With an exponential increase in security breaches and data leaks, it is essential that any reputable business ensures the privacy of its employees and customers. But that’s not all, it must also offer controls over the collection, use, or storage of personal information and comply with basic user rights (access, rectification, and data deletion, etc.)
To solve this problem we have OneTrust and its powerful Trust Intelligence platform, a comprehensive data privacy management tool that enables efficient and automated compliance with global regulations like GDPR in Europe or CCPA in California.
Want to learn more about this privacy management platform? Next, we offer you a complete analysis of OneTrust to help you decide if it meets the requirements your business needs.
What is OneTrust and how does it work?
OneTrust Intelligence is a comprehensive platform that helps businesses and corporations manage privacy, security, and regulatory compliance of the data stored on their website.
Its approach is based on automation and centralization of processes related to data protection, enabling organizations to map data flows, manage user consent (CMP), assess risks, respond to rights requests, and comply with global regulations such as GDPR, CCPA, LGPD, among others.
Its main advantage is that it provides a unified and real-time view of the company’s data ecosystem, connecting information from different areas and systems to facilitate informed decision-making.
Additionally, it allows for impact assessments (DPIAs), maintains records of processing activities, and creates customized policies by region or data type. All this translates into time savings, risk reduction, and greater capacity to demonstrate compliance in audits or before regulatory authorities.
Using OneTrust is worthwhile because it not only covers the legal and technical aspects of compliance but also helps build trust with customers and partners by demonstrating proactive commitment to privacy and ethics in data handling.
For companies operating in multiple countries or handling large volumes of personal data, OneTrust becomes a key tool to ensure efficiency, scalability, and security in their operations.
Main Features of OneTrust Intelligence
Before choosing a comprehensive solution for your company’s data, it is important to know its main functionalities. These are the features of OneTrust and its Trust Intelligence platform that we like the most:
- Automated data mapping: Identifies, classifies, and tracks personal data throughout the organization, including internal systems and external vendors.
- Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): This is fully scalable and automates third-party management from onboarding and risk assessment to mitigation and reporting.
- Consent and preference management (CMP): Collects and manages user consent in a personalized way according to region or channel, complying with regulations such as GDPR or CCPA.
- Impact assessments (DPIA / PIA): Facilitates the creation and monitoring of risk assessments for new processes or technologies involving personal data.
- Management of data subject rights (DSARs): Automates receiving, validating, and responding to access, deletion, or portability requests.
- Inventory and record of processing activities: Maintains an updated inventory of processes and activities involving data processing, as required by GDPR.
- Global regulatory compliance tracking: Adapts policies and workflows to multiple regulatory frameworks (GDPR, CCPA, LGPD, APPI, etc.).
- Risk and compliance analysis: Detects vulnerabilities, assesses legal risks, and generates reports for internal or external audits.
- Real-time dashboards and visualizations: Customizable dashboards that provide a clear view of compliance status and data management across the organization.
Integrations with existing systems: Easily connects with CRM, ERP, marketing platforms, cloud services, and more, for smooth and automated management. Among them we highlight Okta, Adobe, and Salesforce.
Pros and Cons of OneTrust
| ONE TRUST PROS | ONE TRUST CONS |
|---|---|
| Automated compliance with global regulations (GDPR, CCPA, LGPD, etc.) from a single platform. | High price, especially for small businesses or startups with limited resources. |
| Complete visibility of the data ecosystem, with real-time dashboards and reports. | Steep learning curve due to the breadth and complexity of its features. |
| Automated compliance with global regulations (GDPR, CCPA, LGPD, etc.) from a single platform. | Complex initial setup, requires time and resources to properly customize. |
| Complete visibility of the data ecosystem, with real-time dashboards and reports. | Dependence on technical support during implementation or advanced integration phases. |
| Automation of repetitive tasks such as rights requests (DSARs), consents, and impact assessments. | Frequent updates that may require operational adjustments or ongoing training. |
| User privacy protection and allows data control from mobile applications. | |
| Multi-jurisdictional adaptation, ideal for companies operating in multiple countries. | |
| Easy integration and connection with existing tools (CRM, ERP, cloud platforms, etc.). | |
| Centralized management of the data lifecycle, from collection to deletion. |
Audience: Who is OneTrust Intelligence for?
Now that we know in depth OneTrust Intelligence, it’s time to ask ourselves if it is the solution for the data your SME needs to operate securely. To answer your questions, we have made a list of the types of users who can benefit from this platform. They are as follows:
- Multinational companies: Operate in multiple jurisdictions and need to comply with different privacy laws (GDPR, CCPA, LGPD, etc.). OneTrust allows them to manage everything from a single platform.
- E-commerce and retail: Collect large volumes of customer data (name, address, purchase history, etc.) and must manage consents, cookies, and rights requests efficiently.
- Healthcare and pharmaceutical companies: Handle especially sensitive data (medical histories, treatments, genetics), subject to strict regulations such as HIPAA or GDPR. They need strong privacy and security controls.
- Banks, fintechs, and insurers: Process financial and personal data of millions of customers and are under high regulatory scrutiny. OneTrust helps map data flows, assess risks, and comply with audits.
- Technology and software companies:Process user data through apps, cloud services, or SaaS. They need to manage privacy by design and respond to requests from global users.
- Educational institutions:Collect data from students, teachers, and staff, and must comply with local and international regulations (like FERPA in the U.S. or GDPR in Europe).
- Media and digital advertising: Use cookies and tracking technologies to personalize content and advertising. They must manage preferences and consents accurately to avoid penalties.
Why users switch to OneTrust
Many users and companies decide to switch to OneTrust and its Trust Intelligence platform because they are looking for a more robust, automated, and centralized solution to manage privacy and regulatory compliance.
Often, they come from manual processes or more basic tools that do not scale well as their operations or regulatory exposure grow.
OneTrust stands out for its global regulatory coverage, its ability to automate complex workflows (such as rights requests or impact assessments), and for offering clear visibility into the personal data lifecycle.
For organizations with an international presence or highly regulated sectors, switching to OneTrust represents an investment in efficiency, control, and legal risk mitigation, according to customers already using the platform.
Why Some Users Abandon OneTrust
However, some users end up abandoning OneTrust Intelligence due to reasons such as the high licensing and maintenance cost, especially in medium or small companies with tighter budgets.
The complexity of the tool can also influence, which, although powerful, requires time, training, and technical resources to be properly implemented and configured.
In some cases, teams fail to leverage the full potential of the platform or feel it does not fully adapt to their specific needs. This leads them to seek lighter, more economical solutions focused on specific areas like consent management or risk assessments. Ultimately, they look for much more intuitive solutions whose functions can be performed in just a few clicks.
OneTrust Plans and Pricing (2025)
An important point when choosing OneTrust Intelligence is to know its different subscriptions and payment plans.
Unfortunately, OneTrust Intelligence does not publish detailed information about its prices and discounts. To get a quote, the company asks you to contact them, as each offer is personalized.
OneTrust structures its platform into modules that can be purchased separately or together, depending on the company's needs. These are:
- Consent & Preferences: Management of user consents and preferences.
- Privacy Automation: Automation of privacy and compliance processes.
- Third-Party Risk Management: Management of risks associated with third parties and vendors.
- Data Discovery & Classification: Discovery and classification of data within the organization.
- AI Governance: Governance and compliance in the use of artificial intelligence.
It is important to note that each module has an associated cost that varies depending on the scope, number of users, and necessary integrations. That is why to know the prices for each one, it is again necessary to contact customer service.
The best option for organizations of any size is to request a demo from OneTrust, so that they can verify its main functions and modules. This trial session is completely free and is very valuable when reaching an agreement about the modules and products to request.
Implementation of OneTrust Intelligence
The implementation of OneTrust Intelligence is not straightforward from the start, especially for companies that do not have a solid foundation in data management or dedicated technical resources. It is a very comprehensive platform, with multiple modules covering everything from privacy to security and data governance.
This means a considerable learning curve, as it requires configuring workflows, integrations with other systems (such as CRM, ERP, cloud platforms), and adapting the modules to internal policies and the regulations of each country or region where the company operates.
In large organizations or those with experience in regulatory compliance, the implementation tends to be smoother, especially if there is a privacy team or if working with specialized consultants.
OneTrust offers documentation, technical support, and training programs, but even so the process can take weeks or even months, depending on the size and complexity of the company. In some cases, it starts with key modules (such as consent or user rights management) and progressively moves towards a more complete implementation.
In summary, it is not a plug-and-play solution, but once properly implemented, it offers a solid and automated framework to manage everything related to privacy and compliance. The initial time investment is compensated with long-term efficiency.
OneTrust Training Resources
OneTrust Intelligence offers a variety of training resources designed to facilitate effective learning and implementation of its platform. Below, we detail the main available resources:
- Free Online Courses: OneTrust provides free online courses for clients and partners, suitable for both beginners and advanced professionals. These courses cover various aspects of the platform and privacy regulations.
- Official Certifications: Users can obtain industry-recognized certifications by completing courses and passing exams. These certifications demonstrate competence in using the platform and managing privacy.
- Guided Training: OneTrust offers step-by-step and instructor-led training sessions. They can be online or in-person, tailored to the specific needs of the organization.
- Personalized Success Plans: For more practical support, OneTrust provides personalized plans aligned with each company’s specific goals, facilitating effective implementation and use of the platform.
- Resource Center: Includes webinars, e-books, and practical guides on various topics related to privacy and regulatory compliance.
- GDPR Academy: A series of sessions focused on the General Data Protection Regulation, covering topics such as third-party risk management and privacy awareness.
- MyOneTrust Help Center: Provides articles, training videos, and guides to resolve doubts and deepen platform usage.
Usability and Interface
The usability and interface of OneTrust are generally solid but with important nuances to consider, especially depending on the user’s technical level and the size of the company.
On one hand, the interface is clean, modern and quite intuitive once the platform’s logic is understood. It offers customizable on-screen dashboards, well-organized menus, and clear navigation between modules such as consent, risk assessment, or rights management.
It is designed to facilitate real-time compliance visibility and to centralize complex tasks in a visually structured environment. For users experienced in privacy or technology, the experience is usually positive and efficient.
However, due to the breadth of functionalities, the initial learning curve can be steep, especially for users without prior training in privacy or compliance topics.
Is OneTrust Intelligence a secure tool?
OneTrust Intelligence is a highly secure tool and is specifically designed to help companies comply with major global privacy and data protection regulations.
From its technical architecture to its internal policies, OneTrust places strong emphasis on the security, confidentiality, and integrity of the data it manages.
As for certifications and security standards, OneTrust holds internationally recognized certifications such as ISO 27001, ISO 27701 (for information privacy management), and SOC 2 Type II, demonstrating that it follows strict security management and risk control practices.
These certifications cover aspects such as access management, threat protection, data encryption, and operational continuity. Additionally, OneTrust incorporates measures like multi-factor authentication, granular access controls, and encryption of data in transit and at rest.
Regarding regulatory compliance, OneTrust aligns with key regulations such as the GDPR (Europe), the CCPA/CPRA (California), the LGPD (Brazil), and other emerging regulations like the PIPL (China) or U.S. state laws.
Its platform is designed so that clients can implement controls, workflows, and policies that enable compliance with these legal frameworks, from consent management to automated response to user rights requests.
In summary, yes, OneTrust Intelligence is a secure and reliable tool, both in terms of infrastructure and legal compliance. Besides protecting data, it is built to help other companies do the same.
Customer Service: How to Contact OneTrust?
OneTrust's customer service is generally considered to be of good quality, especially for companies requiring specialized technical support or assistance in implementing privacy and compliance regulations.
To access OneTrust technical support, it is necessary to log in through the MyOneTrust platform and create a case for the issues that need solutions. According to user feedback, the service is good, although there could be a larger number of contact channels.
Competition: Alternatives to OneTrust Intelligence
There are several alternatives to OneTrust that companies can consider depending on their security needs, budget, and ease of management.
Below we present the ones we like the most:
TrustArc
- Strong focus on privacy compliance (especially GDPR and CCPA)
- Intuitive interface and easier to implement than OneTrust
- Extensive risk assessment and consent management tools
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BigID
- Excellent for sensitive data discovery using AI
- Integrates very well with complex enterprise systems
- Ideal for large volumes of data scattered across multiple environments
Securiti.ai
- Modern platform based on artificial intelligence
- Advanced automation of rights requests and data governance
- Very good multi-region coverage for emerging regulations
Collibra
- Strong in governance and data quality, beyond privacy
- Ideal for companies managing large data ecosystems
- Good support for access policies and data lineage
OneLogin (now part of One Identity)
- More security and identity management focused approach
- Useful for companies prioritizing secure access and compliance
- More agile interface in environments with high user turnover
DataGrail
- Specialized in automation of privacy requests (DSARs)
- Very good user experience and fast implementation
- Ideal for companies operating primarily in the U.S.
Do we recommend OneTrust?
Without a doubt, OneTrust and its Trust Intelligence platform is a powerful and comprehensive solution for organizations seeking solid privacy compliance management. We rate it 9 out of 10.
While the cost can be a significant investment and there may be some complexity in the initial setup for certain features, the platform’s comprehensive approach to data privacy and optimized workflows make it a valuable asset for companies navigating the increasingly complex data protection landscape.
- Who should avoid it?: Companies without a strong IT department that can manage a platform that is not very easy to install and operate, as it can be quite complex.
- Our favorite aspect: Its intuitive interface, its wide range of features covering a variety of regulations, and its solid customer support.
- Biggest drawback: The difficulty in management during the early stages and its high cost.
- Best alternative: TrustArc, as it offers modular solutions focused on specific compliance areas such as cookie management or risk assessments.
