Learn what features cookie consent plugins must have and which plugins offer them. WPML team compared ten popular plugins and picked the best one.
Plugins covered: Complianz, GDPR Cookie Compliance (Moove), GDPR Cookie Consent (WebToffee), Borlabs Cookie.
Feature Matrix at a Glance
| Feature | Complianz | GDPR Cookie Compliance (Moove) | GDPR Cookie Consent (WebToffee) | Borlabs Cookie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blocking scripts until consent | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Grouping cookies by category | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Scanning your site for cookies | yes (monthly scan) | no | yes (scanner included) | yes |
| Generating legal pages | yes (wizard generates documents) | no (you provide your own) | yes (policy generator) | no |
| Logging and proof of consent | yes | premium add-on | yes | yes |
| Integrations with other tools | Google CMP certified, Consent Mode v2 | Consent Mode v2, Tag Manager support | Consent Mode v2, GPC (Global Privacy Control) | Consent Mode v2, IAB TCF v2.2 |
| Translation convenience (with WPML) | Fully integratedTranslate everything from WPML's Translation Dashboard. Instructions | BasicTranslate the banner in the plugin UI; translate other strings via WPML String Translation. Instructions | BasicTranslate the banner in the plugin UI; translate other strings via plugin UI + WPML String Translation. Instructions | BasicTranslate the banner in the plugin UI; translate other strings via WPML String Translation. Instructions |
| Stand-out strengths | Setup wizard; monthly cookie scan; Google CMP certified with Consent Mode v2 presets | Easy to use; language-specific Tag Manager scripts | Cookie scanner; policy generator; Global Privacy Control (GPC) support | Advanced features for German audience; IAB TCF v2.2 support |
| Considerations | Some advanced features need premium license; extensive interface | No legal-document generator; manual translation only via plugin UI; no AI translation | Manual translation only via plugin UI; no AI translation | No legal-document generator; manual translation only via plugin UI; no AI translation |
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. Per-plugin support for each function is shown in the matrix above.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 let you have a fully-translated website 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.
| Level | What it means |
|---|---|
| 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 in the matrix above reflect the translation workflows we tested. 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:
| Plugin | Best fit |
|---|---|
| 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. |
Other 饼干同意 Plugins That Work With WPML
Besides the list of plugins which we covered in detail, other cookie-consent plugins are compatible with WPML, but offer less functionality and a less convenient translation process.
| Plugin | Last Tested by WPML Team |
|---|
Conclusion
All of these four plugins deliver compliant consent banners and multilingual outputs. If you want the smoothest WPML experience with convenient translation workflows, Complianz is our pick: it's the only one here that fully supports the Translation Dashboard workflow for both legal pages and banner strings, plus robust scanning/automation out of the box.