Cookies are essential for website-based businesses, but using them to collect data in a privacy-compliant way is frequently a concern, especially as those in use change over time.
Although highly useful for audience insights, marketing analytics, and other functions, understanding how to use cookies and obtain valid user consent according to requirements of laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) can be tough as businesses grow.
It’s challenging to keep up with new and evolving regulatory requirements, especially for small but scaling businesses managing global operations, and keeping pace with regional legal requirements.
Cookie software helps to automate this process, making compliance simpler, the user experience more personalized, and marketing privacy-led.
At a glance
- Understanding cookie software: Learn about data collection principles and the role of the cookie management tool to enable ongoing privacy compliance.
- Differences among the best cookie tracking tools: Compare 11 software options on the market in terms of features, prices, regulatory coverage, and other pros and cons.
- Selection criteria: Understand what to look for in cookie software to get the option that will benefit your organization today and with your future needs.
- Pairing with a consent management platform: Discover key benefits of strengthening a cookie management tool with consent management software.
How cookie tracking software works
Cookie tracking software embeds JavaScript tags on websites that trigger cookie-related actions to collect data on visitors’ activities and react to them accordingly. When a user visits a site, these tags set and control internet cookies — small data files stored on the user’s device.
There are first-party and third-party tracking cookies, and websites can create their own files to save data on user preferences, and/or rely on external domains to monitor user activity.
In this regard, a cookie management tool identifies cookies and other trackers in use, and tracks consent signals from website visitors, making sure only the cookies that users have consented to are activated.
It safely collects user data and stores consent records in a way that supports privacy compliance. Websites can block or allow cookie use based on each user’s preferences — which they can change or withdraw over time — for better functionality that aligns with privacy requirements.
11 best cookie tracking software options
1. Cookiebot
Best for: automated website scans and fully automated multi-regulation cookie compliance.
Cookiebot by Usercentrics is a consent management platform (CMP) that streamlines obtaining cookie consent with customizable cookie banners on websites, granular user consent options, and blocking until consent is obtained.
Cookiebot™ performs automated monthly scans of websites to identify all cookies and trackers in use and logs consent records to support compliance with regulatory and platform requirements. It enables organizations to protect user privacy, foster trust, and streamline privacy management across domains and jurisdictions.
Features:
- Compliance with multiple supported legal frameworks, including the ePrivacy Directive, the CCPA and GDPR
- Support for Google Consent Mode, Microsoft UET Consent Mode, and Microsoft Clarity Consent Mode
- Integrations with popular platforms like Wix and WordPress
- Automated monthly website scans and updates
- Pre-built, user-friendly cookie banner templates that enable quick setup
- Extensive customization options to match your brand
- Geolocation functionality and support for over 47 languages
- Granular consent options and auto-categorization of cookies
- Comprehensive analytics and reporting tools
Cookiebot pros and cons
Pros
- Integration with Google tools (e.g., Google Analytics and Tag Manager) and popular CMSs
- Automated scans for cookies and trackers
- Cross-domain consent management for multi-site businesses
- Multilingual auto-translation
Cons
- Limited functionality with the free version
- Privacy Policy Generator only available on paid plans
Pricing
Cookiebot offers a 14-day free trial and has a free version. To unlock premium features, choose among five pricing plans:
- Lite: USD 8/month (one domain with up to 50 subpages)
- Small: USD 16/month (four or more domains with up to 350 subpages)
- Medium: USD 34/month (one domain with up to 3,500 subpages)
- Large: USD 56/month (one domain with up to 7,000 subpages)
- Extra Large: USD 96/month (one domain with over 7,000 subpages)
2. CookieFirst
Best for: Shopify and Google integrations and multi-language cookie policy generation.
CookieFirst is a cookie management tool for regular cookie scans, automated cookie consent collection, and generating an automatic cookie policy in multiple languages.
This cloud-based, user-friendly solution records and securely stores user consent data, providing audit trails and re-consent features to help organizations remain compliant with evolving privacy regulations.
Features:
- Compliance with: GDPR, ePrivacy, CCPA, LGPD, Quebec’s Law 25, and Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), among others
- Google-certified CMP partner with Google Consent Mode v2, also supporting the IAB’s Transparency & Consent Framework (TCF v2.2), and Google Advertising Partners ATP management
- Monthly website scans and automatic updates to the cookie policy in 44+ languages
- Cookie consent banner customization
CookieFirst pros and cons
Pros
- User-friendly interface with easy setup
- Customization of cookie banners and consent options
- Multilingual cookie policy generator
Cons
- Limited integrations
- Small design changes may require a higher-cost license
- Some automatic cookie classifications (e.g., ad cookies) may be incorrect and not customizable
Pricing
CookieFirst offers a two-week free trial and gives you a free month if you sign up for an annual plan:
- Basic: EUR 99/year (additional external collaborators, banner customization, white-label banner, consent statistics, and reports)
- Plus: EUR 209/year (everything in Basic plus white-label panel, consent audit trails, opt-in rate optimization, scanner settings, and IAB TCF v2.2 support)
- Enterprise: Custom pricing upon expert consultation
3. Osano
Best for: working with cookie software for the first time.
Known for its ease of deployment, flexibility, and scalability, Osano helps organizations transparently manage user privacy on websites and mobile apps. It supports multiple languages, offers API integration, and keeps detailed audit logs for compliance checks.
Features:
- Compliance for 95+ regulations in 50+ countries
- “No Fines, No Penalties” Guarantee
- “Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information” automated management
- AI-powered cookie categorization
- Visual dashboard and reporting
Osano pros and cons
Pros
- Up to USD 500,000 compensation guarantee if a noncompliance-related penalty is incurred (with restrictions)
- User-friendly and fast onboarding
Cons
- Limited customization and integration options
- May conflict with other scripts
Pricing
Osano offers a free individual plan, though prices for higher-tier plans are custom and not available online. The service includes a free 30-day trial with Plus, a self-service cookie consent plan that costs USD 199/month (two users, three domains, up to 30,000 visitors).
4. Secure Privacy
Best for: generating compliance documentation for cookie tracking policies.
Secure Privacy is an AI-powered privacy management platform that automates cookie consent, provides users with data permission controls, and helps organizations support compliance.
Features:
- Automates cookie banner compliance with 55+ privacy regulations
- Customized Preference Center to set cookie preferences
- Website scans for new cookies and tracking technologies
- Integrations with Content Management Systems (CMS)
- Generates Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs) forms for GDPR, CCPA/CPRA compliance
Secure Privacy pros and cons
Pros
- Multiple legal frameworks supported
- Facilitated compliance with automated DSARs and legal templates
Pricing
In addition to a free plan, Secure Privacy offers three subscription options after a 30-day free trial:
- Small: USD 14/month (one domain, two users, five privacy templates, 5,000 consents per month)
- Business: USD 49/month (one domain, ten users, 55+ privacy templates, 50,000 consents per month)
- Advanced: USD 199/month (one domain, unlimited users, 55+ privacy templates, 5 million consents per month)
5. CookieYes
Best for: small businesses with limited cookie consent management needs.
CookieYes is a Google-certified CMP that automates the collection, management, and storage of cookie consents for websites. This cookie software automatically blocks non-consented cookies, provides detailed cookie audit reports, and includes generators for privacy and cookie policies.
Features:
- Full cookie consent banner customization with multiple templates
- IAB TCF v2.2 banner for granular advertising tracking preferences
- Generator of cookie policy and privacy policy
- Automatically scheduled website scans to discover and categorize tracking technologies
- Geotargeting and auto-translation options
CookieYes pros and cons
Pros
- Integrates as a plugin with content management systems
- A free plan is sufficient for small projects
- Google-certified partner
Cons
- Lacks advanced enterprise features
- Multilingual translation is not available on free plans
Pricing
CookieYes offers a free plan and a 14-day free trial. Beyond that, the pricing plan options include:
Ultimate: USD 55/month (multi-site licenses)
Basic: USD 10/month (4,000 pages per scan)
Pro: USD 25/month (8,000 pages per scan)
6. Didomi
Best for: collecting consent across multiple devices (websites, apps, game consoles, etc.).
Didomi is an AI-driven CMP that collects, manages, and synchronizes user consent across websites, mobile apps, and offline channels. The company says that its adaptable APIs and customization options enable tailored consent experiences, reduce consent fatigue, support legal compliance, and improve user experience trust.
Features:
- Robust APIs to support non-standard implementations
- Real-time consent synchronization across devices
- Integration with the major frameworks, including Google Consent Mode, Microsoft UET Consent Mode, and the IAB TCF framework
- Location and regulations management with geotargeting
Didomi pros and cons
Pros
- Cross-platform compatibility across various device types
- Brand-friendly banner configuration
Cons
- Granular consent options are available on the most expensive plan only
- No free trial available
Pricing
Didomi doesn’t list its prices on the website. Still, you can contact the team directly to subscribe to one of their plans:
- Essential: For basic Didomi functionality
- Advanced: For integration with CMP consent banners and programmable scans
- Premium: For granular management of user choices
7. Cookie Information
Best for: marketing managers seeking compliant marketing software.
As a cookie management tool, Cookie Information enables real-time consent activation, integrates with marketing tools including Google Consent Mode v2 and Tag Manager, and maintains detailed logs of consent actions for compliance purposes.
Focused on balancing data protection compliance with marketing needs, it offers multilingual support, CMS plugins, and accessibility-friendly banners to enhance user experience while safeguarding data privacy.
Features:
- Compliance with GDPR, ePrivacy, CCPA, and other global privacy laws
- Tools for marketing campaign performance and traffic reporting
- Cookie and consent banner generator for websites and apps
- Automated website cookie scans and Google Consent Mode integration
Cookie Information pros and cons
Pros
- Plenty of marketing tools
- Aligned with the key data privacy regulations
Pricing
Cookie Information has three options for pricing plans:
- Cookie banner for small websites: EUR 19/month (up to 500 subpages, with 14-day free trial)
- Cookie banner for larger websites: EUR 39/month (up to 5,000 subpages, with 14-day free trial)
- Cookie banner + Analytics: from EUR 35/month (marketing analytics before consent included, the exact price is calculated individually)
8. CookieScript
Best for: cookie management for single websites and agencies.
CookieScript is a user-friendly compliance tool that supports multiple languages and provides flexible pricing plans based on the number of domains. The company claims to enable full control over cookies and scripts, facilitate transparent user consent, and simplify ongoing compliance management with data privacy regulations.
Features:
- 42+ languages supported
- Four layouts for a cookie popup with multiple customizable settings
- Dashboard to control third-party scripts directly
- Privacy policy generator
- Automated website scans to describe and categorize tracking cookies
- Cookie consents records and storage
- EU-based server locations
CookieScript pros and cons
Pros
- Integration with Shopify, WordPress, and Google Analytics
- Paid plans don’t have pageview limits
Cons
- Limited customization
- Full GDPR compliance feature set and IAB TCF only supported in the most expensive plan
Pricing
CookieScript has a limited free plan and three pricing options:
- Lite: EUR 8/month (2 domains, 100 pages per domain, Privacy Policy generator, geotargeting, custom colors)
- Standard: EUR 15/month (2 domains, 1,000 pages per domain, additional monthly scans and script blocking)
Plus: EUR 19/month (2 domains, 3,000 pages per domain, additional cookie banner analytics, user consents recording, IAB TCF 2.2 integration, and cross-domain consent)
9. Termly
Best for: generating multiple cookie-relatedpolicies.
Termly provides automated creation of legal or cookie policies, terms and conditions, and consent management options. It simplifies complex legal requirements with user-friendly tools, automatically updated policies, and customizable cookie consent banners.
Features:
- Compliance with the GDPR, ePrivacy Directive, CCPA, LGPD, PDPA, PIPEDA, and more
- Privacy policy, terms and conditions, return policy, and shipping policy generator
- Google-certified CMP partner with a full solution for Google Consent Mode
- IAB TCF 2.2 implementation
- Automated website scans with regular monitoring
- Easy consent management tool for creating cookie banners and setting up a preference center
Termly pros and cons
Pros
- Options for monthly and weekly website scans
- Easy cookie management tool setup
Cons
- Limited banner customization options
Pricing
Termly has a free plan for one basic legal policy and a 10,000/month banner view limit. It also has three paid plans:
- Starter: USD 14/month with monthly cookie scans, regular policy updates, and regulation monitoring
- Pro+: USD 20/month with weekly cookie scans, automated policy updates, IAB TCF 2.2 and Google Consent Mode v2 integration, multi-language support, and banner customization
- Agency: tailored solution with price and scope of services available upon request
10. iubenda
Best for: consent management and legal policy generation.
iubenda is a cookie management tool that automates cookie scanning and consent banners, offers tools for managing data subject requests, record-keeping, and conducting compliance audits. It helps to simplify privacy management and minimize legal risks for organizations.
Features:
- One-click setup for automatic configuration and auto-updates
- Google-certified CMP Partner with Consent Mode v2 and IAB TCF v2.2 support
- Compliance report with multi-user collaboration
- Customizable consent banners with style customization
- Privacy policy, cookie policy, and terms and conditions generator
- WordPress and Shopify integration
iubenda pros and cons
Pros
- Quick auto-configuration with a compliance plan and guided setup checklists
- Automated website scans are available on all pricing plans
Pricing
The free plan from iubenda is suitable for websites with under 1,000 page views per month. Alternatively, website owners can opt for one of three paid plans after completing a 14-day free trial:
- Essentials: USD 6.99/month (up to 25,000 pageviews, monthly scans, one language)
- Advanced: USD 27.99/month (up to 50,000 pageviews, monthly scans, multiple languages)
- Ultimate: USD 119.99/month (up to 150,000 pageviews, hourly scans, multiple languages, detailed analytics)
11. OneTrust
Best for: AI-oriented companies.
OneTrust provides a unified platform with AI governance automation and consent management tools. With the technology, it accelerates compliance to keep websites responsible and react to data privacy challenges in a timely way.
Features:
- Centralized data collection with identification of trends and gaps
- AI-enabled fast risk detection
- Cookie banner customization and auto-translation
- Streamlined consent and preference management
- Full-circle third-party management
OneTrust pros and cons
Pros
- Responsible AI governance implementation
- Accelerated risk and compliance checks
Cons
- Non-transparent pricing policy
Pricing
No free trial, and details of their pricing plans are available upon request only.
How to choose the cookie tracking software for your business
Both legal requirements and the needs of your organization should stay in focus while choosing a cookie management app for tracking cookies:
- Regulatory and platform coverage: The best cookie tracking software should help your organization comply with the regulations relevant to your business. Google certification and TCF support may also be important, so check for IAB TCF v2.3 and Google Consent Mode v2 support.
- Scalability: To address the strategic goals of your organization, the cookie management tool should be able to meet current requirements and be flexible to scale (in features and pricing) as your business grows.
- Customization: A cookie consent banner that matches your branding helps build recognition and trust. Look for cookie tracking software that enables extensive customization.
- Automation: The main benefit of cookie software is automating compliance functions. Consider what functions a cookie management app can automate, and how that will save your business time and resource demands.
- CMP integrations: Organizations should be able to integrate chosen cookie software with their CMS, ad and analytics platforms, and other elements in the marketing stack.
Benefits of cookie tracking software
Cookie tracking software fits into your marketing ecosystem, and the CMP’s granular consent controls enable you to obtain valid consent that can be signaled to all the tools and third parties you work with. Secure logging and storage, and reporting tools also strengthen legal compliance and business performance.
The results are clear for growing businesses wanting to adopt a privacy-led strategy:
- More accurate data: Categorization and more first-party data for higher quality and better segmentation, with access to anonymous information and modeling to enable insights even when consent is declined.
- Better user experience: With granular consent choices, cookie tracking software puts users in control of their data, helping build trust and long-term engagement.
- Automated blocking: A CMP can block non-essential cookies and trackers until consent is obtained, where legally required, helping protect your business and show users you respect their privacy.
- Consent logs: The CMP generates detailed records of user consent choices and related information over time, supporting compliance requirements and data subject requests over time.
- Global regulatory coverage: A robust CMP supports a wide range of privacy laws, frameworks, and platform requirements to protect your business as you grow.
How Cookiebot by Usercentrics helps you manage cookie tracking and compliance
Cookiebot CMP is a comprehensive consent management solution that is easy to use, flexible, and scalable. It delivers a wide range of features, including:
- Easy setup for technical and non-technical teams
- Automated scanning to detect and block all cookies and trackers in use
- Extensive customization of cookie banners
- Granular control over consent options
- Wide regulatory coverage
- Secure and accessible consent logs for audit use
Cookiebot™ is designed to streamline consent management and enable ongoing privacy compliance and Privacy-Led Marketing strategy for your business.
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