Aura vs. DeleteMe: 2026 In-Depth Comparison and Review

How To Choose Between Aura and DeleteMe

While both Aura and DeleteMe provide similar online privacy and data removal services, there are fundamental differences in each company’s approach, scope, and features. 

Both Aura and DeleteMe can remove your data from some data broker websites and people search sites, help prevent personal information from showing up in Google search results, and provide regular reports on their progress. But that’s largely where DeleteMe’s functionality ends. 

Aura, on the other hand, provides far more comprehensive online privacy and identity protection, which includes monitoring and coverage to combat how your data can be used against you.

• Choose Aura if you want true all-in-one online protection, plus insurance coverage. Aura takes a holistic approach to online privacy and safety, providing data removal services plus the most comprehensive dark web monitoring, three-bureau credit monitoring with the industry’s fastest fraud alerts³, a full suite of digital security tools, and up to $5 million in identity theft insurance coverage.
• Choose DeleteMe if you want a dedicated data removal service and more in-depth privacy reports. DeleteMe almost exclusively focuses on data removal, with additional features to help mask your details when signing up for online services. DeleteMe does not offer protection against how your leaked or publicly available data can be used against you. 

Choosing which service is right for you and your family comes down to which company’s approach to online safety and privacy aligns more closely with yours. 

Aura vs. DeleteMe at a Glance: Features, Plans, and Pricing

Aura and DeleteMe both claim to solve similar issues — however, their feature sets are very different, making a direct comparison difficult. 

Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison of what you get with each service’s individual plan:

The bottom line: Human “privacy experts” are DeleteMe’s real selling point — and the company charges a premium for it. Aura costs less and covers much more, including identity, credit, and device monitoring (features that DeleteMe does not offer).

DeleteMe 2026 Review: Pros and Cons 

Launched in 2011 by its parent company, Abine, DeleteMe was one of the earliest personal data removal services on the market. DeleteMe provides services to both individuals and businesses, which can cause some confusion. This is especially true of its reported data broker site coverage. 

While DeleteMe advertises that it “removes private information from 976 data brokers,” standard plans only include coverage for ~87 data broker websites.  

For individuals, DeleteMe’s standard plans include: 

• Personal DeleteMe Expert. DeleteMe’s “human-first” approach is the company’s main differentiator. While most competitors rely on wholly automated removal processes, DeleteMe provides a privacy expert to help sift through brokers and people-search sites on behalf of its customers. 
• Coverage for ~87 data brokers. DeleteMe’s standard plans cover removals from ~87 data brokers, while premium plans bump that number up by an additional 15 data brokers. 
• Custom removal feature. For websites not covered by DeleteMe’s plans, users can request between 40 and 60 custom removals, depending on their plan. 
• Quarterly privacy reports. DeleteMe’s dashboard shows users total records removed, with links to each report (quarterly for standard plans and bi-monthly for premium plans). 
• Email and phone number masking. These features help users hide their contact details when signing up for new services by providing anonymized email addresses and phone numbers. 

After signing up for DeleteMe, customers receive a detailed report (typically within seven days) showing what the advisors found and where, followed by ongoing scans and removals every quarter.

The big question: Does DeleteMe work? DeleteMe’s primary focus is removing user data from data broker sites. However, third-party tests question its efficiency. In particular, a 2024 Consumer Reports study found that DeleteMe was only able to remove 27% of profiles within four months. 

How much does DeleteMe cost? 

DeleteMe offers two tiers of plans: Standard and Premium. Premium plans increase the number of covered data broker sites by 15 to ~102, provide bi-monthly scans and reports (instead of quarterly), and increase the number of available custom removals to 60. 

Standard plans are available for individuals, couples, and families with discounts for committing to two-years upfront. Premium plans are only available to individuals — and on a single-year contract. DeleteMe does not offer monthly pricing. 

Here’s a breakdown of DeleteMe’s plans and pricing (for U.S. customers) as of May 2026:

Note: DeleteMe offers a “free scan” but no monthly plan option or free trial. Its “100% satisfaction guarantee” is limited, too. Users are only eligible for prorated refunds after receiving their first privacy report.

What are the downsides of using DeleteMe? 

The biggest downsides of using DeleteMe are its limited scope in the number of data brokers covered and its lack of additional online privacy and safety features. 

The bottom line is that your data is almost certainly already out there and available to hackers. Recent data breaches have leaked 800 billion records to the dark web. No data broker service (DeleteMe included) can stop what’s already exposed on the dark web from being used against you.

Beyond ignoring one of the biggest threats to your online safety, here are some specific downsides to DeleteMe’s services:

• Limited number of data brokers covered on standard plans. With more than 750 registered data brokers operating in the United States alone, DeleteMe’s coverage of just ~87 data brokers on standard plans means that your data will still be accessible.
• High upfront costs with a limited refund policy. DeleteMe costs more than some all-in-one online safety providers. Additionally, the company offers no free trial; and you can only get a full refund if you cancel before you receive your first DeleteMe Privacy Report, which can occur in as little as a week’s time. 
• Charges a premium for additional online privacy tools. DeleteMe’s “Premium”  privacy protection comes with 60 custom requests, 15 additional data broker sites, and bi-monthly reporting, but it costs $180/year — that’s $51 more per year.
• No credit monitoring or financial account monitoring. DeleteMe won’t catch unauthorized credit inquiries, suspicious bank transactions, or fraudulent activity in your credit card, investment, or 401(k) accounts.
• Limited masked phone functionality. You can only reply to messages received on your Masked Phone number, as, according to DeleteMe, “initiating a text conversation would expose your actual phone number.”
• No screenshot proof that your data was removed. DeleteMe’s removal tool claims to “verify” that your data has been removed, but it doesn’t provide screenshots as proof. 
• Lacking device security features. DeleteMe plans do not include antivirus software, password managers, Safe Browsing features, ad blockers, or VPNs — so your devices and online activity are unprotected.
• Phone customer support is only available during limited hours. The team is only available weekdays from 9am–8pm EST.
• Data resurfaces faster than DeleteMe can remove it. Some DeleteMe reviews on third-party website Trustpilot say that users still receive a lot of spam mail and phone calls and complain that the removal process moves slowly: “So far nothing has been deleted.” Even DeleteMe’s own co-founder and CEO, Rob Shavell, has shared that 42% of DeleteMe users see their data resurface within six months. 
• You may be asked to upload a redacted photo of your ID. According to Wirecutter’s review, DeleteMe “asks that you grant it a limited power of attorney and upload a redacted photo of an ID, such as a driver’s license.” 

📚 Related: The Top 7 DeleteMe Alternatives (Reviewed & Ranked) →

Aura Pros and Cons: Who Should Choose Aura? 

Aura was founded in 2014 and has since become one of the most respected names in identity theft protection and online privacy — thanks to its extensive feature list, user-friendly app experience, and strong data privacy policy.  

In 2026, Aura was rated the #1 identity theft protection provider by CNET, TechRadar, and Security.org, among other top reviewers. 

Aura automatically removes data from 200+ data broker sites (more than double DeleteMe’s standard coverage), along with Google search results cleanup. But what really sets Aura apart is its broader approach to online security. 

Every Aura plan includes:

• Automatic data removal from 200+ data brokers and people search sites. Plus, Aura will help you remove your information from Google search results and uncover unused or old accounts that could be putting your privacy at risk. 
• Three-bureau credit monitoring with the industry’s fastest fraud alerts³. Aura monitors your credit files to warn you of suspicious activity in near-real time and sends notifications faster than other credit monitoring services.
• The most extensive dark web monitoring. Aura monitors over 260 pieces of your personal information and alerts you if it finds anything that has been leaked in a data breach. Aura’s dark web scanning feature tracks your contact details, Social Security number (SSN), financial details, and more.
• AI-powered cybersecurity and online privacy features. Every Aura account includes a military-grade virtual private network (VPN), ad blockers, and anti-track tools to keep your data and identity private when you’re browsing online. You also get antivirus protection, Safe Browsing tools, and scam protection features. 
• Up to $5,000,000 in identity theft insurance coverage. Aura’s plans include generous insurance to help cover eligible expenses and losses due to identity theft. Plus, you can add an optional $50,000 in scam recovery insurance to your plan. 
• 24/7 U.S.-based customer support. Whenever you need help, you can contact Aura’s support team via phone, email, or chat. ‍
• Dedicated family online safety plans. Aura excels at family online safety and privacy, with family plans covering up to five adults and unlimited children on a single plan.

Who should choose Aura? Aura’s all-in-one plans are fantastic options for individuals and families that want a single solution to safeguard against a wide range of online threats and privacy concerns. If you’re looking to protect family members — such as grandparents and children — Aura is an easy choice. Want to make sure? Try Aura free for 14 days.

How much does Aura cost? 

Aura offers a single plan with options to protect multiple people at a discounted price. Family plans include child identity theft protection and online wellbeing features, as well as additional insurance coverage and AI-powered spam call and text blocker. 

Aura also offers a 14-day free trial, and all annual plans come with a 60-day money-back guarantee — so you can try it first, risk free. 

Unlike DeleteMe, Aura also offers a monthly plan option. 

Here are Aura’s plans and pricing as of May 2026 with this special discount link:

What are the downsides of using Aura?

Aura's all-in-one protection and straightforward pricing make it easy on customers, but there are some potential downsides that users might want to know about. 

• No custom removal requests. Aura’s data removal service is fully automated and only covers the listed 200+ data broker sites. However, Aura will help you remove your information from Google search results, which means people won’t be able to find it if they search for you. 
• No “masked phone numbers.” Aura provides email aliases to help protect your email address but currently offers no similar service for phone numbers. 
• Only available in the United States. If you’re outside of the United States, you won’t be able to sign up for Aura’s services. ‍
• Some features cost extra. Users can opt in for additional cyber insurance, which offers $50,000 in coverage for cybercrime, cyber extortion, cyberbullying, and data recovery.

Feature Comparison: How Does Aura Compare To DeleteMe? 

The online privacy and safety market is crowded with products offering similar features and promises. That’s why it’s important to dig into the specifics of key features when deciding between Aura and DeleteMe. 

Data broker removal and recurring scans 

Data brokers collect, package, and sell your personal information to other companies and government agencies — such as your name, address, phone number, email addresses, SSN, browsing habits, and credit history. Data broker removal services attempt to get your data taken down. They file opt-out requests on your behalf and periodically rescan broker lists to remove information that was republished.

• DeleteMe’s standard plans cover only 87 broker sites and include custom requests. This is lower than most competitors. But maybe more concerning is how a 2024 Consumer Reports study found that DeleteMe was only able to remove 27% of profiles within four months. Numerous users have corroborated this on Trustpilot, such as one user who complained that “DeleteMe gave me a report saying every site was ‘clean,’ but I manually checked each site, and 95% of them had my info on them.”
• Aura automates removals across 200+ broker sites, people search sites, junk mail lists, and real estate data broker lists to prevent robocalls and identity theft. Aura was not included in the same Consumer Reports study. 

Verdict: Aura covers more data broker sites than DeleteMe’s standard plans and adds Google search results cleanup, with no manual removal requests or double-checking required from you.

Online privacy protection 

Data removal is only one piece of the online privacy puzzle. Limiting what is publicly available about you online makes it harder for fraudsters, spam callers, and telemarketers to scam you.

• DeleteMe provides email and phone “masking,” but no device or online activity protection. While these tools can help prevent contact from scammers and risks stemming from data breaches, it does nothing to actively protect your privacy. As one DeleteMe representative explained: “While DeleteMe removes your profile from data broker sites to reduce your digital footprint, we don’t have direct control over telemarketers or active spam lists you may already be on.”
• Aura offers end-to-end digital security and scam protection features. Every Aura plan comes with a military-grade VPN to hide your browsing data, a secure password manager to warn you if your credentials have been leaked or are at risk, antivirus software to prevent hacking and malware, Safe Browsing to warn you of scam websites, and an ad blocker. Aura customers also have the option to add paid features for Email Protection against phishing attacks, an AI-powered spam call and text blocker, and scam insurance coverage for up to $50,000 in losses (in addition to the already-included $1 million identity theft insurance coverage per plan member).

Verdict: Broker removal is just one part of online privacy. Aura plans include more online privacy and scam protection features than DeleteMe plans. 

Dark web and identity monitoring

Once your information is leaked in a data breach, it almost always ends up for sale on the dark web. Dark web monitoring scours hidden databases, forums, and marketplaces to warn you if your credentials or other sensitive information have been compromised. 

Taking this a step further, identity monitoring tracks places where that stolen information might be used — such as in loan applications, opening new accounts, or committing other forms of fraud. 

• DeleteMe doesn’t offer either feature in its consumer plans. The company’s public help center recommends DIY steps instead, suggesting that users create stronger passwords, use two-factor authentication (2FA), and manually freeze their credit if they suspect identity theft.
• Aura has the most extensive dark web monitoring among all leading identity theft protection providers. Aura scans for 260+ pieces of PII, including passport details, crypto wallet addresses, credit and debit card numbers, SSNs, and old passwords.

Verdict: Aura’s monitoring features and robust alert system comprise some of its main strengths, while DeleteMe doesn’t include features to warn or protect users against PII misuse.

Credit and financial account protection

Credit monitoring services keep a close watch on your credit file for warning signs of fraud — for example, if scammers use your leaked data to open new accounts or try to take out loans in your name. 

Financial account monitoring services do the same for your debit and credit card accounts, alerting you to large or unexpected withdrawals and transfers.

The sooner you know about possible fraud, the sooner you can shut it down — and the less time scammers have to drain your bank accounts, open new credit lines, or rack up debt in your name.

• DeleteMe does not offer credit or financial account monitoring of any kind, leaving you to spot fraudulent activity on your own.
• Aura plans come with three-bureau credit monitoring (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) plus instant credit lock through Experian. A 2025 mystery shopper survey conducted by ath Power Consulting found that Aura provided the fastest and most reliable fraud alerts, when compared to competitors³.

Verdict: Users pick Aura because of its award-winning credit and financial monitoring. DeleteMe doesn’t offer anything similar.

Support and remediation services

Customer service is one factor that few people think about until they really need it — especially when dealing with fraud, identity theft, or a billing error. 

• DeleteMe offers email, phone, and chat support, but only on weekdays. Reviews on Trustpilot point to slow replies and unresolved tickets. One user wrote that they requested a password reset on a Saturday and got back this response: “Sorry, we don’t work weekends.” Another said that after opening multiple tickets with no progress, they had better luck removing their information themselves.
• Aura provides 24/7 U.S.-based chat, email, and phone support. Identity fraud victims get paired with Aura’s fraud remediation specialists who build a recovery plan, contact creditors, and manage the case for 90 days. Plans also include up to $1 million per member in identity theft insurance with no sub-limits (up to $5 million in coverage on family plans), and an optional $5 million per member upgrade. 

Verdict: When something goes wrong, you don’t want to wait until Monday for a fix. Aura’s support team is available around the clock; and in a 2025 study, 96% of mystery shoppers rated them “helpful” to “very helpful.”³

The Bottom Line: Aura Provides More Comprehensive Protection

DeleteMe’s human privacy experts are good at what they do. The problem is that their approach is too narrow. 

Removing your data from broker sites doesn’t help when your information has already leaked or when you’re being targeted by scammers and identity thieves. 

Aura offers data broker removal and a whole lot more. It scans the dark web for over 260 pieces of your PII and alerts you whenever your data is being used in high-risk transactions. Aura tracks your credit across all three major bureaus, flags unusual charges in your bank and investment accounts, blocks scam calls and texts, and locks down your devices.