Security and Firewall vs MalCare WordPress 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 MalCare WordPress Security at #10. 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.
MalCare WordPress Security
MalCare WordPress Security Plugin – Malware Scanner, Cleaner, Security Firewall
Get Bulletproof Security for your WordPress site. WordPress security plugin packed with comprehensive Firewall, malware scanner, cleaner & more.
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 #10 in Security Plugins.
Security and Firewall has more users: 1 million+ active installs against 200,000+.
Security and Firewall is rated higher: 4.7 out of 5 from 1,715 reviews, against 4.4 from 548 reviews.
Security and Firewall has more reviews behind its score: 1,715 against 548.
MalCare WordPress Security was updated more recently, on August 28, 2026; Security and Firewall on August 13, 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 score backed by more reviews.
MalCare WordPress Security
Pick MalCare WordPress Security if you want the one shipping releases most recently.
Security and Firewall vs MalCare WordPress Security side by side
| Security and Firewall | MalCare WordPress Security | |
|---|---|---|
| Security Plugins ranking | #5 | #10 |
| Rating | 4.7 | 4.4 |
| Reviews | 1,715 | 548 |
| Active installs | 1 million+ | 200,000+ |
| Total downloads | 38,076,957 | 18,677,939 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | – | – |
| Last updated | Aug 13, 2026 | Aug 28, 2026 |
| First published | Jun 3, 2013 | Jan 30, 2018 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.1 | 7.1 |
| Requires PHP | 5.6 | 7.0 |
| Pricing | Free on WordPress.org | Free on WordPress.org |
30-day download figures appear after both plugins have 30 days of tracking.
Security and Firewall ratings
MalCare WordPress 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 MalCare WordPress 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 MalCare WordPress Security: common questions
Is Security and Firewall better than MalCare WordPress 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 #10 in Security Plugins.
Which has more users, Security and Firewall or MalCare WordPress Security?
Security and Firewall ranks higher on WordPress.org: #5 against #10 in Security Plugins.
Which is rated higher, Security and Firewall or MalCare WordPress Security?
Security and Firewall has more users: 1 million+ active installs against 200,000+.
Are Security and Firewall and MalCare WordPress Security free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. Security and Firewall may also sell a paid version or add-ons. MalCare WordPress Security may also sell a paid version or add-ons.
Alternatives to Security and Firewall and MalCare WordPress Security
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
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Wordfence Security
5 million+ installs · 4.7 from 4,992 reviews
-
Limit Login Attempts Security
1 million+ installs · 4.8 from 1,481 reviews
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Really Simple Security
3 million+ installs · 4.9 from 8,863 reviews
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Kadence Security
700,000+ installs · 4.6 from 3,990 reviews
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Security Optimizer
1 million+ installs · 4.5 from 157 reviews
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What moved this week
One email a week, built from the same daily snapshots these rankings come from: the plugins that climbed, what launched, and one ranking worth a look.