Legal

Privacy Policy

This policy explains what personal data Software Comparison collects, why, how long we keep it, and the rights you have under the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. We aim to collect as little as possible and to be honest about what happens to it.

1. Who we are

Software Comparison ("we", "us", "our") operates the website at softwarecomparison.net. For the purposes of data protection law, the data controller is [registered business name] of [registered business address]. You can contact us about privacy at [email protected].

2. What we collect

  • Contact form and email data. If you email us or use our contact form, we receive the name, email address and message content you provide. Our contact form opens a message in your own email client, so we only receive what you choose to send.
  • Analytics data — only with your consent. If, and only if, you click "Accept all" in our cookie banner, we use a privacy-focused analytics tool that collects aggregated information about how pages are used (such as pages viewed, approximate region, device type and referring site). If you reject non-essential cookies, this is not loaded.
  • Server logs. Like most websites, our hosting provider automatically records technical information such as IP address, browser type, requested URLs and timestamps. This is used to operate, secure and troubleshoot the site.

We do not knowingly collect data from children, and we do not sell your personal data.

3. Lawful bases for processing

  • Consent (UK GDPR Article 6(1)(a)) for optional analytics and any marketing cookies. You give consent through the cookie banner and can withdraw it at any time.
  • Legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f)) for running, maintaining and securing the website, keeping server logs, and responding to enquiries you send us. We balance these interests against your rights and freedoms.
  • Performance of correspondence where you contact us and expect a reply.

4. Analytics, affiliate networks and other recipients

We use third parties to operate the site. These may act as our processors or as independent controllers, depending on the service:

  • Hosting and content delivery providers store and serve the site and keep server logs on our behalf.
  • Analytics provider. Loaded only after you accept non-essential cookies, to help us understand how guides are used.
  • Affiliate networks. When you click an outbound affiliate link, the destination vendor or its affiliate network may set its own cookies to attribute the referral. These are governed by that third party's own privacy and cookie policies, which we encourage you to read.

We only share data with these recipients as needed to provide the service, and we do not give them your data to use for their own unrelated marketing.

5. International transfers

Some of our providers may process data outside the UK or the European Economic Area. Where that happens, we rely on appropriate safeguards such as UK adequacy regulations, the UK International Data Transfer Agreement, or Standard Contractual Clauses, so your data continues to receive an equivalent level of protection.

6. Cookies

We use a small number of cookies and similar technologies. Essential ones keep the site working; analytics and affiliate cookies are optional and only used as described above. For full detail and how to manage your choices, see our Cookie Policy.

7. Data retention

We keep contact correspondence only for as long as needed to handle your enquiry and any follow-up, then delete or archive it. Server logs are kept for a limited period for security and troubleshooting. Aggregated analytics data is retained according to our analytics provider's settings and is not used to identify you personally.

8. Your rights

Under the UK GDPR you have the right to: be informed; access your data; have inaccurate data corrected; have your data erased; restrict or object to processing; data portability; and to withdraw consent at any time where we rely on it. To exercise any of these, email [email protected]. We will respond within the statutory time limits.

9. Complaints

If you are unhappy with how we have handled your data, please contact us first so we can try to put it right. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's data protection regulator, at ico.org.uk.

10. Changes and contact

We may update this policy as the site or the law changes; the date below shows the latest version. For any privacy question, contact [email protected].

This privacy policy is a template provided for general guidance and is not legal advice. Before relying on it, please replace the placeholders (registered business name and address, and your chosen analytics and affiliate providers) and have it reviewed by a qualified solicitor for your specific circumstances.

Last updated: 2 June 2026.