Privacy policy vs Terms vs EULA — which do you need?

---

Three different documents

They get confused because they all sound like "legal stuff," but they answer different questions:

Privacy policy — what data you collect, why, and what users can do about it.
Terms of Service (ToS) — the rules for using your service (acceptable use, liability limits, termination).
EULA — a license granting the user the right to use your software under conditions.

Privacy policy — data practices

This is the one regulators and app stores check first. It must match what your app and SDKs actually do (see the companion post on what to include). GDPR and most store policies require a public URL.

Terms of Service — the rules

ToS governs the relationship: what users may and may not do, your liability disclaimer, dispute handling, and account termination. It protects you when a user misuses the service.

EULA — the software license

An EULA licenses the software itself. For distributed apps (especially desktop or licensed binaries) it matters; for a pure web service, ToS often covers the relationship and a separate EULA is less critical. Many apps use ToS + Privacy and skip a standalone EULA unless they license software specifically.

Which do you need?

Most apps need at least Privacy + ToS. Add an EULA if you license software under specific conditions. The right set depends on your model and market — a generated template gets you a draft fast, but counsel should confirm which documents your app actually needs.

Authoritative references

GDPR Art. 12–14: https://gdpr-info.eu/art-12-gdpr/
Apple App Store Review Guidelines: https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/
FTC business guidance (truthful disclosures): https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance

FAQ

Can one document cover everything?

Not well. They answer different questions (data / rules / license). Conflating them makes each weaker and harder to review. Most apps use at least Privacy + ToS.

Do I need an EULA if I'm a web app?

Often ToS covers the relationship for a web service; a standalone EULA matters more when you license software under specific conditions. Counsel decides based on your model.

Can a generator replace my lawyer?

No. PolicyDeck generates drafts from your answers; counsel should review which documents you need and their content, especially for regulated markets.

Why do app stores care about these?

Stores require a public privacy policy URL and check that disclosures match the app's behavior. Missing or contradictory docs slow or block approval.

Is a generated document a guarantee of compliance?

No. Generated documents are templates and a starting point. Compliance depends on your actual practices and counsel review; the documents alone are not a guarantee.

## Disclaimer

Disclaimer (template, not legal advice): PolicyDeck generates plain-English legal document templates (privacy policy, terms, EULA, cookie policy) from your answers. It is not a substitute for a qualified attorney, and a generated document is a starting point, not a guarantee that your app meets GDPR, CCPA, or any other regulation. Have counsel review before relying on a document, especially for high-risk data or regulated markets.

Generate the privacy, terms, and EULA your app needs in minutes — try PolicyDeck — try PolicyDeck.