We tested four cookie-consent plugins that work with WPML. See their pros, cons, and translation features to choose the right one for your multilingual site.
Plugins covered:
Complianz
GDPR Cookie Compliance (Moove)
GDPR Cookie Consent (WebToffee)
Borlabs Cookie
If you’re familiar with what cookie consent plugins do, skip ahead to the comparison table below. Otherwise, keep reading and in a few minutes, you’ll learn what all the buzzwords mean.
What Cookie Consent Plugins Do
Cookie-consent plugins are not just about showing a banner. They manage scripts, policies, and records behind the scenes to make sure your site stays compliant. Below are the main functions, explained in plain English, with the “buzzwords” you’ll often see in product documentation or compliance requirements.
Blocking Scripts Until Consent
Buzzwords: Script blocking, Prior consent, Automatic blocking.
These plugins stop cookies and trackers (like Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, or marketing scripts) from running until the visitor gives consent. Without this, cookies can fire before permission, which may break compliance.
- Complianz – yes ✔
- GDPR Cookie Compliance (Moove) – yes ✔
- GDPR Cookie Consent (WebToffee) – yes ✔
- Borlabs Cookie – yes ✔
Grouping Cookies by Category
Buzzwords: Cookie categories, Granular consent, Custom categories.
Visitors often need the choice to allow only some types of cookies. Plugins group cookies into categories such as “Necessary,” “Analytics,” “Marketing,” so users can toggle them on or off.
- Complianz – yes ✔
- GDPR Cookie Compliance (Moove) – yes ✔
- GDPR Cookie Consent (WebToffee) – yes ✔
- Borlabs Cookie – yes ✔
Scanning Your Site for Cookies
Buzzwords: Cookie scanner, Automatic detection, Monthly scan.
Some plugins scan your site to detect cookies automatically, then suggest categories. This reduces guesswork and ensures new cookies don’t slip through unnoticed.
- Complianz – yes ✔ (monthly scan)
- GDPR Cookie Compliance (Moove) – no ✖
- GDPR Cookie Consent (WebToffee) – yes ✔ (scanner included)
- Borlabs Cookie – yes ✔
Generating Legal Pages
Buzzwords: Privacy policy generator, Cookie policy generator, Compliance wizard.
Visitors often click from the banner to a detailed policy page. Some plugins generate these legal documents for you, others require you to create them yourself.
- Complianz – yes ✔ (wizard generates documents)
- GDPR Cookie Compliance (Moove) – no ✖ (you provide your own)
- GDPR Cookie Consent (WebToffee) – yes ✔ (policy generator)
- Borlabs Cookie – no ✖
Logging and Proof of Consent
Buzzwords: Consent log, Audit trail, Proof of compliance.
Some compliance departments require proof that you collected consent. Plugins with logging keep a record of user decisions, which you can export if needed.
- Complianz – yes ✔
- GDPR Cookie Compliance (Moove) – premium add-on
- GDPR Cookie Consent (WebToffee) – yes ✔
- Borlabs Cookie – yes ✔
Integrations with Other Tools
Buzzwords: Google Consent Mode v2, IAB TCF v2.2, Tag Manager integration, CMP certification.
These ensure your consent data is shared with platforms like Google Ads, Analytics, or programmatic ad networks. Without them, your ads or tracking might misfire.
- Complianz:
Google CMP certified ✔, Consent Mode v2 ✔ - GDPR Cookie Compliance (Moove):
Consent Mode v2 ✔, Tag Manager support ✔ - GDPR Cookie Consent (WebToffee):
Consent Mode v2 ✔, GPC (Global Privacy Control) ✔ - Borlabs Cookie:
Consent Mode v2 ✔, IAB TCF v2.2 ✔
Translation Convenience
When you’re building a multilingual site, being able to translate every piece of content matters a lot. Your site uses many plugins. A convenient translation process will allow you to have a fully-translated websites, in minutes using WPML’s AI translation. If you need detective work to translate a banner or a T&C form, this small task will turn into a project on its own.
- Fully integrated ✔ → you will translate everything via WPML’s Translation Dashboard.
- Basic integration ✔ → you will need to translate different parts of the plugin via the plugin’s own interface and/or WPML String Translation.
The integration levels reflect the translation workflows described below. No serious WPML issues were found in our tests of these four plugins.
Do These Plugins Cover What You Need?
In general, yes — all four plugins we reviewed give you the basics: a consent banner, blocking of non-essential cookies until consent, and multilingual support with WPML. This means that whichever one you choose, you’ll have a working solution for cookie consent on a multilingual site.
The main differences show up when you look at how complete the coverage is:
- Complianz: The most complete option. It handles the full workflow — from scanning cookies, generating legal documents, to logging consent — and it’s the only plugin that integrates smoothly with WPML’s Translation Dashboard. If you want peace of mind and a guided setup, this is the safe choice.
- GDPR Cookie Compliance (Moove): Good if you want something simple and easy to configure. It blocks cookies and supports Consent Mode v2, but it doesn’t generate legal documents and translations require more manual effort. For small sites with their own legal text, it’s enough.
- GDPR Cookie Consent (WebToffee): Solid middle ground. It has a cookie scanner, script blocking, and even support for Global Privacy Control, but like Moove, it requires manual translation. If you don’t mind spending extra time on translations, it can be a strong choice.
- Borlabs Cookie: Very strong at technical blocking (scripts, content, and industry standards like IAB TCF v2.2). But it doesn’t generate legal documents and translations are all manual. Best suited for advanced users who already have their legal documents and want more control over technical integrations.
Quick Comparison
Plugin
Stand-out Strengths
Considerations
Translation Convenience
Complianz
Stand-out Strengths
- Wizard for easy setup
- Monthly scan of cookies your site uses
- Google CMP certification with Consent Mode v2 presets
Considerations
- Some advanced features require premium license
- Extensive interface
Translation Convenience
Fully integrated ✔
You translate everything from the Translation Dashboard. Detailed instructions
GDPR Cookie Compliance (Moove)
Stand-out Strengths
- Easy to use
- Language-specific Tag Manager scripts
Considerations
- Doesn't generate legal documents
- Translation is manual, time-consuming and only possible via plugin's interface
- AI translation is not supported
Translation Convenience
Basic ✔
You manually translate the banner using the plugin’s interface. You translate other texts via WPML String Translation by manually searching for and translating each string. Detailed instructions
GDPR Cookie Consent (WebToffee)
Stand-out Strengths
- Cookie scanner
- Policy generator
- Support for Global Privacy Control (GPC)
Considerations
- Translation is manual, time-consuming and only possible via plugin's interface
- AI translation is not supported
Translation Convenience
Basic ✔
You manually translate the banner using the plugin interface. You translate other texts using a combination of the plugin's interface and WPML String Translation by manually translating each string. Detailed instructions
Borlabs Cookie
Stand-out Strengths
- Advanced features for German audience
- Support for the IAB TCF v2.2 standard
Considerations
- Doesn't generate legal documents
- Translation is manual, time-consuming and only possible via plugin's interface
- AI translation is not supported
Translation Convenience
Basic ✔
You manually translate the banner using the plugin’s interface. You translate other texts via WPML String Translation by manually searching for and translating each string. Detailed instructions