Optery alternatives: 3 free & open-source picks
Compare recorded free and open-source options, their capabilities and operating requirements. Source dates are shown below; licenses, hosted limits and project activity can change.
California residents get one government request to 600-plus brokers; everyone else gets a geography lesson.
licenseproprietary, free
runstheir cloud
installGovernment-hosted browser signup followed by one deletion request
dataPersonal identifiers encrypted before storage in CalPrivacy's DROP system and matched by registered data brokers
the catch vs OpteryIt covers only eligible California residents and registered brokers, without Optery's discovery screenshots and individualized exposure tracking.
setupOnly California residents are eligible, and the request requires personal identifiers for broker matching
facts verified 2026-08-11
Finds the profiles and hands you the opt-out links; your unpaid labor is the business model.
licenseproprietary, free
runstheir cloud
installHosted signup followed by identity and profile intake
dataPersonal profile data, exposure findings and screenshots in Optery's AWS-hosted cloud account, encrypted in transit and at rest
the catch vs OpteryThe free tier scans periodically and provides self-service links but does not run Optery's automated removals.
setupProviding enough sensitive identity and address history for accurate broker matching
facts verified 2026-08-11
A phone app that sends individual privacy requests and tracks them; bulk broker removal is the paid part.
latest recorded source check 2026-08-11 · check current terms at the source
Mozilla MonitorEveryone still links it; Mozilla shut the broker-removal product down and deleted its scan data.
| tool | license | running it | platforms | stars | active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California DROP | proprietary, free | they host it | web | — | — |
| Optery Free Basic | proprietary, free | they host it | web | — | — |
| Permission Slip by DeleteMe | free (closed) | they host it | ios, android | — | — |
People still pay for Optery because security products are paid for because expert review, infrastructure, and accountability matter more than recreating screens. The recurring cost buys cryptography, secure updates, key recovery, threat intelligence, relay capacity, abuse response, audits, and incident handling, not just the visible interface. The recorded subscription totals $179.88 a year before any costs of an alternative.
Questions about these alternatives
Is there a free alternative to Optery?
Yes: California DROP, Optery Free Basic, Permission Slip by DeleteMe. These are recorded free or open-source options. Compare their feature limits, licenses, hosting costs and current availability before choosing.
Should I just build my own Optery?
Our verdict is NOT REALLY. A consolation build is possible, but the paid product's decisive value sits outside a solo rebuild. For Optery, record discovered public-profile pages and guide the user through legitimate opt-outs. The hard boundary is proprietary scanning coverage, screenshots, automated removals, human review, and monitoring, plus security assurance, infrastructure, and trust. Review the scope, implementation prompt and trade-offs in the Optery build guide.
