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CookieYes vs Cookiebot: Which WordPress Consent Plugin to Use?
Cookie consent is where most WordPress sites meet GDPR in practice, and CookieYes and Cookiebot are two of the best-known plugins for it. This comparison covers what each does, how they are maintained on WordPress.org, and what they cost. If you are still choosing a tool, our roundup of GDPR compliance tool options is a good starting point. In this article we compare CookieYes vs Cookiebot.
Last updated: 7 November 2026
Quick answer: CookieYes has the larger WordPress.org install base (1M+ active installs against 100K+ for Cookiebot) and a free plan capped at 5,000 pageviews a month. Cookiebot, made by Usercentrics, suits sites that want automatic scanning and consent blocking, with plans priced by number of subpages. Both are actively maintained. This is not legal advice.
CookieYes vs Cookiebot at a Glance
| Detail | CookieYes | Cookiebot |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | CookieYes | Usercentrics |
| WordPress.org active installs | 1,000,000+ | 100,000+ |
| Plugin version listed | 3.5.8 | 4.7.5 |
| Tested up to | WordPress 7.1.4 | WordPress 7.1.4 |
| Last updated | 27 October 2026 | 29 October 2026 |
| WordPress.org rating | 4.8 out of 5 (3,236 ratings) | 4.4 out of 5 (440 ratings) |
| Free plan | 5,000 pageviews a month, 100 pages per scan, 5 scans a month | 1 domain, up to 50 subpages, manual blocking |
| Paid plans (as listed) | Basic $10, Pro $25, Ultimate $55 a month | Premium Lite 82 kr a month, up to Premium XLarge 1,050 kr |
| Trial | 14 days on paid plans | 14 days, all Premium features, no card |
The WordPress.org figures come from the plugin directory data for the CookieYes and Cookiebot listings, read on 7 November 2026. Prices come from each vendor’s own pricing page and change often, so confirm them in your own currency before you buy.
A Brief Description of GDPR WordPress Plugin?
A GDPR WordPress plugin is a specialized tool designed to assist website owners in achieving compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), a comprehensive data protection and privacy law in the European Union (EU). These plugins are essential for websites built on the popular WordPress platform, offering a streamlined and user-friendly approach to address the intricate requirements of GDPR.
The primary focus of these plugins is to ensure that website operators can effectively manage and control the use of cookies and collect user consent transparently. GDPR mandates that websites inform visitors about the types of cookies used, obtain explicit consent before deploying non-essential cookies, and provide users with the option to manage their cookie preferences. WordPress GDPR plugins play a crucial role in automating these processes, minimizing the administrative burden on website administrators while enhancing the overall user experience.
Key Features of a GDPR WordPress Plugin
Most GDPR plugins for WordPress share a core set of cookie consent features.
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Cookie Consent Management
One of the fundamental features of GDPR WordPress plugins is the ability to manage cookie consent effectively. These plugins offer customizable consent banners or pop-ups that inform visitors about the use of cookies on the website. Users are provided with clear options to either accept or reject the use of non-essential cookies, ensuring compliance with GDPR requirements for informed and explicit consent.
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Granular Cookie Control
GDPR emphasizes the importance of user control over their data, and WordPress plugins addressing GDPR typically include granular control over cookie categories. This feature allows website administrators to categorize cookies based on their purpose (e.g., analytics, advertising, essential functionalities) and enables users to selectively consent to specific types of cookies, providing a more personalized and transparent user experience.
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Cookie Consent Customization
To align with the branding and design of individual websites, GDPR WordPress plugins often come with customization options for cookie consent banners. Website owners can tailor the appearance, style, and content of these banners to ensure seamless integration with their site’s overall look and feel, while still meeting the necessary legal requirements for cookie consent.
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Consent Withdrawal Mechanism
GDPR emphasizes the principle of user control, allowing individuals to withdraw their consent at any time. A robust GDPR WordPress plugin includes mechanisms for users to easily withdraw their consent for cookies, providing a straightforward process to manage their privacy preferences. This feature is crucial for maintaining compliance and respecting users’ rights to control their data.
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Privacy Policy Assistance
Crafting and maintaining a comprehensive privacy policy is a key aspect of GDPR compliance. Many GDPR WordPress plugins offer tools to assist website administrators in generating and managing privacy policies that align with the regulations. This may include template generation, guidance on necessary disclosures, and updates to the privacy policy based on changes in the website’s data processing practices.
Together, these features cover the consent part of data protection law on a WordPress site.
Overview of Cookiebot CMP WordPress Plugin
Cookiebot CMP, developed by Usercentrics, is a powerful WordPress GDPR plugin that combines simplicity, scalability, and ease of use. This consent management platform offers a comprehensive set of features necessary for GDPR compliance and adherence to various privacy regulations. The plugin stands out for its user-friendly interface and seamless integration into the WordPress environment. A notable feature is its automated scanning of websites for new cookies and trackers, updating the cookie declaration with their descriptions. This proactive approach ensures that website administrators stay informed about their site’s evolving cookie landscape. Cookiebot CMP by Usercentrics not only simplifies the process of obtaining user consent but also enhances transparency by automatically incorporating detailed cookie information into the website’s declaration.
Overview of CookieYes Plugin
CookieYes is a comprehensive GDPR compliance plugin designed specifically for WordPress websites, offering a robust solution to manage cookie consent and adhere to data protection regulations. With an intuitive interface, CookieYes provides website administrators with a user-friendly platform to implement and customize cookie consent banners or pop-ups, ensuring visitors are informed about the use of cookies. The plugin allows for granular control over cookie categories, enabling users to selectively consent to different types of cookies based on their preferences. CookieYes also supports customization options, allowing website owners to tailor the appearance and content of the consent banners to seamlessly integrate with their site’s design. The plugin also provides an easy mechanism for users to withdraw their consent, aligning with GDPR’s emphasis on user control over personal data.
A Head-On Comparison Table Between CookieYes and Cookiebot
| Feature | CookieYes | Cookiebot |
| Customizable Cookie Consent Banners | Yes | Yes |
| Granular Control over Cookie Categories | Yes | Yes |
| Cookie Consent Customization | Yes | Yes |
| Consent Withdrawal Mechanism | Yes | Yes |
| Privacy Policy Assistance | Yes | Yes |
| Automated Scanning for New Cookies | Yes | Yes |
| Cookie Description Updates | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-Language Support | Yes | Yes |
| Integration with WordPress | Yes | Yes |
| User-Friendly Interface | Yes | Yes |
Cookiebot Vs CookieYes: Features Overview
Here is how the main features of each plugin work.
Cookiebot
1. Full control of cookies and trackers
On Premium plans, Cookiebot CMP runs automated monthly scans that identify and categorize the cookies and trackers on your site, and daily scans are available as an add-on. It can then hold back those cookies until visitors consent. The Free plan does not list automated scans, and blocking there is manual.
2. Trustworthy consent collection
Cookiebot offers ready-made banner templates or a customized banner. Either way, the banner should tell visitors plainly how their data is gathered and what each purpose is.
3. Secure Storage and Monitoring of Consent
Cookiebot provides cookie reports and a consent dashboard. According to its pricing page, consent records are kept for up to 12 months on both the Free and Premium plans, which helps when you need logs for an audit or a data subject access request.
CookieYes
1. Customizable Cookie Consent Banners
CookieYes provides a cookie consent banner or CCPA opt-out notice. You can customize the banner’s layout, color scheme, content, behavior and branding, including with CSS, to match your site’s design. The banner can show a category preview, a cookie audit table and links to your cookie and privacy policies. A ‘Revisit consent’ button lets visitors withdraw consent at any time. Geo-targeting, which shows the banner based on visitor location, is listed on the Pro plan and above. The plugin can also translate the banner into 30+ languages according to the visitor’s browser language.
2. Granular Control over Cookie Categories
With CookieYes, visitors can grant or withhold consent for each cookie category, such as analytics, advertising and functional cookies, instead of accepting everything or nothing. Category-level choice is what regulators generally expect from a compliant banner.
3. Cookie Consent Customization
CookieYes lets you change the appearance, style and wording of the consent prompt so it matches your site. A banner that matches your design is a convenience, not a compliance feature: it still has to offer a clear choice and clear information.
4. Privacy Policy Assistance
Privacy rules such as GDPR and CCPA require you to explain how user data is collected, processed and stored. By answering preset questions, you can generate a draft privacy policy in minutes. That helps owners without legal expertise, but a generated policy is a starting point, so have it reviewed against how your site really handles data.
5. Scanning for New Cookies
CookieYes does scan for cookies. Its pricing page lists 5 cookie scans a month on the Free plan (up to 100 pages per scan) and unlimited scans on paid plans. Scheduled automatic scans start on the Pro plan (monthly) and move to weekly on Ultimate. Scanning behind a login is an Ultimate feature.
Which Plugin Is The Best And Why?
Determining the “best” plugin between CookieYes and Cookiebot depends on your specific needs, preferences, and the particular features that align with your website’s requirements. Here are some considerations to help you decide:
Cookiebot
- Automated Scanning: Cookiebot’s Premium plans scan your website monthly to identify and categorize cookies, and daily scans are an add-on.
- Consent Blocking: Cookiebot can block cookies and trackers until visitors give consent. Blocking is manual on the Free plan.
- Cookie Declaration: Scan results feed a cookie declaration that lists the cookies found on your site.
CookieYes
- Granular Control: If you prioritize giving users granular control over different types of cookies, CookieYes might be a suitable choice.
- Customization Options: CookieYes excels in providing customization options, allowing you to seamlessly integrate cookie consent banners with your website’s design.
- Privacy Policy Assistance: If you’re looking for a tool that assists in generating and managing privacy policies to align with GDPR requirements, CookieYes offers this feature.
Ultimately, the “best” plugin depends on your specific priorities. If granular control and customization are crucial, CookieYes may be preferable. If you prioritize automated scanning and consent blocking, Cookiebot may be a better fit. Consider the specific needs of your website and choose the plugin that fits your compliance and user experience goals.
Price Comparison of Cookiebot Vs CookieYes
Cookiebot
Cookiebot offers a 14-day trial on one domain with all Premium features and no credit card, according to its pricing page. After the trial you can stay on the Free plan, which covers 1 domain and up to 50 subpages. Premium plans on that page are listed in Swedish kronor: Premium Lite at 82 kr a month (up to 50 subpages), Premium Small at 160 kr (up to 350), Premium Medium at 330 kr (up to 3,500), Premium Large at 550 kr (up to 7,000) and Premium XLarge at 1,050 kr, all per month. The FAQ on the same page quotes euro prices, so check the currency and amount at checkout.
CookieYes
CookieYes lists these plans on its pricing page: Free at $0 (5,000 pageviews a month, 100 pages per scan, 5 scans a month), Basic at $10 (100,000 pageviews), Pro at $25 (300,000 pageviews) and Ultimate at $55 (unlimited pageviews), plus a custom Enterprise plan. Euro and pound prices are also shown, for example Basic at €9 or £8 a month. Paid plans include a 14-day free trial, and prices are per domain with local taxes added at checkout.
Final Thought of Cookiebot Vs CookieYes
In the realm of GDPR compliance plugins for WordPress, choosing between CookieYes and Cookiebot depends on your specific priorities and website needs. CookieYes offers a user-friendly experience with category-level control over cookie consent and extensive customization options. It also helps with drafting a privacy policy, which suits those who prioritize detailed user consent and design integration.
On the other hand, Cookiebot offers automated scanning, categorization and monthly checks for new cookies on its Premium plans. If you prioritize automated features such as consent blocking and cookie tracking, Cookiebot may be the preferred option.
What the Law Requires in Brief
This section is general information, not legal advice. Under Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive (Directive 2002/58/EC on EUR-Lex), storing information on a visitor’s device, or accessing information already stored there, is allowed only if the user has given consent after clear and comprehensive information. There are two exemptions: sending a communication over a network, and what is strictly necessary for a service the user explicitly requested.
In practice that means non-essential cookies, such as most analytics and advertising cookies, should wait for consent. A plugin helps you collect and record that consent, but it does not make a site compliant by itself. For a wider checklist, see our guides on WordPress cookie plugins and steps to ensure GDPR compliance, and ask a qualified adviser about your own situation.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, CookieYes or Cookiebot?
Neither wins for every site. CookieYes has the larger WordPress.org install base and a free plan limited by pageviews. Cookiebot, by Usercentrics, focuses on automatic scanning and consent blocking, with plans priced by subpage count.
Is there a free version of CookieYes or Cookiebot?
Yes, both. CookieYes Free allows 5,000 pageviews a month and 5 scans. Cookiebot Free covers 1 domain and up to 50 subpages, with manual blocking.
Who owns Cookiebot?
Cookiebot is a product of Usercentrics, which develops the Cookiebot CMP WordPress plugin.
Are both plugins maintained for current WordPress?
Yes. WordPress.org lists CookieYes 3.5.8 and Cookiebot 4.7.5, both tested up to WordPress 7.1.4, and both updated in late October 2026.
Does a cookie plugin make my site GDPR compliant?
No. It helps with one part, cookie consent. You still need an accurate privacy policy, a lawful basis for each kind of processing and a process for data requests. This is not legal advice.
Can I use either plugin without scanning my site?
You can set cookies up by hand, but scanning is how you find trackers you did not know about. Both vendors offer scanning, with scheduled scans on their paid plans.
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