Consently is an all-in-one hosted consent management platform by Dorik that runs on any website via one script. Complianz is the dominant free WordPress cookie-consent plugin, built by Really Simple Plugins and trusted by more than a million sites. Both handle GDPR, CCPA, and Google Consent Mode v2. The right choice depends almost entirely on your platform and how many sites you manage. Complianz wins for a single WordPress site. Consently wins the moment you leave WordPress or run multiple domains. This comparison scores both tools on the same public rubric and states the honest result.
Consently vs Complianz: Which Should You Choose?
Complianz scores 3.9 out of 5 overall and Consently scores 3.7. Complianz is the higher-scoring product. It is the strongest free cookie-consent plugin for WordPress and the best pick for a single WordPress site where data residency matters. Consently wins on cross-platform reach, multi-site management, and flat entry-plan economics.
We publish this comparison at Consently. Both tools are scored on the same 7-dimension weighted rubric we apply to every CMP we review. Neither is exempted, and neither is placed first by default. You can read how we score every consent platform for the full weighting and evidence procedure.
Scorecard: Consently vs Complianz
We score both products on the same seven weighted dimensions, from current documentation, the live pricing pages, certification records, and verified user reviews. Complianz leads on compliance, certifications, and reputation. Consently leads on setup and pricing.
| Dimension (weight) | Consently | Complianz |
|---|---|---|
| Compliance and framework coverage (25%) | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Cookie scanning and auto-blocking (20%) | 3.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Banner and consent experience (15%) | 4.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Ease of setup and integrations (15%) | 4.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Pricing and value (15%) | 4.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Performance and reliability (5%) | 3.5/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Support and reputation (5%) | 3.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Overall | 3.7/5 | 3.9/5 |
The architecture split is the deciding axis, and the Google AI Overview for this category frames it the same way. Complianz is WordPress-native, self-hosted, and designed for local data control. Consently is a hosted cloud platform that works across any site from one external dashboard. If your whole presence is one WordPress site and you want a free, self-hosted plugin with data on your own server, pick Complianz. If you run any non-WordPress site or multiple domains, Consently wins on platform reach and multi-site economics.
Consently vs Complianz at a Glance (Comparison Table)
The table below covers every material decision dimension. Both products are live-verified as of June 2026.
| Attribute | Consently | Complianz |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 3.7/5 | 3.9/5 |
| Platform support | Any head-script platform (WordPress, Shopify, Wix, Squarespace, Webflow, Framer, custom/React) | WordPress plugin only; Shopify via a separate native app; no Wix, Squarespace, Webflow, or custom sites |
| Architecture | Hosted SaaS (external dashboard) | Self-hosted plugin (data stays on your server) |
| Free plan | 14-day free trial, no card required (no free-forever tier) | Free WordPress plugin (no card; permanent) |
| Starting paid price | $99/yr (1 domain, 100k pageviews/mo) | $59/yr (1 WordPress site) |
| Multi-site price | $199/yr for 5 domains, $499/yr for 10 domains | $179/yr for 5 WordPress sites, $399/yr for 25 WordPress sites |
| Usage limits | Pageview tiers (100k / 1M / 3M per month) shared across all domains | No pageview or consent-record caps on any tier |
| Multi-site dashboard | Single hosted account manages any platform mix | Per-WordPress-admin work; WordPress-only multisite plugin on Agency tier |
| Cookie scanning | Full-site, weekly scheduled, and on-demand scans (cookies, scripts, iframes) | Hybrid back-end and front-end scan (Premium); syncs with cookiedatabase.org |
| Auto-blocking | Scripts and iframes blocked before consent | Scripts and iframes blocked before consent; CookieShredder (Premium) removes cookies set without consent |
| Consent records/logs | Included on every paid plan | Records of Consent are Premium-only (free tier does not include them) |
| Policy generators | Three generators (cookie, privacy, terms) on every plan | Wizard covering 9 document types including T&C (most on Premium) |
| Banner languages | 35 languages | 47+ locales, 40+ languages |
| Google Consent Mode v2 | Yes | Yes |
| IAB TCF | Yes (2.3) | Yes (CMP ID 332; certified to 2.0+) |
| GPC and Do Not Track | Not supported | Honored |
| Google CMP certification | Google AC v2 certified; full CMP Partner listing pending | Google CMP certified (July 2024) |
| A/B testing | Not available | Available on Premium |
| Support | Live chat on every plan | Documentation and ticket; Priority support on Premium |
| Track record | Launched October 2025; approximately 4.0/5 from approximately 25 AppSumo reviews | 1M+ installs; 4.7/5 from 1,642 WordPress.org reviews |
What Is Complianz?
Complianz is the most-installed free cookie-consent plugin for WordPress, with more than a million active installs and a 4.7-out-of-5 rating from 1,642 reviews on WordPress.org. It is built by Really Simple Plugins, which joined the iubenda Group in 2024. The company markets it as "the Privacy Suite for WordPress." It runs natively inside WordPress and stores consent data on the site owner's own server. No pageview or consent-record caps apply on any paid plan.
For the full scored evaluation, see our Complianz review.
Complianz also offers a separate Shopify app with its own pricing. That is a different product from the WordPress plugin, and the two do not share a license or a dashboard. It is not available for Wix, Squarespace, Webflow, Framer, or any custom or static site.
What Is Consently?
Consently is an all-in-one consent management platform built by Dorik, Inc., a profitable website-builder company operating since 2020. It bundles a cookie banner, automatic scanning and blocking, consent logs, and three policy generators into one tool. You install it with a single JavaScript line in any site's head. Every feature is included on every plan. Pricing is by capacity (domains and pageviews), not by feature gates.
Consently launched in October 2025 and first reached users through an AppSumo lifetime deal. It carries approximately 4.0 out of 5 from approximately 25 AppSumo reviews, and it has no organic G2, Capterra, or Trustpilot profile yet. The thin track record is a real limitation and worth acknowledging honestly before any subscription commitment.
Platform Support: WordPress-Native Plugin vs Cross-Platform Hosted CMP
Platform reach is the most decisive dimension in this comparison, and the answer is unambiguous. Complianz's own support page answers the question directly. It states, "No, Complianz is currently only available for WordPress". The Complianz answer page tells anyone on a different platform to find a compatible solution elsewhere. The Shopify app is a separate product. Wix, Squarespace, Webflow, Framer, and custom or React-based sites have no Complianz option.
Consently runs on any platform that accepts a head script. That list covers:
- WordPress (official plugin or direct script)
- Shopify
- Wix
- Squarespace
- Webflow
- Framer
- Custom HTML, React, and single-page applications
- Google Tag Manager and Cloudflare Zaraz installs
The architectural implication extends past platform coverage. Complianz is self-hosted: everything runs inside WordPress, and data stays on the site's own server. This is a genuine strength for operators who want data residency on their own infrastructure. The Google AI Overview for this category noted that Complianz's "local database approach can lead to better page load times" alongside its configuration depth. The trade-off is platform lock-in. The moment a site moves off WordPress, or a portfolio adds a Wix or Webflow property, Complianz is no longer an option.
Consently runs from an external hosted dashboard. There is nothing installed in the site's plugin stack to conflict with a caching plugin, a GTM container, or an SEO plugin. That architectural simplicity is the direct mirror of the confinement Complianz accepts by living inside WordPress.
Pricing: Per-Site WordPress Licenses vs Flat Multi-Domain Plans
Complianz licenses by WordPress-site count with a permanent free tier. Consently prices by capacity across any platform with all features on every plan. The structures are genuinely different and which is cheaper depends entirely on your setup.
Complianz Pricing
The free WordPress plugin is permanent and covers a compliant consent banner, scanning, script blocking, and basic legal documents. What it does not include matters for most compliance use cases:
- Records of Consent (audit proof of every visitor's choice)
- Google Consent Mode v2
- IAB TCF
- A/B testing
- Full legal document set
Those features require a paid license. Paid WordPress tiers are:
- Personal: $59/yr for 1 WordPress site
- Professional: $179/yr for 5 WordPress sites
- Agency: $399/yr for 25 WordPress sites (includes a dedicated multisite plugin)
All paid tiers carry identical features with no pageview or consent-record caps. A 30-day money-back guarantee applies. Lifetime licenses are not available.
The Shopify app is priced separately: free plan plus a Premium tier at $5.99/month or $59/year, with a 14-day trial.
One notable change: version 7.5.0 (released June 2026) moved WooCommerce and webshop page scan coverage behind the paid tier. A June 2026 WordPress.org reviewer objected directly, "Then don't market your plugin as free". For WooCommerce sites specifically, the free plugin's scanning coverage is now reduced.
Consently Pricing
Consently prices by domain count and pageview capacity. All three tiers include every feature:
- Basic: $99/yr (1 domain, 100k pageviews/month)
- Premium: $199/yr (5 domains, 1 million pageviews/month)
- Enterprise: $499/yr (10 domains, 3 million pageviews/month)
A 14-day free trial is available on every plan with no credit card required. Pageviews are shared across all domains in an account. Subdomains do not consume a separate domain slot.
Which Is Cheaper for Your Setup?
For a single WordPress site, Complianz is cheaper. The free plugin covers the basics, and the $59/yr Personal plan adds the compliance essentials Complianz's free tier withholds. Consently starts at $99/yr with no free-forever option.
For multiple sites or any non-WordPress site, Consently's flat plans usually win on total cost and always win on platform coverage. At 5 domains, Consently charges $199/yr across any platform mix with all features on the entry tier. Complianz charges $179/yr for 5 WordPress sites but gates Records of Consent behind that paid tier and covers WordPress only. If even one of those five sites is on Wix, Webflow, or a custom stack, Complianz is not an option at any price.
Setup and Maintenance: Configuration Wizard vs One-Line Script
Complianz uses a guided setup wizard inside WordPress. Most simple sites finish in roughly 15 minutes. The wizard walks through cookie categories, regulation selection, banner design, and the legal document set in a structured flow. AppSumo and WordPress.org reviewers who chose Consently after trying others described setup as live in under 30 minutes with minimal configuration.
The configuration surface on Complianz deepens quickly past that initial wizard. Styling a banner past the built-in templates requires Custom CSS, which one detailed WP tutorial calls a "developer-level tool". Plugin conflicts are a documented pattern. WP Rocket, LiteSpeed Cache, W3 Total Cache, GTM4WP, Rank Math, and SEOPress have all appeared in WordPress.org support threads. Users on r/Wordpress have reported that refusing to send an email address for site-scan authentication can break admin dashboard access. The Google AI Overview for this category notes Complianz's "local database approach can lead to better page load times". It adds that the "configuration may require more initial effort".
Consently installs as a single script added to the site's head, or through the official WordPress plugin, Google Tag Manager, or Cloudflare Zaraz. Nothing lives in the WordPress plugin stack, which means no caching conflict, no CSS injection from an SEO plugin, and no GTM container overwrite. Live chat is included on every Consently plan, which resolves most setup questions in real time.
The honest concession: Complianz's wizard is better for a guided, structured WordPress compliance setup than a blank-slate hosted dashboard. The trade-off is the configuration depth and the dependency on the WordPress plugin stack being cooperative.
Cookie Scanning, Blocking, and Reliability
Both tools scan cookies, trackers, scripts, and iframes, and both block non-essential scripts before consent. The differences are in depth, architecture, and documented failure modes.
Complianz uses a hybrid scan that reads both the front end and the back end of a WordPress site. That catches server-level cookies a client-side-only scan misses. It syncs descriptions with cookiedatabase.org, a public cookie database that Complianz B.V. operates. Its Script Center covers more than 250 service and plugin templates, and CookieShredder (Premium) removes cookies set server-side without consent in real time. The depth is real.
The limitations are also documented. The free scanner covers the homepage and a limited page set per scan run. Since version 7.5.0, the scanner and the cookiedatabase.org sync require website-scan authentication, so an unauthenticated free install now encounters a locked scanner state. Multiple WordPress.org support threads describe blocking that fails silently on misconfigured caching or GTM setups.
Consently runs full-site, weekly scheduled, and on-demand scans from the cloud. It detects cookies, trackers, scripts, and iframes across the whole site rather than a page sample. Consent logs are included on every paid plan and exportable. The honest gap: Consently's scanner is younger. Users on Consently's own feedback board have documented a script-leak edge case where some third-party widgets can partially execute before consent unless manually wrapped. An advanced script-blocking improvement is in progress. For a tracker-heavy site, manual spot-checking of scan results is advisable on both platforms.
Compliance Coverage and Certifications
Both Consently and Complianz cover GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, LGPD, PIPEDA, and multiple additional jurisdictions. Both support Google Consent Mode v2 and IAB TCF. The certification gap is real and worth stating plainly.
Complianz is Google CMP certified (July 2024) and carries IAB TCF CMP ID 332. It honors Global Privacy Control and Do Not Track signals natively. That matters in US states where GPC is a legally significant opt-out signal (California, Colorado, Connecticut, and others). These are genuine advantages for ad-tech publishers running programmatic advertising.
Consently is certified for Google Additional Consent (AC v2). Its full Google CMP Partner listing is pending, not yet approved. Consently does not support GPC or DNT signals. This is an honest limitation that belongs on the table: for a site running Google Ads under IAB TCF, Complianz's certification stack is stronger. For a site that simply needs GDPR opt-in and CCPA opt-out without programmatic ad-tech, Consently's coverage is sufficient.
Consently includes three policy generators (cookie, privacy, and terms) on every plan. Complianz's wizard covers nine document types including Impressum, data-breach inventory, and a children's privacy statement, with a separate plugin for Terms and Conditions. On the policy-generator dimension, the two are broadly comparable. Neither substitutes for legal counsel.
Multi-Site and Agency Management
Consently manages 5 to 10 domains from one hosted account regardless of platform. An agency running WordPress, Wix, Webflow, and Shopify client sites reaches all of them through one dashboard, one scan history, and one billing line. The multi-site dashboard is available on the $199/yr Premium plan and above.
Complianz requires per-WordPress-admin work for each client site. The Agency tier ($399/yr, 25 sites) adds a dedicated WordPress Multisite plugin for WordPress networks. This is a WordPress-only multisite plugin, not a cross-platform dashboard. There is no central cloud dashboard that spans multiple independent WordPress installs, let alone a mixed-platform client portfolio. An agency with 10 client sites on different platforms either runs Complianz only on the WordPress ones or uses a different tool for the rest.
For agencies or developers managing a mixed-platform client portfolio, Consently's architecture is the stronger fit by the decisive sub-factor. Complianz cannot win a segment where its defining capability, cross-platform reach, scores 1.0. For a pure-WordPress agency working at scale, Complianz's Agency tier and WordPress Multisite plugin are mature and well-supported. See Consently's flat pricing if you want to model the per-site cost across a real client list.
Consently vs Complianz: The Verdict
Complianz scores 3.9/5 and Consently scores 3.7/5 on the same 7-dimension rubric. Complianz is the higher-scored product overall and wins outright for the WordPress-first buyer who wants a free, deeply native plugin with no external cloud dependency.
The per-segment verdict runs differently because the two tools are built for different jobs.
Choose Complianz if:
- Your entire web presence is one or a few WordPress sites (or a WordPress and Shopify pair)
- You want a free or low-cost self-hosted plugin with consent data on your own server
- You need GPC signal handling, Google CMP certification, or A/B testing
- You are an ad-tech publisher running programmatic advertising who needs the IAB TCF + Google CMP certification stack
- You prefer a guided setup wizard inside WordPress with no external dashboard to manage
Choose Consently if:
- You run any non-WordPress site: Wix, Squarespace, Webflow, Framer, or a custom or React-based site
- You manage a mixed-platform portfolio and want one hosted dashboard covering all sites with flat multi-domain pricing
- You want consent records, scanning, and three policy generators on the entry plan without feature-gating
- You want a one-line setup with live chat on every plan and nothing in your plugin stack to conflict
- You want all features available the moment you sign up, with no paid upgrade required to access compliance essentials
Complianz earns its 4.7-star WordPress.org rating and its 1-million-install base. The appropriate concession is that its platform boundary is hard: the moment a site is not on WordPress or Shopify, Complianz is not an option. Consently earns its wedge on platform breadth, agency economics, and simplicity. It concedes the track record and certification depth to a tool that has been in market for over a decade.
If neither tool fits what you need, the best Complianz alternatives covers the broader field.
Try Consently free for 14 days with no credit card. Every feature is available on the trial.
FAQs
Is Consently better than Complianz?
Not universally. Complianz scores higher overall (3.9 vs 3.7) and is the better pick for a single WordPress site. There you get a free, self-hosted plugin with a mature certification stack. Consently is better for cross-platform use, multi-site and agency management, and entry-plan economics. The right answer depends on your stack and site count.
Does Complianz work on non-WordPress sites like Shopify, Wix, or Webflow?
No. Complianz is a WordPress plugin only. The company states on its own support page, "No, Complianz is currently only available for WordPress". A separate Shopify app exists, but it is a different product with its own license and no shared dashboard. Wix, Squarespace, Webflow, Framer, and custom sites have no Complianz option. Consently runs on all of them via one hosted script.
Is the free Complianz plugin enough for GDPR compliance?
For basic compliance on a simple non-commerce site, it covers the banner, scanning, blocking, and a basic legal-document set. For defensible compliance it falls short: Records of Consent (audit proof of every visitor's choice) are gated behind a paid plan. Version 7.5.0 (June 2026) also moved WooCommerce and webshop page scan coverage to paid, so free WooCommerce sites now get reduced scan depth. For GDPR with provable consent records, you need either Complianz Personal ($59/yr) or a tool that includes consent logs on the entry plan. Consently includes them on every paid tier from $99/yr.
Is Consently cheaper than Complianz for multiple sites?
For multiple sites across different platforms, usually yes. Consently's $199/yr Premium covers 5 domains on any platform with all features, including consent records. Complianz's $179/yr Professional covers 5 WordPress sites but still gates consent records to that paid tier and covers no non-WordPress sites. If even one of those sites is on Wix, Webflow, or a custom stack, Complianz is not an option at any price. For a single WordPress site, Complianz is cheaper: its free tier costs nothing, and the $59/yr Personal plan is below Consently's $99/yr Basic.
Can I migrate from Complianz to Consently?
There is no one-click importer. Consently is a fresh setup: add your site, install the one-line script or WordPress plugin, run a scan, and publish a banner. The typical setup takes under 30 minutes. Consent history from Complianz does not carry over, but new consent records begin immediately on Consently. Live chat is available on every plan for help during the transition.
Which is easier to set up, Consently or Complianz?
Complianz's in-WordPress wizard is guided and beginner-friendly for a simple WordPress site, and most basic setups finish in roughly 15 minutes. It becomes more complex on sites with many plugins, custom caching, or GTM containers. Users on r/Wordpress have noted that Complianz's configuration can require developer time and that plugin conflicts are a recurring issue. Consently is a single hosted script with no plugin dependencies and live chat on every plan. It is simpler across platforms and for non-technical users, though it lacks the structured guided-wizard experience Complianz provides inside WordPress.
Does Consently support Google Consent Mode v2 and IAB TCF like Complianz?
Yes, both support Google Consent Mode v2 and IAB TCF. Complianz additionally holds Google CMP certification (CMP ID 332, certified July 2024). It honors GPC and Do Not Track signals, which Consently does not yet support. Consently is certified for Google Additional Consent (AC v2) with its full Google CMP Partner listing pending. For ad-tech publishers running programmatic advertising under the IAB TCF framework, Complianz's certification stack is stronger.
