Question

Does Plausible need a cookie banner?

No. Plausible’s script does not set a cookie. They have said that for years, and it is true. Cookie Free Analytics does not set one either. If you searched this because someone told you “only Google needs a banner”, they were talking about GA — not about Plausible.

What is actually different

Same job: pageviews without a consent popup. Cookie Free Analytics is cheaper on published list prices, does not meter custom events, and stores pageviews in the EU. Plausible publishes AGPL code and has been at this longer. That is the real choice — Cookie Free Analytics vs Plausible.

Competitor list prices as of 18 August 2026. Plausible is Starter, USD shown in euros at 0.92. Simple Analytics is their public paid slider (no extra seats). They can change tomorrow; we change this date when we re-read them.

When you still need a banner

If the same site loads Google Ads, Meta Pixel, Hotjar, or GA4, those tags are why the banner exists. Replacing Plausible with Cookie Free Analytics does not remove that banner. Replacing GA with either of us can, for the analytics line only. See do I need a cookie banner.

Questions

Does Plausible need a cookie banner?

No, not for their cookieless script. They say so themselves. Cookie Free Analytics is the same kind of product. A banner is still required if you also load Google Ads, Meta, or a replay tool.

So why switch?

Price, events that are not metered, and hosting in Frankfurt. Not because they secretly set cookies. Full table: /vs/plausible.