A cookie banner is only compliant if it actually holds back tracking until the visitor agrees, records that choice, and lets them change it. Plenty of banners do none of that. These are the plugins we install when a client needs consent done properly. This is practical guidance, not legal advice: check your obligations with a lawyer.
How we chose
- Real blocking: scripts and cookies wait for consent.
- Consent records you can produce if asked.
- Coverage of the laws you fall under, such as GDPR, CCPA and newer regional rules.
- Google Consent Mode support for sites running Google Ads or Analytics.
- Weight: a consent tool should not slow the page it sits on.
Verdict
CookieAdmin is our first pick for most sites: free, light and quick to configure. WPConsent is the one to choose when you want script blocking and consent logs kept in your own database, especially alongside other Awesome Motive plugins. CookieYes and Complianz are the established options with the deepest feature sets, and Cookiebot fits organizations that want an enterprise platform. If you want it set up and tested, WP Services can do it.