privacy Bee | Wide coverage including companies that hold your data | Web service | No, paid plans |
| Aura (bundle) | Data removal plus identity theft protection | Web, iOS, Android | No, paid plans |
How we chose: We compared each service on the number and type of data brokers covered, reporting quality, family plans, free options and how clearly it explains what it cannot remove. We relied on each vendor’s published coverage and independent reviews. Features and plans change often, so confirm current pricing on each vendor’s site before you buy. We do not accept payment for placement in this list.
What does a data removal service actually do?
A data removal service finds your personal details on data broker and people-search websites, sends opt-out requests on your behalf and checks again every few months. Data brokers gather information from public records, purchases, apps and online activity, then sell profiles that can include your address, phone number, relatives and age.
Scammers use this information to make phishing and phone scams more convincing, and criminals use it for identity theft. Removing it will not make you invisible, but it raises the effort for anyone trying to target you. Our guide to your data in the AI era explains how this data is collected.
What can a data removal service not remove?
- Government records, such as court and property records, in most cases.
- Your own social media profiles and posts.
- News articles and most search engine results that are not from data brokers.
- Data held by companies you have accounts with, unless you request deletion directly.
- Information already in criminal hands from past breaches.
If your details were exposed in a breach, follow our steps on what to do after a data breach as well.
The best data removal service options reviewed
1. DeleteMe: best for detailed, human-reviewed removal reports
DeleteMe is one of the longest-running data removal services. Its privacy team submits opt-out requests and sends regular reports showing which listings were found and removed. Many reviewers rank it highly for clear reporting and for handling tricky removals that need extra verification.
- Strengths: Clear reports, established track record, family and business plans available.
- Watch out for: Usually costs more than automated services; coverage focuses on US brokers.
Official site: joindeleteme.com
2. Incogni: best for low-cost automated removals
Incogni automates removal requests to a long list of data brokers and repeats them on a schedule. It is often one of the lower-priced options and covers several countries, which helps people outside the US.
- Strengths: Affordable, automated, international coverage, regular follow-up requests.
- Watch out for: Fewer people-search sites in some reviews, and less hands-on support than DeleteMe.
Official site: incogni.com
3. Optery: best for free exposure scan before you pay
Optery lets you run a free scan to see which people-search sites list you, with screenshots of what they show. Paid plans then automate removals across a growing list of sites. The free tier makes it a good starting point.
- Strengths: Free scan with screenshots, transparent reporting, range of plan levels.
- Watch out for: Top plans can be expensive; the free plan only shows exposure and offers limited removal help.
Official site: optery.com
4. Kanary: best for people who want hands-on exposure management
Kanary finds and reduces your exposure across data brokers, search engines, social media and even AI tools, building a personal threat model and showing results in its mobile app. It suits people who want more than standard people-search removals.
- Strengths: Broad exposure coverage including search and AI tools, mobile app for reviewing results.
- Watch out for: Smaller company; coverage and features vary by plan.
Official site: kanary.com
5. Privacy Bee: best for wide coverage including companies that hold your data
Privacy Bee targets data brokers and also helps you send deletion requests to companies that may hold your data. It suits people who want a broad privacy clean-up rather than just people-search removals.
- Strengths: Broad approach, business plans available.
- Watch out for: Some reviews find its broker coverage less complete than the leaders.
Official site: privacybee.com
6. Aura (bundle): best for data removal plus identity theft protection
Aura bundles data broker removal with identity theft monitoring, credit alerts, VPN and antivirus. If you want identity protection anyway, the bundle can be better value than buying services separately. Our separate guide to identity theft protection compares these bundles in detail.
- Strengths: All-in-one bundle, family plans, includes identity monitoring.
- Watch out for: Data removal is not as deep as dedicated services; you pay for features you may not need.
Official site: aura.com
Can you remove your data from brokers for free?
Yes, but it takes time. Most data brokers have an opt-out page, and you can submit requests one by one. Many people start with the largest people-search sites, then repeat every few months because listings reappear.
Residents of some US states have legal rights that make removal easier. California residents can use the state’s California Privacy Protection Agency tools and rights under state privacy law. You can also check if your email was in a data breach for free to see what else might be exposed.
Who benefits most from a data removal service?
People who gain the most include public-facing professionals, anyone dealing with harassment or stalking, older adults targeted by scams, people who have recently moved and executives whose details are used in business email compromise scams. For everyone else, the value is fewer scam calls and less exposure, which many people find worth a modest yearly fee.
Frequently asked questions
Do data removal services really work?
Yes, they remove listings from many data broker sites, and reputable services show proof in their reports. They cannot remove everything, and listings often return, which is why ongoing monitoring matters.
Is DeleteMe better than Incogni?
DeleteMe is often praised for detailed human-reviewed reports, while Incogni is usually cheaper and more automated with wider international coverage. The best choice depends on your budget and location.
How long does data removal take?
Many brokers remove listings within days or weeks, but some take longer or need extra verification. Services usually show progress in reports over the first few months.
Is there a free data removal service?
Optery offers a free scan and basic plan, and you can submit opt-out requests yourself for free. Fully automated removal across many sites usually requires a paid plan.
Is it safe to give a data removal service my information?
Reputable services need some details to find and remove your listings. Choose a well-known provider, read its privacy policy and avoid services that ask for unnecessary information such as your full Social Security number.
Related reading: Your data in the AI era, major cyberattacks and data breaches.
Our verdict
Start with Optery’s free scan to see how exposed you are. If you want detailed reports and hands-on help, choose DeleteMe; if you want lower cost or international coverage, choose Incogni. Pair any service with strong passwords and multifactor authentication, because removing your address does not protect accounts that have already been breached.
Sources and further reading
Official vendor websites and public guidance referenced in this guide. Plans and features change, so confirm details with each vendor. Last reviewed: November 2026.
- joindeleteme.com (joindeleteme.com)
- incogni.com (incogni.com)
- optery.com (optery.com)
- kanary.com (kanary.com)
- privacybee.com (privacybee.com)
- aura.com (aura.com)
- California Privacy Protection Agency (cppa.ca.gov)
