Security and Firewall vs Security Optimizer (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 Security Optimizer at #6. Security and Firewall leads on 3 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.
Security Optimizer
Security Optimizer – The All-In-One Protection Plugin
Secure your WordPress site from brute-force attacks, threats, malware, and bots. Free to use and easy to set up.
Who leads on what
Security and Firewall leads on 3 of the 5 measures we track.
Security and Firewall ranks higher on WordPress.org: #5 against #6 in Security Plugins.
Both report 1 million+ active installs on WordPress.org.
Security and Firewall is rated higher: 4.7 out of 5 from 1,715 reviews, against 4.5 from 157 reviews.
Security and Firewall has more reviews behind its score: 1,715 against 157.
Security Optimizer 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, the review score matters most to you or you want the score backed by more reviews.
Security Optimizer
Pick Security Optimizer if you want the one shipping releases most recently.
Security and Firewall vs Security Optimizer side by side
| Security and Firewall | Security Optimizer | |
|---|---|---|
| Security Plugins ranking | #5 | #6 |
| Rating | 4.7 | 4.5 |
| Reviews | 1,715 | 157 |
| Active installs | 1 million+ | 1 million+ |
| Total downloads | 38,076,957 | 38,761,032 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | – | – |
| Last updated | Aug 13, 2026 | Aug 28, 2026 |
| First published | Jun 3, 2013 | May 31, 2021 |
| 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
Security Optimizer 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 Security Optimizer can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the Security Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
Security and Firewall vs Security Optimizer: common questions
Is Security and Firewall better than Security Optimizer?
Security and Firewall leads on 3 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 #6 in Security Plugins.
Which has more users, Security and Firewall or Security Optimizer?
Security and Firewall ranks higher on WordPress.org: #5 against #6 in Security Plugins.
Which is rated higher, Security and Firewall or Security Optimizer?
Both report 1 million+ active installs on WordPress.org.
Are Security and Firewall and Security Optimizer free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. Security and Firewall may also sell a paid version or add-ons. Security Optimizer may also sell a paid version or add-ons.
Alternatives to Security and Firewall and Security Optimizer
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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Kadence Security
700,000+ installs · 4.6 from 3,990 reviews
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Jetpack
3 million+ installs · 3.7 from 2,406 reviews
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Really Simple Security
3 million+ installs · 4.9 from 8,863 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.