⚠️ This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It does not affect our rankings. Full disclosure ↓

Best Data Removal Services 2026

Quick Answer: For most people, Incogni ($6.49/mo) offers the best value — it covers 180+ brokers automatically. For maximum protection, Aura ($12/mo) adds identity theft monitoring.

There are dozens of services claiming to remove your data from brokers. Most aren't worth it. We dug into pricing, coverage, and real user results to find the ones that actually deliver.

What these services do: They send opt-out requests to data brokers on your behalf — automatically, repeatedly, and across far more brokers than you'd tackle manually. A good service saves you 40+ hours of work and keeps re-removing data as brokers re-add it.

Are they worth it? For most people: yes, at the budget tier. If you're comfortable doing a few manual opt-outs per year, you can save money. If you're a public figure, survivor of abuse, or privacy-conscious professional — a service pays for itself immediately.

⚡ Quick Verdict — Jump to What You Need

  • Incogni — Best for pure broker removal on a budget (~$6.49/mo)
  • Optery — Best for transparency + tiered pricing (free tier available)
  • DeleteMe — Most trusted brand, best for non-technical users ($129/yr)
  • Aura — Best if you also want identity theft protection ($12–15/mo)

1. Incogni (by Surfshark) — Best Overall for Broker Removal

💰 $6.49/mo (annual) 🏢 180+ brokers 🔄 Continuous removal 📊 Dashboard reports

Incogni is the most focused, highest-coverage option for pure data broker removal. Built by Surfshark (the VPN company), it sends removal requests to over 180 data brokers and people-search sites — continuously. When brokers re-add your data (which they do, regularly), Incogni re-removes it.

Setup takes about 5 minutes. You give them your name, address, and email, and they handle everything else. The dashboard shows which brokers have been contacted, which have complied, and which are pending. It's the most transparent reporting of the budget services.

Pros

  • 180+ brokers covered
  • Cheapest paid option at $6.49/mo
  • Clear dashboard and progress tracking
  • Automatic re-removal when data returns
  • GDPR/CCPA removal requests included

Cons

  • Annual plan required for best price
  • Some brokers take 30–45 days to comply
  • No identity theft protection (just broker removal)
  • US-focused (some international brokers excluded)
Verdict: Incogni is the best bang-for-buck option for anyone who wants real broker removal coverage without paying premium prices. Start here.
Get Incogni — $6.49/mo →

Annual plan. 30-day money-back guarantee. Affiliate link — see disclosure.

2. Optery — Best for Transparency & Flexible Budgets

💰 Free – $12.99/mo 🏢 100–250+ brokers (by tier) 📸 Screenshot proof 🆓 Free tier available

Optery stands out for one thing: transparency. Unlike most services that just say "we removed you," Optery provides screenshot evidence of your profiles before and after removal. You can see exactly which brokers had your data, what it showed, and when it was removed.

The tiered pricing makes it accessible at every budget. The free tier manually checks a small list of brokers and gives you DIY removal links. The paid tiers ($3.99–$12.99/mo) handle more brokers and automate the removal process. For the privacy-curious on a budget, the free tier is a great starting point.

Pros

  • Free tier with manual removal help
  • Screenshot proof of removal
  • Most transparent reporting of any service
  • 30% recurring affiliate program (strong LTV)
  • Tiered pricing — pay for what you need

Cons

  • Fewer brokers than Incogni at low tiers
  • Free tier is mostly manual (your effort)
  • Monthly cost adds up vs. annual-only alternatives
PlanPriceBrokersAutomation
Free$0~30Manual links only
Core$3.99/mo~100Automated
Extended$6.99/mo~175Automated + reports
Ultimate$12.99/mo250+Full automation + screenshots
Verdict: Optery is the best choice if you want proof that your data is being removed, or if you want to start free and upgrade later. The Core tier at $3.99/mo is excellent value.
Start Free with Optery →

Free tier available. No credit card required to start. Affiliate link — see disclosure.

3. DeleteMe — Most Trusted Brand, Simplest Experience

💰 $129/yr individual 🏢 750+ brokers (with manual assists) 📋 Quarterly reports 👤 Human reviewers

DeleteMe is the original consumer data removal service — they've been doing this since 2011. They're the most recognized brand in the space, and for good reason: they combine automated removal with human review, meaning a real person checks your removals and follows up where automated requests fail.

At $129/year (~$10.75/mo), DeleteMe is mid-priced. You get quarterly privacy reports in PDF format showing exactly what was found and removed. The service focuses on quality over quantity — they don't just fire off requests, they verify removals and follow up.

Pros

  • Established, trusted brand since 2011
  • Human review on top of automation
  • Detailed quarterly PDF reports
  • Simple onboarding, no technical knowledge needed
  • Family plans available

Cons

  • More expensive than Incogni for similar coverage
  • Quarterly reports feel slow vs. real-time dashboards
  • No free tier
  • Fewer brokers than Incogni's 180+
Verdict: DeleteMe is the right call if you want the most established service, or if you're less technical and want a trusted name you've likely heard of. The human review layer is genuinely valuable for high-stakes privacy concerns.
Get DeleteMe — $129/yr →

Individual plan. Family plans also available. Affiliate link — see disclosure.

4. Aura — Best If You Also Want Identity Theft Protection

💰 $12/mo (annual) / $15/mo monthly 🏢 30+ brokers 🛡️ Identity theft insurance 📱 VPN + antivirus included

Aura isn't primarily a data broker removal service — it's a comprehensive identity protection platform. Broker removal is one feature in a larger bundle that includes credit monitoring, identity theft insurance ($1M coverage), a VPN, antivirus, and password manager.

If you only want broker removal, Aura is overkill and you'll pay more for fewer brokers covered (around 30 vs. Incogni's 180+). But if you want an all-in-one privacy and identity protection subscription — one tool to handle everything — Aura is excellent and surprisingly competitive on price.

Pros

  • All-in-one: broker removal + ID theft + VPN + antivirus
  • $1 million identity theft insurance
  • Credit monitoring across all 3 bureaus
  • Clean, simple app experience
  • Covers family at reasonable prices

Cons

  • Only 30+ brokers (weakest broker coverage)
  • More expensive for pure broker removal use case
  • Overkill if you just want data removal
Verdict: Skip Aura if broker removal is your only goal — Incogni covers 6x more brokers for half the price. Choose Aura if you want a full identity protection suite and broker removal is one part of a larger privacy overhaul.
Get Aura →

Individual and family plans. Free trial available. Affiliate link — see disclosure.

Our Recommendation By Use Case

If you want… Best Choice Why
Best broker coverage on a budget Incogni 180+ brokers, $6.49/mo, continuous removal
Proof your data is being removed Optery Screenshot evidence, most transparent service
A free starting point Optery Free No cost, manual removal guidance for ~30 brokers
The most established/trusted name DeleteMe Since 2011, human review, quarterly PDF reports
Full identity theft protection too Aura $1M insurance, credit monitoring, VPN, antivirus
Just do it manually (free) Our guides Start with Spokeo, BeenVerified, Whitepages
Not ready to pay? Our free step-by-step guides for the biggest brokers are a great starting point. Start with the free opt-out guides →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does data removal cost?

Automated data removal services cost $6-15/month. Incogni starts at $6.49/mo (annual plan), Optery offers a free tier, and DeleteMe is $129/year (~$10.75/mo). Manual removal from data brokers is free but takes 40+ hours of work across 200+ sites.

How long does data removal take?

Automated services typically show results in 7-30 days. Some brokers take up to 45 days to comply with removal requests. Your dashboard or reports will track which brokers have complied and which are still pending.

Will my data come back after removal?

Yes. Data brokers regularly re-collect information from public records, voter registrations, and marketing databases. Good removal services (Incogni, Optery, DeleteMe) include ongoing monitoring and re-removal when your data reappears — that's a key reason to pay for a service rather than doing it manually once.

Is data removal worth it?

If you value privacy, yes. Manual removal takes 40+ hours per year across 200+ brokers — and you have to repeat it quarterly as data reappears. At $6-15/month, automated services save significant time and provide continuous coverage. For survivors of stalking, harassment, or anyone with public-facing roles, the protection is essential.

Affiliate Disclosure: TakeBackYourData.com earns commissions when you purchase services through our links. This does not influence our reviews or rankings — we evaluate services on coverage, pricing, transparency, and user experience. Services that don't earn commissions (like manual opt-out) are always recommended when they're the right choice.