Gadgifyr Apps
June 23, 2026
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9 min
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Five Apps That Make It Harder for Companies to Track You Online
Most people have far less control over their personal data than they realise, and the tools designed to help with that vary widely in what they actually do. This blog breaks down five privacy-focused apps — what each one targets, how it works, and which type of user is likely to get the most protection from it.
Your Personal Data Has More Reach Than You Think
Every time someone searches the web, visits a website, or uses an app, data is being collected about them — often by companies they have never heard of. Advertisers, data brokers, and analytics firms build detailed profiles from this information, and most of it happens quietly in the background without any action from the user. For many people, the realisation that their name, home address, and browsing habits are being sold without their knowledge is the starting point for wanting to do something about it.
The five apps covered here each address a different part of the data exposure problem. Some focus on what happens during browsing; others target threats on the device itself; one operates entirely outside the device to remove personal records from commercial databases. Understanding what each one actually does — and what it does not do — is the most useful way to figure out which combination of tools makes sense for any given situation.
DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser is a free, privacy-first browser and search engine available on Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac, with browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. Its central function is to prevent tracking at the point of browsing: it blocks third-party ad trackers from loading on visited websites, forces encrypted HTTPS connections where available, and routes searches through DuckDuckGo’s own engine, which does not store user search history or build personal profiles. Additional features include cookie pop-up protection, a one-tap Fire Button to clear all tabs and browsing data, an Email Protection service that strips tracking pixels from incoming emails before forwarding them, and — on Android — App Tracking Protection, which blocks trackers embedded in other installed apps.
DuckDuckGo’s clearest strength is zero-effort tracker blocking by default. Unlike most browsers that require users to adjust settings or install separate extensions, every privacy protection in DuckDuckGo works immediately on installation. Independent testing has consistently found it blocks thousands of third-party tracking attempts, and its Privacy Grade feature assigns each website a letter rating showing how aggressively it attempts to track visitors. The Email Protection feature — which provides a personal @duck.com address that strips trackers before forwarding emails — is a useful addition that few free browsers include.
The limitations are mainly in scope. DuckDuckGo is a browser, not a security suite — it does not scan for malware, detect phishing beyond web-level blocking, or protect the device from threats outside the browser environment. Compared to Bitdefender and Norton, it provides no device-level security; compared to Incogni, it does nothing to remove data already held by brokers. App Tracking Protection is also currently an Android-only feature, leaving iOS users without that layer of cross-app protection. Its search results, drawing on Bing and aggregated sources, are useful for most queries but trail behind Google for complex or localised searches.
Best suited for users who want immediate, zero-cost protection against online tracking and advertising surveillance without switching away from everyday browsing habits.
DuckDuckGo’s clearest strength is zero-effort tracker blocking by default. Unlike most browsers that require users to adjust settings or install separate extensions, every privacy protection in DuckDuckGo works immediately on installation. Independent testing has consistently found it blocks thousands of third-party tracking attempts, and its Privacy Grade feature assigns each website a letter rating showing how aggressively it attempts to track visitors. The Email Protection feature — which provides a personal @duck.com address that strips trackers before forwarding emails — is a useful addition that few free browsers include.
The limitations are mainly in scope. DuckDuckGo is a browser, not a security suite — it does not scan for malware, detect phishing beyond web-level blocking, or protect the device from threats outside the browser environment. Compared to Bitdefender and Norton, it provides no device-level security; compared to Incogni, it does nothing to remove data already held by brokers. App Tracking Protection is also currently an Android-only feature, leaving iOS users without that layer of cross-app protection. Its search results, drawing on Bing and aggregated sources, are useful for most queries but trail behind Google for complex or localised searches.
Best suited for users who want immediate, zero-cost protection against online tracking and advertising surveillance without switching away from everyday browsing habits.
Of Americans Say Their Personal Information Has Been Stolen or Exposed in a Breach
Research compiled in 2025 by data privacy analysts found that 45% of Americans report having had their personal information stolen or exposed in a data breach at some point in the past five years. This figure reflects how widespread the underlying problem has become, and why passive awareness is no longer enough. Each of the apps in this comparison addresses a different part of the data exposure problem, making it easier to identify which layer of protection is most relevant to a given person's situation.
45%
Of US Adults Say They Understand Little About What Companies Do With Their Data
The same 2023 Pew Research Center report found that 67% of Americans say they have little to no understanding of what companies actually do with their personal data — up from 59% in a similar survey conducted in 2019. This growing gap between concern and comprehension is significant, because it means most people lack the knowledge needed to make informed choices about how they protect themselves. Clearer tools and plain-language information about privacy options matter more now than at any previous point.
67%
Of Americans Are Concerned About How Companies Use Their Data
A large-scale survey carried out by Pew Research Center in 2023 found that 79% of Americans report being worried about how companies collect and use their personal information. This level of concern has grown steadily over the past several years, suggesting that public awareness of data collection practices is increasing — even as many people feel there is little they can do about it. The apps in this blog represent practical tools for those who want to start acting on that concern rather than simply sharing it.
79%
How the Public Really Feels About Personal Data
Avast Mobile Security
A mobile cybersecurity platform combining protection, privacy, and device security tools.
Avast Mobile Security is one of the most widely used mobile security apps globally, available for Android and iOS with both a free and paid tier. Its primary function is device-level threat protection: scanning for malicious apps, blocking access to dangerous or phishing websites, and monitoring Wi-Fi networks for security vulnerabilities. Additional features include a data breach checker (which alerts users if their email address appears in a known breach), a photo vault for storing sensitive images behind a PIN, and an app lock for securing individual apps with biometric authentication. The free version is ad-supported and includes core scanning and web protection; the Premium plan (around $20 per year) removes ads and adds scam and email protection; the Ultimate plan ($40 per year) adds an unlimited VPN.
Avast’s main advantage is its accessible free tier, which delivers meaningful mobile protection without a subscription. Independent testing by AV-Comparatives has consistently rated Avast’s malware detection at 100%, and the inclusion of Wi-Fi vulnerability scanning and breach monitoring in the free version makes it a practical first layer of device security for users not ready to pay for a full suite. The range of features in the free tier compares well to what competing paid apps offer at the entry level.
The trade-offs are meaningful. The free version is ad-supported, which introduces a tension for a tool positioned as a privacy and security product. The free photo vault is also limited to ten stored images, which restricts its practical use. Compared to Bitdefender, Avast’s malware detection is comparable but its web protection in independent tests has occasionally underperformed; compared to Norton, it lacks a bundled VPN at entry-level pricing and offers no dark web monitoring on free plans. As a pure device-security tool, it performs well, but it addresses very little of the broader data tracking and privacy exposure problem that apps like DuckDuckGo and Incogni target.
Best suited for users who want solid, free device-level malware and phishing protection for Android and are comfortable with ad-funded software as the trade-off.
Avast’s main advantage is its accessible free tier, which delivers meaningful mobile protection without a subscription. Independent testing by AV-Comparatives has consistently rated Avast’s malware detection at 100%, and the inclusion of Wi-Fi vulnerability scanning and breach monitoring in the free version makes it a practical first layer of device security for users not ready to pay for a full suite. The range of features in the free tier compares well to what competing paid apps offer at the entry level.
The trade-offs are meaningful. The free version is ad-supported, which introduces a tension for a tool positioned as a privacy and security product. The free photo vault is also limited to ten stored images, which restricts its practical use. Compared to Bitdefender, Avast’s malware detection is comparable but its web protection in independent tests has occasionally underperformed; compared to Norton, it lacks a bundled VPN at entry-level pricing and offers no dark web monitoring on free plans. As a pure device-security tool, it performs well, but it addresses very little of the broader data tracking and privacy exposure problem that apps like DuckDuckGo and Incogni target.
Best suited for users who want solid, free device-level malware and phishing protection for Android and are comfortable with ad-funded software as the trade-off.
Of Americans Say Their Personal Information Has Been Stolen or Exposed in a Breach
Research compiled in 2025 by data privacy analysts found that 45% of Americans report having had their personal information stolen or exposed in a data breach at some point in the past five years. This figure reflects how widespread the underlying problem has become, and why passive awareness is no longer enough. Each of the apps in this comparison addresses a different part of the data exposure problem, making it easier to identify which layer of protection is most relevant to a given person's situation.
45%
Of US Adults Say They Understand Little About What Companies Do With Their Data
The same 2023 Pew Research Center report found that 67% of Americans say they have little to no understanding of what companies actually do with their personal data — up from 59% in a similar survey conducted in 2019. This growing gap between concern and comprehension is significant, because it means most people lack the knowledge needed to make informed choices about how they protect themselves. Clearer tools and plain-language information about privacy options matter more now than at any previous point.
67%
Of Americans Are Concerned About How Companies Use Their Data
A large-scale survey carried out by Pew Research Center in 2023 found that 79% of Americans report being worried about how companies collect and use their personal information. This level of concern has grown steadily over the past several years, suggesting that public awareness of data collection practices is increasing — even as many people feel there is little they can do about it. The apps in this blog represent practical tools for those who want to start acting on that concern rather than simply sharing it.
79%
How the Public Really Feels About Personal Data
Bitdefender
Mobile cybersecurity app focused on malware protection, web security, account privacy, and device safety for smartphones and tablets.
Bitdefender Mobile Security is a paid mobile security app available for both Android and iOS at around $25 per year as a standalone product, or as part of broader multi-device plans. It focuses on comprehensive device protection with features including real-time malware scanning, web protection that blocks phishing and malicious URLs, a scam alert system that monitors incoming text messages and links for threats, app-level privacy auditing that reveals which permissions installed apps are using, an anti-theft function with remote lock and wipe, and an app lock. A limited VPN is included (200MB per day), with an unlimited plan available separately. The Android version is substantially more feature-complete than the iOS version, which Apple’s platform restrictions prevent from running full malware scans.
Bitdefender’s most significant strength is its malware detection accuracy. Independent tests conducted by AV-Test and AV-Comparatives have repeatedly placed Bitdefender at or near the top of the rankings for Android malware protection. Its web protection blocked 96% of test malicious URLs in TechRadar’s independent testing — a strong result — and its Autopilot feature continuously scans newly installed apps for potential threats without requiring the user to run manual scans. The app permission auditing feature, which shows users exactly which data each installed app is accessing, adds a privacy layer that many competing tools do not offer at this price.
The main limitation is the daily VPN cap of 200MB, which is enough for light tasks like email or occasional secure browsing but not for sustained use. The iOS version is notably thinner than Android in terms of available features — a common constraint across all mobile security apps on Apple’s platform. Compared to Avast, Bitdefender’s free tier is minimal and the full experience requires a paid plan; compared to Norton, it lacks built-in dark web monitoring and the broader identity protection features of the 360 suite, though it is available at a lower standalone price. Bitdefender does not address online tracking or data broker exposure.
Best suited for users who want reliable, well-tested device security on Android — particularly those who value detailed app permission monitoring alongside malware and phishing protection.
Bitdefender’s most significant strength is its malware detection accuracy. Independent tests conducted by AV-Test and AV-Comparatives have repeatedly placed Bitdefender at or near the top of the rankings for Android malware protection. Its web protection blocked 96% of test malicious URLs in TechRadar’s independent testing — a strong result — and its Autopilot feature continuously scans newly installed apps for potential threats without requiring the user to run manual scans. The app permission auditing feature, which shows users exactly which data each installed app is accessing, adds a privacy layer that many competing tools do not offer at this price.
The main limitation is the daily VPN cap of 200MB, which is enough for light tasks like email or occasional secure browsing but not for sustained use. The iOS version is notably thinner than Android in terms of available features — a common constraint across all mobile security apps on Apple’s platform. Compared to Avast, Bitdefender’s free tier is minimal and the full experience requires a paid plan; compared to Norton, it lacks built-in dark web monitoring and the broader identity protection features of the 360 suite, though it is available at a lower standalone price. Bitdefender does not address online tracking or data broker exposure.
Best suited for users who want reliable, well-tested device security on Android — particularly those who value detailed app permission monitoring alongside malware and phishing protection.
Of Americans Say Their Personal Information Has Been Stolen or Exposed in a Breach
Research compiled in 2025 by data privacy analysts found that 45% of Americans report having had their personal information stolen or exposed in a data breach at some point in the past five years. This figure reflects how widespread the underlying problem has become, and why passive awareness is no longer enough. Each of the apps in this comparison addresses a different part of the data exposure problem, making it easier to identify which layer of protection is most relevant to a given person's situation.
45%
Of US Adults Say They Understand Little About What Companies Do With Their Data
The same 2023 Pew Research Center report found that 67% of Americans say they have little to no understanding of what companies actually do with their personal data — up from 59% in a similar survey conducted in 2019. This growing gap between concern and comprehension is significant, because it means most people lack the knowledge needed to make informed choices about how they protect themselves. Clearer tools and plain-language information about privacy options matter more now than at any previous point.
67%
Of Americans Are Concerned About How Companies Use Their Data
A large-scale survey carried out by Pew Research Center in 2023 found that 79% of Americans report being worried about how companies collect and use their personal information. This level of concern has grown steadily over the past several years, suggesting that public awareness of data collection practices is increasing — even as many people feel there is little they can do about it. The apps in this blog represent practical tools for those who want to start acting on that concern rather than simply sharing it.
79%
How the Public Really Feels About Personal Data
Norton 360
All-in-one cybersecurity platform combining antivirus protection, VPN services, identity monitoring, cloud backup, and online privacy tools.
Norton 360 is a comprehensive multi-device security and privacy suite covering Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. Its feature set is the most extensive in this comparison: antivirus and real-time malware protection, a bundled unlimited VPN, dark web monitoring that alerts users if their personal data appears on compromised databases, an AI-powered scam protection system (called Norton Genie) that identifies fraudulent messages and websites, a password manager, cloud backup storage, and — for US subscribers — a Privacy Monitor that scans data broker databases for users’ personal information and sends removal requests. The 360 Standard plan covers up to three devices and includes a 60-day money-back guarantee, with first-year pricing significantly discounted below the renewal rate.
Norton 360’s most significant advantage in this comparison is its breadth of protection across multiple threat types. Rather than addressing one privacy or security concern, it layers antivirus, VPN, identity monitoring, and scam detection into a single subscription, making it the closest to an all-in-one solution of the five apps covered here. Dark web monitoring — which alerts users when their email address, phone number, or financial details appear in a breach database — is a feature that Avast and Bitdefender do not include as standard, and the AI-powered Deepfake Protection and Scam Protection tools add forward-looking defences that go beyond traditional antivirus.
The trade-offs include price and the significant difference between the first-year and renewal subscription rates, which some users report finding frustrating once the introductory period ends. The bundled VPN, while functional for everyday privacy browsing, has a limited server network compared to dedicated VPN services and has received mixed reviews for speed. The Privacy Monitor for data broker removal is US-only and narrower in scope than a dedicated service like Incogni. Compared to Bitdefender, Norton costs more but offers more identity-layer features; compared to DuckDuckGo, it provides device-level security but requires a paid subscription where DuckDuckGo offers browser-level tracking protection entirely free.
Best suited for users who want a single paid subscription that covers device security, a built-in VPN, and identity monitoring across multiple devices without managing separate tools.
Norton 360’s most significant advantage in this comparison is its breadth of protection across multiple threat types. Rather than addressing one privacy or security concern, it layers antivirus, VPN, identity monitoring, and scam detection into a single subscription, making it the closest to an all-in-one solution of the five apps covered here. Dark web monitoring — which alerts users when their email address, phone number, or financial details appear in a breach database — is a feature that Avast and Bitdefender do not include as standard, and the AI-powered Deepfake Protection and Scam Protection tools add forward-looking defences that go beyond traditional antivirus.
The trade-offs include price and the significant difference between the first-year and renewal subscription rates, which some users report finding frustrating once the introductory period ends. The bundled VPN, while functional for everyday privacy browsing, has a limited server network compared to dedicated VPN services and has received mixed reviews for speed. The Privacy Monitor for data broker removal is US-only and narrower in scope than a dedicated service like Incogni. Compared to Bitdefender, Norton costs more but offers more identity-layer features; compared to DuckDuckGo, it provides device-level security but requires a paid subscription where DuckDuckGo offers browser-level tracking protection entirely free.
Best suited for users who want a single paid subscription that covers device security, a built-in VPN, and identity monitoring across multiple devices without managing separate tools.
Of Americans Say Their Personal Information Has Been Stolen or Exposed in a Breach
Research compiled in 2025 by data privacy analysts found that 45% of Americans report having had their personal information stolen or exposed in a data breach at some point in the past five years. This figure reflects how widespread the underlying problem has become, and why passive awareness is no longer enough. Each of the apps in this comparison addresses a different part of the data exposure problem, making it easier to identify which layer of protection is most relevant to a given person's situation.
45%
Of US Adults Say They Understand Little About What Companies Do With Their Data
The same 2023 Pew Research Center report found that 67% of Americans say they have little to no understanding of what companies actually do with their personal data — up from 59% in a similar survey conducted in 2019. This growing gap between concern and comprehension is significant, because it means most people lack the knowledge needed to make informed choices about how they protect themselves. Clearer tools and plain-language information about privacy options matter more now than at any previous point.
67%
Of Americans Are Concerned About How Companies Use Their Data
A large-scale survey carried out by Pew Research Center in 2023 found that 79% of Americans report being worried about how companies collect and use their personal information. This level of concern has grown steadily over the past several years, suggesting that public awareness of data collection practices is increasing — even as many people feel there is little they can do about it. The apps in this blog represent practical tools for those who want to start acting on that concern rather than simply sharing it.
79%
How the Public Really Feels About Personal Data
Incogni
Privacy management service designed to remove personal data from online data brokers and people-search databases.
Incogni is a data broker removal service developed by Surfshark, designed to contact commercial data brokers on the user’s behalf and legally request the deletion of their personal records. Unlike the other tools in this comparison, Incogni operates entirely outside the user’s device — it does not scan for malware, block trackers in a browser, or protect against phishing. Instead, it targets the upstream source of much of the privacy problem: the commercial databases that compile, package, and sell personal information such as names, addresses, phone numbers, employment history, and family connections. After the user provides basic identifying details and signs an authorisation form, Incogni sends automated opt-out requests to 420+ data brokers using legal frameworks including GDPR, CCPA, and PIPEDA, then repeats the process every 60 to 90 days. Pricing starts at $7.99 per month on an annual plan, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Incogni addresses a layer of the data privacy problem that none of the other apps in this comparison touch: the removal of data already held by third parties before the user ever installed a privacy tool. Data brokers re-acquire personal information regularly from public records, other brokers, and data aggregators, which is why recurring removal sweeps rather than a single opt-out are necessary for sustained reduction in exposure. Incogni’s dashboard provides a live view of removal requests categorised as In Progress, Completed, or Rejected, and the service has processed over 245 million removal requests since its launch, with independent verification of its practices conducted by Deloitte in 2025.
The clearest limitation is that Incogni does not protect against new data collection going forward — it clears existing records but does not prevent brokers from re-acquiring information through their usual sources. There is no free tier, and the full feature set for custom removals from specific sites requires the more expensive Unlimited plan. Compared to Norton’s Privacy Monitor, Incogni covers significantly more brokers (420+) and operates across multiple international privacy law frameworks, not only in the US. For users who want to reduce their existing data footprint rather than protect their device from active threats, Incogni is the most targeted tool available in this comparison.
Best suited for users who want to reduce the volume of their personal information held by commercial data brokers and are comfortable with a subscription-based, hands-off service that handles the process automatically.
Incogni addresses a layer of the data privacy problem that none of the other apps in this comparison touch: the removal of data already held by third parties before the user ever installed a privacy tool. Data brokers re-acquire personal information regularly from public records, other brokers, and data aggregators, which is why recurring removal sweeps rather than a single opt-out are necessary for sustained reduction in exposure. Incogni’s dashboard provides a live view of removal requests categorised as In Progress, Completed, or Rejected, and the service has processed over 245 million removal requests since its launch, with independent verification of its practices conducted by Deloitte in 2025.
The clearest limitation is that Incogni does not protect against new data collection going forward — it clears existing records but does not prevent brokers from re-acquiring information through their usual sources. There is no free tier, and the full feature set for custom removals from specific sites requires the more expensive Unlimited plan. Compared to Norton’s Privacy Monitor, Incogni covers significantly more brokers (420+) and operates across multiple international privacy law frameworks, not only in the US. For users who want to reduce their existing data footprint rather than protect their device from active threats, Incogni is the most targeted tool available in this comparison.
Best suited for users who want to reduce the volume of their personal information held by commercial data brokers and are comfortable with a subscription-based, hands-off service that handles the process automatically.
Of Americans Say Their Personal Information Has Been Stolen or Exposed in a Breach
Research compiled in 2025 by data privacy analysts found that 45% of Americans report having had their personal information stolen or exposed in a data breach at some point in the past five years. This figure reflects how widespread the underlying problem has become, and why passive awareness is no longer enough. Each of the apps in this comparison addresses a different part of the data exposure problem, making it easier to identify which layer of protection is most relevant to a given person's situation.
45%
Of US Adults Say They Understand Little About What Companies Do With Their Data
The same 2023 Pew Research Center report found that 67% of Americans say they have little to no understanding of what companies actually do with their personal data — up from 59% in a similar survey conducted in 2019. This growing gap between concern and comprehension is significant, because it means most people lack the knowledge needed to make informed choices about how they protect themselves. Clearer tools and plain-language information about privacy options matter more now than at any previous point.
67%
Of Americans Are Concerned About How Companies Use Their Data
A large-scale survey carried out by Pew Research Center in 2023 found that 79% of Americans report being worried about how companies collect and use their personal information. This level of concern has grown steadily over the past several years, suggesting that public awareness of data collection practices is increasing — even as many people feel there is little they can do about it. The apps in this blog represent practical tools for those who want to start acting on that concern rather than simply sharing it.
79%
How the Public Really Feels About Personal Data
Different Problems, Different Tools
These five apps protect against overlapping but distinct threats. DuckDuckGo prevents data collection as it happens — during browsing, searching, and email use — without requiring a subscription or any technical setup. Avast gives Android users a capable free security foundation that covers malware, unsafe links, and basic breach alerts, though the trade-off is an ad-funded experience in the free version. Bitdefender takes device security more seriously in terms of detection accuracy and app permission transparency, at a modest annual cost. Norton 360 pulls the most features into a single subscription: antivirus, VPN, dark web monitoring, and scam detection across multiple devices. Incogni operates differently from all of them, going after the commercial data pipeline directly rather than protecting the user at the point of use.
For most people, a single tool will not be enough. Combining a privacy browser with a device security app covers the most common day-to-day risks, while adding a data removal service addresses the deeper problem of information already in circulation. The practical question is how much risk exposure feels acceptable, and what level of ongoing management someone is prepared to take on — these apps sit at very different points on both of those scales.
Good To Knows:
• Data brokers are companies that collect, package, and sell personal information — names, addresses, phone numbers, employment history — without any direct relationship with the individuals whose data they hold. Most people have profiles across dozens of these databases without ever knowing it.
• Tracker blocking and mobile security are two different things. A privacy browser stops third-party companies from following your online activity; a mobile security app focuses on protecting your device from malware, phishing, and malicious links. Some tools cover both, but no single app does everything.
• App Tracking Protection — available on Android in the DuckDuckGo browser — goes a step further than standard tracker blocking by preventing trackers embedded in other apps on your device from operating in the background, even when you are not using those apps.
• Using a free version of a security or privacy app sometimes comes at a hidden cost: some free apps display ads or collect anonymised usage data to fund their operations. This is worth checking before installing, since a privacy tool that collects data of its own raises a question about what it is actually protecting you from.
• Data broker opt-outs are not permanent. Brokers regularly re-acquire data from other sources, which means a one-time removal request rarely holds. Services that perform recurring removal sweeps — such as Incogni — are designed specifically to handle this ongoing problem.
What Each App Is Actually Protecting You From
• DuckDuckGo focuses on preventing data collection at the point of browsing and searching — it does not store search history, blocks third-party trackers on visited sites, and strips tracking pixels from forwarded emails through its Email Protection feature.
• Avast Mobile Security primarily targets threats on the device itself — malicious apps, unsafe Wi-Fi networks, and phishing links — rather than preventing data collection by advertisers. Its free tier is functional but ad-supported, which is a trade-off worth understanding before relying on it as a privacy tool.
• Bitdefender Mobile Security combines strong malware detection — consistently rated at or near the top in independent lab tests — with web protection, scam alert features, and app-level access auditing that reveals which permissions each installed app is using.
• Norton 360 offers the broadest feature set in this comparison: antivirus, a bundled VPN, dark web monitoring, AI-powered scam protection, and — for US subscribers — a data broker scanning tool. It covers the most ground but also carries the highest subscription cost.
• Incogni is the only app in this comparison that operates entirely outside the device — it contacts data brokers directly on the user’s behalf, using privacy laws such as GDPR and CCPA to legally compel them to delete personal records, with automated follow-ups every 60 to 90 days.
App Comparisons:
Apps 🠛
Ease of Use
Privacy Depth
Free Tier Value
DuckDuckGo
5/5
4/5
3/5
2/5
1/5
4/5
5/5
3/5
2/5
1/5
5/5
4/5
3/5
2/5
1/5
Avast Mobile Security
5/5
4/5
3/5
2/5
1/5
4/5
5/5
3/5
2/5
1/5
5/5
4/5
3/5
2/5
1/5
Bitdefender
5/5
4/5
3/5
2/5
1/5
4/5
5/5
3/5
2/5
1/5
5/5
4/5
3/5
2/5
1/5
Norton 360
5/5
4/5
3/5
2/5
1/5
4/5
5/5
3/5
2/5
1/5
5/5
4/5
3/5
2/5
1/5
Incogni
5/5
4/5
1/5
Related Science: ⮛
Related Gadgets: ⮛
Did You Get That?
What is a data broker and why does it matter?
A data broker is a company that collects personal information from public records, social media, loyalty schemes, and other sources, then packages and sells it to third parties. Most people have profiles across dozens of these databases without ever opting in or being informed.
Does DuckDuckGo make browsing completely private?
DuckDuckGo significantly reduces the amount of tracking data collected during browsing and search, but it does not make browsing anonymous. It does not function as a VPN and cannot prevent websites from seeing a user’s IP address or from collecting information that the user actively provides, such as through login forms.
Is Avast Mobile Security safe to use given that it collects usage data?
Avast is a legitimate, established security company whose products are independently tested and certified. In the free version, it collects anonymised app-usage data by default, which users can review in the app settings; the paid version removes this requirement alongside the ads.
Why does Incogni need to keep removing data rather than doing it once?
Data brokers regularly re-acquire personal information from public records, other brokers, and data aggregators, so records that have been removed often reappear within weeks or months. Incogni’s recurring sweeps every 60 to 90 days are designed specifically to counteract this cycle and maintain a reduced data footprint over time.
Do I need more than one of these tools?
Most people benefit from using tools that address different layers of privacy protection together. A privacy browser handles tracking during online activity, a mobile security app protects the device from malware and phishing, and a data removal service deals with personal information already held by third parties — each covers a part of the problem that the others do not.
Other Related Apps ⮛
Final Summary
DuckDuckGo is the most accessible starting point: free, simple, and effective at blocking third-party tracking during everyday browsing. Avast Mobile Security provides strong device protection on a free tier, though its ad-supported model is a trade-off that privacy-conscious users should weigh carefully. Bitdefender Mobile Security delivers consistently high malware detection rates and useful app permission monitoring, making it a solid paid option for Android users who want detailed device-level insight. Norton 360 covers the most ground in a single subscription, combining antivirus, VPN, dark web monitoring, and scam protection — though it comes at a higher ongoing cost. Incogni addresses a different problem entirely, targeting the commercial databases where most personal data ends up, rather than the device or browser where it originates.
No single tool here does everything, and understanding that distinction is the most useful thing someone can take from this comparison. Tracker blocking, device security, and data broker removal are three different interventions for three different parts of the same underlying problem. Choosing which of them to prioritise depends on what kind of data exposure matters most in a given person’s situation.
Don't Know What to Choose?
Best app for free, no-effort tracker and ad blocking: DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser
It blocks third-party trackers, forces encrypted connections, strips email trackers, and never stores search history — all without a subscription or any configuration required.
Best app for all-in-one device security and identity monitoring: Norton 360
It is the only app in this comparison that combines antivirus, a bundled VPN, dark web monitoring, and AI scam protection under a single subscription across multiple devices.
Best app for removing personal data from commercial databases: Incogni
It targets data brokers directly, using privacy law to compel deletion from 420+ sources and repeating the process automatically every 60 to 90 days to prevent data from reappearing.
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