What Should DNC Scrubbing Cost? A 2026 Price Breakdown
DNC scrubbing prices range from genuinely cheap to surprisingly expensive, and the difference usually comes from the pricing model, not the data. Every scrubbing service checks numbers against the same National Do Not Call Registry. What changes is how you're charged for it: per number, by monthly subscription, or by annual contract.
Here's a realistic breakdown of what DNC scrubbing should cost in 2026, how to compare quotes, and which extra checks are worth paying for.
The three pricing models
| Model | How it works | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per number | You pay for each number checked, often in prepaid credits | Variable or occasional volume, small and mid-size teams | Credits that expire, and minimum purchases |
| Monthly subscription | A flat fee for a usage tier or "unlimited" scrubs | Steady, high, predictable volume | Paying for unused capacity; auto-renewals; overage fees |
| Annual contract | Custom pricing with commitments, common at enterprise level | Large operations needing integrations and support | "Request a quote" pricing, minimum commitments, long lock-ins |
For most teams, per-number pricing is the cheapest and easiest to predict, because cost follows volume exactly. A subscription only makes sense once your monthly volume is high and stable enough that the flat fee works out lower per number.
What per-number scrubbing actually costs
At the efficient end of the market, a DNC check costs around $0.00025 per number, which is 25 cents per thousand. Here's what that looks like for real campaigns:
| List size | DNC scrub | DNC + honeypot check |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 numbers | $0.25 | $0.63 |
| 10,000 numbers | $2.50 | $6.25 |
| 100,000 numbers | $25.00 | $62.50 |
| 1,000,000 numbers | $250.00 | $625.00 |
Based on Carrier Fence's $25 Basic pack (100,000 coins). Larger packs bring the DNC price down to $0.00014 per number.
If a quote works out to much more than this per number, you're mostly paying for the pricing model, bundled features you may not use, or a sales process.
Doing it yourself isn't free either
You can access the registry directly from the FTC. Companies pay an annual fee for each area code they download (the first five are free). But for a national campaign, the fees for hundreds of area codes add up. You'd also need to download updates at least every 31 days, maintain your own matching software, and add state lists separately. For most call centers, a scrubbing service is cheaper once staff time is counted.
Extra checks: what's worth paying for
The DNC registry is the legal baseline, but it isn't where most lawsuits come from. Other checks catch numbers that registry data misses:
| Check | What it catches | Worth it? |
|---|---|---|
| Federal DNC | Numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry | Required for sales calls |
| State DNC | Numbers on state lists (Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania and others) | Yes, if you call those states |
| Honeypot | Trap numbers planted to catch illegal calls | Yes, for cold and purchased lists |
| Litigator | Numbers tied to people who file TCPA lawsuits repeatedly | Yes, for high-volume or high-risk verticals |
| Line type | Mobile vs. landline vs. VoIP | Yes, since consent rules differ for mobiles |
| Calling hours | Whether it's legal to call now, in the number's local time | Yes, for national campaigns |
Some services charge separately for each of these; others include them. Compare the total cost for the checks you actually need, not just the headline DNC price. Our comparison of DNC, honeypot and litigator data explains each one in detail.
Questions to ask before you pay
- What is the price per number for the checks I need, in total?
- Is there a monthly fee, minimum purchase or contract term?
- Do credits expire if I don't use them?
- Am I charged for invalid or duplicate numbers?
- How often is the DNC data refreshed?
- Do I get a dated report I can keep as evidence?
- Is there an API, and does it cost extra?
- Can I test it on a real list before paying?
Compare it with the cost of a violation
TCPA statutory damages are $500 per call, up to $1,500 if the violation was knowing or willful, and class actions multiply that across every call in a campaign. Scrubbing a 100,000-number list for about $25 costs less than one twentieth of a single minimum-damages claim. There aren't many cost-benefit decisions in outbound calling this clear. We break the damages down in what a TCPA violation really costs.
Frequently asked questions
How much does DNC scrubbing cost per number?
At the efficient end, about $0.00025 per number, or 25 cents per thousand. Prices vary widely by provider and pricing model, from fractions of a cent per number to monthly subscriptions in the hundreds of dollars.
Is it cheaper to buy DNC data directly from the FTC?
Only for small calling areas. The FTC charges an annual fee per area code after the first five, and you'd need to download updates at least every 31 days and run your own matching. For national campaigns, a scrubbing service is usually cheaper.
Is a subscription or pay-per-number better for DNC scrubbing?
Pay-per-number is better for variable or moderate volume, because you only pay for what you check. A subscription can work out cheaper only at consistently high monthly volume.
Are honeypot and litigator checks worth the extra cost?
For cold, purchased or high-volume lists, usually yes. They catch numbers that the DNC registry doesn't, and those numbers are behind many TCPA claims.
Can I scrub a list for free?
Many services offer a free trial. Carrier Fence gives new accounts 500 free coins, enough for 500 DNC scrubs against the same database paid scrubs use.
See the full per-number breakdown on the pricing page, and test it free on 500 numbers before you pay anything.
This article is general information, not legal advice.