Optery vs. DeleteMe

DeleteMe is one of the oldest brands in the personal-data-removal space but falls short in comparison to Optery, a modern data removal company.

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Comparison Quick Summary

Winner: Optery (Best for coverage, verification, and price flexibility)
Coverage: Optery covers ~50% more data brokers in core plans than DeleteMe
Proof: Optery provides removal verification screenshots; DeleteMe provides list counts
Pricing: Optery offers monthly and yearly plans; DeleteMe only provides yearly plans

Below is a side-by-side comparison to help you decide which solution best meets your data-removal needs.

1. Coverage Comparison: Number of Data Brokers Removed

Both Optery and DeleteMe list large numbers of data broker sites on their websites. The real question isn’t just “how many logos are on the page?” but how clearly they explain what is actually covered in your plan, and how much of that coverage is automatic versus manual.

DeleteMe’s homepage highlights “975+ data brokers” under a bold “Sites We Remove From” headline. However, based on our research into the fine print, only a portion of those sites are handled automatically in a standard consumer subscription:

85 sites are covered automatically by DeleteMe’s Standard plan.
13 additional sites are reserved for Business Gold, Diamond, Platinum and VIP Plan tiers.
147 sites are international-only.
566 sites are only accessible via Custom Requests—meaning you must find the profile yourself and submit it manually.

For an average customer, this makes it difficult to know exactly what coverage they are buying.

Optery takes a transparent approach to the same problem:

Clear Coverage: Each plan (Core, Extended, Ultimate) has a published data broker count and a searchable coverage list.
More Comprehensive Coverage: The Core plan alone covers more than twice as many data brokers (365+ or 130+ sites with enabling Expanded Reach) as DeleteMe’s Standard plan, while still priced significantly lower.
Multiple Coverage Options: Higher tiers add hundreds more data brokers and include clearly labeled Custom Removals with straightforward policies (e.g., unlimited on Ultimate).

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Coverage at a Glance

Coverage Question	Optery	DeleteMe
How is coverage presented?	Clear, plan-by-plan broker counts and searchable lists.	Single “975+ sites” list with icons, symbols, and footnotes that are harder to interpret.
Data Brokers covered by entry plan	365+ data brokers on Core.	data brokers on Standard.
How much depends on user-submitted custom requests?	Custom Removals exist, but are clearly labeled and primarily an add-on to already broad automatic coverage.	A large portion of the “975+” total is only reachable via Custom Requests you must submit yourself.
Can I easily see what my specific plan covers?	Yes – filter by plan and broker directly from the coverage list.	Only partially – coverage by plan is not clearly broken out for the full “975+” headline number.

Bottom line: both services combine automatic removals with some level of manual / custom work, but Optery makes it much easier to see exactly which data brokers are covered on your plan and delivers much broader automatic coverage even on its entry-level tier.

2. Verification: Do They Provide Removal Screenshots?

For a data-removal service, evidence matters.

DeleteMe:

Runs quarterly reviews and then sends you a PDF “Privacy Report” summarizing which sites were checked and how many listings were removed.
The dashboard shows counts like “Listings Reviewed” or “Listings Removed,” but no screenshots, no direct profile links, and no visual before-and-after proof.

Optery:

Pioneered screenshots for both Exposure Reports and Removals Reports. Removals Reports include before-and-after screenshots to give customers maximum transparency.
Shows live thumbnails in the dashboard so you can click through to see exactly where your profile was found and how it looks after removal.
Provides downloadable PDF reports with those same screenshots included.

Independent reviewers have repeatedly called out this difference, Optery’s verifiable reporting is a key reason it has been awarded PCMag Editors’ Choice multiple years in a row and has become the most awarded product in the category.

Bottom line: DeleteMe asks you to trust aggregated counts and quarterly PDFs. Optery shows you, in detail, where your data appeared and where it was removed.

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3. Removals Process: Humans-Only vs Humans + Machines

DeleteMe leans heavily into a manual, advisor-driven model:

The Standard plan operates on a quarterly review and removal cycle.
A human Privacy Advisor reviews 85 data brokers, submits removals, and compiles a PDF summary every three months.
A large portion of DeleteMe’s touted “975+” sites can only be used via Custom Requests, which require you to find your own profiles and submit them for the advisor to handle.

Optery uses a “Humans + Machines” approach:

Automated monthly scans and opt-outs handle the heavy lifting across hundreds of data brokers.
Human Privacy Agents step in for QA, difficult data brokers, and edge cases (especially on Extended and Ultimate plans).
Removal status updates are reflected in the app continuously rather than only once a quarter.

Process Comparison

Process	Optery	DeleteMe
Scan / removal frequency	Monthly by default	Quarterly for consumer plans
Approach	Hybrid automation + human agents	Primarily manual human advisors
Custom Removals	Included and unlimited on Ultimate	Central to coverage; volume caps unclear

Bottom line: DeleteMe’s manual process can feel “personal,” but it’s slower, narrower, and more work for the customer. Optery’s hybrid model scales better, updates more often, and still gives you human backup when needed.

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4. Flexible Plans and Free Tools

Free Scan

DeleteMe promotes a “Free Scan”, but in testing the scan:

Results pages showed only 3–6 broker tiles, always from the same small pool (e.g., MyLife, SmartBackgroundCheck, CyberBackgroundChecks).
No actual data (full name, address, etc.) is shown.
No direct links or screenshots to verify those records.
The main call-to-action is to start a paid subscription.

In practice, DeleteMe’s free scan behaves more like a “marketing hook” than a genuinely useful, verifiable scan.

Optery’s Free Basic tier is a full product:

Real scan across hundreds of data brokers.
Dozens of actual screenshots of your exposed profiles.

Self-service DIY opt-out tools and direct links.
No credit card required.

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Pricing

DeleteMe Standard:

Starts at $129/year for 1 person, $229/year for 2, and $329/year for a family plan.
Only annual or multi-year options; no monthly billing is offered to consumers.

Optery:

The Optery Core plan starts at $3.99/month or $39/year, with Extended and Ultimate plans scaling up coverage and features.
Optery offers both Monthly and Yearly billing, and the ability to easily pause or change plan levels with prorated billing.

Pricing & Accessibility

Option	Optery	DeleteMe
Free tier	✅ Yes (scan + tools)	🚫 No
Entry price	$3.99/month	$11/month ($129/year)
Monthly billing	✅ Yes	🚫 No (yearly only)
Flexible upgrades / downgrades	✅ Seamless, pro-rated	⚠️ Limited; higher tiers require sales contact

Bottom line: DeleteMe charges more, scans less often, and locks you into annual commitments. Optery gives you a powerful free tier, low entry pricing, and real flexibility.

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Does DeleteMe Blur Your Home on Google and Apple Maps? Yes, DeleteMe offers Map Blurring for their customers.

📍Does Optery Blur Your Home on Google Maps and Apple Maps?

Yes, Optery offers map blurring for its Extended and Ultimate plan subscribers. Optery customers can request to hide their home’s imagery on Google and Apple Maps. This feature allows users to manage their physical privacy directly through their Optery account.

5. Security and Trust

Independent Validation and Reputation

When you look beyond feature lists and start asking “who do independent reviewers actually recommend?”, Optery pulls clearly ahead.

Over the last few years, Optery has been repeatedly recognized by independent reviewers and industry groups for its approach to data removal. That includes multiple PCMag Editors’ Choice recognitions, as well as awards and mentions from outlets like Fast Company and several cybersecurity and privacy industry organizations. In those reviews, Optery is often highlighted for:

Screenshot-based exposure and removal reporting
Transparent, plan-by-plan broker coverage
Flexible pricing and a genuinely useful free tier

DeleteMe, meanwhile, is a well-known legacy brand with strong name recognition and plenty of media coverage. It helped popularize the category and still appears frequently in press roundups of privacy services.

However, when you compare recent, product-specific awards and head-to-head recommendations, Optery surfaces more often as the platform reviewers single out as a top or best-in-category choice.

Bottom line: Both brands are established and visible, but Optery stands out as the more frequently awarded and independently recommended platform for modern data removal.

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The Verdict

DeleteMe is a well-known, long-standing option that helped popularize the data-removal space. For people who are comfortable with quarterly, advisor-driven reports and a smaller set of automatically covered sites, it can still get the job done.

But if you care about clear coverage, frequent removals, and proof of results, Optery comes out ahead. With broader, more transparent broker coverage, screenshot-based verification, flexible pricing (including a powerful free tier), and repeated recognition from independent reviewers, Optery is better aligned with what modern privacy-conscious users actually need.

Consumer Reports Study – Optery vs DeleteMe

Acutally ConsumerReports studied Optery vs Delete and others in 2024. At the conclusion of the study, Optery performed the best. That is clear.

Optery performed a whopping 41 percentage points better than marketing powerhouse DeleteMe.

People-Search Removal Service	Annual Cost (as of July 2024)	Profiles Removed Within a Week	Profiles Removed Within 1 Month	Profiles Removed Within 4 Months
Optery (Ultimate Tier)	$249	52%	58%	68%
EasyOptOuts	$19.99	59%	61%	65%
IDX (Privacy Tier)	$139.92	38%	38%	40%
Kanary	$179.88	16%	26%	34%
DeleteMe	$129	13%	20%	27%
Reputation Defender (Privacy Pro)	$99	2%	4%	6%
Confidently	$120	0%	2%	4%

Source: Data from Consumer Reports August 2024 (PDF link, page 11)

Ready to take control of your personal data? Start your free Optery scan in minutes.

🔗 Want the full comparison? Read our complete DeleteMe Review – Pros and Cons for detailed screenshots, charts, and testing data.

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Free BASIC

Free

self-service opt out

Key features:

Core

399

/month

325

/month ($39 billed yearly)

removal from 365+ Sites

Everything in Free Basic, plus:

Automated removals from 365+ Sites (or 130+ Sites without enabling Expanded Reach), however, maximum of 1 name and city and state per user for removals
Monthly Automated Scans and Removals
Fully automated approach. No human Privacy Agent assigned for QA or handling special circumstances
Opt Out Progress and Exposure Risk Reporting
Automatically Opt Out of Newly Supported Data Brokers

Extended

1499

/month

1242

/month ($149 billed yearly)

removal from 540+ Sites

Everything in Core, plus:

Automated removals from 540+ Sites (or 305+ Sites without enabling Expanded Reach)
Unlimited Name Variations (for the same person) for Removals
Unlimited Past Cities and State for Removals
“Humans + Machines” approach. Automated removals + assigned human Privacy Agent for QA and handling special circumstances
Removals Reports with before and after screenshots every ~90 days
Blur your home on Google Maps and Apple Maps

Frequently Asked
Questions

How do I modify, cancel or pause my subscription and billing?
Optery provides complete control over your subscription and billing from the Plans page after logging into your account. If you have any trouble updating your billing or subscription on your own, just email us at support@optery.com and we’ll help you right away.

Upgrades & Downgrades: If you want to upgrade or downgrade your plan, or change from Monthly to Yearly, you can do so from the Plans page after logging into your account. Just click the “Monthly” or “Yearly” and “Upgrade” or “Downgrade” buttons above and follow the prompts. There’s no reason to cancel your plan to make changes.

Pause Billing: You can pause your subscription and billing at any time by navigating to your Account page, scrolling down and clicking the button to “Pause Subscription”.

Cancellation: You can cancel your plan from this page by navigating to your Account page after logging into your account, scrolling down and clicking the button to “Cancel Subscription”. After your paid plan is cancelled, all future billing will stop, but your plan will remain active for the remainder of your billing term, and then will downgrade automatically to the Free Basic tier AFTER your billing term ends so you receive the full value of your last subscription payment.

Stop Auto-Renew: By default, Optery’s subscriptions auto-renew at the end of your billing term (i.e. Monthly or Yearly). Simply cancel your plan at any time using the instructions above to stop the auto-renew process. After your paid plan is cancelled, all future billing will stop, but your plan will remain active for the remainder of your billing term, and then will downgrade automatically to the Free Basic tier AFTER your billing term ends so you receive the full value of your last subscription payment.

You can learn more about our billing and payments options on our Help Desk section on Billing & Payments.
How does your money back guarantee work?
If you are not satisfied with your purchase, within 30 days of your first purchase, cancel your account and then send your refund request to support@optery.com and your refund will be processed within 5 – 10 business days. Once your refund is processed, your Optery subscription service will discontinue immediately and your account will automatically be downgraded to Free Basic. More details on the refund process can be found on our Help Desk here.
How can I resolve a billing error or discrepancy I have found?
Billing errors are rare as we have an advanced system via our payment processor Stripe configured to automatically handle upgrades, downgrades, paused subscriptions, and cancellations. That said, we take the accuracy of your payments and billing very seriously, so if you feel you’ve found an error or have any questions about your billing or payments, please send us an email at support@optery.com and we’ll investigate and resolve it right away.
After upgrading, how long does it take for my profiles to be removed?
Some data brokers comply within 24 hours, while others take several weeks, and sometimes months to comply. Each case is unique, but rest assured we are doing our best to streamline the process for you. To set the proper expectations, and in full transparency, getting hundreds of data brokers to comply with opt out requests is a “whack-a-mole” game that is often never-ending. It is unlikely that within a few weeks or months ALL instances of your information will be deleted. If that is your expectation, we recommend not using our service as we don’t want you to be disappointed. Customer satisfaction and the security of your data are always our top priorities. That said, Optery is very effective at removing the vast majority of exposed profiles on an ongoing basis, and the vast majority of Optery customers are extremely pleased with the results.
Will Optery completely stop all of my robo calls and email spam?
No. Optery is not an “off” switch for unwanted email spam and robo calls. Many Optery customers report a dramatic decrease in the volume of unwanted email and phone calls, but this is not the specific function of the product. Instead, the primary purpose of Optery is to protect your privacy by removing you from data broker sites posting your personal information on the internet. By removing you from these sites, we take your information like home address, phone number, email, and family members’ names out of circulation reducing your attack surface area by bad actors. Optery is part of a wholistic security and privacy approach that reduces your profile online and makes you a more difficult target to attack.
What type of sites does Optery NOT cover?
Optery only removes from data brokers and people search sites, most of which are listed inside your Optery Dashboard.

Optery does NOT cover general web sites like blogs, news sites, celebrity sites, community web sites, personal web sites, discussion boards, forum web sites, pornography sites, wiki sites, photo sites, video sites, computer programming web sites, legal records sites, documents posted online (e.g. PDFs, TXTs), or social media sites like LinkedIn, Pinterest, Facebook, Snap, TikTok, Twitter, etc.

Optery does NOT remove information from the Dark Web and does Not currently provide Dark Web scanning or reporting. Removing your personal information from the Dark Web is impossible as it is usually placed there by hackers, scammers, spammers, and criminals illegally – and there’s nothing you can do to remove it – which is partly why it’s referred to as the Dark Web.

If you need information removal from sites that Optery does not cover, then Optery is not the right solution for you.
Will Optery be able to remove 100% of my information from the internet?
No, in the majority of cases, Optery will not be able to remove 100% of your information from the Internet.

Firstly, Optery only covers data broker and people search web sites, so by definition, Optery will not remove your information from other types of sites like blogs, news sites, discussion boards, wiki sites, photo sites, legal records sites, or social media sites like LinkedIn, Pinterest, or Facebook.

Furthermore, Optery’s Terms of Service state: “Optery will use good faith, reasonable efforts to provide the Removal Services, but there is no guarantee or warranty of any kind that third parties will honor or comply with the opt out, data deletion, do not sell, do not share, suppression or removal requests; and It is not possible for Optery to remove 100% of your personal information from the Internet, or even from all of the data brokers and information aggregators covered by the Removal Services.”

Optery is able to remove the vast majority of it, but inevitably there are data brokers that may refuse to comply with our requests, data brokers that change their opt out processes causing us trouble, profiles that pop back up and re-populate over time, and the reality is that unfortunately our opt out software is not 100% perfect at this time. This is why most of our customers choose to keep the subscription running on an ongoing basis, to employ our service on a ongoing basis to continually scan and remove over time.

If you do encounter sites that have mistakenly been marked “Removed / Not Found” when they are still present, or data broker sites not currently covered by the Ultimate plan, you can submit these sites via our Removals Issues and Custom Removals functionality.

Not withstanding the above, the vast majority of Optery customers are very happy with their results.
How does Optery opt out on my behalf?
Optery reaches out to multiple data brokers on your behalf and automatically submits your opt out requests to remove your Personal Identifiable Information (PII) from their database(s). We use a “humans + machines” approach that combines the most advanced automated opt out technology with hands-on expert human privacy agents to deliver maximum removals compared to any other service in the industry. This is one of the reasons why Optery has won the coveted “Editors’ Choice” award by PCMag.com in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 as the most outstanding personal data removal product on the market, and why Optery was the #1 most effective product in a recent study by Consumer Reports.

Optery was also named a winner in the Security and Privacy category for Fast Company’s 2023 Next Big Things in Tech awards, and named winner in the Employee Privacy Protection, Attack Surface Management, and Digital Footprint Management categories of the 2024 and 2025 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards.
How do your Family plans and family plan discounts work?
You can learn all about how Optery for Family works on our Help Desk here.
What are the main differences between different plan tiers?
The primary differences between the Core, Extended, and Ultimate plans are related to the data brokers each plan covers, and the availability of unlimited Custom Removals. You can scroll to the section titled Need Help Choosing a Plan? on our Pricing page for full details on which data brokers each plan covers, and the differences between each plan, or you can visit our Help Desk post covering the differences between plans. To summarize:

Free Basic Plan – free quarterly exposure reporting and self-service tools

Core Plan – low-cost, no frills, plan for ongoing basic coverage

Extended Plan – best value plan

Ultimate Plan – most comprehensive coverage, our most popular plan by far
Does Optery offer an Affiliate Program or Referral Program?
Yes. Optery has a fantastic Affiliate Program and Referral Program enabling you to earn money promoting our award-winning personal data removal service. Have confidence you’re recommending the most effective product on the market.

Optery vs. DeleteMe