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Best for Personal Data Removal
- Removes your data from the web to avoid scams, spam and stalkers
- 100+ million successful opt-out removals
- Provides continued removals every three months
Best for Frequent Data Monitoring
- See if your address, phone number, or other info is exposed in seconds
- Comprehensive reports
- Easy to request info deletion
- No extra features
DeleteMe and HelloPrivacy offer unique solutions for protecting your personal information online, but DeleteMe wins this comparison due to its extensive coverage of over 750 data brokers and additional privacy tools like email and phone masking. HelloPrivacy stands out with unlimited daily scans and user-friendly monthly updates.
Let’s dive into the specifics of two of the best data removal services, DeleteMe and HelloPrivacy, to help you make an informed decision.
Pricing
Features
Security
User experience
FAQs
DeleteMe vs. HelloPrivacy: Which is better?
DeleteMe vs. HelloPrivacy review at a glance
DeleteMe and HelloPrivacy are both outstanding in data removal, but each serves different user needs. DeleteMe is perfect for those seeking extensive data coverage and extra privacy tools like email and phone masking. HelloPrivacy suits budget-conscious individuals who prefer frequent monitoring and simple monthly updates.
- DeleteMe: Best for personal data removal
- HelloPrivacy: Best for frequent data monitoring
DeleteMe vs. HelloPrivacy compared
Star rating | ||
Price | $8.60–$21.94/mo | $8.33-$9.99/mo |
# of site removal | 750+ | 50+ |
Privacy reports | Yes — every three months | Yes — Monthly |
Family plan | ||
Recurring removals | ||
Custom removal requests | ||
Encryption | AES-256 and TLS 1.2 | AES-256 |
Extras | Email masking, phone masking, card masking | Dark web scanning |
Learn more | Get DeleteMe | Get HelloPrivacy |
How we test and rate data removal services
To review data removal services, we sign up for the service anywhere from a week to a month in advance. This allows it time to gather our data, scrub it from the data broker and people search sites, and send us reports on its process.
With so many data broker websites, you’ll want to make sure the one you choose sends requests to a lot of them, as well as follows up and searches for more.
Once we've spent some time with the service, we calculate our editorial rating by taking into account key features, prices, security measures, and other criteria.
To learn more about how we test, check out our full data removal testing methodology here.
DeleteMe pros and cons
- Removes data from 750+ data broker sites
- Conducts removals every three months
- Includes email, phone, and card masking
- Slightly expensive
- No marketing list opt-out
- No 24/7 customer support
HelloPrivacy pros and cons
- Unlimited daily scans
- Easy to request info deletion
- Comprehensive monthly reports
- No email masking, phone masking, or card masking
- Multiple steps may be needed to delete data
Which data removal service is the better value?
Our Pick |
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Number of people covered | 1-2 | 1 |
Paid monthly | N/A | $9.99/mo |
Paid annually | $15.26/mo (billed annually) | $99.99/yr |
Paid every two years | $11.63/mo (billed every two years) | N/A |
Money-back guarantee | ||
Best value plan | 2 People, 2 Years for $15.26/mo (billed annually) | Premium annual for $8.33/mo (billed annually) |
Learn more | Get DeleteMe | Get HelloPrivacy |
DeleteMe plans
DeleteMe offers three main plans, and the subscriptions vary by the number of people covered (either an individual or a couple) and the duration of the plan (either one or two years). Each plan provides comprehensive data removal and privacy reports every three months.
Major credit cards are accepted as payment methods. Even though there’s no free trial, a prorated refund is available if canceled before the first privacy report is complete.
- 1 Person, 1 Year: This plan covers one person for one year. It includes data removal from over 750 data broker sites, removal of unlimited aliases, previous names, and email addresses, enhanced privacy tools like email and phone masking, and custom data removal requests. It’s priced at $8.69/mo (billed annually).
- 1 Person, 2 Years: This plan covers one person for two years. It includes all the features of the Standard Protection plan at a discounted rate of $6.97/mo (billed every two years).
- 2 People, 2 Years: This plan covers two people for two years and includes all the features of the Multi-Year Protection plan at $11.63/mo (billed every two years).
HelloPrivacy plans
HelloPrivacy offers one free privacy scan. However, upgrading to a Premium plan is available as a monthly or annual subscription. Both plans provide data broker site scans, monthly reports, and real-time alerts.
Major credit cards, such as Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, and more, are accepted as payment methods. There’s no free trial or money-back guarantee, but you can cancel anytime you wish.
- Premium (annual): The best value is $8.33/mo (billed annually). It covers one person and includes monthly reports and real-time alerts.
- Premium (monthly): This plan is priced at $9.99/mo. This plan offers the same features as the annual plan with the flexibility of monthly billing.
Which data removal service has the better features?
Our Pick |
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Free scan | ||
Data broker opt-out | ||
Data broker site scans | ||
Number of data brokers covered | 750+ | Varies |
How often is data rechecked? | Quarterly | Daily |
Monthly report | ||
Marketing list removal | ||
Email privacy | ||
Privacy reports | Yes — Quarterly | Yes — Monthly |
Real-time alerts | ||
Social media account monitoring | ||
Dark web monitoring | ||
Credit monitoring | ||
Fraud monitoring | ||
Learn more | Get DeleteMe | Get HelloPrivacy |
DeleteMe and HelloPrivacy differ significantly in their monitoring and alert features. DeleteMe provides quarterly data rechecks and privacy reports, making it a suitable option for users looking for periodic updates. In contrast, HelloPrivacy offers daily scans and monthly reports, ideal for users who prefer frequent monitoring. While HelloPrivacy lacks additional privacy tools, it compensates with real-time alerts and dark web monitoring, which is essential for proactive data protection.
When comparing DeleteMe and HelloPrivacy in terms of monitoring and alerts, it's clear that each service has strengths tailored to different user needs. DeleteMe excels in covering a vast number of data broker sites (with over 750 data brokers monitored) and quarterly rechecks of your information. This makes it a robust option for those looking for extensive coverage and a thorough data removal process.
HelloPrivacy covers significantly fewer data broker sites, and the number of sites scanned varies, which may limit its effectiveness compared to DeleteMe. The lack of features like email privacy and quarterly privacy reports also means users might not get a comprehensive view of their data removal requests and progress over time. But HelloPrivacy focuses on more frequent monitoring with daily scans, which is particularly beneficial for individuals who want immediate updates about potential exposures of their sensitive data.
Overall, DeleteMe is the better option for users needing extensive coverage and thorough privacy tools, while HelloPrivacy suits those who prioritize frequent updates and immediate alerts.
Additional features
DeleteMe offers several privacy tools to enhance its data removal service.
- Email masking: Generates alternate email addresses to protect your primary email from spam and phishing attempts
- Phone masking: Provides a secondary phone number to safeguard your actual contact information
- Card masking: Creates disposable card numbers to protect your financial information during online transactions
HelloPrivacy focuses solely on data removal and monitoring without additional privacy tools like email masking, phone masking, or card masking. Although it excels in providing real-time alerts and dark web monitoring, it lacks the comprehensive features that DeleteMe offers.
Which data removal service is more secure?
Choosing a data removal service means prioritizing security. Your personal information needs strong protection against data breaches and identity theft. DeleteMe and HelloPrivacy both offer features designed to keep your data safe.
What are 2FA and MFA?
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an additional layer of security to your account by requiring two forms of verification to log in. Verification could be your password and a code sent to your phone, a fingerprint scan, or even a hardware token. If the bad actors manage to steal your password, they can’t access your account since they’d still need another form of authentication to log in.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) takes it up a notch by adding another layer, like using facial recognition. This additional step makes it harder for cybercriminals to hack your account.
Reasonable data collection and sharing
Data removal services need to collect at least some of your personally identifiable information (PII) — like your name and contact details — to locate your information online. Payment processing requires financial data, which should be handled securely.
Additionally, some monitoring data might be collected to prevent fraud or ensure service quality. All shared data should serve essential purposes and be protected by strong security measures.
DeleteMe vs. HelloPrivacy data security
Our Pick |
||
Encryption | AES-256 and TLS 1.2 | AES 256-bit |
Two-factor authentication | ||
Multi-factor authentication | ||
Collects data | Minimal | Minimal |
Shares data with third parties | Minimal | |
Learn more | Get DeleteMe | Get HelloPrivacy |
DeleteMe adopts an all-encompassing strategy for data protection, deploying AES-256 encryption to shield personal information during transmission and storage, thereby ensuring a formidable defense against breaches. The addition of two-factor authentication introduces another security layer, diminishing the risk of unauthorized access. DeleteMe strictly gathers only the essential data for its functions and refrains from sharing user data with third parties in full compliance with privacy regulations.
HelloPrivacy also employs AES-256 encryption but does not offer additional security measures like 2FA. Despite collecting minimal data and not sharing it with third parties, the absence of these enhanced security measures may pose a significant issue for users who demand robust authentication protocols.
Which data removal service has the better user experience?
Our Pick |
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Windows | ||
macOS | ||
Android | ||
iOS | ||
24/7 customer support | ||
Customer support options | Email, live chat, phone | |
Learn more | Get DeleteMe | Get HelloPrivacy |
Not all data removal services offer designated apps, but you don’t necessarily need a specific device for them to work. As long as you have a browser that accesses the internet, you should be able to log into your account.
DeleteMe provides a user-friendly interface that simplifies the data removal process with clearly labeled settings and features. Users can easily submit data removal requests and track their progress through quarterly privacy reports, ensuring even those who aren’t tech-savvy can manage their personal data removal services effectively.
In contrast, HelloPrivacy doesn’t have a designated app for Android or iOS. This lack of compatibility can be frustrating for potential users. Plus, email was the only method of contact we found for support, which is limited. Although it was a bit annoying for us, we were pleased with the quick responsiveness of their email support team.
Regarding customer support, DeleteMe offers multiple contact methods, including email, live chat, and phone support, though it does not provide 24/7 service. HelloPrivacy’s limited customer support options can be less appealing to users who require more accessible and varied support channels. For users seeking immediate and flexible support, DeleteMe is the preferable choice.
FAQs
Is HelloPrivacy better than DeleteMe?
HelloPrivacy is better for people who prioritize frequent data monitoring and real-time alerts. But overall, we think DeleteMe is the better data removal service, and it's especially good for people who need extensive data removal coverage and additional privacy tools.
Is DeleteMe a reputable company?
Yes, DeleteMe is owned by Abine, a company noted for its strong commitment to privacy and security. Abine has a solid reputation in the industry for providing effective data removal services and protecting users' personal information.
Is HelloPrivacy legit?
Yes, HelloPrivacy is a legitimate service that helps users remove their personal data from the internet. It is now known as Privacy Protect by Array and offers effective data removal and monitoring solutions.
DeleteMe vs. HelloPrivacy: Which is better?
Choosing between DeleteMe and HelloPrivacy ultimately depends on your specific needs for data removal and monitoring. DeleteMe is excellent for comprehensive data removal and privacy tools, while HelloPrivacy shines with frequent scans and real-time alerts.
If neither service meets your requirements, explore other options like Incogni, Aura, or Optery to find the best data removal services for you. Protect your personal information and maintain your privacy effectively.
DeleteMe and HelloPrivacy alternatives
If DeleteMe and HelloPrivacy don't meet your needs, consider these tested data removal alternatives, which we recommend based on features, price points, and advanced privacy tools.
- Incogni: Incogni offers automated personal data removal services, focusing on efficiency and ease of use. It works by sending data removal requests on your behalf to numerous data brokers, ensuring that your personal information is deleted from various sources.
Get Incogni | Read Our Incogni Review
- Aura: Aura provides a comprehensive data protection service that includes identity theft protection, credit monitoring, and dark web monitoring. Aura's robust features help safeguard your personal information and provide peace of mind.
Get Aura | Read Our Aura Review
- Optery: Optery offers proactive data removal solutions, focusing on removing your information from people search sites and data broker websites. It provides a detailed dashboard to track the status of your data removal requests and ensure your sensitive data is protected.
Get Optery | Read Our Optery Review