GDPR compliance tools comparison, and why a human still matters
Tools help with workflow and evidence such as DSARs, consent, ROPAs, and DPIAs. They do not set risk appetite, write usable policies, or align marketing, product, and legal. Use tools to scale the doing, and keep judgment with a named human.
Why it matters
Buyers want proof, yet only humans resolve trade offs and edge cases.
Deep dive
Automate: intake queues, identity checks, exports and deletes, consent logs, banner configurations, vendor inventories, DPIA templates.
Own: data minimization, sensitive data handling, vendor no go lines, marketing claims, exception approvals.
Pick by job: a consent platform for consent, a DSAR module or a shared inbox with a tracker, a light GRC for ROPA and DPIA if you have many systems, or a disciplined spreadsheet if you do not.
Measure: service target hit rate, evidence completeness, review cadence.
Checklist
Choose tools by the job, for example consent, DSAR, or ROPA.
Define what good looks like with service targets and quality checks.
Designate who is responsible and accountable across teams.
Pilot on a real request or audit.
Keep exceptions with a named approver.
Definitions
ROPA: The record of processing activities.
DPIA: A data protection impact assessment for higher risk processing.