Companies use a consent management platform (CMP) to legally capture a website or application user’s consent before tracking, collecting, sharing, selling, and processing the user’s data. However, with the rise of data privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA, navigating the legal complexities of user consent has become a top priority. This is where consent management platforms (CMPs) step in, acting as the gatekeepers of user privacy and ensuring your digital marketing efforts stay compliant.
What are Consent Management Platforms (CMPs)?
A CMP is a consent management software solution that helps businesses obtain, manage, and document user consent for data collection practices. Notifying the user and collecting their consent choices are facilitated by a pop-up banner on a website or within an application. Users are given the explicit choice to grant, refuse, or revoke consent to having their online activities collected, used, or sold by one, some, or all of these parties. They simplify the process of complying with data protection laws by providing tools to:
- Display clear and user-friendly consent banners: CMPs allow you to create customizable consent banners that inform users about what data you collect (personal information) and how it will be used. Users can then easily grant or withdraw their consent.
- Manage consent preferences: CMPs go beyond simple on/off consent. They can capture granular user preferences for different types of data collection, allowing for more targeted marketing strategies while respecting user privacy choices.
- Integrate with marketing tools: Leading CMPs integrate seamlessly with popular analytics tools for digital marketing and marketing automation platforms, ensuring consistent consent management across your entire marketing stack.
Why Do You Need a Consent Management Platform (CMP)?
The consequences of non-compliance with data privacy regulations can be severe, including hefty fines and reputational damage. CMPs offer a powerful solution to mitigate these risks by:
- Ensuring compliance: With built-in features and functionalities, CMPs help you stay up-to-date with evolving data privacy regulations.
- Building trust with users: Transparency and user control are key tenets of data privacy. A user-friendly CMP fosters trust with your audience by empowering them to manage their data preferences.
- Maximizing marketing ROI: By collecting and managing consent effectively, you can ensure your marketing efforts reach the right users with the right message, ultimately improving campaign performance.
The main benefit of using a CMP is to meet legal requirements of data privacy and data protection regulations by lawfully processing user data. Also, using a CMP with a well-designed pop-up banner can improve users’ consent to processing opt-in rates. This is important for companies wishing to sell advertisements.
For Agencies:
For digital agencies, using a CMP goes beyond just compliance. A well-managed CMP can be a valuable asset, helping them build stronger client relationships by demonstrating their commitment to data privacy. This fosters trust and confidence, which are essential for any successful agency-client partnership. Also, CMPs can improve campaign performance by ensuring agencies target the right users with the right message. This laser focus leads to better results and happier clients.
Choosing the Best Consent Management Platform
With a growing number of CMPs available, selecting the right one for your business needs is essential. Here are some key factors to consider:
- Features and Functionality: Evaluate the specific features offered by each CMP, such as customization options, integrations, and reporting capabilities.
- Ease of Use: A user-friendly interface is crucial for both administrators and users. Choose a CMP that is easy to set up and navigate.
- Scalability: Consider your future growth plans and choose a CMP that can scale to meet your evolving needs.
- Compliance: Ensure the CMP adheres to all relevant data privacy regulations, including GDPR and CCPA.
Top 8 Consent Management Platforms to Consider:
While a comprehensive list can change based on your specific needs, here are 10 popular CMPs to get you started:
OneTrust
OneTrust is a cloud-based platform designed to help organizations manage privacy, security, and data governance risks. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools to comply with various data privacy regulations worldwide, including GDPR, CCPA, and LGPD.
Pros of OneTrust:
Comprehensive Platform: OneTrust offers a wide range of features, including data discovery, consent management, data subject access requests (DSAR) management, risk assessments, and breach response tools.
Scalability: OneTrust can be scaled to meet the needs of organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises.
Ease of Use: The platform is designed to be user-friendly, even for those without a technical background.
Automation: OneTrust automates many tasks associated with privacy compliance, such as consent management and DSAR fulfillment, which can save organizations time and money.
Expertise: OneTrust provides access to a team of experts who can help organizations understand and comply with complex privacy regulations.
Cons of OneTrust:
Cost: OneTrust can be expensive, especially for small businesses. Pricing is typically based on a module-based subscription and can vary depending on the specific features needed.
Complexity: While user-friendly, the platform’s vast functionalities may require initial training for some users to navigate effectively.
Integration Challenges: Integrating OneTrust with other systems can be complex, requiring additional resources and expertise.
OneTrust Pricing:
OneTrust offers a variety of pricing plans, depending on the specific features and functionality needed. Pricing starts around $30 per month for basic features like consent management and goes up from there. There is a free 14-day trial available, and discounts are often offered for annual commitments. It’s recommended to contact OneTrust directly for a quote tailored to your organization’s needs.
Overall, OneTrust is a powerful platform that can help organizations manage privacy and compliance risks effectively. However, its cost and complexity may be a deterrent for some businesses. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons and consider your specific needs before making a decision.
TrustArc
TrustArc is another prominent player in the privacy management software landscape. This cloud-based platform assists businesses in streamlining privacy programs and achieving compliance with various data privacy regulations like GDPR, CCPA, and others.
Pros of TrustArc
Customization: TrustArc offers a modular approach, allowing you to choose the functionalities that best suit your organization’s specific needs. This can be cost-effective for businesses that don’t require a full suite of features.
Focus on Automation: TrustArc automates many privacy workflows, including data subject access requests (DSAR) management, consent capture, and privacy impact assessments. This streamlines compliance processes and saves teams time.
Enhanced User Experience: The platform is designed to be user-friendly, offering intuitive interfaces and clear navigation.
Integrations: TrustArc integrates seamlessly with various digital marketing agency tools, CRMs, and other business systems, simplifying data management.
Global Expertise: TrustArc boasts a global presence with regional teams that understand local privacy regulations, providing valuable guidance for international businesses.
Cons of TrustArc
Limited Free Resources: TrustArc offers fewer free resources compared to some competitors, making initial exploration a bit more limited.
Scalability Concerns: While scalable to an extent, some users report challenges managing very large datasets or complex compliance requirements within the platform.
Pricing Transparency: Similar to OneTrust, TrustArc’s pricing structure can be opaque. Quoted pricing may not always reflect the true cost of all needed functionalities.
TrustArc Pricing
TrustArc utilizes a quote-based pricing model. This means the cost depends on the specific features you require, the size of your organization, and the level of support needed. While exact pricing isn’t readily available, it’s generally considered to be in the same ballpark as OneTrust. Here are some estimated costs for reference:
Overall, TrustArc offers a robust and customizable solution for managing privacy and achieving compliance. However, its pricing structure and potential scalability limitations for very large datasets require careful consideration before committing. It’s recommended to request a demo and a tailored quote to ensure it aligns well with your organization’s needs.
Cookiebot
Cookiebot is a popular cookie consent management platform (CMP) designed to help website owners comply with various cookie consent regulations, particularly the GDPR and ePrivacy Directive. It offers a user-friendly interface and focuses on simplifying cookie consent collection and management.
Pros of Cookiebot
Ease of Use: Cookiebot is praised for its straightforward setup process and intuitive interface. No coding knowledge is required for basic implementation.
Focus on Cookie Consent: Unlike the comprehensive privacy suites offered by OneTrust and TrustArc, Cookiebot excels in its core functionality – managing cookie consent and displaying cookie banners to website visitors.
Free Plan: A free plan is available with basic functionalities, making it a good option for small websites with limited needs.
Customization Options: Paid plans offer customization options for cookie banners, including design, language, and consent options.
Integrations: Cookiebot integrates with popular website analytics and marketing tools, simplifying data management.
Cons of Cookiebot
Limited Functionality: While excelling in cookie consent management, Cookiebot lacks the broader privacy management features offered by OneTrust and TrustArc, such as data discovery or DSAR management.
Scalability Limitations: Larger websites with complex cookie ecosystems or stricter compliance requirements might find Cookiebot’s functionalities limited.
Limited Free Plan Features: The free plan offers basic functionalities and may not be sufficient for most websites that require detailed cookie consent management.
Cookiebot Pricing
Cookiebot offers a tiered pricing structure based on the number of active domains and desired features. You can experience Cookiebot CMP with their 14-day free trial then continue using our Free plan for websites up to 50 pages. Here’s a breakdown of their pricing plans:
- Free Plan: Limited to one domain, basic cookie consent banner, and manual cookie scanning.
- Premium Small (€12/month): Up to 350 subpages, automatic cookie scanning, basic customization options.
- Premium Medium (€28/month): Up to 3,500 subpages, advanced customization options, and priority support.
- Premium Large (€49/month): More than 3,500 subpages, for high-volume websites and advanced compliance needs.
Overall, Cookiebot is an excellent choice for website owners who prioritize user-friendly cookie consent management and want a cost-effective solution. However, its limited functionalities may not be suitable for larger businesses with complex compliance requirements.
Usercentrics
Usercentrics is a cloud-based consent management platform (CMP) that helps businesses obtain and manage user consent for cookies, trackers, and other data collection practices.
Pros of Usercentrics
Granular Consent Management: Usercentrics offers a high degree of granularity in consent collection, allowing users to choose which specific cookies or purposes they consent to. This caters to the growing demand for user privacy control.
Flexibility and Customization: The platform provides flexibility in customizing cookie banners, including design, language, and consent options.
Integrations: Usercentrics integrates with various marketing, analytics, and tag management tools, streamlining data collection processes.
Data Visualization and Reporting: Usercentrics offers data visualization tools to help businesses understand user consent preferences and optimize their cookie strategy.
Focus on Transparency: The platform emphasizes clear communication with users regarding data collection practices, promoting trust and building user confidence.
Cons of Usercentrics
Learning Curve: While generally user-friendly, Usercentrics may have a steeper learning curve compared to very basic CMPs for users unfamiliar with consent management.
Scalability Considerations: While Usercentrics caters to various business sizes, enterprises with very complex compliance needs or large data volumes might require additional features or customization beyond the base offering.
Usercentrics Pricing
Usercentrics offers a tiered pricing structure based on the number of active domains, number of page views per month, and desired features. Here’s a general overview:
- Starter (€50/month): For growing businesses ready to achieve compliance with a 30-day free trial.
- Advanced (€150-€999/month): For businesses looking for a scalable and comprehensive solution.
- Premium (Custom pricing): For businesses with premium-grade custom requirements and support.
Overall, Usercentrics is a strong contender for businesses seeking a user-centric and GDPR-compliant approach to consent management. The platform offers granular control, flexibility, and valuable data insights. However, the limited free plan and potential scalability limitations for very large enterprises require consideration.
iubenda
iubenda is a cloud-based platform that assists businesses in generating cookie consent banners, privacy policies, and other legal documents required for website compliance, particularly with GDPR and ePrivacy regulations.
Pros of iubenda
Ease of Use: iubenda is known for its user-friendly interface and straightforward setup process. Even users with no legal background can navigate the platform and generate basic documents.
Multiple Language Support: iubenda offers document generation in various languages, catering to a global audience.
Integrations: The platform integrates with popular website builders and content management systems (CMS) for seamless implementation.
Cost-Effectiveness: Compared to some competitors, iubenda’s pricing can be attractive for basic cookie consent and privacy policy needs.
Cons of iubenda
Focus on Basic Needs: While iubenda excels in core functionalities, it lacks the advanced features of comprehensive privacy management platforms like OneTrust or TrustArc, such as data discovery or data subject access request (DSAR) management.
Potential for Outgrowing Free Plan: Businesses with growing needs may find the free plan’s limitations restricting, requiring an upgrade to paid tiers.
iubenda Pricing
iubenda offers a tiered pricing structure based on the number of websites covered and desired features. Here’s a simplified overview:
Essentials ($6.99/month): Up to 20 third-party services and clauses can be added to the Privacy and Cookie Policy.
Advanced ($27.99/month): Up to 30 third-party services and clauses can be added to the Privacy and Cookie Policy.
Ultimate ($119.99/month): Unlimited third-party services and clauses that can be listed in the Privacy and Cookie Policy.
Overall, iubenda is a solid option for businesses seeking a user-friendly and cost-effective solution for cookie consent and basic privacy policy needs. However, its limited customization options and lack of advanced privacy management features may not be suitable for complex websites with stricter compliance requirements.
Osano
Osano is a cloud-based platform designed to streamline security and compliance operations for modern businesses. It offers a centralized hub to manage various security and compliance tasks, automate workflows, and gain insights into your overall security posture.
Pros of Osano
Centralized Management: Osano consolidates security and compliance tasks from various tools and platforms into a single, unified interface. This simplifies workflows and improves visibility for security teams.
Automation Capabilities: The platform automates repetitive tasks such as user provisioning, access control changes, and security policy enforcement, freeing up security personnel for more strategic initiatives.
Compliance Management: Osano helps businesses manage compliance with various regulations like SOC 2, HIPAA, and GDPR. It provides tools for managing documentation, evidence collection, and automating compliance workflows.
Improved Collaboration: The platform facilitates collaboration between security teams, developers, and other stakeholders, fostering better communication and incident response coordination.
Scalability and Integrations: Osano scales to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes and integrates seamlessly with popular security and compliance tools.
Cons of Osano
Learning Curve: Osano offers comprehensive functionalities, which may require some initial training for users to fully leverage its capabilities.
Limited Free Resources: While Osano offers a free trial, it doesn’t have a permanent free plan with ongoing functionalities like some competitors.
Pricing Transparency: Similar to other enterprise-focused security platforms, Osano’s pricing structure may not be readily available publicly. You might need to contact them directly for a quote.
Osano Pricing
Osano utilizes a quote-based pricing model. The cost depends on the specific features you require, the size of your organization, and the number of users.
Pricing likely starts in the mid-range compared to other security and compliance solutions. They emphasize the return on investment (ROI) it delivers by streamlining workflows and improving security posture.
Overall, Osano is a powerful platform that can significantly enhance security and compliance operations for businesses. Its centralized management, automation capabilities, and focus on collaboration make it a compelling solution. However, the potential learning curve and lack of a free tier might require businesses to carefully consider their needs and budget before committing.
Didomi
Didomi is a global leader in consent and privacy management, offering a cloud-based platform to help businesses comply with data privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA. It goes beyond just cookie consent to provide a comprehensive suite of tools for managing user privacy preferences.
Pros of Didomi
Consent Management Platform (CMP): Didomi provides a robust CMP that allows businesses to collect and manage user consent for cookies, trackers, and other data collection practices.
Preference Management Platform (PMP): In addition to consent, Didomi offers a PMP, allowing users to express their preferences regarding communication channels, marketing, and advertising. This empowers users with more granular control over their data.
Automated Privacy Request Management: Didomi helps automate workflows for handling data subject access requests (DSARs) and other privacy requests, streamlining user interactions and reducing administrative burdens.
Scalability and Customization: The platform scales to accommodate businesses of all sizes and offers customization options to tailor the solution to specific needs.
Focus on Transparency and Trust: Didomi emphasizes clear communication with users regarding data practices, fostering trust and user confidence.
Cons of Didomi
Potential Complexity: While offering a user-friendly interface, Didomi’s comprehensive functionalities might require some initial training for users to leverage its full potential.
Limited Free Resources: Didomi doesn’t offer a permanent free plan with ongoing functionalities. There is a free trial available for exploration.
Pricing Transparency: Similar to other enterprise-focused privacy management solutions, Didomi’s pricing may not be readily available publicly. You’ll likely need to contact them for a quote.
Didomi Pricing
Didomi utilizes a quote-based pricing model. The cost depends on the specific features you require, the size of your organization, and the number of users. They emphasize the value it delivers by streamlining compliance processes, improving user trust, and potentially reducing privacy risks.
Overall, Didomi is a comprehensive solution for businesses seeking a robust approach to consent management, user privacy preferences, and compliance with data privacy regulations. Its focus on transparency, automation, and user control makes it a strong contender. However, the potential complexity for some users and the lack of a free tier require careful consideration before implementation.
CookiesYes
CookieYes is a popular cookie consent management platform (CMP) designed to help website owners comply with data privacy regulations, particularly GDPR and CCPA. It offers a user-friendly interface and focuses on simplifying cookie consent collection and management.
Pros of CookieYes
Ease of Use: CookieYes is praised for its straightforward setup process and intuitive interface. No coding knowledge is required for basic implementation.
Focus on Cookie Consent: Similar to Cookiebot, CookieYes excels in its core functionality – managing cookie consent and displaying cookie banners to website visitors.
Free Plan: A generous free plan is available with essential functionalities, making it a good option for small websites with limited needs.
Customization Options: Paid plans offer customization options for cookie banners, including design, layout, language, and consent options. This allows for better branding alignment and user experience.
Third-Party Script Blocking: CookieYes automatically blocks third-party scripts until user consent is obtained, ensuring user privacy and respecting consent choices.
Integration Options: CookieYes integrates with popular website analytics and marketing tools, simplifying data management.
Cons of CookieYes
Limited Functionality Compared to Suites: While excelling in cookie consent management, CookieYes lacks the broader privacy management features offered by OneTrust or TrustArc, such as data discovery or DSAR management.
Potential Scalability Limitations: Larger websites with complex cookie ecosystems or stricter compliance requirements might find CookieYes’s functionalities limited as their needs grow.
Limited Free Plan Features: The free plan offers basic functionalities and may not be sufficient for websites with specific needs or customization requirements.
CookieYes Pricing
CookieYes offers a tiered pricing structure based on the number of active domains and desired features.
- Free Plan: For blogs and personal websites
- Basic ($10/month): For small businesses and startups
- Pro ($20/month): For medium business with growing traffic
- Ultimate ($40/month): For large businesses with high traffic
Overall, CookieYes is an excellent choice for website owners who prioritize user-friendly cookie consent management and cost-effectiveness. Its free plan offers a solid starting point, and paid plans provide customization options for a professional look. However, businesses with complex compliance requirements or large-scale operations may require more features offered by other platforms.
Beyond Compliance: The Future of Consent Management
The role of CMPs is likely to expand beyond simple compliance in the future. Here are some trends to watch:
- Focus on User Experience: CMPs will continue to evolve to provide a more positive and informative user experience for consent collection.
- Advanced Personalization: Integration with marketing automation platforms will enable more granular consent management, allowing for highly personalized marketing experiences.
- Data Analytics: CMPs might leverage consent data to provide valuable insights into user behavior and preferences, helping marketers optimize campaigns further.
Conclusion
Consent management platforms are no longer an option, but a necessity. By implementing a user-friendly CMP, you can ensure your marketing efforts respect user privacy, and build trust with your audience.
Remember, a CMP is not just a compliance tool; it’s a strategic asset that can help you build trust with your audience and achieve your marketing goals.
