Optery vs Incogni
A head-to-head comparison for 2026 — pricing, features, and which is better for different use cases.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Optery | Incogni |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4-$25/mo | $6-$12/mo |
| Free Tier | Free scan + DIY removals | None (money-back) |
| Brokers Covered | 365+ (Core plan) | 420+ automated |
| Monitoring | Monthly scans | Continuous |
| Key Feature | Before/after screenshots | By Surfshark, continuous monitoring |
| Best For | Transparency + free start | Budget + automation |
Optery — Overview
Optery is the most transparent data removal service. When it finds your personal information on a data broker site, you get before-and-after screenshots proving what was found and what was removed. No other service provides this level of visual evidence. The free tier includes a scan plus DIY removal guides, so you can start protecting your privacy without paying anything.
The Core plan ($4/month) covers 365+ data brokers with automated removals. The Extended plan ($15/month) adds human privacy agents for difficult removals. The Ultimate plan ($25/month) covers the broadest set of brokers with unlimited custom removals. Optery has earned multiple PCMag Editors' Choice awards and holds two US patents for data search technology. Monthly billing and a 30-day money-back guarantee make it risk-free to try.
Incogni — Overview
Incogni was built by Surfshark, one of the most reputable VPN providers. The service automatically submits removal requests to 420+ data brokers and monitors continuously for re-listings. No manual work on your part. Set it up, and Incogni works in the background.
At $6-12/month (depending on plan length), Incogni is the most affordable automated option. The Unlimited plan adds custom removal requests covering 2,000+ additional sites. Deloitte-vetted security practices and GDPR/CCPA compliance add credibility. The trade-off is transparency: Incogni shows counts of removals but doesn't provide screenshots or before-and-after proof like Optery. For budget-conscious users who want set-it-and-forget-it data removal, Incogni is the practical choice.
Key Differences
Visual proof vs budget automation. Optery shows you screenshots of your data being removed. Incogni removes data automatically at the lowest price.
Transparency strongly favors Optery. Before-and-after screenshots verify every removal. Incogni shows removal counts but no visual evidence. If you want proof, Optery is the only choice.
Broker coverage is comparable. Optery Core covers 365+ brokers. Incogni covers 420+ brokers. At similar coverage levels, the question is whether screenshots or lower price matters more.
Price favors Incogni. $6/month vs Optery's $4/month (Core) to $25/month (Ultimate). At the entry level, Optery is cheaper. At the full-service level, Incogni's single plan is simpler and often cheaper than Optery's higher tiers.
The Verdict
Choose Optery for screenshot-verified removals, a free tier, and PCMag-recognized transparency. Choose Incogni for affordable, automated data removal by Surfshark with continuous monitoring.