incogni review 2025 - essential or essentially a scam?
After testing dozens of data removal services over the past 4 years, I can confidently say that Incogni remains my top recommendation for most people looking to scrub their personal information from the internet. As the first reviewer to cover Incogni back in 2020, I've had the unique opportunity to watch this service evolve and consistently deliver results.
If you like this honest review, and want to help support my research and reviews, use my link here to get 50% off incogni.
What Is Incogni?
Incogni is a personal information removal service that scans data broker databases for your information and sends removal requests on your behalf. These data brokers collect and sell your personal data to advertisers, marketers, and sometimes even scammers without your explicit consent.
Why Services Like Incogni Are More Important Than Ever
The need for data removal services has grown exponentially in recent years due to several alarming trends:
Online Harassment: Women and marginalized groups face disproportionate harassment when their personal information is accessible online. Having addresses and phone numbers removed can be literally life-saving.
Doxxing: The malicious practice of publishing someone's private information online has become a common form of attack. Celebrities, journalists, and even ordinary people expressing opinions online have found themselves targeted.
Data Breaches: Major services like DNA testing companies, financial institutions, and retailers have experienced massive breaches. Once your data is leaked, it often ends up in data broker databases.
Identity Theft: With enough personal information, criminals can open accounts, take loans, or commit crimes in your name. The average identity theft victim spends hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars recovering their identity.
Stalking: Digital stalking has become increasingly sophisticated, with stalkers using information from data brokers to track and harass victims.
These threats aren't theoretical – they're happening daily to thousands of people. Services like Incogni provide a critical layer of protection by reducing your digital footprint.
How Incogni Works
The process is straightforward:
Sign up and provide the necessary personal information
Incogni scans hundreds of data broker databases for your information
They send legally-binding removal requests to these companies
You receive regular updates on removal progress
Pricing: Unbeatable Value
One of Incogni's biggest advantages is its pricing structure. At half the cost of DeleteMe, it represents the best value in the industry. While most competitors force you into annual plans, Incogni offers flexible monthly options starting at just $5.99/month (though annual plans offer better value at $4.99/month).
Significant Improvements Since Launch
Incogni hasn't rested on its laurels since I first reviewed them in 2020. They've made several notable improvements:
Enhanced User Interface: The dashboard has been completely redesigned for better usability and clearer reporting. The visualization of your data removal progress is particularly helpful.
Expanded Plan Options: They've introduced family plans and business plans to protect multiple individuals under one subscription.
Custom Removal Options: Coming soon is a feature allowing you to prioritize specific types of information or particular data brokers – perfect for those with specific privacy concerns.
More Comprehensive Coverage: They've expanded their broker list by over 200% since launch, now covering virtually every significant data broker in the market.
The Results: My 4-Year Experience
Having used Incogni consistently since 2020, I've seen impressive results. Within the first month, they typically identify 40-80 data brokers with your information and begin the removal process. After a full year of service, I've personally seen over 90% of my information removed from major data brokers.
The numbers speak for themselves: In my case, Incogni has sent out 489 removal requests on my behalf. Considering each manual request would take approximately 30-45 minutes (researching the broker, finding their opt-out process, filling forms, following up), Incogni has saved me an estimated 316 hours of tedious work. That's nearly eight 40-hour work weeks!
Pros:
Most affordable option available - Literally half the price of DeleteMe with comparable results
Flexible monthly plans - Unlike competitors who lock you into annual contracts
Regular detailed reports - Clear visibility into exactly which brokers have your data and removal status
Simple interface - Easy to use dashboard that doesn't require technical knowledge
Consistent improvements - They've expanded their broker list by over 200% since I first reviewed them
Cons:
Requires patience - Like all legitimate data removal services, significant results take time (at least 6+ months for major impact)
Annual subscription makes more sense - While monthly options exist, you might as well commit to a year for meaningful results
Requires personal information - You must trust the service with the very information you're trying to protect
DIY alternative exists - You could technically do this yourself for free, but it would require dozens of hours of work and ongoing maintenance
Who Should Use Incogni?
Incogni is ideal for:
Privacy-conscious individuals who value their time
People who've experienced identity theft or doxxing
Anyone concerned about data brokers selling their information
Those who want a "set it and forget it" privacy solution
Women and other individuals who face online harassment
Public figures whose personal information is particularly valuable
Is It Worth It?
After 4 years of testing, my verdict is clear: Incogni delivers excellent value. While you could manually contact each data broker yourself, the time investment would be enormous. A single removal request can take 20-30 minutes, and with hundreds of brokers to contact (and re-contact when new data appears), the DIY approach quickly becomes impractical.
For the equivalent of a fancy coffee each month, Incogni handles this tedious process automatically, making it well worth the investment for anyone who values both their privacy and their time.
If you like this honest review, and want to help support my research and reviews, use my link here to get 50% off incogni.
Final Thoughts
Incogni continues to be my go-to recommendation in 2025. While perfect results aren't instant, no service can legitimately promise that. The combination of affordability, flexibility, and consistent performance makes Incogni the standout choice in the crowded field of data removal services.
If you're serious about reducing your digital footprint, start with Incogni and commit to at least a year. Your privacy is worth the investment.
Tom Spark
Tom Spark Reviews
