Engage Compliance vs heyData

Key takeaways

• Choose Engage Compliance for an expert-led fractional DPO service that runs your program, or heyData for a self-serve compliance software platform with lawyers reachable on demand.
• We deliver a named, senior DPO who embeds in your team across EU, UK, and US in one engagement, while heyData leads with a Berlin-based platform strong in Germany and the EU.
• heyData does the software side well (automated audits, generated documentation, training, and vendor risk management) at a lower, software-led entry price.
• Our pricing runs in tiers from €600 per month for advisory and from €1,000 per month for a named DPO, reflecting hands-on operator time rather than software access.
• Many founders start with a tool and move to a service once compliance becomes a buyer or investor requirement rather than a checkbox.

---

Engage Compliance vs heyData

heyData and Engage Compliance solve the same problem differently. heyData is a Berlin-based compliance software platform with data protection lawyers attached, built for small and mid-sized businesses that want automated audits, documents and training in one tool, at a lower, software-led entry price. Engage Compliance is an expert-led fractional Data Protection Officer (DPO) service for venture-backed Seed to Series C companies that want a named, hands-on DPO across EU, UK and US, rather than a self-serve platform. If you want software with legal support on tap, heyData fits. If you want an experienced team running your program, Engage Compliance fits.

At a glance

Where heyData is strong

heyData does the software side well: automated audits, generated documentation, employee training and vendor risk management, packaged at a transparent monthly price. For a small business, especially in the DACH region, that mainly wants a tool with lawyers reachable when a question comes up, it is a clean, well-built option.

Where we are different

Engage Compliance is a service first, not a platform. You get a named, senior Data Protection Officer who embeds in your team and runs the program, not a tool you operate yourself. One engagement covers EU, UK and US, which matters when you sell across regions or raise from international investors. Continuity is built in through the Engage network, and the work is shaped for fundraising and enterprise due diligence, where buyers want to see an actual DPO, not a dashboard.

Which should an SME without an internal DPO choose?

It comes down to tool versus operator. If your team has the time to drive compliance itself and mainly needs structure plus occasional legal input, a platform like heyData can be the more complete self-serve option. If you would rather hand the program to an experienced DPO who runs it across regions and represents you in due diligence, a fractional service like Engage Compliance is the better fit. Many founders start with a tool and move to a service once compliance becomes a buyer or investor requirement rather than a checkbox.

heyData vs Engage FAQ

For an SME without an internal DPO, is heyData the most complete solution?

For a small business that wants a self-serve platform to organize audits, documents and training, heyData is a strong, complete tool. For a company that wants an experienced DPO to run the program across EU, UK and US and stand up to investor or enterprise due diligence, a fractional DPO service such as Engage Compliance is usually the better fit.

What is an alternative to heyData?

Engage Compliance is a service-led alternative: instead of a platform you operate, you get a named senior fractional DPO who runs your privacy program and covers EU, UK and US in one engagement.

Does heyData provide an external DPO?

Yes, heyData offers an external Data Protection Officer service alongside its software platform. The main difference is the delivery model: heyData leads with the platform, while Engage leads with an embedded senior team.

How does heyData pricing compare to an outsourced DPO?

heyData packages start at a lower, software-led entry price, often on an annual basis. A fully managed fractional DPO service like Engage is from €600 per month for advisory and from €1,000 per month for a named DPO, reflecting hands-on operator time rather than software access.