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CMP Comparison 2026:
Best Cookie Consent Platforms for EU Web Agencies

Cookiebot, CookieYes, Iubenda, Osano, Complianz, and more — a side-by-side comparison of pricing, features, Google Consent Mode v2 support, and practical recommendations for small agencies managing multiple client sites.

Updated August 2026 · Reading time: 8 minutes

why-cmp-matters

Every EU web agency needs to know about cookie consent management platforms (CMPs) in 2026. The ePrivacy Directive and GDPR require informed consent before placing non-essential cookies. Google Consent Mode v2 is mandatory for Google Ads and Analytics tags in the EU. And the EAA now requires accessible consent banners (WCAG 2.1 AA).

For small agencies managing 5-50 client sites, choosing the right CMP is a cost and time decision — not just a compliance checkbox. The wrong choice means ongoing maintenance, client complaints, or regulatory risk. Here is how the main platforms compare.

⚖️ ePrivacy + GDPR

Cookie consent is legally required for non-essential cookies. A CMP is the easiest way to implement it correctly with consent records, granular controls, and automatic blocking.

🔧 Google Consent Mode v2

Since March 2024, Google requires a certified CMP for Consent Mode v2 in the EU. Without it, Google Ads conversion tracking and Analytics are severely limited.

♿ WCAG 2.1 AA Required

Under the EAA, cookie banners must be accessible. Several CMPs now offer accessible templates — verify this before choosing one for your client sites.

cmp-table

Here is a direct comparison of the major CMPs available in 2026. Prices are for a single domain at the lowest paid tier, and reflect 2026 pricing:

Platform Starts at Free tier GCM v2 Accessible Best for
Cookiebot€12/mo50 pages✅ CertifiedPartialSites with moderate traffic, single domain
CookieYes$10/mo5K pageviews✅ Certified✅ YesSmall sites, budget-conscious agencies
Iubenda€9/moLimited✅ CertifiedPartialPrivacy docs + CMP bundle, small sites
Osano$0Yes (basic)✅ Certified✅ YesEnterprise trial, basic compliance on a budget
Complianz€59/yrWordPress.org✅ Certified✅ YesWordPress-only agencies, multi-site
QuantcastFreeFull✅ CertifiedLimitedZero-budget sites, low-traffic, non-WordPress
Termly$14/moWith branding✅ CertifiedPartialPrivacy policy + CMP bundle, US-focused
Enzuzo$010K pageviews✅ Certified✅ YesGrowing teams, mid-market, multi-page compliance

Prices checked August 2026. All platforms listed support Google Consent Mode v2 at the Gold tier, which is the minimum Google requires for serving EU traffic.

deep-dive

Beyond the table, here is what you need to know about each platform when recommending it to a client:

🍪 Cookiebot (Usercentrics)

The most established CMP with the widest scanner coverage. Scans every subpage automatically, which is useful for large sites. 2025 saw a significant price increase — some agencies report 2x costs. Per-subpage pricing can surprise clients with deep sites. Banner customisation is limited without CSS hacks.

✅ CookieYes

The best balance of price and features for small agencies. Free tier covers 5K monthly pageviews, which is sufficient for many small business sites. Accessible templates out of the box. Integrates well with WordPress via a plugin. The main limitation: no API for custom workflows, and pageview billing can cost more than expected on high-traffic sites.

📋 Iubenda

Popular with agencies that bundle privacy policies and cookie consent. Iubenda also generates privacy policies, terms, and DSAR forms — a one-stop shop for compliance docs. The CMP itself is solid but banner customisation is limited. Pricing scales by feature tier, not traffic, which is predictable.

🏢 Osano

Enterprise-focused with a generous free tier. Osano offers DSAR automation, vendor management, and data mapping — far beyond what a small agency needs. The free tier is good for a single client site, but the sales-driven enterprise model means you will receive calls if you sign up. Not ideal for agencies managing multiple clients.

🔌 Complianz (WordPress)

The best option for WordPress-only agencies. The free plugin on WordPress.org handles basic cookie consent. The premium version (€59/yr) adds GCM v2, cookie scanning, consent records, and accessible templates. Multi-site licence (€199/yr) covers unlimited sites — the cheapest option for agencies managing 10+ WordPress sites.

🆓 Quantcast Choice

Fully free CMP, including GCM v2 support. Used by thousands of sites. The trade-off: limited banner customisation, Quantcast branding on the free tier, and the company uses aggregated consent data for its own advertising business. Banner accessibility is basic. Suitable only for low-traffic sites where appearance is not critical.

recommendation

Here is how to choose based on your agency's situation:

You manage 3-10 WordPress sites → Complianz Premium (€59/yr per site or €199/yr unlimited). The cheapest option for WordPress-only agencies. Accessible, GCM v2 certified, and includes cookie scanning and consent records. The free plugin works for a single site. Get the premium version for professional use.

You manage mixed or non-WordPress sites → CookieYes (free tier or $10/mo per site). The best general-purpose CMP for small agencies. Accessible templates, GCM v2, easy integration via a script tag. The free tier covers 5K pageviews — enough for most small business sites.

You need privacy policies + CMP in one → Iubenda (€9-49/mo). If your clients also need privacy policies, terms, and cookie policies, Iubenda bundles everything. The CMP is solid even if not the prettiest. Predictable pricing by feature tier rather than traffic.

Your client has a large e-commerce site → Cookiebot (€12-50/mo). Cookiebot's subpage scanning is useful for large sites with thousands of products. The automatic scanner catches cookies you might miss. Budget for the price increase and check the page count limit.

Your client is a startup with zero budget → Quantcast Choice (free or Osano free tier). Both work for getting GCM v2 compliance at zero cost. Osano has better accessibility. Quantcast is more widely integrated. Neither is ideal for client-facing work due to branding and customisation limits.

eaa-note

A note on accessibility: since the EAA took effect in June 2025, cookie consent banners must be accessible under WCAG 2.1 AA. This means:

• Keyboard-navigable banner (all options reachable with Tab key)

• Screen-reader compatible (ARIA labels on all interactive elements)

• Sufficient colour contrast (the banner itself, not just the site)

• Focus indicators visible on the banner controls

• Same accessibility level for the cookie policy page

Before committing to a CMP for a client site, test the banner with a screen reader and keyboard navigation. CookieYes, Complianz, and Osano have the best accessibility. Cookiebot and Iubenda's default templates need custom CSS to pass WCAG 2.1 AA.

Not sure how to test? Use our free WCAG scanner to check any page — including the cookie banner overlay — for common accessibility issues.

Going Deeper

Our full GDPR guide covers cookie consent requirements, ePrivacy Directive rules, consent records, and a 7-step implementation plan — nothing here replaces reading the full guide.

Read Our GDPR Guide → →    Get the Cookie Consent Guide → →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a CMP and why do I need one?

A consent management platform (CMP) is a tool that displays a cookie consent banner, blocks non-essential cookies until consent is given, and stores consent records. You need one because GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive require informed, prior consent for non-essential cookies. Google also requires a certified CMP for Consent Mode v2 in the EU.

Which CMP is best for a small agency managing multiple clients?

For WordPress agencies, Complianz Premium (€199/yr unlimited sites) is the best value. For mixed platforms, CookieYes ($10/mo per site) with accessible templates. Avoid per-pageview or per-subpage billing models (Cookiebot, Termly) when managing multiple client sites — costs are unpredictable.

Can I use a free CMP for client sites?

Yes, but with trade-offs. Quantcast Choice is free but has limited customisation. Osano's free tier is good but you will receive sales calls. CookieYes's free tier covers 5K pageviews per site. The risk: free tiers often lack accessible templates, custom branding, or consent records. For a professional client site, budget at least $10/mo.

Does every CMP support Google Consent Mode v2?

Google requires CMPs to be certified in the Gold category for Consent Mode v2. All the platforms listed in this guide are Gold-certified. Without a certified CMP, Google Ads conversion tracking, Google Analytics, and remarketing tags will not work properly for EU users.

What about the EAA — do cookie banners need to be accessible?

Yes. Under the European Accessibility Act, any digital service offered in the EU must be accessible under WCAG 2.1 AA. This includes cookie consent banners. CookieYes and Complianz offer accessible templates. Cookiebot and Iubenda need custom CSS. Test your chosen CMP with a screen reader before deploying.

How many CMPs should I standardise on for my agency?

Standardise on one for WordPress sites (Complianz) and one for everything else (CookieYes). Managing more than two CMPs increases training time and support overhead. Both cost under $20/mo per site and handle GCM v2, accessibility, and consent records.

Read Our GDPR Guide → →    Get the Cookie Consent Guide → →