Security and Firewall vs Wordfence Security (October 2026)
Updated October 22, 2026 · Data from WordPress.org, refreshed daily · How this works
Both rank in the WordPress.org Security Plugins top 10: Security and Firewall at #4 and Wordfence Security at #1. Wordfence Security leads on 5 of the 6 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 5 of the 6 measures we track.
Wordfence Security ranks higher on WordPress.org: #1 against #4 in Security Plugins.
Wordfence Security has more users: 5 million+ active installs against 1 million+.
Both are rated 4.7 out of 5 (1,718 and 5,030 reviews).
Wordfence Security has more reviews behind its score: 5,030 against 1,718.
Wordfence Security was updated more recently, on September 30, 2026; Security and Firewall on September 17, 2026.
Wordfence Security was downloaded more in the last 30 days: 4,349,413 times against 274,449.
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
Security and Firewall does not lead on any measure we track, so pick it only for something these numbers cannot show, such as a feature you need.
Wordfence Security
Pick Wordfence Security if you go by where WordPress.org itself puts them, you want the plugin more sites already run, you want the score backed by more reviews, you want the one shipping releases most recently or you want the one being installed faster right now.
Security and Firewall vs Wordfence Security side by side
| Security and Firewall | Wordfence Security | |
|---|---|---|
| Security Plugins ranking | #4 | #1 |
| Rating | 4.7 | 4.7 |
| Reviews | 1,718 | 5,030 |
| Active installs | 1 million+ | 5 million+ |
| Total downloads | 38,743,063 | 431,627,309 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | 274,449 | 4,349,413 |
| Last updated | Sep 17, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 |
| First published | Jun 3, 2013 | Apr 21, 2012 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.1.3 | 7.1.3 |
| Requires PHP | 5.6 | 7.0 |
| Pricing | Free on WordPress.org | Free + paid version |
Downloads per day, last 48 days
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 5 of the 6 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 #4 in Security Plugins.
Which has more users, Security and Firewall or Wordfence Security?
Wordfence Security ranks higher on WordPress.org: #1 against #4 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 1,488 reviews
-
Jetpack
3 million+ installs · 3.7 from 2,407 reviews
-
Really Simple Security
3 million+ installs · 4.9 from 8,868 reviews
-
Kadence Security
700,000+ installs · 4.6 from 3,992 reviews
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Admin and Site Enhancements
200,000+ installs · 5.0 from 424 reviews
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