Borlabs Cookie is a German-engineered cookie consent plugin known for its rigorous approach to GDPR and ePrivacy compliance. Unlike simpler cookie notice plugins that just display a warning banner, Borlabs actively blocks cookies and scripts until the user gives explicit consent, with granular control over which categories of cookies they accept. The plugin uses a content blocking system that replaces third-party embeds — YouTube videos, Google Maps, Facebook widgets, and tracking scripts — with placeholders that only load after consent. This makes Borlabs one of the more strict compliance tools available, comparable to Complianz GDPR in its approach. It’s particularly popular in German-speaking markets where privacy regulations are enforced more strictly.
The plugin maintains a built-in cookie database that includes descriptions, durations, and purposes for common cookies, and automatically updates this data from Borlabs’ central service. It supports multi-language cookie banners native to the WordPress language system, making it suitable for multilingual sites.
Competitive Features
- Script blocking — blocks all cookies and scripts by default, only loading them after explicit user consent per category
- Content blocking — replaces YouTube, Vimeo, Google Maps, Facebook, and Instagram embeds with click-to-load placeholders
- Granular cookie categories — separate consents for statistics, marketing, external media, and functional cookies
- Cookie database — built-in library of common cookies with descriptions, durations, and legal purposes
- Multi-language support — native WordPress language system integration for cookie banners in multiple languages
- Auto-update cookie data — cookie information is updated automatically from Borlabs’ central service
- Test mode — preview cookie banners and consent behavior as a logged-in admin without affecting visitors
Key Features
- Cookie scanner — scan your site for cookies and scripts, then automatically assign them to the correct consent categories
- Blocker templates — pre-configured blocking rules for common services like Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, and YouTube
- Consent log — record every consent action with timestamp, IP address, and cookie category for audit compliance
- Design customization — full CSS control over banner appearance with pre-built templates and live preview
- Opt-in and opt-out modes — choose between requiring explicit consent (opt-in) or implicit consent (opt-out) per jurisdiction
- Cookie box — floating cookie settings button that lets users change their preferences at any time
- Content preview — blurred or static image placeholders for blocked embeds that load on click
Comparison with Competitors
Borlabs Cookie vs Complianz GDPR
| Aspect | Borlabs Cookie | Complianz GDPR |
|---|---|---|
| Script blocking | Yes (default block) | Yes |
| Cookie scanner | Built-in | Built-in |
| Content placeholders | Yes (blurred images) | Yes (video stills) |
| Multi-language | Native WP system | WPML, Polylang |
| Cookie database | Central Borlabs service | Cookiedatabase.org |
Bottom line: Complianz GDPR offers a more comprehensive free version and supports more privacy laws globally (including LGPD, POPIA, PIPEDA). Borlabs Cookie has stricter default blocking behavior and better placeholder visuals. For sites targeting German or EU markets with strict enforcement, Borlabs is often preferred.
Borlabs Cookie vs CookieYes (GDPR)
| Aspect | Borlabs Cookie | CookieYes |
|---|---|---|
| Script blocking | Default block | Default block |
| Cookie scanner | Built-in | Built-in |
| Auto-translate banner | No | Yes |
| Consent log | Yes | Yes |
| Geo-targeting | Via add-on | Built-in |
| Number of integrations | 60+ | 90+ |
Bottom line: CookieYes has more third-party integrations built-in and offers auto-translation for banners. Borlabs Cookie has a cleaner codebase with better performance metrics and is preferred by developers who want fine-grained control over blocking behaviors through PHP filters.
Recommended Stack: Borlabs Cookie handles consent management and script blocking. For SEO alongside compliance, pair it with Rank Math SEO which includes built-in schema markup for cookie consent and privacy pages.
Official Changelog (3 Last Versions)
Borlabs Cookie is a premium plugin not listed on WordPress.org.
Version 3.5.0
Release Date: August 14, 2026
- New cookie scanner with improved detection for JavaScript-injected cookies
- Added Google Consent Mode v2 integration
- Fixed content blocker conflict with lazy loading plugins
Version 3.4.5
Release Date: July 10, 2026
- Enhanced consent log with export to CSV for compliance reporting
- Added custom trigger events for WordPress block themes
- Fixed compatibility with WooCommerce checkout blocks
Version 3.4.0
Release Date: June 5, 2026
- New content blocker template for TikTok embeds
- Performance optimization for cookie database lookups on multilingual sites
- Fixed multi-language banner display with Loco Translate
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Borlabs Cookie GDPR compliant?
Yes. Borlabs Cookie is designed specifically for GDPR and ePrivacy compliance. It blocks all non-functional cookies until explicit consent is given, maintains a detailed consent log with timestamp and IP data, and supports the right to withdraw consent at any time. It is regularly audited and updated for regulatory changes.
Does Borlabs Cookie work with caching plugins?
Yes. Borlabs Cookie integrates with popular caching plugins through JavaScript-based consent management. The script blocking happens on the client side, so cached pages still display the correct banner behavior. The plugin includes specific compatibility modes for WP Rocket, LiteSpeed Cache, and W3 Total Cache.
Can I customize the cookie banner design?
Yes. Borlabs Cookie provides multiple banner templates — floating box, bottom bar, full-screen overlay, and custom layouts. You can customize colors, fonts, button styles, and positions through the visual editor, or apply your own CSS for complete control.
Does Borlabs support Google Consent Mode?
Yes. The plugin integrates with Google Consent Mode v2, allowing Google Analytics, Google Ads, and other Google services to respect user consent preferences through the gtag.js consent API. This is essential for maintaining conversion tracking and remarketing while staying compliant.
What is the difference between free and premium?
The free version covers basic cookie consent blocking with limited templates and no cookie scanner. The premium version adds the automated cookie scanner, content blocker for embeds, multi-language support, consent logging, Google Consent Mode integration, and advanced customization options.
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