Comparison
modwall vs non-EU moderation providers
The big moderation providers are technically excellent. The question you must be able to answer for your lawyer is: where exactly do your users' photos go, and on what legal basis?
Sending user data to third countries is one of the most frequently challenged practices today — standard contractual clauses, transfer impact assessments, questions from the supervisory authority. You can handle all of it with paperwork. Or you can simply not have the problem: process in the EU and, with self-hosting, never let the image leave your own infrastructure.
A point-by-point comparison
| modwall | Alternative | |
|---|---|---|
| Detection categories | NSFW + weapons + violence included in the plan — one request, categories enabled per service (profiles) | Often each category is a separate model eating into your paid quota |
| Data residency | EU — no transfer to third countries | Usually US/global; the transfer requires an additional legal basis |
| Image retention | Zero — processed in memory, images are never stored | Varies: some providers store samples, logs, or use your data to improve their services |
| DPA | In Polish, included as standard, ready to sign on the spot | Standard global DPA — transfer analysis on your side |
| Self-hosting | Yes — our container on your infrastructure | Rarely available or enterprise-only |
| Billing | Invoice with a German VAT ID, prices in EUR | Card, USD/EUR, invoices from outside the EU |
| Support | In Polish, from people who've done moderation themselves | English-language support from a big platform |
Verdict
If your users and your regulator are in the EU, an EU provider is not sentiment but a shorter path: less paperwork, less risk, simpler answers in an audit. And when the requirement is „data must not leave” — self-hosting closes the topic.
We play fair: When does a global provider make sense? When you need moderation categories we do not offer (dozens of specialised classes), or you operate mainly outside the EU and data transfer is not your problem.
Test it on your own traffic
1,000 free requests per month, no card. Monitor mode blocks nothing — you'll see the results before you decide.
Create a free accountOther comparisons: vs. in-house moderation · vs LLM moderation