Incogni vs DeleteMe: which data removal tool is worth your money?
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Keeping personal data private is tougher than ever. Data brokers work around the clock to collect and sell your information, and they’re good at it. That’s why you need the best data removal service running 24/7. To help you choose one, we’ve compared Incogni vs DeleteMe, two of the best-known and most widely used privacy tools on the market.
With the help of fellow Cybernews experts, I’ve examined the features, usage, customer support, and pricing of these services, drawing on DeleteMe and Incogni reviews. You’ll find all the insights to help you make the best call for your digital privacy below.
Incogni vs DeleteMe overview
Before you dive into the detailed DeleteMe vs Incogni review, here’s a quick side-by-side look at their key features and our conclusions.
| Features | Incogni | DeleteMe |
| Rating | 4.8 | 4.5 |
| Overall rank | #1 out of 5 data removal tools | #3 out of 5 data removal tools |
| Price | from $7.19/month (for a year) | from $6.97/month (for one person for a year) |
| Free version | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Free trial | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Platforms | 420+ (2420+ with custom removals) data brokers and people search sites | Claims 850+ data brokers, but many require custom requests |
| Extra features | Email, address, and phone number removal | Email, aliases, and phone number removal |
| Insurance | 30-day money back guarantee | A three-step refund policy |
The Cybernews team consists of professional and highly skilled writers and an in-house research team. They’re the core of all our reviews, bringing the performance of each tool closer to you. Additionally, we stick to a transparent testing process, which includes investigating various services, their features, and disclosing our testing methodology with everyone. Discover more about our testing process.
About Incogni
Incogni data removal service launched in 2021 by SurfShark, a well-known cybersecurity company. It was built to strengthen users’ digital privacy, complementing Surfshark’s broader suite of security tools.
Incogni automates the process of removing your personal information from data broker databases. It uses an algorithm that contacts them on your behalf, requests deletion, and monitors the response. It also regularly checks the databases to ensure the info isn’t reuploaded.
Notably, Incogni is the first data removal service to undergo an independent Deloitte assessment, highlighting its commitment to transparency and reliability.
The Incogni app isn’t the only tool to offer this kind of service, but it gained traction for being simple, efficient, and affordable. You can set it up in minutes, track everything through a clean dashboard, and choose from four monthly and yearly plans with discounts available regularly.
About DeleteMe
Delete Me was one of the earliest data removal services on the market, launching in 2011. It was developed by Abine and played a key role in educating the public about how data aggregators harvest and sell personal information.
Like Incogni, DeleteMe submits data removal requests directly to brokers and keeps following up until the data is erased. But instead of relying solely on algorithms, DeleteMe uses a team of real people to handle the process.
The human-led approach takes a bit longer, focusing on people search sites and marketing data brokers, and offers reports only quarterly. However, it’s more precise in the way it targets sensitive information and provides more in-depth insight into the process than many competitors. Additionally, it has recently introduced unique services, including phone and email masking.
Incogni vs DeleteMe: features comparison
The best way to compare Incogni vs DeleteMe is by examining what each service offers. That’s why I highlighted the main differences in their core features in the table below.
| Features | Incogni | DeleteMe |
| Data Brokers Coverage | Over 420+ (2420+ with custom removals) data brokers, including 40% people search sites, along with other categories, primarily in the US and EU | Around 850 marketing brokers and people search sites, most of which require custom requests that you have to ask for yourself |
| Custom removals | Yes, but limited to 40 per year | Yes, unlimited but only on high-tier plans |
| Personal Data Coverage | Personally identifiable information, such as full name, home address, email address, phone number, date of birth, employment history, marital status, and similar details. | Personal data like your name, addresses, gender, race, and ethnicity information, social media activity, online purchases, real estate information, and related information. |
| Scan and Removal Frequency | The initial scan takes about 48 hours, after which removal requests follow immediately. The process repeats within 10 days and then regularly every 90 days. | The initial scan and data removal requests are sent within a week of signing up. Follow-up scans and data removals repeat every three months |
| Dashboard tools | Sent, in progress, and completed requests data, and tips | Privacy tools, data sheet, past reports, tips, subscription settings, and phone and email masking |
| Reports | Structured, monthly reports | Quarterly, in-depth reports |
Incogni vs DeleteMe: pricing and plans
Pricing turned out to be one of the biggest differences I encountered between the DeleteMe and Incogni data removal tool. They both offer free first scans and multi-tiered plans, but the features and number of allowed users they cover vary.
DeleteMe features stay consistent across all plans. You always get unlimited data removal, customer requests, email and live support, and phone and email masking. Pricing ranges from $6.97 to $34.40 per month, depending on the number of users you add (one, a couple, or four) and whether you opt for a one- or two-year subscription.
Incogni offers over 420+ (2420+ with custom removals) data brokers and regular data removals as part of the standard plan. The Unlimited plan adds unlimited custom request capabilities on top of these features. You can subscribe annually and pay $7.19 to $22.99 per month, or opt for month-to-month payment at $15.98 for individuals or $31.98 for families, something you don’t get to choose from with DeleteMe.
Incogni vs DeleteMe: monitoring and alerts
DeleteMe and Incogni take a similar approach when it comes to monitoring and alerts, from what I gathered. Both kick things off with a full scan to show where your data is exposed, then follow up with immediate removal requests to the relevant brokers.
Although Delete Me operates on a largely manual process and Incogni relies on automation, users report that the turnaround time is roughly the same. They also repeat the process quarterly to ensure that nothing slips through the cracks or reappears online.
Now, the Incogni service has a larger broker coverage and generates monthly reports instead of quarterly ones, giving it a more aggressive data sweep. However, DeleteMe holds its own with more focused removals, more comprehensive reports, and offers the same capabilities, regardless of the plan you choose.
Incogni vs DeleteMe: user experience
Looking at the user experience side of Incogni vs DeleteMe, the race seems pretty tight. Their signing-up process involves adding personal information that you’d like removed from data brokers and takes no more than a few minutes, according to most users.
DeleteMe has a decade of experience over Incogni, so I expected its interface to be somewhat outdated, but it pleasantly surprised me. Both have clean and well-organized dashboards, with data removal progress insights front and center.
One thing that tips the scale in favor of DeleteMe for me is its built-in phone and email masking. It’s a feature available across all plans and quite popular among users. It provides disposable email addresses and phone numbers, allowing you to keep your own out of circulation and play a part in protecting your privacy.
Incogni vs DeleteMe: customer support
Incogni and DeleteMe do a solid job in the customer service department. Their Help Centers are full of helpful guides and FAQs, and when that’s not enough, they offer multiple communication channels.
Incogni’s customer support is available via web form and email before you subscribe, and through live chat once you’re an official member. The agents work around the clock every day, so you can contact them whenever it’s convenient for you. There aren’t many Incogni com reviews that speak to their responsiveness, but the ones I found claim they’ve never been left hanging.
DeleteMe offers the same customer service options as Incogni, plus a phone line. Many users appear to prefer calling in, based on the feedback I’ve read, and it’s nice to have that direct line, but the working hours are not ideal. You can only reach the agents on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, which isn’t practical for everyone, especially those outside the US.
How we tested these software tools
To answer questions like, “Is Incogni legit?” and “What does DeleteMe offer to users?”, the Cybernews team and I followed a clear-cut evaluation criteria:
- Features and scope (40%). We compared the number and variety of data brokers and other platforms each service covers. I considered the tools each of their plans came with, while my team focused on learning how convenient and effective they are to use.
- Pricing and value (25%). Cybernews experts and I didn’t just compare numbers, but looked at what you actually get for the money you pay for Incogni and DeleteMe subscription. We also factored in how their plans hold up for both solo and family use.
- Security and compliance (20%). A key part of our assessment was verifying that both Incogni and DeleteMe comply with data protection laws, like GDPR, CCPA, and PIPEDA. These regulations ensure personal data is handled legally, transparently, and with your consent.
- Ease of use (15%). Lastly, our team reviewed numerous user comments and testimonials to assess the user-friendliness and convenience of DeleteMe and Incogni data removal solutions.
Video review
If you want to see them side by side in action, we have a full comparison video of Incogni vs DeleteMe below.
Incogni vs Deleteme: which one should you choose?
After comparing Incogni vs DeleteMe in depth, I’d say Incogni comes out on top as the better all-around pick. It’s more affordable, covers a broader range of data brokers automatically, includes unlimited custom requests, and provides monthly reports. Plus, it’s easy to use and offers 24/7 customer support.
That said, DeleteMe might be a better fit if you’re more trusting of manual than automated data removal processes and prefer lengthy, detailed reports. It might be a bit pricier and harder to reach out to if you live outside the US, but it comes with phone and email masking and extra data brokers to choose from for custom requests.
Read our review carefully, decide whether your priorities lie, and choosing your match should be easy.
FAQ
Is Incogni or DeleteMe better for long-term privacy?
Incogni is a better option for long-term privacy than DeleteMe because it offers a hands-off service and monthly reports without a hefty price tag. You’ll get consistent data privacy insights and data sweep for up to 5 members for only $16.49 monthly.
Do Incogni or DeleteMe guarantee complete data removal?
No, Incogni and DeleteMe can’t guarantee a complete data removal. Still, they work to cover as many data brokers and people search sites as possible, relying on regular sweeps and giving you options to target specific platforms manually.
How quickly does each service remove my data?
DeleteMe and Incogni typically take from 7 to 14 days to remove data, from the initial scan to the first results. However, data brokers can take from 35 to 40 days to respond legally, so the process can sometimes take longer.
Can I use both services at the same time?
Yes, you can use Incogni and DeleteMe simultaneously. While they offer similar services, each takes a different approach to data removal, covers different data brokers, and includes some unique features.
Is there a free version of Incogni or DeleteMe?
No, neither DeleteMe nor Incogni offers a free version or free trial. That said, both services offer initial scans for free and have refund policies. Additionally, DeleteMe offers free DIY data removal guides in its Help Center, allowing you to handle some data removal steps on your own.
