Why teams switch from Cookiebot
Cookiebot works, but it wasn't built for teams that need server-side tagging, built-in A/B testing for consent rates, or a developer-friendly setup experience. Common reasons teams migrate:
- Pricing: Cookiebot charges per domain and per pageview tier. CookieBeam includes multiple domains on every paid plan.
- Server-side GTM: CookieBeam offers a managed sGTM add-on. Cookiebot doesn't provide server-side container hosting.
- Consent Mode v2: Both support it, but CookieBeam also supports Microsoft Consent Mode (Clarity + Bing Ads) and Meta Pixel consent out of the box.
- Customization: CookieBeam's visual editor gives you full control over banner design without touching CSS.
Before you start
The migration takes about 30 to 60 minutes. Here's what you'll need:
- Access to your website's HTML or CMS (to swap the script tag)
- A CookieBeam account (the free plan works for testing)
- Your current Cookiebot configuration as reference (categories, blocked scripts)
The switch is reversible. If something doesn't work, you can swap the script tag back to Cookiebot and nothing breaks.
Migration steps
1
Create your CookieBeam banner
Sign up at cookiebeam.com and create a new banner. Pick a template that matches your current Cookiebot style, or start fresh. The visual editor lets you match your brand colors, fonts, and layout without writing CSS.
2
Map your cookie categories
Cookiebot uses four default categories: Necessary, Preferences, Statistics, and Marketing. CookieBeam uses the same standard categories: Necessary, Preferences, Analytics, and Marketing. The mapping is one-to-one. If you've added custom categories in Cookiebot, you can create matching categories in CookieBeam's scanner settings.
3
Run a cookie scan
CookieBeam's automated scanner will detect all cookies, scripts, and network connections on your site. It uses AI-powered classification to categorize them automatically. Compare the results with your Cookiebot scan to make sure nothing's missing.
4
Configure consent mode
If you're using Google Consent Mode v2 with Cookiebot, CookieBeam handles this automatically. Your Google tags will receive the same consent signals. CookieBeam also sends consent signals to Microsoft Clarity, Bing Ads, and Meta Pixel if you use those platforms.
5
Swap the script tag
Remove the Cookiebot script tag from your site header and replace it with the CookieBeam script. It's a single async script tag. If you're using GTM, remove the Cookiebot GTM template and add the CookieBeam template from the GTM Gallery instead.
6
Test the banner
Clear your browser cookies, visit your site, and verify: the banner appears, Accept/Reject/Settings all work, consent persists on page refresh, and your analytics tools receive consent signals. Check Google Tag Assistant to verify Consent Mode is firing correctly.
What to verify after switching
Run through this checklist within 24 hours of going live:
- Consent rates: Check your CookieBeam analytics dashboard. Consent rates should be similar to what you had with Cookiebot. If they dropped significantly, check your banner design and regional settings.
- Google Analytics data: Verify GA4 is still receiving data. Check the Realtime report to confirm events are flowing.
- Google Ads conversions: If you run ads, verify conversion tracking is working with the new consent signals.
- Cookie blocking: Verify that marketing and analytics cookies are actually blocked before consent. Use your browser's DevTools Application tab.
- Regional behavior: If you serve visitors from multiple regions, test with a VPN to verify GDPR (EU), CCPA (US), and other regional banners appear correctly.
Consent history is preserved
Visitors who already consented through Cookiebot won't see the banner again immediately. CookieBeam checks for existing consent cookies and respects them during the transition period. New visitors and those whose consent expired will see your new CookieBeam banner.
Common migration questions
Will I lose my consent records?
Cookiebot consent records stay in Cookiebot. CookieBeam starts fresh consent logging from the moment you switch. For compliance purposes, keep your Cookiebot account active (even on a free tier) until the old consent records expire, so you have proof of prior consent if needed.
Can I migrate gradually (run both at once)?
Running two CMPs simultaneously causes conflicts. Both will try to set consent cookies and fire consent mode signals. Instead, switch all at once. The whole process takes under an hour, and you can always switch back if needed.
Does CookieBeam support the IAB TCF v2.2?
Yes. CookieBeam supports TCF v2.2 with automatic vendor list management, purpose consent, and legitimate interest configuration. If you were using Cookiebot's TCF integration, CookieBeam provides the same compliance level.
What about my Cookiebot API integrations?
If you're using Cookiebot's JavaScript API (Cookiebot.consent, CookiebotCallback events), you'll need to update those calls to CookieBeam's API. CookieBeam provides equivalent callbacks: onAccept, onReject, and onSettingsSave. The callback signatures are similar but not identical.
Is there a cost to switch?
CookieBeam has a free tier for testing. Paid plans start lower than Cookiebot for most site sizes, and every paid plan includes multiple domains. You can test the full migration on CookieBeam's free plan before committing.