Head-to-Head Comparison · Alternative to Optery · 🔐 security
Optery vs California DROP
California residents get one government request to 600-plus brokers; everyone else gets a geography lesson. Here is how California DROP ($0/mo free) stacks up against Optery ($14.99/mo) across cost, hosting, data privacy, and real-world trade-offs.
California DROP
$0.00/mo · proprietary, free
Optery vs California DROP Specification Matrix
facts verified 2026-08-11
| Dimension | Optery (Paid) | California DROP (Replacement) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $14.99 / mo | $0 / mo |
| 1-Year Cost (1 seat) | $180 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $180) |
| 1-Year Cost (5 seats) | $899 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $899) |
| 1-Year Cost (10 seats) | $1,799 / yr | $0 / yr (Save $1,799) |
| Source & License | Proprietary SaaS | free proprietary, free |
| Where It Runs | Vendor Cloud | Hosted (their cloud) |
| Platforms | Web / Cloud | webthey host it |
| GitHub Stars | — | ★ $0 forever |
Deep Dive: Switching from Optery to California DROP
Trade-offs, installation & data architecture
What you trade away
It covers only eligible California residents and registered brokers, without Optery's discovery screenshots and individualized exposure tracking.
How to deploy California DROP
Government-hosted browser signup followed by one deletion request
What it takes to run
Only California residents are eligible, and the request requires personal identifiers for broker matching
Where your data lives
Personal identifiers encrypted before storage in CalPrivacy's DROP system and matched by registered data brokers
Why fork California DROP instead of vibe-coding a Optery clone?
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.
Optery vs California DROP FAQ
Is California DROP a good free alternative to Optery?+
Yes. California DROP is a verified free replacement for Optery. California residents get one government request to 600-plus brokers; everyone else gets a geography lesson.
What is the catch when switching from Optery to California DROP?+
It covers only eligible California residents and registered brokers, without Optery's discovery screenshots and individualized exposure tracking.
How much do you save switching from Optery to California DROP?+
Optery costs $14.99/mo ($180/yr) per seat, whereas California DROP is $0/mo. Switching saves $180/yr for a solo user, $899/yr for a 5-person team, and $1,799/yr for a 10-person team.
How do I install or self-host California DROP instead of Optery?+
Install: Government-hosted browser signup followed by one deletion request. Setup: Only California residents are eligible, and the request requires personal identifiers for broker matching
