The best tools for LGPD These are complete privacy governance platforms: they bring together in a single environment data mapping, data subject requests, consents, cookies, incidents and risks, and store the evidence that the ANPD (Brazilian National Data Protection Authority) may request. Single-module tools solve the beginning and leave the rest in spreadsheets.
This guide compares the four types of tools available on the market, shows the ten criteria that influence the choice, and indicates the best option for each scenario: large company, multinational, public body, regulated sector, and small business.
What is an LGPD tool?
LGPD tool is software that organizes and records an organization's privacy program. It transforms the obligations of Law No. 13.709/2018 into routines with responsible parties, deadlines, and history: who processes what data, on what legal basis, how data subjects are assisted, and what was done in each incident.
The law does not require anyone to use software. It requires maintaining records of data processing operations (article 37), responding to data subjects within short timeframes (article 19), reporting relevant incidents to the ANPD (National Data Protection Authority) and data subjects (article 48), and demonstrating good practices during audits (article 50). In an operation with dozens of areas and systems, fulfilling these requirements manually ceases to be feasible.
Why spreadsheets aren't enough
Spreadsheets work for the initial mapping. After that, four limitations appear:
- Term. The complete declaration to the data subject has 15 days. The incident report to the ANPD has 3 business days, according to the... CD/ANPD Resolution No. 15/2024The spreadsheet doesn't warn that the deadline is approaching.
- Evidence. Spreadsheets don't record who changed what and when. In an audit, the historical data is just as important as the data.
- Scale. Each new area, system, or supplier multiplies the tabs and versions.
- Sanction. The LGPD fine can reach 2% of revenue, limited to R$ 50 million per infraction (article 52). The cost of a tool is small compared to this risk.
The 4 types of tools for LGPD (Brazilian General Data Protection Law)
Every supplier on the market fits into one of these four types. Knowing which type your tool belongs to avoids comparing different things.
- A complete privacy governance platform. It covers the entire program in integrated modules, was built to comply with the LGPD (Brazilian General Data Protection Law), and also meets the requirements. GDPR and other regulations. It's the type of Privacy Tools.
- Adapted global platform. It was created for the GDPR, is sold in dozens of countries, and treats the LGPD (Brazilian General Data Protection Law) as a configuration.
- Input tool. It resolves one issue, almost always a banner ad related to cookies and consent.
- Spreadsheets with consulting services. The office or consulting firm delivers documents, and the records are kept in files.
Comparison based on 10 criteria
| Criterion | Complete platform | Adapted global platform | Input tool | Spreadsheets with consulting services |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built to comply with the LGPD (Brazilian General Data Protection Law). | Yes, native | Adapted from the GDPR | Part Time | It depends on who fills it out. |
| Other regulations (GDPR, AI Act, ISO) | Yes, in the same environment. | Yes | Raro | No |
| Data mapping and ROPA | Yes, with spreadsheet import. | Yes | No | Manual |
| Applications from holders with deadline control | Yes, with portal and flow. | Yes | Simple form | By email |
| Incidents and reporting to the ANPD (Brazilian National Data Protection Authority) | Yes, with a communication model. | Generic flow, to be adapted | No | Manual |
| Discovery of personal data | Yes | Yes, as a separate product. | No | No |
| AI governance, risks and audits | In the same environment | In separate products | No | No |
| Accomodation | SaaS or on-premise | SaaS | SaaS | Local files |
| Deployment | Guided or with a dedicated analyst | By partners | Self service | Consulting project |
| Support in Portuguese, in the Brazilian time zone. | Yes | Other | Other | Yes |
The columns describe the pattern for each type. A specific supplier may vary in one aspect or another, and therefore it is worthwhile to take this table for the demonstration.
How to use the criteria in practice
Three criteria eliminate most options before the first meeting:
- Coverage. List the processes the program needs to have in 24 months, not just what's causing problems today. Those who only buy the cookie banner switch tools on their first data entry request.
- Accommodation. Public bodies and regulated sectors often require their own dedicated environment. If on-premise is a requirement, the list narrows down to just a few platforms.
- Implantation. Ask who sets it up, how long it takes, and who monitors the different areas. Hiring a tool that ends up empty is the most common mistake in the market.
The best tool for every scenario.
| Scenario | Best choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Large company with various departments and systems. | Complete platform | It needs integrated mapping, ownership, incident and risk management, with evidence for auditing. |
| Multinational company operating under LGPD, GDPR, and other laws. | A complete platform with support for various regulations. | A single environment for all jurisdictions, with operation and support in Brazil. |
| Public body | Complete platform with on-premise option. | Requirements for a suitable environment, transparency, and service to the citizen. |
| Health, finances and energy | Complete platform with data discovery. | Sensitive data in many systems and sector regulator in addition to the ANPD. |
| Small business with a website | Input tool | Cookie banner and owner form resolve the first year. |
Big enterprises
In a large company, the same data processing activity involves marketing, HR, customer service, legal, and IT. The tool needs workflow between areas, access profiles, audit trails, and dashboards for management. Privacy Tools This scenario is addressed with modules that are contracted gradually. Companies such as Rede D'Or, Eletrobras, and Copel share their experience in... success casesSee the page. Enterprise.
multinationals
Companies operating in more than one country need to comply with the LGPD (Brazilian General Data Protection Law), the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), and increasingly, the European AI Act and ISO standards. The best tool is one that addresses all of them in the same environment, without a single product for each regulation. See [link/reference]. Regulations and Frameworks.
Public agencies
The LGPD (Brazilian General Data Protection Law) dedicates a chapter to the public sector (articles 23 to 32). In addition to general requirements, factors such as hosting within the organization's own environment, integration with legacy systems, and contracting through bidding processes are important. See the page on... LGPD tool for government.
Regulated sectors
Hospitals, banks, and energy companies handle large volumes of sensitive data and are also accountable to industry regulators. The automatic discovery of personal data in databases and files is what separates genuine mapping from declared mapping. See the pages on... health, financial sector e energy.
The modules that a good tool needs to have
- Data Mappingwhich generates the ROPA and RIPD.
- Data discovery, to locate personal data in databases and files.
- Management of Holders' Requests, with portal, authentication and deadline.
- Consent Management e Cookie Management and Policies.
- Incident Management, with notification to the ANPD.
- Risk management, Third-party risks e Audits.
- AI Governance, for inventory and risk assessment of artificial intelligence systems.
Common mistakes when choosing
- Choosing the cookie banner and then discovering that the rest of the program doesn't fit within the tool.
- Buy all the modules at once, without a team to operate them.
- Ignoring the implementation and being left with a contracted but empty platform.
- Leaving out business areas, when they are the ones that feed into the mapping.
- Accepting a tool designed for another law and manually adapting the LGPD (Brazilian General Data Protection Law) to it.
- Deciding without written criteria: the LGPD platform selection guide It features 12 criteria with weights and a scoring matrix.
FAQ
What is the best tool for LGPD compliance?
For medium and large companies, the best tool is a complete privacy governance platform, built to comply with the LGPD (Brazilian General Data Protection Law), with integrated modules, the option of self-hosting, and supported implementation. Privacy Tools It is the Brazilian platform of this type, used by large companies and public bodies.
Is there a free tool available for LGPD (Brazilian General Data Protection Law)?
There are free cookie policy generators and banners. They work for a simple website, but they don't map data, control data subject expiration dates, or log incidents. For a privacy program, they are not a substitute for a platform.
Does the LGPD (Brazilian General Data Protection Law) require companies to have software?
No. The law requires maintaining records of data processing operations, responding to data subjects within the established timeframe, reporting incidents, and demonstrating good practices. Software is the safest way to fulfill these obligations at scale.
How long does it take to implement a LGPD (Brazilian General Data Protection Law) tool?
It depends on the number of modules and the maturity of the company. In Privacy ToolsThe Guided Implementation lasts up to 60 days, with two meetings per week. There is also a hands-on implementation option with a dedicated analyst.
Is a tool from the LGPD (Brazilian General Data Protection Law) also suitable for the GDPR?
This is useful when the platform is designed for multiple regulations. The legal bases, data subject rights, and deadlines change from one law to another, and the tool needs to handle each one without duplicating registrations.
Is it possible to use the mapping that already exists in spreadsheets?
Yes, when the tool imports spreadsheets. It's one of the criteria that most reduces implementation time.
Can the tool run on the company's infrastructure?
Yes, on platforms that offer an on-premise version. It's a frequent requirement in government agencies, banks, and hospitals.
Does the LGPD tool also handle artificial intelligence?
Complete platforms already include AI governance: system inventory, risk assessment, and controls. Customers and regulators are increasingly demanding this.
Next step
Bring a real data entry request, a data handling activity from a specific area, and a simulated incident to the demo. See what the tool does without adaptation, who provides support, and what evidence is recorded.
Request a demonstration of Privacy Tools and compare it to your situation.
