GDPR-friendly AI tools

UK and EU businesses that process personal data remain data controllers under UK GDPR and the DPA 2018; when they use AI tools that process that data, they need vendors that support their compliance. This cross-sector guide highlights AI tools that state GDPR compliance and/or offer a data processing agreement (DPA), so you can more easily meet controller obligations and demonstrate accountability. We focus on options that help UK SMEs and professional firms choose tools with clear DPAs and transparency — we do not certify or endorse any vendor as compliant.

Top picks

Tools that match this guide, ordered by relevance and sponsor status. Click through for full details and evaluation.

Comparison at a glance

Tool Implementation Integration Pricing Security SME fit GDPR/DPA Data location
GitHub Copilot GDPR/DPA 4 5 4 4 4 ✓ —
Adobe Firefly GDPR/DPA 3 4 3 4 4 ✓ —
ChatGPT GDPR/DPA 4 5 4 4 4 ✓ —
Claude GDPR/DPA 4 4 4 £8/mo 4 4 ✓ —
Deep L Write GDPR/DPA 4 3 4 3 4 ✓ —
grammarly GDPR/DPA 5 5 4 4 4 ✓ —
Hugging Face GDPR/DPA 3 4 4 3 3 ✓ —
Microsoft Copilot UK/EU GDPR/DPA 4 5 3 £0/mo 4 4 ✓ ✓
Notion AI GDPR/DPA 4 5 4 4 4 ✓ —
Otter.ai GDPR/DPA 4 5 4 4 4 ✓ —
Stable Diffusion GDPR/DPA 2 4 3 3 3 ✓ —

Scores 0–5 per our evaluation rubric. ✓ = claimed or available. — = not yet evaluated or not stated.

How we evaluate

We score tools on five dimensions (0–5) from public, verifiable information: implementation friction (ease of getting started), integration maturity (APIs, SSO, export), pricing transparency, security posture (heuristic from vendor statements), and SME fit (overall fit for time-poor, budget-conscious UK SMEs). We also record flags: GDPR/DPA claimed, UK/EU data hosting, SSO, and audit logs. Scores and flags are documented in our internal evaluation framework; we use them to keep comparisons consistent and to surface tools that meet compliance and hosting needs.

FAQs

Who is this guide for?
UK and EU SMEs and professional firms that are data controllers and need AI tools that support their UK GDPR obligations — including processor contracts (DPAs), lawful basis, and accountability. The tools we list state GDPR compliance and/or offer a DPA; suitability for your processing is your responsibility.
How do you evaluate tools?
We score tools on five dimensions (implementation friction, integration maturity, pricing transparency, security posture, SME fit) from public information, and we record flags such as GDPR/DPA and UK/EU data hosting. See the "How we evaluate" section on this page for the full rubric.
What about controller and processor responsibilities?
You remain the data controller; vendors that process personal data on your behalf are typically processors. We surface DPA and compliance claims where vendors state them. You are responsible for having a processor contract in place where required and for meeting ICO and UK GDPR accountability.
Where do I see pricing?
The comparison table on this page shows a pricing transparency score and GBP starting price where stated. Each tool's detail page has fuller pricing information when we have it.
What about ICO and risk assessment?
We do not certify tools for ICO or UK GDPR compliance. You remain responsible for ICO guidance, lawful basis, and — where use is higher risk — the ICO's AI and data protection risk toolkit and any DPIA. We surface tools that help you meet controller obligations; your compliance is your decision.