Termly vs iubenda vs Free: Best Privacy Policy Tool for Freelance Tech & IT Services
As a solo developer, IT support specialist, Upwork freelancer, AI prompt engineer, or web designer, you're handling client data, website analytics, and project details daily. If your portfolio site has a contact form, you use Google Analytics for a client, or you take payments, you're collecting personal data. In most places, including many US states and all of the EU, you legally need a privacy policy. This guide shows how to get one quickly without hiring a lawyer, using tools that cost less than an hour of billable time.
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The quick answer
Termly is the best first choice for most US-based freelance tech professionals. It offers strong coverage for US laws like CCPA and also covers GDPR, sends automatic updates when laws change, and includes a cookie consent banner. This is key for your portfolio site and any client sites you manage. iubenda is better if many of your clients or your website visitors are from the EU or other international areas. Free generators are okay only if you collect almost no data, but they won't keep you safe long-term.
Side-by-side breakdown
Termly: Costs about $10-20 per month. It covers major US laws like CCPA and COPPA, plus global ones like GDPR. It auto-updates when data laws change, which saves you time. It includes a cookie consent banner, useful for your own portfolio site or client websites you design. It generates a full privacy policy, terms of service (great for your client contracts), and a cookie policy. This is solid if most of your freelance tech clients are in the US. iubenda: Runs about $9-27 per month, based on how many services you need. It was built in Italy, so it focuses heavily on EU compliance, like GDPR. It supports multiple languages, which is key if your Upwork clients are global. It's IAB TCF certified, important if you run ads or manage client ad campaigns in the EU. This is the stronger choice if your freelance tech work regularly serves clients or users outside the US, especially in Europe. Free generators (PrivacyPolicies.com, Termly free tier): These work if your website is just a static page with no contact form, no Google Analytics, and no payment links. They don't update when laws change, and they won't monitor your compliance. If you're building client websites, handling any data, or even just have a contact form on your portfolio, a free tool isn't enough.
When to choose Termly
Choose Termly if you're a freelance tech professional mostly working with US clients or if your own portfolio site's traffic is mainly from the US. It's great if you want to set up your privacy policy, terms of service for client agreements, and a cookie policy once and then not worry about it. It also includes a cookie consent banner that actually meets CCPA and GDPR rules, which is vital for your site and client sites. Termly is easy to use, letting you focus on your tech projects.
When to choose iubenda
Choose iubenda if a lot of your freelance tech clients or your website visitors are from the EU, UK, or other non-US countries. This is especially true for AI prompt engineers with global clients or web designers building sites for European businesses. It's also key if you run client advertising that needs to follow the IAB TCF consent framework in the EU. iubenda's team tracks legal changes in many countries, which means your policies will stay up-to-date no matter where your tech services reach.
When a free generator is acceptable
Only use a free generator if your freelance tech website is just a static online business card. This means no contact forms, no email sign-ups, no Google Analytics (or any analytics tool), no payment links, and no advertising. Also, you must not have any EU visitors. In reality, if you're an Upwork freelancer or a web designer with a contact form, or an IT consultant using even basic analytics to see who visits your site, you're collecting too much data for a free tool to be safe.
The verdict
For freelance tech professionals mostly serving US clients or a US audience: Termly. For IT consultants, web designers, or AI prompt engineers with a significant EU or international client base: iubenda. Setting up your policies with either tool should take less than 30 minutes, freeing you up for billable work. Make sure your privacy policy, terms of service, and cookie policy are live on your portfolio site and linked in your client agreements before you market your services, especially if using paid ads or platforms like Upwork.
How to get started
1. List all data you collect: This includes client names, emails, project details, payment info (e.g., Stripe, PayPal), website analytics from your portfolio or client sites (Google Analytics, Hotjar), cookies, and any data passed through client systems you manage (for IT support) or AI prompts. 2. Pick Termly or iubenda: Base this on where most of your tech clients or website visitors are located. 3. Generate your policies: Use the tool's wizard to create your privacy policy, terms of service (crucial for your client contracts), and cookie policy. 4. Publish on your website: Add links to these three pages in your portfolio site's footer. Also, link to your Terms of Service in your client proposals or service agreements. 5. Activate your cookie banner: Make sure this is live on your website before you start any marketing or paid traffic campaigns.
RECOMMENDED TOOLS
Termly
Privacy policy + cookie consent banner — best for US businesses
iubenda
Best for EU compliance and international audiences
PrivacyPolicies.com
Free generator for simple sites
Some links above are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you sign up — at no extra cost to you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need a privacy policy if I do not sell products online?
Yes, if your website collects any data — including email addresses, contact form submissions, or analytics. GDPR applies to any business that collects data from EU residents regardless of where the business is located. CCPA applies to businesses collecting data from California residents above certain thresholds.
What is a cookie consent banner and do I need one?
A cookie consent banner informs visitors that your site uses cookies and, in many jurisdictions, requires their consent before non-essential cookies are set. GDPR requires explicit consent for analytics and advertising cookies. CCPA requires a Do Not Sell My Personal Information option. If you run Google Analytics or any advertising, you need a compliant banner.
How often should I update my privacy policy?
Update it whenever you add a new data collection method, change a third-party service that handles user data, or when a new privacy law takes effect in a jurisdiction where you have users. Paid tools like Termly and iubenda alert you when updates are needed.
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