What is OneTrust?
OneTrust is a software provider based in Atlanta (USA). Its platform is now called “OneTrust AI-Ready Governance Platform” and comprises six solutions: AI Governance, Consent & Preferences, Data Use Governance, Privacy Automation, Tech Risk & Compliance and Third-Party Management. According to the company, more than half of the Fortune 500 use OneTrust.
For data subject requests, OneTrust offers “DSR Automation”: intake, identity verification, discovery, deletion and redaction. Deletion in the target systems runs via integrations addressed through interfaces; for the whole platform OneTrust cites more than 500 pre-built integrations.
OneTrust is operated as a cloud service on Microsoft Azure – shared with other customers or as a “Dedicated Cloud” for a single customer. Selectable locations include Switzerland (Zurich) and Germany (Frankfurt). For finding personal data, a component can run in the customer's environment; OneTrust operates the application itself.
Why do organisations look for an alternative?
The reasons are usually the same:
- Operation: the software is to run in the organisation's own data centre or cloud – because of supervisory requirements, internal policies or because personal data should not leave the organisation's environment.
- Execution instead of documentation: the deletion concept is in place, but deletion has to happen in grown core and legacy systems, with dependencies, approvals and proof.
- Scope and getting started: what is needed is a few connected tasks – not a platform for every governance topic.
- Proximity: a provider from Switzerland, contracts under Swiss law, short distances.
These are not weaknesses of OneTrust but different requirements. For many large groups, the breadth of the platform is exactly why they choose OneTrust.
OneTrust and Espresso compared
The table sets out the differences that matter most in a selection. Information on OneTrust is based on the provider's public information as of October 2026.
| OneTrust | Espresso Data Privacy | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Broad platform for privacy, consent, third parties, GRC and AI governance | Privacy Operations Cockpit: put data protection obligations into practice in the systems and prove them |
| Operation | Cloud service by OneTrust on Microsoft Azure, shared or dedicated; locations include Switzerland | In your environment: own data centre, own cloud or an operating partner |
| Deletion inside the systems | Via integrations and workflows per target system | Orchestration across many systems in the right order, with approval by an authorised person and a log per deletion run |
| Connection | More than 500 pre-built integrations; custom connectors via OpenAPI | Open interfaces (REST or Azure Service Bus), without touching the systems' business logic |
| Further areas | Cookie consent, third parties, GRC, AI governance | Stored AI data (prompts, transcripts, Copilot) and purpose-bound sharing with pseudonymisation |
| Customers | Large and small companies; according to the company, more than half of the Fortune 500 | Mid-sized companies and organisations with IT that has grown over the years, e.g. insurers; reference: Pax |
| Provider | OneTrust LLC, Atlanta (USA) | Yoosana GmbH, Zug (Switzerland) |
When is OneTrust the better choice?
OneTrust is a good fit if you:
- want to bundle cookie consent, third-party management, GRC and AI governance on a single platform,
- do not want to operate the software yourself and a cloud service meets your requirements,
- work internationally across many jurisdictions and need a broad range of templates and pre-built integrations.
When is Espresso the better choice?
Espresso is a good fit if you:
- want to keep personal data, and the software that finds and deletes it, in your own environment,
- have to delete in grown core and legacy systems – across SAP and non-SAP systems, with approvals and proof,
- want to start with one module, such as deletion, and expand step by step,
- are looking for a provider from Switzerland with contracts under Swiss law.
The two can also be combined: if you manage consent or third parties with another tool, you can use Espresso for finding, deleting and proving.
How do you compare properly?
A comparison on slides says little. Test both solutions with your own cases:
- 1Write down your three most pressing cases, e.g. an access request, a deletion across several systems and an audit.
- 2Clarify where the software may run: as a cloud service, or does it have to stay in your environment?
- 3Have both providers show the same cases in a demo.
- 4Compare the costs over three years: licence, implementation, connecting the systems and operation.
- 5Before deciding, test with a proof of concept on a real system.