Definition of digital legacy services
Digital legacy services help you store account information, documents, and instructions so designated people can access them after death or incapacity. They sit between everyday password managers (built for living use) and legal estate software (built for attorneys).
Key evaluation criteria
Use consistent criteria when comparing providers. Marketing language varies; these dimensions stay relatively stable.
Security
- Encryption at rest and in transit (algorithms disclosed?)
- Zero-knowledge vs. server-side — can the provider decrypt for delivery?
- Authentication options: 2FA, session management
- Incident response and breach history transparency
- Independent audits or certifications if claimed
Privacy
- Data residency and jurisdiction
- Whether content is used for advertising or training
- Subprocessor list and GDPR/CCPA compliance
- What metadata beneficiaries see before trigger
Ease of setup
- Time to first useful inventory
- Guided templates vs. blank vault
- Mobile access for updates
- Family invitation friction
Crypto support
If you hold cryptocurrency, confirm the service supports wallet documentation, exchange credentials, and conditional release — not just traditional finance fields.
Trusted contacts
Review how beneficiaries are named, whether they need accounts, how notifications work, and if you can assign different assets to different people.
Comparison table
| Feature | Ever Legacy | Everplans | GoodTrust | DGLegacy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary use case | Vault + heartbeat delivery | Estate document organization | Digital legacy + directives | Digital inheritance vault |
| Trigger mechanism | Email heartbeat + grace period | Deputy access (verify current) | Varies — check provider | Inactivity-based (verify current) |
| Encryption approach | Server-side (documented) | Encrypted (see provider) | See goodtrust.com | See dglegacy.com |
| Crypto support | Yes — wallet/exchange entries | Verify current | Verify current | Often emphasized — verify |
| Beneficiary delivery | Per-asset secure links | Deputy model | Verify current | Beneficiary notifications |
| Pricing (public, June 2025) | Free / ~$7.99/mo / $199 lifetime | See everplans.com | See goodtrust.com | See dglegacy.com |
| Best suited for | Self-serve with automation | Advisor-assisted estate | Directive-focused planning | Crypto-aware inheritance |
GoodTrust and DGLegacy features verified from public positioning as of June 2025. Confirm on each website.
This comparison is for informational purposes. Features and pricing change — verify on each provider's website. No ranking implied.