Kanary Review [2026]–A Comprehensive Buyer’s Guide

Kanary is a data removal service that takes a different path than most competitors. 

Instead of a “set it and forget it” service, it uses a mobile app called Kanary Copilot that guides you through bite-sized privacy tasks.

Is this hands-on approach better than full automation? And does Kanary’s coverage justify its price?

Let’s find out.

The review was conducted in January 2026.

In short
Kanary takes a different approach from most data removal services. Instead of fully automated protection, it acts as a privacy coach—guiding you through tasks you need to complete yourself. The service monitors 150+ people search sites and sends automated removal requests when it finds your data. But for Google results, social media, and more complex removals, you’re doing the work with Kanary’s guidance. There’s also a catch: Kanary only targets public people search sites, not the private-database brokers responsible for most spam calls and marketing emails. That means you’re only addressing part of the problem.

Disclaimer:

This review is written by Incogni, a data removal service that directly competes with Kanary.

While we aim to be accurate and fair, please keep in mind that we have a financial interest in Incogni’s success. 

We recommend doing your own research and checking multiple sources before making any purchasing decisions.

What works	What doesn’t
✅ Transparent data handling and privacy policy ✅ Free tier with automated Google removal ✅ Removes data from 150+ people search sites ✅ Mobile app (iOS and Android) with guided tasks ✅ Focus on social media and Google Images exposure	⛔ Requires active user participation for many removals ⛔ Only covers people search sites—no private-database brokers ⛔ No custom removal requests available ⛔ Slower removal speed compared to competitors ⛔ Higher pricing for individual plans ⛔ US-only coverage

Comparing the premium plans of top data removal services
Optery Ultimate	Incogni Unlimited	DeleteMe Premium
$20.75 per month	$14.99 per month	$15.00 per month
• 1,360+ total coverage* • 375+ brokers in automated removals by default** • 715+ unique domains in custom removals • Unlimited custom removals	• 2,420+ total coverage* • 420+ brokers in automated removals by default • 2,000+ unique domains in custom removals • Unlimited custom removals	• 850+ total coverage* • 100+ brokers in automated removals by default • 560+ unique domains in custom removals • 60 custom removals
See Optery’s review	See Incogni’s review	See DeleteMe’s review
See how Incogni compares to Optery		See how Incogni compares to DeleteMe
All prices are current as of January 14, 2026, based on information published at optery.com, incogni.com and joindeleteme.com, assuming the purchase of an annual subscription.

Kanary review: Key elements for consideration

In short
Copilot covers 150+ people search sites and uses a hybrid approach that requires user input, while Cloud offers automated removals. Both focus exclusively on people search sites and don’t cover private-database brokers.

Here are some of the key elements that will let you get a glimpse of what Kanary offers.

Advertised number of data brokers	▶️ 200+ people search sites
Actual number of data brokers	▶️ 150+ in automated removals ▶️ 50+ in manual removals (Kanary provides guidance only)
Types of data brokers covered in a basic plan	✔️ People search sites ❌ Marketing data brokers ❌ Real estate data brokers ❌ Risk-mitigation brokers ❌ Recruitment data brokers ❌ Financial information brokersBased on information from kanary.com
Pricing	▶️ Kanary Copilot: Free (with limitations) or $9.99/month for premium ▶️ Kanary Cloud: $14.99–$16.99/month (annual vs monthly) All prices are current as of January 14, 2026, based on information published at kanary.com
Family or group plans	✔️ Add up to 10 family members at a discounted rate($4.99/month on Copilot premium, $7.49–$8.49/month on Cloud)

Understanding Kanary’s scope of protection

In short
Kanary removes data from 150+ people search sites through automated requests, in addtion to providing DIY guides for 50+ additional sites. The service focuses exclusively on public-facing people search sites and doesn’t cover private-database brokers—the hidden networks that trade your information behind the scenes. Kanary also scans Google Search results and some social media platforms, though these require active user participation.

Kanary offers a narrower scope of data removal compared to comprehensive services like Incogni or DeleteMe.

Let’s break down what Kanary covers—and what it doesn’t.

People search sites only

Kanary focuses exclusively on people search sites—public databases like Whitepages, Spokeo, and Radaris where anyone can look you up for a small fee or for free.

These sites are the most visible threat to your privacy. When someone Googles your name, these are the first results that appear, often showing your address, phone number, and family members.

According to Kanary’s own information, the service sends automated removal requests to 150+ of these sites and provides DIY guides for an additional 50+ sites.

What about private-database brokers?

Here’s where Kanary falls short.

The service doesn’t target private-database brokers—the hidden networks that collect and trade your information with businesses you’ve never heard of.

These brokers don’t operate publicly. Their databases aren’t searchable. But they’re the reason you get spam calls from companies you’ve never contacted and why your inbox fills with targeted marketing emails.

Private-database brokers make up about 66% of all data brokers. Without targeting them, you’re only addressing a fraction of the problem.

Google and social media exposure

Kanary does offer something unique: the ability to scan Google Search results and social media platforms for your personal information.

This includes Google Images, where photos with your face might appear, and platforms like Facebook and Discord.

But there’s a catch.

These removals require your active participation. You’ll need to log in to your accounts, confirm actions, and often follow manual steps to complete the removals.

For many users, this defeats the purpose of paying for an automated service.

No custom removals

While automated removals are definitely the most convenient option, they’re not the most effective way to reduce your online footprint.

There are hundreds of data brokers operating in California alone, with nationwide metrics going into the thousands. That means there will always be a gap between the brokers covered by a service and the brokers exposing your data.

That’s where custom removals come into play.

With this feature, you can simply copy and paste links to data brokers exposing your data (for example, ones you found through a Google search) and have the data removal service take care of the rest.

It adds some work on your side, but it’s also the most effective way to reduce your online exposure.

And it’s a feature Kanary is lacking.

Get unlimited custom removals with Incogni, Optery, or Onerep

Few data removal services offer unlimited custom removal requests—but some do.

Take Incogni, for example. 

On top of its 420+ brokers covered by automated removals, Incogni gives you the option to submit custom links to websites that expose your personal information. 

Other services, like Onerep and Optery, also have this feature in their offering.

But here’s what makes Incogni stand out.

As of now, Incogni is the only data removal service that can process removal requests for general websites—not just data brokers. 

That means you can submit links to pages that expose your data but aren’t people search sites or other types of data brokers.

Think business directories, HR platforms, and more.

Custom removals upon request	Automated removals	Automated removals Google & social media
❌ Not available	150+ brokers	Limited coverage
	➡️ Nation-wide reach ➡️ Fully automated requests ➡️ Includes major sites like Whitepages, Spokeo, Radaris ➡️ Quarterly follow-up scans ➡️ Exclusively people search sites	➡️ Google Search results removal ➡️ Google Images scanning ➡️ Some social media platforms ➡️ Requires active user participation ➡️ Not fully automated

Breaking down Kanary’s subscription options

In short
Kanary now offers two products with different pricing. Kanary Copilot (the mobile app) is free with a $9.99/month premium tier, while the original Kanary Cloud service costs $14.99–$16.99/month (depending on annual vs monthly billing).Both allow you to add family members at a discounted rate. A 14-day free trial includes three automated removals.

Kanary’s pricing structure has become more complex with the introduction of Kanary Copilot.

Let’s break down both options.

Kanary Copilot (mobile app)

Kanary Copilot is the company’s newer product—a mobile app available for iOS and Android.

The basic version is free, but comes with limitations. 

To unlock full functionality, you need the premium tier at $9.99 per month.

Kanary Cloud (original service)

The original Kanary service—now called Kanary Cloud—is only available to existing users. New customers can only sign up for Kanary Copilot.

If you’re an existing Cloud user, your pricing is:

• Monthly: $16.99/month
• Annual: $179.88/year ($14.99/month)

Additional family members cost:

• Monthly: $8.49/month per person
• Annual: $7.49/month per person

The annual plan includes a free custom domain and email to speed up removals.

Plans offered by Kanary
Kanary Copilot	Kanary Copilot Premium
Free	$9.99 per month
➡️ 1 person ➡️ Unlimited scans across 200+ brokers, social media, and Google ➡️ DIY guides for removal ➡️ Basic data points only	➡️ 1 person ➡️ Unlimited scans across 200+ brokers, social media, and Google ➡️ 150+ brokers in automated removals ➡️ 50+ brokers in manual (DIY) removals ➡️ 3 removal requests per week ➡️ Unlimited data points ➡️ Priority support ➡️ Early access to features ➡️ Add family at $4.99/month
Kanary Cloud (for existing users only)
$14.99 per month
➡️ 1 person ➡️ Unlimited scans across 200+ brokers, social media, and Google ➡️ 150+ brokers in automated removals ➡️ 50+ brokers in manual (DIY) removals ➡️ Monthly reports ➡️ Unlimited data points ➡️ Free custom domain ➡️ Add family at $7.49/month

All prices and plan names are current as of January 14, 2026, based on information published at kanary.com.

How does this compare?

At $14.99/month (annual) or $9.99/month (Copilot premium), Kanary sits in the mid-to-high price range.

For context:

• Incogni Standard plan: $7.99/month (covers 420+ data brokers including private ones)
• DeleteMe Individual: $8.60/month (covers 80+ data brokers with human agents)
• Onerep Individual: $8.33/month (covers 230+ people search sites)

Kanary is more expensive than Incogni’s basic plan while offering less coverage—no private-database brokers and no custom removals.

Kanary’s refund and cancellation policies

In short
Kanary Copilot offers a free tier you can use indefinitely without payment. Its functionalities are limited, but it can still provide valuable insight into how the service works.On top of that, Kanary provides a 30-day, money-back guarantee for all paid tiers.You can cancel or downgrade your subscription anytime through your account settings with no need to contact support.

Kanary makes cancellation straightforward.

Free trial and money-back guarantee

Kanary Cloud offers a 14-day free trial that includes three automated removals. This gives you a taste of the service before committing.

After the trial, you have 30 days to request a refund if you’re not satisfied.

Kanary Copilot, on the other hand, has a free tier that doesn’t require payment at all. You can use it indefinitely with limited features.

If you decide to upgrade your Copilot subscription to the premium tier, Kanary also provides a 30-day, money-back guarantee and an option to downgrade to the free tier anytime.

Cancellation process

Both Kanary products make cancellation easy.

If you’re a Kanary Cloud member, you can cancel your subscription via the webpage. Log in to your account, navigate to the settings, and access the subscription management section to cancel.

For Kanary Copilot, you can manage your subscription via the Apple App Store or Google Play.

In both cases, your service remains active until the end of your current billing period.

Refund process

For Kanary Cloud, refunds are available within 30 days of your initial subscription.

For Kanary Copilot premium, the 30-day policy applies as well, plus you can downgrade to the free tier at any time.

Free trial or money back	✔️ 14-day free trial (3 automated removals) ✔️ 30-day, money-back guarantee (Kanary Cloud & Kanary Copilot) ✔️ Free tier available indefinitely (Kanary Copilot)
Cancellation process	▶️ A dedicated “cancel” button in account settings (Kanary Cloud) ▶️ Cancellation through Apple App Store or Google Play (Kanary Copilot) ▶️ Service remains active until the next billing period
Refund process	▶️ Refund possible only within the first 30 days—must contact customer support

How Kanary removes your data

In short
Kanary uses a hybrid approach combining automation with user input. The service scans for your data, sends removal requests automatically where possible, and provides guided steps when manual action is needed. Removals take 2–14 days initially, with quarterly follow-up scans. You’ll receive monthly progress reports.

Kanary’s data removal process differs from fully automated services like Incogni.

Here’s how it works.

The hybrid approach

Unlike services that handle everything behind the scenes, Kanary involves you in the removal process.

For people search sites, Kanary handles most of the opt-out requests—sending formal removal requests to 150+ data brokers on your behalf. 

With some platforms, your direct input may be necessary to complete the process.

For Google and social media, you’ll need to take the lead. 

Kanary guides you through the steps with detailed instructions, but you’re the one clicking buttons and confirming removals.

Think of it like having a coach rather than a personal assistant.

What to expect

Here’s Kanary’s typical removal timeline:

1. Kanary starts by scanning the data brokers in its coverage—around 200 people search sites. It looks for any instances of your information being exposed within these brokers’ databases.
2. When Kanary finds matching records, you may be asked to review the results and confirm whether the exposed information actually belongs to you.
3. Once confirmed, Kanary sends opt-out requests to the sites exposing your personal data. This process usually starts right away, but it can take up to 40 days for brokers to comply.
4. If Kanary can’t send opt-out requests or remove your data directly, it provides step-by-step guidance to walk you through the removal process.
5. Every 90 days, Kanary performs follow-up scans to check if your data has reappeared.

Removal requests	✔️ Automated removals ✔️ Instructions for manual removals ❌ Custom removals
Removal timeframe	▶️ Initial scan begins within 24 hours ▶️ Automated requests sent within first 2 weeks ▶️ Manual tasks appear in your Copilot dashboard
First effects	⌛ 2–14 days for initial removals ⌛ Some complex sites may take longer
Recurring scans	⌛ Every 90 days (quarterly) across all covered brokers
Notifications and reports	✔️ Monthly email reports ✔️ In-app progress tracking ✔️ Real-time notifications for new exposures

The reality: slower than competitors

According to independent testing by Security.org, Kanary removed only 3 profiles after the first week—significantly slower than competitors like Incogni, which removed 97 exposures in the same timeframe.

Another third-party review of multiple removal services (Kanary, Optery, Incogni, and Mozilla Monitor) shows similar results, with Kanary being the slowest among the tested group, scoring only 19.2% of removals within the first 32 hours. Its competitors performed much better—Incogni scored 72.2%, and Optery achieved nearly 100%.

This slower pace is partly due to Kanary’s approach. Because many removals require your input, they can’t progress until you complete your part.

The hybrid approach has pros and cons.

On one hand, you maintain control over what gets removed and can see exactly what’s happening at each step.

On the other hand, it requires ongoing attention. If you’re looking for a “set it and forget it” solution, Kanary isn’t it.

What it’s like to use Kanary

In short
Kanary offers live chat support through the Copilot app, email support, and a help center.Response times are generally quick. Premium users get priority support. The mobile app interface is intuitive with gamified tasks, though some users may find the required participation frustrating.

Kanary’s support structure reflects its hybrid approach to data removal.

Support channels

Here’s what Kanary offers:

Support availability	🕛 Live chat (in-app for Copilot users) 🕛 Email ([email protected]) 🕛 Response time: typically under 24 hours
Support channels	✔️ Live chat (mobile app) ✔️ Email ✔️ Help center / FAQ ✔️ Social media (Discord, Reddit) ✔️ DIY guides and templates ❌ Phone support
Community forums	✔️ Discord server ✔️ Reddit community

The user experience

Kanary Copilot takes an unusual approach to privacy protection: gamification.

The app presents privacy tasks as cards you can complete during downtime—waiting in line, riding the bus, etc. Each task takes about 10 minutes.

Device support

✔️ Mobile app (iOS and Android) ✔️ Web (Kanary Cloud for existing users only) ❌ Desktop app

The focus on mobile is deliberate. Kanary wants you to tackle privacy tasks in small chunks throughout your day, not sit down for a long session at your computer.

What users say

According to reviews on the Google Play Store and Reddit:

Pros	Cons
✅ Responsive support team ✅ Clear progress tracking ✅ Transparent about what’s happening	⛔ Requires too much user input for a paid service ⛔ Tasks can feel repetitive ⛔ No way to fully automate the process

Where Kanary works—and where it doesn’t

In short
Kanary only operates in the United States and leverages US privacy laws like the CCPA. The service is designed for US residents or anyone with a US address history. International coverage is not available.

Unlike services like Incogni that operate in 35+ countries, Kanary is US-only.

Geographic availability

✔️ United States (all states) ❌ Canada ❌ EU countries ❌ UK ❌ Other international markets

What this means for you

If you’ve never lived in the US or don’t have a US address, Kanary won’t be effective (or even available for download).

The service targets US-based people-search sites and leverages US privacy laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) to send removal requests.

Data brokers operating outside the US aren’t covered.

Extra features (and missing tools) in Kanary

In short
Kanary is a standalone service and doesn’t come bundled with VPNs, password managers, or other privacy tools. The focus is exclusively on data removal.

Kanary keeps things simple.

Unlike services like Incogni (available in Surfshark One+ and NordVPN Ultra bundles) or DeleteMe (which can be paired with other Abine products), Kanary doesn’t integrate with other privacy tools.

Bundles	❌ Not available as part of any larger privacy suite
Extra tools available with bundles	❌ No VPN ❌ No password manager ❌ No antivirus ❌ No email aliases ❌ No phone number masking

What you do get

Kanary Cloud premium plans include a free custom domain and email address to speed up removals.

This isn’t a privacy tool per se—it’s just a dedicated email for handling removal requests so they don’t clutter your main inbox.

What users and experts say about Kanary

In short
Kanary has generally positive reviews for transparency and effectiveness, with an 8.4/10 rating from Security.org. However, expert reviews note its slower removal speed and limited scope compared to competitors. User reviews praise the responsive support team but criticize the required level of participation.

Let’s see how Kanary stacks up according to independent reviewers and customers.

Customer ratings	⭐ Trustpilot: 3.3 / 5 (1 review) ⭐ Google Play Store: 4.8 / 5 (28 ratings) ⭐ Apple App Store: 4.8 / 5 (47 ratings)
Expert opinions	⭐ PCMag: 4 / 5 ⭐ Security.org: 8.4 / 10 ⭐ TechRadar: 4 / 5 ⭐ VPNOverview: Positive

What experts like	What experts don’t like
✅ Transparent data handling ✅ Clear progress tracking ✅ Good coverage of people search sites ✅ Responsive customer support	⛔ Slower removal speed than competitors ⛔ Requires user participation ⛔ Limited scope (no private brokers) ⛔ Higher pricing for what’s offered

How Kanary serves businesses

In short
Kanary offers an enterprise plan called “Kanary for Teams” at $179.88 per year per user. This plan is designed for organizations that want to protect their employees or members but doesn’t offer significant customization beyond bulk user management.

Kanary’s business offering is straightforward but limited.

The enterprise plan offers the same coverage as individual plans—150+ people search sites. It also includes bulk user management, quarterly removal requests, and monthly reports for each user. Priority support is included as well.

However—

Kanary’s enterprise plan lacks some features found in specialized business solutions like Ironwall by Incogni.

→ There are no custom removal strategies for high-risk individuals. 

→ Human privacy agents aren’t available for complex cases. 

→ The plan doesn’t include 24/7 emergency support. 

→ And it doesn’t cover private-database brokers.

For most businesses, the enterprise plan is just the standard Kanary service at scale—nothing more.

Tailored protection	✔️ Companies ❌ Government agencies ❌ Courts ❌ Law enforcement ❌ Healthcare institutions ❌ Human services professionals
Customer support	✔️ Email  ✔️ Live chat   ❌ Phone  ❌ Video chat  ❌ Emergency support
Geographical availability	✔️ US only

Is Kanary a legitimate data removal service?

Yes, Kanary is a legitimate data removal service.

The company has been operating since 2020 and has served over thousands of customers. 

Multiple independent reviewers have tested the service and confirmed it does remove data from the people search sites it covers.

What makes Kanary trustworthy:

• Transparent privacy policy detailing how your data is handled
• Third-party security certifications (ISO 27001, SOC 1, and SOC 2 for their data centers)
• Responsive customer support
• Clear reporting on removal progress
• Positive reviews from respected sources like Security.org, TechRadar, and PCMag.

What raises questions:

• Limited scope compared to what’s advertised as comprehensive protection
• Requires more user participation than typical data removal services
• Higher pricing for coverage that focuses only on people search sites.

While Kanary is legitimate, it’s important to understand exactly what you’re getting—and what you’re not getting.

Kanary is good for specific use cases, but…

Kanary does what it promises: it removes your data from 150+ people search sites.

If your extra concern is reducing your visibility in Google Search results—and you don’t mind actively participating in the removal process—Kanary can be an effective choice.

The service takes a mobile-first approach, breaking tasks into bite-sized steps, and offers a free tier for basic protection.

That said, Kanary falls short in some key areas.

It doesn’t cover private-database brokers—the ones responsible for most spam calls and marketing emails. 

The service requires ongoing participation from you, which adds extra effort. Removal speeds lag behind competitors, and the cost runs higher relative to what you get. 

On top of that, it’s only available in the US.

So, who is Kanary right for?

If you prefer staying hands-on with your privacy and want to understand exactly what’s being removed at each step, Kanary’s approach might appeal to you.

But if you’re looking for comprehensive protection that covers both public people search sites and private-database brokers—without the extra legwork—you might want to look elsewhere.

Look at Incogni.

Compare Kanary to other data removal services

It can be difficult to evaluate a service without any points of reference.

To help you make a better judgment, we’ve prepared brief comparisons to other data removal services. 

These aren’t exhaustive, but they should give you a useful benchmark for placing Kanary among its competitors.

Kanary vs DeleteMe

Kanary and DeleteMe both target people search sites, but they take different approaches.

Pricing:

• Kanary Copilot: $9.99/month for automated removals from 150+ sites
• DeleteMe: $8.60/month (annual) for manual removals from 80+ sites

Coverage:

• Kanary Copilot: 150+ people search sites, no private brokers
• DeleteMe: 80+ people search sites, no private brokers

Family plans:

• Kanary Copilot: Add family members (up to 10) at $4.49/month each
• DeleteMe: Dedicated family plan for up to 4 users

DeleteMe is cheaper and includes family coverage, but Kanary covers more sites. Neither service addresses private-database brokers.

See our full DeleteMe review

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Kanary vs Incogni

Incogni and Kanary target different types of data brokers with different approaches.

Pricing:

• Kanary Copilot: $9.99/month
• Incogni Standard: $7.99/month (annual)
• Incogni Unlimited: $14.99/month (annual) with custom removals

Coverage:

• Kanary Copilot: 150+ automated removals, no custom removals
• Incogni: 420+ data brokers (people search sites + private brokers), 2,000+ unique domains in custom removals

Family plans:

• Kanary Copilot: Add family members (up to 10) at $4.49/month each
• Incogni: Dedicated family plans for up to 5 users

Incogni covers private-database brokers—the hidden networks responsible for most spam and robocalls. Kanary focuses on publicly visible people search sites.

For comprehensive protection, Incogni offers better value at a lower price.

See our full Incogni review

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Kanary vs Optery

Optery and Kanary both focus primarily on people search sites, with some differences in approach.

Pricing:

• Kanary Copilot: $9.99/month
• Optery Ultimate: $20.70/month (annual)

Coverage:

• Kanary Copilot: 150+ automated removals, no custom removals
• Optery Ultimate: 375+ automated removals, 715+ unique domains in custom removals

Family plans:

• Kanary Copilot: Add family members (up to 10) at $4.49/month each
• Optery: Add family members (unlimited) at a discounted price, up to 30% off.

Optery is more expensive but offers significantly broader coverage and custom removal options. Kanary is cheaper but requires more hands-on work.

See our full Optery review

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Kanary FAQ