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Browser Extensions · head to head

Privacy Badger vs TrustArc

Privacy Badger logo

Privacy Badger

Browser Extensions

Automatically learn to block invisible trackers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
TrustArc logo

TrustArc

Cybersecurity

Privacy management platform with regulatory research and the TRUSTe certification programme

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Privacy Badger has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Privacy Badger it is not an ad blocker; the project states its aim is to prevent non-consensual tracking rather than to block ads; TrustArc the software layer is generally shallower than OneTrust, particularly automated data discovery across large heterogeneous estates, so organisations with sprawling infrastructure often still need a separate discovery tool.
  • They diverge on capability: Privacy Badger covers Automatic tracker detection, TrustArc covers Nymity Research.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Privacy Badger and TrustArc actually diverge.

Attributes where Privacy Badger and TrustArc differ
AttributePrivacy BadgerTrustArc
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreequote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsChrome, Firefox, Edge, OperaWeb
CategoryBrowser ExtensionsCybersecurity
Founded1990Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Privacy Badger

  • Automatic tracker detection
  • Learning algorithm
  • Do Not Track support
  • No filter lists required
  • Chrome support
  • Firefox support
  • Edge support
  • Opera support

Only in TrustArc

  • Nymity Research
  • TRUSTe certification
  • Consent and preference management
  • Privacy assessments
  • Data inventory and mapping
  • Individual rights requests
  • Cookie consent manager
  • Privacy programme benchmarking

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Privacy Badger

  • Blocking third-party trackers that follow users across websitesnot TrustArc
  • Sending Do Not Track and Global Privacy Control signalsnot TrustArc
  • Disabling social media tracking widgets like Facebook Like buttonsnot TrustArc
  • Preventing canvas fingerprinting across websitesnot TrustArc

TrustArc

  • A consumer brand that needs an independent privacy seal on its website because enterprise customers or app stores ask for third-party verificationnot Privacy Badger
  • A multinational privacy team that needs a maintained answer to what a given jurisdiction requires without retaining outside counsel for every questionnot Privacy Badger
  • An organisation running DPIAs at volume that wants templates tied to a maintained regulatory library rather than to a consultant word documentnot Privacy Badger
  • A privacy programme being audited that needs documented maturity benchmarking against a recognised framework of programme activitiesnot Privacy Badger

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Privacy Badger

  • It is not an ad blocker; the project states its aim is to prevent non-consensual tracking rather than to block ads
  • There is no Safari build, and Safari on iOS lacks extension capabilities Privacy Badger needs to work
  • Chrome on Android does not support extensions, so Android users have to switch to Firefox or Edge
  • Protection is aimed at third-party trackers and does not comprehensively cover tracking by the site you are actually visiting

TrustArc

  • The software layer is generally shallower than OneTrust, particularly automated data discovery across large heterogeneous estates, so organisations with sprawling infrastructure often still need a separate discovery tool.
  • The integration catalogue is smaller than the market leader, which means more of the data inventory is maintained by hand and drifts out of date between reviews.
  • Certification services are sold separately from the platform subscription, so the seal that is often the reason for choosing TrustArc is an extra line item and an extra annual renewal.
  • Reported contract values vary enormously by module mix and organisation size, and the absence of published pricing means smaller buyers have no anchor and routinely discover the entry price is higher than expected.
  • TrustArc stays inside privacy, so organisations that later want third-party risk, security compliance or ethics reporting on the same platform will be running a second vendor anyway.

Pricing, plan by plan

Privacy Badger

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Automatic tracker learning
    • Third-party blocking
    • Do Not Track

TrustArc

On request
  • TrustArc Privacy Platform$undefined/year
    • Quoted by module, entity count and data volume
    • TRUSTe certification and assessment services priced separately from platform subscription
    • Nymity Research licensed as a separate module

Which should you pick?

Choose Privacy Badger if

  • You need automatic tracker detection.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera.
  • You also want learning algorithm.
Privacy Badger review

Choose TrustArc if

  • You need nymity research.
  • You also want truste certification.
TrustArc review

Questions people ask

Is Privacy Badger or TrustArc better?
Neither clearly leads. Privacy Badger starts at Free and TrustArc at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Privacy Badger or TrustArc?
Privacy Badger has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Privacy Badger and On request for TrustArc.
Does Privacy Badger or TrustArc run on more platforms?
Privacy Badger runs on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera. TrustArc runs on Web.
Can I use Privacy Badger for free?
Yes. Privacy Badger has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. TrustArc starts at On request.
What is Privacy Badger best used for?
Privacy Badger is most often used for blocking third-party trackers that follow users across websites, sending do not track and global privacy control signals, disabling social media tracking widgets like facebook like buttons, preventing canvas fingerprinting across websites. Of those, blocking third-party trackers that follow users across websites and sending do not track and global privacy control signals are not what TrustArc is typically brought in for.
What can Privacy Badger do that TrustArc cannot?
Privacy Badger covers Automatic tracker detection, Learning algorithm, Do Not Track support, No filter lists required. TrustArc covers Nymity Research, TRUSTe certification, Consent and preference management, Privacy assessments.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Privacy Badger: How much does Privacy Badger cost?

Privacy Badger is free browser extension made by the Electronic Frontier Foundation. There are no pricing tiers or subscription costs. The project accepts donations to support EFF's work.

Source
TrustArc: What does TrustArc have that OneTrust does not?

Nymity Research, a maintained regulatory intelligence library acquired in 2019, and the TRUSTe third-party certification and seal programme.

TrustArc: How much does TrustArc cost?

Not published. Reported enterprise agreements range widely depending on modules and organisation size, and certification services are quoted on top of the platform subscription.

TrustArc: Is TRUSTe the same company?

Yes. TrustArc is the renamed TRUSTe business and still operates the TRUSTe certification programme as a subsidiary.

TrustArc: Does it handle cookie consent for Europe?

Yes, it includes a consent manager with scanning and banner delivery, though pure-play consent vendors are cheaper if that is all you need.

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