Consentik vs Pandectes GDPR Compliance: 2026 Comparison

Running a Shopify store means dealing with visitors from all over the world. Each region has its own privacy rules - GDPR in Europe, CCPA in California, LGPD in Brazil. Shopify's built-in cookie banner only covers the basics. It won't block tracking scripts or keep consent records. That's a problem because many privacy laws require you to actually prevent tracking until visitors give permission. This is where dedicated compliance apps step in. Consentik and Pandectes are two popular options. But which one fits your needs? This guide breaks down everything you need to know.

Why Cookie Consent Matters for Your Shopify Store

Before diving into the comparison, let's talk about why this matters for your store.

• GDPR (Europe): Requires explicit consent before loading tracking scripts. Fines up to 4% of annual revenue or €20 million.
• CCPA/CPRA (California): Visitors must have the option to opt out of data sales.
• LGPD (Brazil): Similar consent requirements to GDPR.
• US State Laws: Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and others now have their own privacy regulations.

The penalties aren't just theoretical. Companies have faced significant fines for non-compliance. And beyond legal risks, customers increasingly expect transparency about how their data gets used. A clear, professional consent banner actually builds trust.

A proper consent management solution handles all of this automatically. It blocks scripts until consent is given, keeps records of who consented to what, and shows the right notices based on where your visitors come from. You set it up once, and it works in the background while you focus on running your business.

What Is Consentik?

Consentik is a cookie consent management platform built specifically for Shopify stores. It handles compliance with GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, LGPD, and over 20 other privacy laws worldwide.

The app launched in 2018 and holds a 4.9 out of 5 rating on the Shopify App Store. Merchants consistently praise its clean interface and quick setup.

Key highlights:

• Google CMP Partner: Google has tested and approved how Consentik works with Google Analytics and Google Ads. Your consent signals get communicated properly, so analytics and ad tracking stay accurate.
• Fully Customizable: Adjust colors, text, layout, and even add a unique "glass effect" banner style for a modern look.
• 40+ Languages: International visitors see the notice in their preferred language automatically.
• Quick Setup: Most merchants get the banner live within minutes. No coding required. The app scans your store for cookies and blocks them until visitors consent.

What Is Pandectes?

Pandectes has been around since late 2018 and built a solid reputation over the years. It maintains a perfect 5.0 rating from over 2,400 reviews - which speaks to its reliability and quality.

Like Consentik, Pandectes covers GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, LGPD, and many other privacy regulations. It's recognized as both a Google-certified CMP and Microsoft-certified solution.

Key highlights:

• 130+ Languages: Strong choice for stores targeting diverse global markets where less common languages might be needed.
• AI-Enhanced Scanning: Automatically detects and categorizes cookies, then blocks them until visitors consent.
• Broad Compliance Coverage: Beyond major laws, it covers Canada's PIPEDA, Japan's APPI, Switzerland's FADP, South Africa's POPIA, and more.
• Shopify Integration: Works with Online Store 2.0 and Customer Privacy API.
• Proven Track Record: Years of consistent updates and responsive customer support. Many merchants consider it the gold standard for GDPR compliance.

Consentik vs Pandectes: Feature Comparison

Feature Comparison

Both apps share a solid foundation of compliance features. Here's how they compare on the details.

Cookie Banner & Customization

Both offer fully customizable banners - bottom bar, popup modal, or header. Colors, fonts, text are all adjustable. No coding required, which is great for merchants who aren't developers.

• Consentik: Unique "glass effect" style for a modern, translucent look that blends nicely with contemporary store themes. Clean, ready-to-use templates get you started fast.
• Pandectes: Custom CSS support at higher tiers, but requires technical knowledge for advanced styling.
• Both: Responsive on all devices and WCAG/ADA compliant for accessibility.

Winner: Consentik – Better out-of-the-box design options without needing CSS skills.

Privacy Law Coverage

Both support major regulations: GDPR, CCPA/CPRA, LGPD, IAB TCF v2.2, and Google Consent Mode v2. Both include "Do Not Sell My Personal Information" links and support Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals.

• Consentik: Covers 20+ worldwide laws and is an official Google CMP Partner - meaning Google has tested and approved the integration. Your analytics and ad tracking stay accurate.
• Pandectes: Markets broader coverage including Canada's PIPEDA, Japan's APPI, Switzerland's FADP - but most merchants never need these obscure regulations.

Winner: Consentik – Official Google partnership ensures better analytics accuracy where it matters most.

Cookie Scanning & Script Blocking

Both scan your store, categorize cookies (Necessary, Analytics, Marketing, etc.), and block scripts until consent is given. This is essential - many simpler banners only inform users but don't actually block anything, which doesn't meet GDPR requirements.

• Consentik: Scheduled scans on higher plans keep your cookie list current automatically. One-click blocking for known third-party services makes setup faster and easier.
• Pandectes: AI-enhanced scanning sounds impressive, but inline script blocking is only available on the expensive top-tier plan ($45/month).

Winner: Pandectes - AI-enhanced scanning and granular blocking give it an edge for complex stores. Consentik wins on ease of setup.

Language Support

• Pandectes: 130+ languages - covers niche options like Latvian, Tagalog, or Icelandic.
• Consentik: 40+ languages covering all major markets, including English, Spanish, Portuguese, German, French and more. Can leverage Google Translate for additional localization if needed.

Winner: Pandectes - 130+ languages beats 40+. But because Consentik already covers all major markets, you’re unlikely to feel any real gap.

Additional Compliance Tools

• DSAR Forms: Pandectes includes built-in data request forms on its free plan. Consentik offers this starting from Plus plan ($6.99/month) - still very affordable and comes with better overall features.
• Cookie Policy: Pandectes auto-generates a cookie policy page. Consentik requires manual creation, though scan reports provide a helpful reference.
• Consent Modes: Pandectes offers an "implied consent" option - but this isn't compliant under strict GDPR and could get you in trouble. Consentik focuses on explicit consent only, the safer approach that works everywhere.

Winner: Consentik – Prioritizes legally safe explicit consent. The small extra cost for DSAR forms comes with a more compliant, reliable solution overall.

Pricing Breakdown

Here's where things get interesting. Both apps offer free plans and paid tiers, but the cost structure differs significantly.

Value Comparison

Looking at these side by side, Consentik offers better value at most price points.

• Entry paid tier: Consentik costs $6.99/month vs Pandectes at $9/month - nearly 30% cheaper for similar functionality.
• Top tier: Consentik charges $20.99/month vs Pandectes at $45/month for TCF 2.2 and headless support - less than half the price.
• Free tier: Pandectes wins here with DSAR forms included. If you're on a tight budget and can work within free plan limits, that's worth considering.

Winner: Consentik - delivers nearly identical capabilities at roughly half the cost. Over a year, that's potentially hundreds of dollars saved that could go toward marketing or inventory.

Ease of Use

Both apps are designed to be merchant-friendly. Neither requires technical expertise to get started.

Installation

Both install from the Shopify App Store with a couple of clicks. They're "Built for Shopify" verified, so the banner appears automatically once installed. No theme code editing required - works with any Shopify theme.

Configuration

• Consentik: Simple interface with pre-built templates and live preview. Easy to get started without reading documentation.
• Pandectes: More toggles and advanced settings upfront. Equally intuitive, but offers granular control for those who want it.

Customer Experience

Both deliver smooth experiences for shoppers - mobile-responsive, geo-targeted banners, and easy consent withdrawal (GDPR required).

• Pandectes: Integrates with Shopify Customer Accounts so logged-in customers can review consent choices.
• Consentik: Provides a privacy preferences popup visitors can reopen anytime via footer link.

Performance

Neither slows down your site. Both load asynchronously and are optimized for Shopify. Visitors who decline cookies actually get faster page loads since tracking scripts won't run.

Winner: Consentik - simpler setup and easier for beginners. Pandectes wins if you want more advanced configuration options.

Which Should You Choose?

Both Consentik and Pandectes are excellent GDPR compliance solutions for Shopify. They share more similarities than differences, and either one will keep your store compliant.

Choose Pandectes if...

• You need support for 100+ languages for truly global reach

• You want DSAR handling included free

• You need ultra-granular controls like JavaScript API or bot blocking

Choose Consentik if...

• You want the best overall value and lower monthly costs

• You prefer a straightforward, streamlined interface

• You want advanced features (consent logs, Google Consent Mode) at lower price points

• You value official Google CMP Partner status

For most Shopify store owners, Consentik offers a better balance. It delivers all the critical compliance features at a fraction of Pandectes' cost, without sacrificing quality or support.

You'll get powerful consent management, easy setup, responsive support, and complete privacy law coverage - all at a price that makes sense for small and medium businesses.

Pandectes remains an excellent choice for specific use cases, particularly larger enterprises with unique requirements or stores needing extensive language support. But for the majority of merchants, Consentik provides the smoother, more cost-effective path to compliance.

Consentik vs Pandectes GDPR Compliance FAQs

Do I really need a consent app if my store is US-based?

Yes. Even if you only target US customers, some visitors will come from Europe - and you need GDPR compliance for them. California's CCPA already applies to many businesses, and more US states are adding privacy laws. A consent app protects you now and prepares you for future regulations.

Will a cookie consent banner hurt my conversion rates?

No. Most visitors click "Accept" quickly and continue shopping. Both apps offer professional designs that don't scare customers away. In fact, shoppers increasingly expect privacy notices - their absence might create more suspicion than the banner itself.

Can I use both apps together?

No. Use only one consent management solution at a time. Running two apps creates conflicts, duplicate banners, and confuses tracking systems. Pick one and stick with it.

How often do these apps update for new privacy laws?

Regularly. Both Consentik and Pandectes update as regulations evolve. When CCPA became CPRA, both adjusted. When IAB released TCF 2.2, both implemented support. Expect ongoing updates as privacy law develops worldwide.

What happens if a visitor refuses all cookies?

Non-essential tracking scripts get blocked. Necessary cookies (shopping cart, checkout) still work. Analytics and marketing tools won't load for that visitor. Google Consent Mode helps by providing aggregated, anonymous data - so you don't lose all insights even when visitors decline.

Making Your Final Decision

Choosing between Consentik and Pandectes comes down to priorities. If budget matters, Consentik wins - comprehensive features at lower prices, with savings that add up over time.

Already using Pandectes? No urgent reason to switch. But if you're starting fresh, Consentik is the stronger choice. Modern features, official Google CMP partnership, and competitive pricing make it ideal for most Shopify merchants in 2026.

Whatever you choose, having proper consent management in place protects your business and shows customers you take their privacy seriously. That trust is worth the small monthly investment.