Security and Firewall vs Kadence Security (September 2026)
Updated September 7, 2026 · Data from WordPress.org, refreshed daily · How this works
Both rank in the WordPress.org Security Plugins top 10: Security and Firewall at #5 and Kadence Security at #7. Security and Firewall leads on 4 of the 5 measures we track. Every number below comes straight from WordPress.org and is refreshed every day.
Security and Firewall
All-In-One Security (AIOS) – Security and Firewall
Protect your website investment with All-In-One Security (AIOS) – a comprehensive and easy to use security plugin designed especially for WordPress.
Kadence Security
Kadence Security – Password, Two Factor Authentication, and Brute Force Protection
Harden your site security with Login Security, Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), Vulnerability Scanner, Firewall, and more. Formerly iThemes Security.
Who leads on what
Security and Firewall leads on 4 of the 5 measures we track.
Security and Firewall ranks higher on WordPress.org: #5 against #7 in Security Plugins.
Security and Firewall has more users: 1 million+ active installs against 700,000+.
Security and Firewall is rated higher: 4.7 out of 5 from 1,715 reviews, against 4.6 from 3,990 reviews.
Kadence Security has more reviews behind its score: 3,990 against 1,715.
Security and Firewall was updated more recently, on August 13, 2026; Kadence Security on July 27, 2026.
Which one to pick
Each plugin is the better answer for the measure it actually leads on. Nothing here is a recommendation we invented.
Security and Firewall
Pick Security and Firewall if you go by where WordPress.org itself puts them, you want the plugin more sites already run, the review score matters most to you or you want the one shipping releases most recently.
Kadence Security
Pick Kadence Security if you want the score backed by more reviews.
Security and Firewall vs Kadence Security side by side
| Security and Firewall | Kadence Security | |
|---|---|---|
| Security Plugins ranking | #5 | #7 |
| Rating | 4.7 | 4.6 |
| Reviews | 1,715 | 3,990 |
| Active installs | 1 million+ | 700,000+ |
| Total downloads | 38,076,957 | 39,152,851 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | – | – |
| Last updated | Aug 13, 2026 | Jul 27, 2026 |
| First published | Jun 3, 2013 | Oct 23, 2010 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.1 | 7.0.4 |
| Requires PHP | 5.6 | 7.4 |
| Pricing | Free on WordPress.org | Free + paid version |
30-day download figures appear after both plugins have 30 days of tracking.
Security and Firewall ratings
Kadence Security ratings
How we compare these two
Every figure here is pulled from the WordPress.org plugin API every day at 03:00 UTC, for both plugins in the same run, so the two are always read on the same day. We compare only what the directory reports: active installs, the rating and how many reviews stand behind it, the last release date and, once we have a month of history, downloads over the last 30 days. Ratings are only called a win above 50 reviews each, because a handful of five-star reviews is not evidence. Nothing is weighted into an overall score, no measure is worth more than another, and neither Security and Firewall nor Kadence Security can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the Security Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
Security and Firewall vs Kadence Security: common questions
Is Security and Firewall better than Kadence Security?
Security and Firewall leads on 4 of the 5 measures we track. Neither is better at everything, and the answer depends on which measure you weigh. Security and Firewall ranks higher on WordPress.org: #5 against #7 in Security Plugins.
Which has more users, Security and Firewall or Kadence Security?
Security and Firewall ranks higher on WordPress.org: #5 against #7 in Security Plugins.
Which is rated higher, Security and Firewall or Kadence Security?
Security and Firewall has more users: 1 million+ active installs against 700,000+.
Are Security and Firewall and Kadence Security free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. Security and Firewall may also sell a paid version or add-ons. Kadence Security is listed as commercial, so a paid version or add-ons exist.
Alternatives to Security and Firewall and Kadence Security
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
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Limit Login Attempts Security
1 million+ installs · 4.8 from 1,481 reviews
-
Wordfence Security
5 million+ installs · 4.7 from 4,992 reviews
-
Jetpack
3 million+ installs · 3.7 from 2,406 reviews
-
Really Simple Security
3 million+ installs · 4.9 from 8,863 reviews
-
Security Optimizer
1 million+ installs · 4.5 from 157 reviews
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What moved this week
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