Sirveil vs Optery: Choosing the Right Privacy Protection
Last updated: May 2026
Optery and Sirveil approach data broker removal from different angles. Optery has the strongest independent removal rate ever measured and offers a free tier. Sirveil is AI-native with dark web monitoring and FOIA filing. Both have genuine strengths worth understanding before you decide.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Sirveil | Optery |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | No | Yes (Basic: exposure reports only) |
| Entry paid price | $7.99/mo | $39/yr (Core) |
| Mid-tier price | $79.99/yr (~$6.67/mo annual) | $149/yr (Extended) |
| Top-tier price | $79.99/yr (single tier) | $249/yr (Ultimate) |
| Removal approach | AI-native automated scanning | Automated with patented technology |
| Broker coverage | AI-driven scanning (expanding) | 350+ brokers |
| Removal rate | Not independently measured | 68% (Consumer Reports, 4-month study) |
| Independent verification | None | Consumer Reports study; 2 US patents |
| Dark web monitoring | Yes (DeHashed V2 integration) | No |
| FOIA filing | Yes ($49.99 per letter add-on) | No |
| Mobile apps | Native Android app (iOS coming soon) | Web-based dashboard |
| Funding | Independent / bootstrapped | $4.25M seed (April 2025) |
| Patents | None | 2 US patents |
Pricing and Tiers
Optery's pricing structure is notably different from Sirveil's, and in several ways it is more flexible.
Optery's free tier is a genuine differentiator. The Basic plan costs nothing and provides exposure reports showing where your data appears across data broker sites. It does not perform removals, but it gives you a clear picture of your exposure before you spend a dollar. No other major removal service offers this.
Optery's paid tiers scale from Core ($39/yr) through Extended ($149/yr) to Ultimate ($249/yr). The Core plan covers a smaller set of brokers, while Extended and Ultimate progressively expand coverage and add features. This tiered approach lets users choose their level of protection, but it also means that full coverage requires the $249/yr Ultimate plan.
Sirveil uses a single tier at $79.99/yr (about $6.67/mo on annual billing) or $7.99/mo monthly. There is no free tier and no feature gating. Every subscriber gets the same capabilities: AI-native scanning, dark web monitoring, and access to FOIA filing as an add-on.
The comparison depends on which tier of Optery you are considering:
- Optery Core ($39/yr) vs Sirveil ($79.99/yr): Optery is cheaper, but Core covers fewer brokers and lacks the features Sirveil bundles in.
- Optery Extended ($149/yr) vs Sirveil ($79.99/yr): Sirveil is less than half the price. At this level, you are comparing Optery's broader broker coverage and proven removal rate against Sirveil's lower cost, dark web monitoring, and FOIA.
- Optery Ultimate ($249/yr) vs Sirveil ($79.99/yr): Sirveil is $169 cheaper while including dark web monitoring and FOIA that Optery does not offer at any tier.
Bottom line on pricing: Optery's free tier and low-cost Core plan are strong for users who want to start small. But for full coverage, Optery's Ultimate costs significantly more than Sirveil's single all-inclusive tier.
Removal Effectiveness
This is Optery's crown jewel. In Consumer Reports' four-month study of data broker removal services, Optery achieved a 68% removal rate, the highest of any service tested. For context, the next closest competitor in that study was well behind.
A 68% removal rate is impressive in an industry where brokers actively resist removal and frequently re-list individuals. It suggests that Optery's technology and processes are genuinely effective at getting data taken down and keeping it down, at least within the study's timeframe.
Sirveil has not been independently evaluated in a comparable study. This is a straightforward advantage for Optery, and there is no point in minimizing it. Independent measurement matters, and Optery has the best publicly available result.
Sirveil is transparent about the fact that it does not guarantee outcomes. No removal service can promise permanent deletion of your data from every source. Sirveil says this openly rather than leading with inflated metrics. But transparency about limitations is not a substitute for proven effectiveness, and Optery has demonstrated effectiveness that Sirveil has not yet matched in independent testing.
Technology and Patents
Optery holds two US patents related to its data broker removal technology. Patents indicate genuine technical innovation and provide some competitive moat. Optery also received $4.25 million in seed funding in April 2025, signaling investor confidence in its approach.
Sirveil is AI-native, built from scratch using artificial intelligence for its core scanning and detection capabilities. It does not hold patents but represents a different technology bet: using AI to dynamically discover and address data exposures rather than relying on a fixed broker integration list.
Both approaches have merit. Optery's patented technology has proven itself in independent testing. Sirveil's AI-native approach is designed for adaptability as the broker landscape evolves. These are different philosophies rather than one being objectively superior.
Dark Web Monitoring
Sirveil includes dark web monitoring powered by DeHashed V2 in its base subscription. This scans breached databases and dark web sources for your personal information, including email addresses, passwords, phone numbers, and other identifiers.
Optery does not offer dark web monitoring at any tier, including Ultimate. Its focus is entirely on data broker removal and exposure reporting.
This is a significant differentiator. Data broker listings and dark web breaches are different categories of privacy risk. A comprehensive privacy strategy should address both. With Sirveil, you get both in one service. With Optery, you would need to add a separate dark web monitoring tool.
FOIA Filing
Sirveil offers FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) letter filing as an add-on at $49.99 per letter. This service handles the process of formally requesting deletion of personal data from government agencies, court systems, and institutional databases.
Optery does not offer FOIA filing. Standard data broker opt-outs do not reach government and institutional records, so FOIA filing addresses a category of data exposure that broker removal alone cannot touch.
This is a niche but important capability. Most users will not need it, but for individuals dealing with public records exposure, court records, or government databases, it is a meaningful gap in Optery's offering.
Feature Gating vs Single Tier
One of the most important structural differences between Optery and Sirveil is how features are packaged.
Optery gates features across tiers. The free Basic plan only shows exposure reports. Core adds removals but for a limited broker set. Extended expands coverage. Ultimate provides the full experience. This means users who want Optery's best protection must pay $249/yr.
Sirveil offers everything to every subscriber. There is one tier. Every user gets the same AI-native scanning, dark web monitoring, and access to FOIA filing. The only additional cost is the per-letter FOIA fee.
The tiered model has advantages: it lets price-sensitive users start with less and upgrade as needed. But it also means that the headline-grabbing 68% removal rate from the Consumer Reports study may reflect Optery's full-coverage tier, not the Core or Extended experience.
Sirveil's single-tier approach is simpler. You do not need to research which tier covers which brokers or worry that you are missing protection because you chose a lower plan. Everything is included.
Mobile Experience
Sirveil was built mobile-first with a native Android application (an iOS app is coming soon). Scans, dark web alerts, removal status, and FOIA tracking are all accessible through a native app with push notifications and biometric authentication.
Optery is web-based. Its dashboard is accessible from mobile browsers but was designed primarily for desktop use. There are no dedicated native mobile apps.
For users who want to monitor their privacy on the go, Sirveil's native app offers a more polished experience. For users who prefer desktop management, this distinction matters less.
Exposure Reports
Optery's free Basic tier deserves specific recognition. The ability to see where your data appears across data brokers without paying anything is genuinely useful. Even if you never upgrade to a paid plan, the exposure report gives you actionable information about your privacy posture.
Sirveil does not offer a free tier or a standalone exposure report. You need to subscribe to see your results. For users who want to understand their exposure before committing financially, Optery's free tier is a clear advantage.
Company Background
Optery raised a $4.25 million seed round in April 2025, providing it with resources to invest in technology, broker relationships, and growth. Its two US patents and strong Consumer Reports showing have established it as a credible player in the space.
Sirveil is an independent company without disclosed venture funding. It has built its product from scratch using an AI-native architecture. Being independent means it is not beholden to investor pressure to prioritize growth over user experience, but it also means fewer resources compared to funded competitors.
Who Should Choose Optery
- Users who want to start free and see their data exposure before paying anything.
- Budget-conscious users who want basic removal coverage at $39/yr.
- Users who prioritize proven removal rates and value the 68% Consumer Reports result.
- Users who want patented technology with demonstrated independent effectiveness.
- Users who prefer tiered pricing and want to choose exactly how much protection they pay for.
Who Should Choose Sirveil
- Users who want dark web monitoring included without paying for a separate service.
- Users who need FOIA filing for government and institutional records.
- Users who want all features at one price without navigating tiers or worrying about what is included.
- Mobile-first users who want a native mobile app (Android today, iOS coming soon) with push notifications.
- Users who prefer AI-native technology designed to adapt dynamically to the evolving broker landscape.
- Users who find Optery's upper tiers too expensive and want comprehensive features at a lower annual price ($79.99 vs $149–$249).
Verdict
Optery and Sirveil are both strong choices, but they excel in different areas.
Optery's strengths are undeniable: a free tier that lets you see your exposure without spending a dime, a 68% removal rate that is the best independently measured result in the industry, two US patents, and a flexible tier structure. If proven removal effectiveness is your top priority, Optery has the data to back up its claims.
Sirveil's strengths are different: dark web monitoring included at no extra cost, FOIA filing for government records, a native mobile app, and a single-tier pricing model that includes everything for $79.99/yr. At that price, it is significantly cheaper than Optery's Extended and Ultimate tiers while adding capabilities Optery does not offer at any price.
If you want the highest proven removal rate and the option to start free, choose Optery. If you want a comprehensive privacy tool that covers both data brokers and the dark web, with FOIA capabilities and a mobile-first experience, choose Sirveil.
The honest truth is that both services have gaps the other fills. In an ideal world, you would get Optery's removal effectiveness with Sirveil's dark web monitoring and FOIA capabilities in a single product. Until that exists, the right choice depends on whether you prioritize proven removal rates or a broader privacy toolkit.