Most website owners know they need "legal pages" but aren't sure what those actually are or how they differ. Privacy policies and terms of service are two completely separate documents that protect you and your users in different ways — and most websites need both.
Here's the clearest explanation you'll find.
Privacy Policy: Tells users what data you collect about them and how you use it.
Terms of Service: Tells users what rules they must follow when using your website or app.
This is where it gets important:
A privacy policy is mandatory by law if you collect any personal data from users. This includes:
Additionally, Google Analytics, Google AdSense, Apple App Store, and Google Play Store all require a privacy policy in their own terms.
There's no law requiring you to have terms of service. However, without one you have no legal agreement with your users, which means:
💡 Simple rule: Every website should have a Privacy Policy. Any website with user accounts, user content, or transactions should also have Terms of Service.
"We collect your email address when you sign up for our newsletter. We use this to send you updates about our products. We share your data with Mailchimp, our email provider. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any email."
"You may not use this website to send spam, harass other users, or post illegal content. We reserve the right to terminate accounts that violate these rules. All content you submit remains your property, but you grant us a license to display it on our platform."
See the difference? The privacy policy is about your data practices. The terms of service is about the rules of using your service.
It depends on your website type:
PolicyFlyer generates your Privacy Policy and Terms of Service at the same time. Takes 60 seconds.
Generate Both Free →A separate document (or section of your privacy policy) that specifically explains your use of cookies. Required by GDPR if you use non-essential cookies like analytics or advertising trackers.
Required for e-commerce stores in many jurisdictions. Often included as a section within Terms of Service or as a standalone page.
Required if you process data on behalf of EU clients as a B2B service provider. Not needed for most consumer-facing websites.
Technically yes, but it's not recommended. Keeping them separate makes both documents clearer and easier for users to find what they're looking for. It's also easier to update one without touching the other.
Both should be linked in your website footer so they're accessible from every page. Terms of Service should also be linked at checkout or account signup. Privacy Policy must be linked anywhere you collect personal data.
No. For most websites, a well-written AI-generated or template-based document is legally sufficient. The content matters, not who wrote it. For complex businesses (healthcare, finance, enterprise SaaS), professional legal review is advisable.
Review both documents whenever you add new features, start using new third-party services, change how you use user data, or expand to new countries. At minimum, review annually.
AI-powered. GDPR & CCPA compliant. Both documents in 60 seconds.
Generate Both Documents →