These are two of the most popular data removal services — but they're designed for different people. Optery wins for most users due to better transparency and flexible pricing. DeleteMe wins for people who want the most trusted name with human oversight.
For most people: Optery. It's cheaper, offers a free tier, and provides screenshot proof of removal — the most transparent reporting in the industry. Choose DeleteMe if you want the longest-standing brand, human review of removals, or you're purchasing for a non-technical family member who needs a premium feel.
| Factor | DeleteMe | Optery |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129/yr (~$10.75/mo) | Free / $3.99 / $6.99 / $12.99/mo |
| Free Tier | No | Yes (~30 brokers, manual) |
| Brokers Covered | 750+ (with some manual assists) | 100–250+ (by tier) |
| Removal Method | Automated + human review | Automated (with screenshot proof) |
| Reporting | Quarterly PDF reports | Real-time dashboard + screenshots |
| Re-removal | Yes, ongoing | Yes, ongoing |
| Human Review | Yes | No (automated only) |
| Founded | 2011 | 2020 |
| Best For | Trust, simplicity, premium feel | Transparency, budget flexibility |
DeleteMe launched in 2011, making it the oldest consumer data removal service still operating. It was built at a time when data broker removal required manually emailing every broker — DeleteMe automated and scaled that process before anyone else did.
How it works: You submit a privacy request with your name, address, and other personal details. DeleteMe's team (part-automated, part-human) processes removal requests across their covered broker list and sends you quarterly reports showing what was found and removed.
The human element: Where DeleteMe differentiates from pure-automation services is their human review layer. Real people follow up on broker non-compliance, handle edge cases (name changes, multiple aliases, unusual listings), and verify removals completed. This matters more than it sounds — some brokers ignore automated requests and require specific follow-up.
What users report: DeleteMe users generally report high satisfaction and genuine, verifiable removal. The quarterly PDF format is thorough, if somewhat slow-feeling compared to real-time dashboards. Non-technical users appreciate the "just handle it" approach without needing to understand how it works.
Optery launched in 2020 with a clear thesis: most data removal services don't show you what they're actually doing. Optery decided to show everything — screenshots of your profiles before removal, screenshots after, and real-time status on every broker they've contacted.
How it works: After signup, Optery scans for your profiles across its covered broker list. It shows you exactly which brokers had your information, what was visible (with screenshots), and handles the removal request. You can track status for each broker individually in your dashboard.
Tiered pricing: Optery's free tier is genuinely useful — it finds your profiles and gives you manual opt-out links for about 30 brokers. The paid tiers ($3.99–$12.99/mo) automate the process and cover more brokers. This lets you start free, see what's out there, and decide whether to upgrade based on what you find.
What users report: Optery users consistently praise the screenshot evidence as trust-building. Seeing your profile on a broker site, then seeing the "removal confirmed" screenshot, is more convincing than a generic quarterly report. Some users note that coverage at the lower tiers doesn't match Incogni or DeleteMe's breadth.
$129/yr. Affiliate link — see disclosure.
Free tier available. No credit card required. Affiliate link — see disclosure.
For most people, Optery wins. The combination of a free starting tier, screenshot evidence, real-time dashboard, and flexible monthly pricing makes it the better all-around choice. Start free, upgrade if you see things you want removed.
DeleteMe wins for simplicity and trust. If you want to pay $129 once a year and trust that professionals with a 15-year track record are handling everything — with human follow-up on problem cases — DeleteMe earns that premium.
Neither one beats Incogni on pure broker coverage. If your goal is maximum broker removal across the most sites at the lowest price, Incogni at $6.49/mo covers 180+ brokers — more than either DeleteMe or Optery's standard tiers.