Optery vs DeleteMe: Which Data Removal Service Wins in 2026?
Both remove your personal information from data broker sites. They differ on price, billing flexibility, and, most of all, proof that the work got done.
By Jean Luc Poitier, SEO and growth marketing strategist · Optery Reviews · Updated November 1, 2026
Optery wins for most people: it costs less to start ($39/yr vs $129/yr, or $3.99 for a single month). It covers more sites with automated removals, bills monthly or yearly with pause/cancel anytime, and is the only service that shows before-and-after screenshots proving each removal. PCMag has named it Editors’ Choice five years running (2022–2026) and CNET named it Best Overall Data Removal Service of 2026. DeleteMe is the longest-established name in the category (since 2010) and a reasonable pick if you prefer a hands-off, human-driven service and don’t mind yearly billing, but you’ll pay more and see less evidence of what was removed.
Optery vs DeleteMe at a glance
| Compared on | Optery | DeleteMe |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $3.99/mo ($39/yr), free tier available | $129/yr (1 person) |
| Billing options | Monthly or yearly; pause, upgrade, downgrade anytime | Yearly or multi-year only |
| Automated coverage | 380+ to 625+ sites by plan | ~85 sites on Standard (750+ listed, rest via limited custom requests) |
| Custom removals | Unlimited on Ultimate (940+ sites total) | Limited number per year (cap not published) |
| Proof of removals | Before-and-after screenshots | No screenshots; reports every ~3 months |
| Free option | Free exposure report + self-service tools | Free scan (results not independently verifiable) |
| Trustpilot, Oct 2026 | 4.1 across 234 reviews; the 50 most recent are all unprompted (avg 4.0) | 3.6 across 264 reviews (joindeleteme.com); unprompted reviews avg 1.9 (30 of the 100 most recent; the other 70 were invited, avg 4.3) |
| Expert awards | PCMag Editors’ Choice 2022–2026; CNET Editors’ Choice 2026 | — |
Figures checked against each company's published pages and review-platform listings as of November 2026. “Not published” means the company does not publish that figure.
Pricing: $39/year vs $129/year
DeleteMe’s Standard Protection costs $129/year for one person, $229/year for two, and $329/year for four (2-year plans: $209, $349, and $499), and there is no monthly option. Optery’s paid plans run from $3.99/month (Core, 380+ sites) to $24.99/month (Ultimate, 625+ sites plus unlimited custom removals), with yearly billing saving about 17%. If you want to try a data removal service without committing $129 up front, Optery is the only one of the two that lets you.
Coverage: Read the Fine Print on “750+ Sites”
DeleteMe advertises a list of 750+ sites, but its Standard plan automatically covers roughly 85 of them. The rest fall under “custom requests”: you find the profile yourself, submit it, and DeleteMe makes a best effort, with an annual cap it doesn’t publish. Optery’s plans state their automated coverage directly (380+, 555+, or 625+ sites), and the Ultimate plan adds unlimited custom removal requests for 940+ sites total.
Proof: Screenshots vs Trust-Us Reports
This is the biggest practical difference. Optery documents removals with before-and-after screenshots, so you can see each profile gone without checking data broker sites yourself. DeleteMe sends a privacy report roughly every three months with no screenshots. PCMag cited this transparency when naming Optery its Editors’ Choice, and it’s the feature Optery’s own customers mention most in reviews.
Where DeleteMe Wins
- Longevity: operating since 2010, the most established brand in the category.
- Hands-off feel: a human-driven, set-and-forget service model some customers prefer.
- Household bundles: straightforward 2-person and family packages if yearly billing doesn’t bother you.
Optery vs DeleteMe FAQ
Is Optery or DeleteMe cheaper?+
Optery starts at $3.99/month ($39/year) for automated removals from 380+ sites. DeleteMe's Standard plan is $129/year for one person, billed yearly only. Optery also has a free tier with self-service removal tools; DeleteMe does not.
Does DeleteMe show proof of removals?+
DeleteMe sends privacy reports roughly every three months but does not provide before-and-after screenshots. Optery documents removals with before-and-after screenshots on its Extended and Ultimate plans.
How many sites does each service cover?+
DeleteMe lists 750+ sites, but its Standard plan covers roughly 85 of them; the rest require custom requests, which are limited per year. Optery's plans cover 380+ to 625+ sites with automated removals, plus unlimited custom removals (940+ sites total) on Ultimate.
Can I pay monthly with DeleteMe?+
No. DeleteMe only offers yearly (or multi-year) billing. Optery offers monthly and yearly billing, and you can pause, upgrade, or downgrade anytime with pro-rated charges.
Try Optery Free First
The free exposure report shows exactly which data brokers are posting your information, with screenshots, before you pay anything.