GhostMyData vs Incogni: Which Data Removal Service Is Better?
Compare GhostMyData and Incogni to find the best data removal service for your privacy. Discover pros, cons, and pricing. Protect your data today—read our full review.
Why Choosing the Right Data Removal Service Matters
Your personal data is everywhere. Data brokers collect information about your online behavior, financial history, location, and more—then sell it to the highest bidder. According to privacy advocates, the average American's data is held by dozens of these companies simultaneously.
When you're ready to reclaim your privacy, selecting the right data removal service becomes crucial. The difference between a mediocre service and an excellent one can mean the difference between having your data removed from 50 brokers versus 500+.
Two names consistently appear in privacy discussions: GhostMyData and Incogni. Both promise to remove your personal information from data brokers across the internet. But which one actually delivers better results?
This comprehensive comparison will help you understand the key differences between these services, so you can make an informed decision about protecting your privacy.
Feature Comparison: GhostMyData vs Incogni
Broker Coverage and Database Size
The most important metric for any data removal service is how many data brokers it can actually reach. A service that covers 100 brokers is significantly less valuable than one covering 500+.
GhostMyData's approach:
- Covers 500+ data brokers and people search sites
- Continuously updates its broker database as new companies emerge
- Focuses on high-impact brokers where your data is most likely to be sold
- Includes major players like Whitepages, BeenVerified, and Spokeo
- Targets niche brokers in specific industries (healthcare, financial services, etc.)
Incogni's approach:
- Claims coverage of 200+ data brokers
- Maintains partnerships with established broker networks
- Emphasizes quality over quantity in broker selection
- Focuses on the most commonly used people search sites
For the ghostmydata vs incogni comparison, this is a significant advantage for GhostMyData. More broker coverage means more comprehensive privacy protection.
Automation and Ongoing Removal
Data removal isn't a one-time event. New brokers emerge constantly, and some companies re-list your information after removal. The best services maintain ongoing protection.
GhostMyData's automation:
- Fully automated removal process with no manual intervention required
- Continuous monitoring for data re-listing
- Automatic re-removal requests when data reappears
- Real-time updates as new brokers are identified
- Dashboard shows removal status for each broker in real-time
Incogni's automation:
- Semi-automated process with some manual review steps
- Periodic scans for re-listed data
- Manual re-removal requests when needed
- Updates occur on a scheduled basis rather than in real-time
The automation difference is substantial. With GhostMyData, you can set it and forget it. Incogni requires more active monitoring on your part.
Speed of Removal
How quickly can each service actually remove your data? This matters because every day your information remains publicly available is another day it can be misused.
GhostMyData removal timeline:
- Initial removal requests sent within 24-48 hours
- Most brokers respond within 2-4 weeks
- Average complete removal: 30-45 days
- Provides weekly progress updates
- Expedited removal available for priority brokers
Incogni removal timeline:
- Initial removal requests processed within 3-5 business days
- Broker response time: 3-6 weeks typically
- Average complete removal: 45-60 days
- Monthly progress reports
- Standard removal timeline only
GhostMyData's faster initial processing means your removal requests reach brokers sooner, translating to quicker overall results.
Pricing Breakdown
Cost is a significant factor when choosing a data removal service. Let's examine what each company charges.
GhostMyData Pricing
GhostMyData offers transparent, straightforward pricing:
- Monthly subscription: $10.99/month (billed monthly)
- Annual subscription: $99.99/year (approximately $8.33/month, saves 24%)
- Lifetime plan: $299.99 (one-time payment, best value for long-term protection)
- Family plans: Available for 3-5 family members with shared dashboard
All plans include:
- Access to 500+ broker database
- Unlimited removal requests
- Real-time monitoring and re-removal
- 24/7 customer support
- Money-back guarantee (60 days)
Incogni Pricing
Incogni's pricing structure is less transparent:
- Monthly subscription: $14.99/month
- Annual subscription: $99.99/year (approximately $8.33/month when paid annually)
- Family plans: Limited availability, higher per-person cost
Incogni includes:
- Access to 200+ broker database
- Limited removal requests per month
- Periodic monitoring (not real-time)
- Email support primarily
- Money-back guarantee (30 days)
Price-to-Value Analysis
While annual pricing appears similar, GhostMyData delivers significantly more value:
- 37% more brokers covered at the same annual price
- Unlimited removal requests vs. Incogni's monthly limits
- Continuous automation vs. scheduled scans
- Faster processing (24-48 hours vs. 3-5 business days)
- Longer money-back guarantee (60 vs. 30 days)
For the best data removal service comparison, GhostMyData offers better value at similar price points.
Broker Database Size Comparison
Let's dig deeper into what "broker coverage" actually means for your privacy.
Types of Brokers Each Service Targets
GhostMyData targets:
- People search engines (Whitepages, BeenVerified, Spokeo, Intelius)
- Data aggregators (Acxiom, Experian, Equifax)
- Public records databases (court records, property records, vital records)
- Marketing databases (email list providers, marketing platforms)
- Social media data brokers (companies that collect social media information)
- Niche industry brokers (healthcare, financial services, legal)
- Background check companies (employment screening services)
- Emerging data brokers (newly identified companies continuously added)
Incogni targets:
- Major people search engines (the most popular 20-30 sites)
- Established data aggregators (primary brokers only)
- Public records databases (limited scope)
- Some marketing databases (selective coverage)
The difference is clear: GhostMyData casts a wider net, ensuring your data is removed from more sources.
Why Broker Count Matters
Consider this scenario: You use Incogni and successfully remove your data from 200 brokers. But your information still appears on 300+ other sites. A data broker looking for your information would find it elsewhere, defeating the purpose of the service.
GhostMyData's 500+ broker coverage significantly reduces this risk. While no service can claim 100% coverage (new brokers emerge constantly), more comprehensive coverage provides better protection.
User Experience and Customer Support
GhostMyData User Experience
Dashboard features:
- Real-time removal status for each broker
- Visual progress indicators showing completion percentage
- Detailed removal history and timestamps
- Search functionality to find specific brokers
- Mobile app for on-the-go monitoring
- Customizable privacy preferences
Getting started:
- Visit GhostMyData and complete the free scan
- Review your data across brokers
- Choose your subscription plan
- Approve removal requests (or let automation handle it)
- Monitor progress in real-time
Customer support:
- 24/7 live chat support
- Average response time: under 5 minutes
- Email support with guaranteed 24-hour response
- Comprehensive knowledge base with video tutorials
- Active social media support team
Incogni User Experience
Dashboard features:
- Monthly progress reports via email
- Broker-by-broker status updates
- Basic removal history
- Limited customization options
- No mobile app (web-only)
- Standard privacy settings
Getting started:
- Sign up for Incogni account
- Provide personal information
- Receive monthly updates
- Passive monitoring of removal status
Customer support:
- Email support primarily
- Response time: 24-48 hours typical
- Limited live chat (business hours only)
- Basic FAQ section
- Social media presence minimal
Support Quality Matters
When your personal data is at stake, responsive support is essential. GhostMyData's 24/7 live chat means you can get answers immediately, while Incogni's email-only approach leaves you waiting.
Incogni Review: What Users Say
Before making your decision, consider what actual users report about Incogni:
Common praise:
- Simple, straightforward interface
- Reasonable annual pricing
- Legitimate removal results from major brokers
- Reliable service with minimal downtime
Common complaints:
- Slow removal timeline (45-60 days)
- Limited broker coverage leaves data on many sites
- Monthly limits on removal requests feel restrictive
- Email-only support is slow
- Dashboard lacks real-time updates
- Doesn't monitor for data re-listing effectively
These user reviews highlight why GhostMyData's more comprehensive approach appeals to privacy-conscious consumers.
Verdict: Which Service Is Right for You?
Choose GhostMyData If:
- You want the most comprehensive data removal available
- You value real-time monitoring and automation
- You want faster removal timelines
- You prefer responsive customer support
- You want peace of mind knowing your data is continuously protected
- You're willing to invest in long-term privacy (lifetime plan offers excellent value)
- You want unlimited removal requests
- You need a service that adapts as new brokers emerge
Choose Incogni If:
- You prefer a simpler, more hands-off approach
- You only want to target major brokers
- You're extremely budget-conscious (though GhostMyData is comparably priced)
- You don't need real-time monitoring
- You're comfortable with slower removal timelines
- You only need data removed once (not ongoing protection)
The Bottom Line
For most privacy-conscious consumers, GhostMyData is the superior choice. It covers more brokers, removes data faster, automates ongoing protection, and provides better customer support—often at the same or lower cost than Incogni.
The best data removal service is the one you'll actually use and maintain. GhostMyData's automation makes it easier to achieve lasting privacy protection without ongoing effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between data removal and data privacy?
Data removal eliminates your information from data brokers' databases. Data privacy is a broader concept encompassing how companies collect, use, and protect your information. Data removal is one important component of comprehensive privacy protection. Services like GhostMyData focus specifically on removal, while you should also consider privacy settings on social media, email management, and secure browsing practices.
Do these services work with CCPA and GDPR regulations?
Both GhostMyData and Incogni help you exercise your rights under CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) and GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). These laws give you the right to request data deletion from companies holding your information. However, the services handle the administrative burden—you don't have to send removal requests yourself. GhostMyData's broader broker coverage ensures better compliance with these regulations across more data sources.
Can data brokers refuse removal requests?
Some brokers claim they're "data aggregators" not "data brokers" and argue they're exempt from removal requirements. However, under CCPA and GDPR, most companies must honor legitimate deletion requests. GhostMyData and Incogni handle these legal nuances and persist with brokers that initially refuse. GhostMyData's larger team and more aggressive approach often succeeds where others fail.
Will my data ever come back after removal?
Unfortunately, yes. New data brokers constantly acquire information, and some re-list previously removed data. This is why ongoing monitoring matters. GhostMyData's continuous automation catches re-listing and automatically sends new removal requests. Incogni's periodic monitoring means you might not discover re-listed data for weeks or months.
How long does complete removal actually take?
Realistic timelines: GhostMyData typically completes 80% of removals within 45 days, with full completion in 60-90 days. Incogni typically requires 60-120 days. The variation depends on how responsive each broker is and how many removal requests are needed. Patience is essential—some brokers take months to respond, and persistence often succeeds where initial requests fail.
---
Take Action Today
Your personal data is a valuable asset—and it's being sold without your permission. Every day you wait is another day your information remains exposed to identity theft, scams, and unwanted contact.
GhostMyData makes reclaiming your privacy simple. Start with a free scan to see exactly where your data appears online. Then let our automated removal service handle the rest.
With 500+ brokers covered, 24/7 support, and real-time monitoring, GhostMyData is the comprehensive solution to the data privacy problem. Choose lasting protection—not just a temporary fix.
Start your free scan today and discover how much of your personal information is publicly available right now.
Ready to Remove Your Data?
Stop letting data brokers profit from your personal information. GhostMyData automates the removal process.
Start Your Free ScanGet Privacy Tips in Your Inbox
Weekly tips on protecting your personal data. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Related Articles
GhostMyData vs Removaly: Which Data Removal Service Is Better?
Compare GhostMyData and Removaly to find the best data removal service for your privacy. See detailed features, pricing & reviews. Choose wisely today!
GhostMyData vs OneRep: Which Data Removal Service Is Better?
Compare GhostMyData and OneRep to find the best data removal service for your privacy. See pricing, features, and effectiveness. Choose wisely today.
GhostMyData vs Privacy Bee: Which Data Removal Service Is Better?
Comparing GhostMyData and Privacy Bee? Discover which data removal service better protects your privacy, removes personal info faster, and saves you money. Choose wisely today.