Security and Firewall vs Wordfence 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 Wordfence Security at #1. Wordfence Security 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.
Wordfence Security
Wordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security
Firewall, Malware Scanner, Two Factor Auth, and Comprehensive Security Features, powered by our 24-hour team. Make security a priority with Wordfence.
Who leads on what
Wordfence Security leads on 3 of the 5 measures we track.
Wordfence Security ranks higher on WordPress.org: #1 against #5 in Security Plugins.
Wordfence Security has more users: 5 million+ active installs against 1 million+.
Both are rated 4.7 out of 5 (1,715 and 4,992 reviews).
Wordfence Security has more reviews behind its score: 4,992 against 1,715.
Security and Firewall was updated more recently, on August 13, 2026; Wordfence Security on August 10, 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 want the one shipping releases most recently.
Wordfence Security
Pick Wordfence Security if you go by where WordPress.org itself puts them, you want the plugin more sites already run or you want the score backed by more reviews.
Security and Firewall vs Wordfence Security side by side
| Security and Firewall | Wordfence Security | |
|---|---|---|
| Security Plugins ranking | #5 | #1 |
| Rating | 4.7 | 4.7 |
| Reviews | 1,715 | 4,992 |
| Active installs | 1 million+ | 5 million+ |
| Total downloads | 38,076,957 | 423,684,786 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | – | – |
| Last updated | Aug 13, 2026 | Aug 10, 2026 |
| First published | Jun 3, 2013 | Apr 21, 2012 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.1 | 7.1 |
| Requires PHP | 5.6 | 7.0 |
| 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
Wordfence 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 Wordfence 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 Wordfence Security: common questions
Is Security and Firewall better than Wordfence Security?
Wordfence Security leads on 3 of the 5 measures we track. Neither is better at everything, and the answer depends on which measure you weigh. Wordfence Security ranks higher on WordPress.org: #1 against #5 in Security Plugins.
Which has more users, Security and Firewall or Wordfence Security?
Wordfence Security ranks higher on WordPress.org: #1 against #5 in Security Plugins.
Which is rated higher, Security and Firewall or Wordfence Security?
Wordfence Security has more users: 5 million+ active installs against 1 million+.
Are Security and Firewall and Wordfence Security free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. Security and Firewall may also sell a paid version or add-ons. Wordfence Security is listed as commercial, so a paid version or add-ons exist.
Alternatives to Security and Firewall and Wordfence Security
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
-
Limit Login Attempts Security
1 million+ installs · 4.8 from 1,481 reviews
-
Jetpack
3 million+ installs · 3.7 from 2,406 reviews
-
Really Simple Security
3 million+ installs · 4.9 from 8,863 reviews
-
Kadence Security
700,000+ installs · 4.6 from 3,990 reviews
-
Security Optimizer
1 million+ installs · 4.5 from 157 reviews
More Security Plugins comparisons
- Security and Firewall vs Kadence Security
- Security and Firewall vs CloudSecure WP Security
- Security and Firewall vs Hostinger Tools
- Security and Firewall vs Jetpack
- Security and Firewall vs Limit Login Attempts Security
- Security and Firewall vs Loginizer
- Security and Firewall vs MalCare WordPress Security
- Security and Firewall vs Really Simple Security
- Security and Firewall vs Safe SVG
- Security and Firewall vs Security Optimizer
- Security and Firewall vs Sucuri Security
- Security and Firewall vs ManageWP Worker
Weekly · free
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.