When people mention “data removal,” they may mean very different things. For many users, it is about deleting public profiles, whereas for others—about stopping personal information from circulating on the web in the first place.
Incogni and Kanary both address this data-removal issue, but they are not interchangeable. They ask different questions and require very different things from the user after signing up. Parallely, you should expect a different outcome from each provider.
This article examines what actually happens when you use each service.
A Quick Look at Incogni vs Kanary
Point of ComparisonIncogniKanaryStarting price (annualized)From $7.99/monthPremium from $9.99/monthMain purposeAutomated data broker removalGuided data cleanup and monitoringRemoval processFully automated, ongoingSemi-automated with user confirmationBroker coverage420+325+Handing re-listingsYes, automaticallyPartial, may require follow-upPlatformWeb-based dashboardMobile app (iOS & Android)Free versionNo (a 30-day money-back guarantee)YesThird-party reviewsPCMag, PCWorld, TechRadarPCMag, TechRadarProcess verificationDeloitte Limited Assurance AssessmentNone
What Happens After You Sign Up?
With Incogni
Incogni
Once you complete identity verification, Incogni begins sending deletion requests to hundreds of private companies that operate data-broker databases. Some of them publish searchable information, which is easier to find. Others operate more privately, trading personal data for marketing, recruitment, or screening purposes.
Whatever the case, there’s a high chance Incogni will identify a problem. What’s more, the system keeps going after removal. Requests are repeated on a schedule, ensuring removals don’t quietly expire when databases refresh. With this system, you’re barely asked to confirm individual actions. You’re not prompted to revisit old listings. You can check progress, but the process doesn’t depend on your involvement.
This system has been reviewed through a Deloitte Independent Limited Assurance Assessment, confirming that it works as described. Incogni has also been evaluated by established publications, including PCMag, which named it an Editors’ Choice for personal data removal, and PCWorld, which gave it its Editors’ Choice badge, applauding its automation and scope.
With Kanary
Kanary
Kanary works very differently. It scans for where your personal data appears and displays those findings in its mobile app. When removals are straightforward, Kanary will proceed. However, many steps still require your approval or completion.
Here, you stay informed at every stage. The app explains what was found, what can be done, and what needs your attention next. Kanary also emphasizes data ethics and local data handling, retaining much of the information on the user’s device.
The result is clarity, involvement, and responsibility. Progress depends partly on how often you engage with the app.
What Does “Coverage” Actually Mean?
Incogni
Each provider in this industry will try to convince you to choose its service by boasting about their broker coverage. But what does that mean? It refers to the number of companies to which it can send removal requests on your behalf. Both Incogni and Kanary work with private companies that collect and resell personal data, but they focus on different parts of that ecosystem.
Incogni operates from a fixed list of more than 420 data-broker companies and people-search sites. After you authorize it, the system automatically starts sending removal requests. Then, it also resends them if needed. This includes both listing-style sites and commercial databases, helping to prevent removed information from reappearing over time.
Kanary focuses more on websites and platforms where personal data is visible. It scans them, then shows where information appears, and initiates removals, though often with user involvement. This provides flexibility and visibility but doesn’t offer the same system-driven removals across commercial broker databases.
How Much Time Will You Spend Managing Data Removal?
This is where the two services differ most in everyday use.
Kanary is built around transparency and user awareness. The app gives you control over the whole data-removal process, but you’re often asked to confirm details or approve a removal step. For people who want to understand how their data moves through different databases and prefer to stay involved, this ongoing interaction can feel informative and reassuring.
Incogni aims to minimize effort. After setup and verification, most removal requests and follow-ups are sent automatically. Occasionally, you may be asked to clarify something or provide additional confirmation, but it’s rare. You can check the dashboard at any time, though staying involved isn’t necessary for the service to keep working.
In practical terms, Kanary emphasizes transparency and user participation, while Incogni emphasizes automation and time savings. Which approach is more effective depends on the level of involvement you want in managing your data.
How Much Do You Need to Pay?
Incogni uses a tiered subscription model with discounts for yearly plans:
- Standard: $7.99/month (billed annually) – automated, recurring removals from 420+ data broker companies
- Unlimited: $14.99/month (billed annually) – unlimited custom removals and priority handling added
- Family / Family Unlimited: From $15.99/month (billed annually) – same as above, but for up to five people
All plans include the automated removal system and the features necessary for reducing your exposure. You pay more only for added convenience and scalability.
Kanary approaches this differently:
- Free plan: visibility into where your data appears, with a limited number of guided manual removals
- Premium: $9.99/month – more automation, more identities and locations support, and less manual follow-up
Should You Use Incogni or Kanary to Reduce Your Data Footprint?
If you want to see where your data appears, understand each step, and stay involved in decisions, Kanary fits that role.
If you want your data removed repeatedly without needing to think about it again, Incogni is better suited to that goal. Its automation, recurring removals, and independently reviewed process make it more effective for long-term reduction of data circulation.
The real choice isn’t only about features. It’s about whether you want to stay in the loop or step out of it.