Exploring Top-Rated Cookie Consent Plugins for WordPress

If you run a WordPress website, you know that making sure your visitors are aware of your cookie policy is crucial. Not only is it a good way to gain their trust, but it’s also a legal requirement under laws like the GDPR and CCPA. So how can you ensure that you’re displaying a cookie consent notice on your website in a way that’s both effective and user-friendly?

Enter cookie consent notice plugins. These handy tools make it easy to let your visitors know how you use their data and to get their permission before they continue using your website.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the top nine cookie consent notice plugins for WordPress. If you’re looking to make sure your website is compliant and your visitors are informed, read on!

Why Do You Need A WordPress Cookie Notice Plugin?

If you run a website, chances are you’re using cookies in some capacity. While cookies can improve a website’s performance, it’s important to be transparent about their use and obtain user consent before collecting visitors’ data. International privacy laws like the CCPA (California) and GDPR (European Union) require this in order to protect individuals’ right to privacy online.

To ensure compliance with these laws, you must display a cookie consent notice on your website that is visible as soon as a visitor lands on your page. This disclaimer should explain that you use cookies on your website and allow visitors to accept or set their cookie preferences.

WordPress doesn’t include a cookie consent notice by default, so you’ll need a plugin to comply with privacy laws. To help, we’ve compiled a list of the top nine cookie consent plugins for WordPress.

The Top 9 Cookie Consent Notice Plugins For WordPress

With so many options available, choosing the right cookie consent notice plugin for your WordPress website can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top nine options to make it easier for you to find the perfect fit. 

Here’s a brief overview of the solutions we’ll be exploring:

Plugin	Functionality	Pricing	User Rating	Best For
FooBar	All-in-one notification bar plugin. Customize cookie bar, set button text, link to privacy policy, schedule visibility. Pro version offers more layouts and effects.	Free; Pro starts at $29/year for one site	4.8 (3K installs)​	Highly customizable notification bars and cookie notices.
Cookie Notice	Simple cookie notice plugin with customizable notice message, cookie expiry options, and privacy policy link. Limited customization in the free version.	Free	4.5 (1M+ installs)​​	Those on a budget needing basic functionality.
CookieBot	Consent Management Platform with cookie monitoring and control. Provides comprehensive compliance solutions.	Free; Premium starts at €9/month	4.4 (50K+ installs)​	Comprehensive compliance management.
Complianz	Configure different cookie consent banners for different regions. Integrates with Gutenberg and page builders. Offers A/B testing and consent logs in the premium version.	Free; Premium starts at $45/year for one site	4.7 (100K+ installs)​	Regional compliance with detailed configuration.
CookieYes	Customizable cookie consent banner with options for colors, branding, and content. Automatic cookie scanner and blocking in premium version.	Free; Premium starts at $69/year for one site	4.6 (1M+ installs)​	High-traffic sites needing advanced customization.
GDPR Cookie Compliance	Advanced features like Google Site Kit integration, full-screen cookie wall, consent renewal. Can get expensive for multiple sites.	Free; Premium starts at £49/year for one site	4.6 (100K+ installs)​ ​	Advanced compliance features for professional sites.
Termly	Balance of customization and affordability. Free for up to 10K unique visitors/month. Auto-generates cookie banner and descriptions, supports multi-lingual translations.	Free; Premium starts at $5.99/month	4.5 (10K+ installs)​ ​	Small to medium websites with moderate customization.
GDPR Cookie Consent Plugin	Highly customizable, supports granular consent, generates cookie policy templates. More expensive but offers extensive features for compliance management.	Free; Premium starts at $49/year for one site	4.4 (200K+ installs)​	Highly customizable and feature-rich compliance.
WP Cookie Notice	Compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and ePrivacy. Customizable notice with “Do Not Sell My Personal Information” link. Auto cookie categorization in premium version.	Free; Premium varies by features	4.5 (50K+ installs)​ ​	Sites needing specific CCPA compliance features.

Now, let’s take a closer look at each of these WordPress plugins, including their key features and benefits. Whether you’re looking for something simple and straightforward or a more advanced solution, we’ve got you covered. So let’s get started!

1. FooBar

FooBar is an all-in-one notification bar plugin for WordPress and WooCommerce that makes it easy to add a variety of notifications and announcements to your website. And one of the things it’s particularly well-suited for is displaying a cookie consent notice.

With FooBar, you have the ability to customize your cookie bar in a number of ways. You can set the button text, allow users to decline cookie tracking, and even add a link to your privacy policy page. Plus, FooBar PRO has 12 different positions to choose from, so you can add your cookie consent notice wherever it will have the most visibility on your site.

FooBar gives you the ability to choose when and where your notification bars are displayed using scheduling and conditional visibility settings. This gives you greater control over how and when your cookie consent notice is displayed.

In addition to these customization options, FooBar PRO also allows you to choose custom colors or set color gradients, and you can even add animated effects to the bar or the buttons.

All of these benefits make FooBar a powerful and effective choice for displaying a cookie consent notice on your WordPress website. Whether you’re looking for a simple solution or a more advanced plugin with a wide range of customization options, FooBar has you covered.

2. Cookie Notice

Cookie Notice is a popular, free WordPress cookie notice plugin with over 1 million downloads. It’s a good option if you’re looking for a simple solution for displaying a cookie consent notice on your WordPress website. 

However, it’s worth noting that its customization options are very limited. You can add a customizable notice message, set cookie expiry options, or link to your Privacy Policy page, but there aren’t many more features available in the free version. If you want your cookie banner to match your site’s branding, or if you want to experiment with the positioning of your cookie notification, then you won’t be satisfied with this plugin.

3. CookieBot

CookieBot is a more complete Consent Management Platform that goes beyond just capturing cookie consent. It also monitors and controls cookies, providing a more comprehensive solution for managing your website’s compliance with privacy laws. If you’re serious about making sure your website is fully compliant, you’ll likely want to look into a Consent Management Platform like CookieBot.

However, if you’re looking for a more customizable cookie consent bar specifically, you may want to consider one of the other options on this list. While CookieBot’s advanced features are certainly a plus for some website owners, others may prefer a solution that offers more flexibility in terms of design and customization.

4. Complianz

Complianz GDPR is a plugin that offers a unique feature in that you can configure different cookie consent banners for different regions around the world. Alternatively, you can set a global cookie banner that all visitors will see. This can be helpful if you need to tailor your cookie consent notice to specific regions or countries that have different privacy laws.

Complianz GDPR also integrates seamlessly with Gutenberg and various page builders, making it easy to incorporate into your website.

While there are different templates available, you may find that you have limited options when it comes to positioning the cookie banner.

5. CookieYes

CookieYes is a popular and fairly customizable WordPress cookie consent plugin that allows you to control your banner’s colors, branding, and content. It offers a range of customization options, making it a good choice for those who want a little more control over the appearance of their cookie consent notice.

However, it’s worth noting that CookieYes has different pricing plans that limit you to a certain amount of page views per month unless you opt for the most expensive plan. This means that if you have a high-traffic website, you may need to pay more for the plugin. 

6. GDPR Cookie Compliance

GDPR Cookie Compliance is a fairly advanced WordPress cookie notice plugin that includes a range of unique features such as full integration with Google Site Kit, a full-screen layout cookie wall, and the option to ask users to renew consent if you make a change in your privacy policy. 

However, it’s worth noting that GDPR Cookie Compliance can get quite expensive if you need it for more than one website, so this won’t be your first choice if you’re looking for a plugin with a more budget-friendly price tag.

7. Termly

Termly is a plugin that offers a good balance of customization options and affordability. It’s fairly customizable, and it works for free as long as you get less than 10,000 unique visitors per month. This makes it a good choice for small and medium-sized websites. 

Termly can also automatically generate your cookie banner and descriptions, which can save you time and effort. Additionally, multi-lingual translations are available, making it a good option for websites with a global audience. If you’re looking for a plugin that offers a good balance of customization options and affordability, Termly may be the right fit for your needs.

8. GDPR Cookie Consent Plugin

GDPR Cookie Consent Plugin is a fairly advanced plugin that offers a range of features, although it’s on the pricier end of the spectrum, especially if you need it for multiple sites. Despite its cost, it’s a good choice if you’re looking for a highly customizable cookie banner.

For example, You can allow users to give granular consent, meaning they can consent to have a specific category of cookies tracked. You can also use the plugin to generate a cookie policy template that you can use as is or edit further before publishing it on your website. 

While GDPR Cookie Consent Plugin may not be the most budget-friendly option on this list, it’s a good choice for those who are looking for a highly customizable and feature-rich solution for managing their website’s compliance with privacy laws.

9. WP Cookie Notice for GDPR, CCPA & ePrivacy Consent

WP Cookie Notice for GDPR, CCPA & ePrivacy Consent is a plugin that helps you comply with various privacy laws, including CCPA. It displays a fully customizable notice with a “Do Not Sell My Personal Information” link on your website. This can be helpful if you want to give your visitors more control over their personal data.

The premium version of WP Cookie Notice includes useful features such as auto cookie categorization, which can make it easier to manage your website’s compliance with privacy laws. 

Next Steps: Choosing the Best Cookie Consent Plugin for Your WordPress Site’s Unique Needs

It’s essential to have a cookie consent notice on your WordPress website in order to remain compliant with international privacy laws and to build trust with your visitors. There are many plugins available that can help you display a cookie consent notice on your website, and in this article, we’ve explored the top nine options.

FooBar is the best choice for those who want to set up a cookie consent notice on their WordPress site. It’s the most customizable plugin on the list, allowing you to make it match your site’s branding and experiment with positioning the bar anywhere on your site. This flexibility makes it a good choice for those who want to be able to customize their cookie consent notice to suit their specific needs.

In addition to its customization options as a WordPress cookie notice plugin, FooBar is also an all-in-one notification bar plugin for WordPress and WooCommerce, making it a versatile choice for all sorts of notifications and announcements. It’s trusted by over 2,000 WordPress sites and offers a range of features that can help boost conversions and improve customer communication.

So if you’re interested in setting up cookie consent banners that match your website’s branding and will grab the attention of your visitors, try out FooBar today.

FAQs

What are Cookies?

Cookies are small pieces of data that are stored on your computer when you visit a website. They’re used to help websites function more efficiently, and they can be used to track user behavior and display targeted advertisements.

But not all cookies are the same. There are two main types of cookies: 

• Essential cookies: These are necessary for a website to function and provide the online services that visitors land on your website for. 
• Non-essential cookies: These are used for things like tracking user behavior and displaying advertisements.

What is a Cookie Consent Notice?

A Cookie Consent Notice is a notification that appears on websites to inform visitors about the site’s use of cookies, which are small data files stored on a user’s device to track and personalize their web experience. 

This notice typically asks for the user’s permission to store these cookies in compliance with privacy regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union. The notice often includes information on the types of cookies used, their purpose, and options for the user to accept, reject, or customize their cookie preferences.

How Do I Display a Cookie Notice On My Website? 

To display a Cookie Notice on your website using FooBar, follow these steps:

1. Install and activate FooBar: Go to the WP backend, select “Add Notification,” and choose “Cookie Notice” from the available types. Give your cookie banner a recognizable name.
2. Configure notification settings: In the General tab, set the position and state of the cookie banner. You can also add a toggle button for collapsing or dismissing the notice.
3. Customize content: In the Content tab, edit the banner message, link to your Privacy Policy, and set up the Accept button. Optionally, allow users to decline consent.
4. Set appearance: In the Appearance tab, adjust the color, font size, and add any desired effects to the banner, Accept button, or toggle button.
5. Define visibility: In the Visibility tab, choose where the banner should appear and set any scheduling options.

These steps will help you create a fully customized cookie consent notice with FooBar.

Here’s an example of an eye-catching cookie banner made with FooBar:

Is Cookie Consent Mandatory?

Cookie consent is mandatory in many regions due to privacy regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union and the ePrivacy Directive. These regulations require websites to obtain explicit consent from users before storing or accessing cookies on their devices. The purpose of these laws is to protect user privacy by ensuring that individuals are informed about and have control over how their personal data is collected and used online. 

What Happens if I Don’t Have a Cookie Consent Notice On My WordPress Site? 

If you don’t have a cookie consent notice on your WordPress site, you may face several consequences:

• Legal penalties: Non-compliance with privacy regulations such as the GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive can result in significant fines and legal actions against your organization.
• User trust: Lack of transparency about data collection can erode user trust, leading to a loss of visitors and potential customers who are concerned about their privacy.
• Blocking by browsers: Some browsers and security tools may block your site or flag it as insecure, reducing your site’s accessibility and visibility.
• Reputation damage: Being reported for non-compliance or facing legal actions can damage your brand’s reputation, making it harder to attract and retain users.

To avoid these risks, it is crucial to implement a cookie consent notice that complies with relevant privacy laws.