CookieFirst is a consent management platform that automates the cookie consent process with features like periodic cookie scans, cookie policy generator, consent logging and more. With customisable cookie banners, robust integration, third-party script management, and compliance with GDPR, ePrivacy, LGPD, CCPA, Law 25 and PDPA, it aims to provide a complete solution for all things cookies. Its focus on automation, transparency, and user-friendliness makes it a strong contender in consent management, offering scalable solutions for everyone, from small websites to large enterprises. But is it the right choice for your business? Let’s dive in.
Pros and Cons of CookieFirst
Pros
- Mostly automated
- Customisable and user-friendly
- The plans are scalable
- Supports over 44 languages
- Offers competitive pricing
Cons
- Free plan is quite restrictive
- May require a bit of a learning curve
Features That Make CookieFirst Worth Considering
CookieFirst makes it easy to comply with global privacy laws with their full suite of tools. It’s suitable for businesses of all sizes to manage cookies with transparency and ease. Here are the key features that make CookieFirst worth considering:
Cookie Scanner
Keeping on top of cookie compliance can be a nightmare, especially with changing regulations and website trackers updated so frequently. CookieFirst’s cookie scanner will scan your website regularly and identify all cookies and local storage items in use. The scans will give you a full list of cookies and their purposes and will update your cookie policy. Reports will be sent to your email or available in your account so you don’t have to lift a finger. Regular scanning will help you stay ahead of the game, save time, and avoid penalties for non-compliance.
Third-Party Script Management
Managing third-party scripts for analytics, advertising or social media integrations can be a compliance nightmare. CookieFirst makes it easy by automatically blocking scripts until the user gives explicit consent. You’ll always be compliant with GDPR. Plus the platform integrates with Google Tag Manager and other tools, so you can configure and manage scripts with ease. If you need a universal block or customised configurations for individual services, CookieFirst gives you the flexibility to be compliant while still being functional.
Google Consent Mode
Tracking and analytics are crucial for businesses today but must be done with user privacy in mind. CookieFirst supports Google Consent Mode. This feature lets you track essential metrics without compromising user trust. This feature allows your analytics tools to still work while respecting the choices made by your website visitors.
Automated Cookie Policy
Writing and updating a cookie policy is a chore and a time suck. CookieFirst makes it easy by automatically generating a cookie policy for your website. After scanning your website for cookies and setting up your third-party management configurations, the platform will create a full policy that lists all the cookies in use and their purposes. All you need to do is embed this policy on your website. This automated way will keep you compliant with privacy laws and transparent by telling users how their data is being used.
Consent Audit Trail
One of the biggest compliance headaches is proving you have valid consent. CookieFirst sorts this out with its consent audit trail. It logs every consent or withdrawal. These are stored in a pseudonymised and encrypted database, so you’re compliant and data protected. This is super useful in the event of an audit, as it lets you prove your consent management is compliant. So you can get on with your business and not worry about compliance gaps.
Cross-Domain Consent
Managing consent across domains can be a pain if multiple websites are under one brand. CookieFirst makes this easy with cross-domain consent. When a visitor consents to one domain, it can be applied to other associated domains or subdomains. This makes the user experience better by reducing the number of consent prompts and keeps your compliance strategy across all your digital assets.
Re-Consent
Getting consent for optional cookies like marketing cookies can be tricky. CookieFirst solves this with re-consent. You can ask users for updated permissions over time. For example, if a user initially rejects marketing cookies, you can configure the platform to ask for re-consent after a certain period. This way, you can increase the chances of getting opt-ins for other categories like advertising, while remaining compliant. It’s a great way to boost your consent rates without being intrusive.
Banner Customisation
First impressions count, and CookieFirst ensures your cookie banner looks professional and matches your brand. The platform is highly customisable, so you can change colours, fonts, button styles and even the banner position on your site. Whether you want a banner at the top or bottom or as a full-page overlay, CookieFirst allows you to create a design that matches your website. By being consistent in your visual style, you can build trust with your visitors and increase the chances of getting consent.
Language Management
In a globalised world, providing a localised experience for your audience is key. CookieFirst supports over 40 languages, so you can display your cookie banner and consent panels in your visitor’s native language. The platform has default translations for all text, including cookie policies and preference panels. You can also customise these translations to match your brand tone and messaging. This is super useful for businesses operating in multiple markets as it’s compliant and user-friendly.
Is CookieFirst Worth It? – Pricing & Plans
CookieFirst has flexible pricing plans to suit different business needs, from small websites to large enterprises. Here’s a breakdown of the pricing:
Free Plan
The Free Plan is for small websites or those starting with consent management. Single cookie banner, one third-party script, one-time cookie scan, one language. Basic setup. No white-label banners, no consent audit trails. It is risk-free to try out CookieFirst, but a support response time of under 96 hours might be a limitation for businesses that need fast support.
Basic Plan
For growing businesses, the Basic Plan is €9 per month or €99 per year. This plan supports all third-party scripts, monthly cookie scans, multiple languages and white-label banners. Support response time of under 72 hours. More flexibility and customisation for businesses. Additional features like banner customisation, consent statistics and audit trails make it a great choice for small to medium-sized enterprises.
Plus Plan
The Plus Plan is recommended for businesses that need a more complete solution. €19 per month or €209 per year. This plan includes everything in the Basic Plan but with a faster support response time of under 24 hours. For businesses with higher traffic or more complex compliance requirements. Features like opt-in rate optimisation and IAB TCF 2.2 support to help refine user consent strategies and integrate with advertising platforms.
Enterprise
For large enterprises with special requirements, CookieFirst has a Custom Enterprise Plan. Pricing is custom to the business needs, e.g. managing multiple domains or extensive API integration, for organisations that need customisation and support for complex compliance issues.
Is CookieFirst a Good Value for Money?
CookieFirst balances cost and functionality well. It’s suitable for businesses of all sizes. The two-week free trial on paid plans means you can try the platform out before committing to anything. Plus, annual subscriptions will give you an extra month for free, so it’s a good option for long-term users.
The Free Plan is a good starting point, but the Basic and Plus Plans offer more advanced tools at a competitive price so you can scale your compliance without breaking the bank. For larger businesses, the Enterprise Plan is customisable and comes with support, so it’s worth it for complex requirements. With all the features and flexibility, CookieFirst is a great value for businesses looking for a balance of compliance, usability and cost. Compared to many of the competition, its pricing is also on the lower side.
Comparing CookieFirst to Competitors
CookieFirst vs consentmanager
CookieFirst and consentmanager are both CMPs that make compliance with privacy laws easy. However, they serve slightly different needs and have different strengths. CookieFirst is all about automation and ease of use. It has a cookie scanner, automated cookie policy generator and third-party script management. Highly customisable banners and 44+ languages make it suitable for any business looking for a simple compliance tool. But CookieFirst’s free plan is more limited than consentmanager’s free plan, which has weekly cookie crawls even on the free tier. consentmanager also has advanced features like privacy-friendly analytics, A/B testing and compliance with multiple privacy frameworks like IAB TCF and GPP.
Where CookieFirst excels is in simplicity and affordability with pricing plans that are very competitive for small- to medium-sized businesses. However, both of them offer scalable and highly customisable plans for enterprises.
CookieFirst vs CookieScript
CookieFirst and CookieScript are good options for businesses that want to manage cookie compliance. CookieFirst is strong on automation with features like consent audit trails, cross-domain consent, and re-consent mechanisms. These are useful for businesses with multiple websites or looking to improve opt-in rates.
CookieScript, on the other hand, is all about granular customisability. Its dashboard allows dynamic cookie blocking and geo-targeting, which is perfect for businesses with complex regional requirements. CookieScript has more in-depth consent and cookie tracking customisation than CookieFirst. However, CookieFirst’s pricing can be less competitive for small businesses, and CookieScript’s plans are more affordable and accessible.
CookieFirst is better for businesses looking for a simple and cost-effective solution with strong automation. CookieScript is for those who need advanced customisation and control over cookie settings.
Should You Try CookieFirst?
To sum things up, CookieFirst is a user-friendly consent management platform that makes cookie compliance easy for all businesses. With automated cookie scanning, consent logging, customisable banners and 44+ languages, it’s designed to be easy and accessible. Competitive pricing makes it perfect for small to medium-sized businesses, and advanced options for enterprises with more complex needs.
If you want an affordable, automated solution that balances usability with robust compliance tools, try CookieFirst. There is a two-week free trial on paid plans, so you can try them before you buy and see if they’re suitable for your business. For businesses that want automation and scalability without compromise, CookieFirst is worth a shot.