BaseCloud Shield vs Kadence Security (September 2026)
Updated September 7, 2026 · Data from WordPress.org, refreshed daily · How this works
Both rank in the WordPress.org Authentication Plugins top 10: BaseCloud Shield at #12 and Kadence Security at #9. Kadence Security leads on 4 of the 5 measures we track. Every number below comes straight from WordPress.org and is refreshed every day.
BaseCloud Shield
Enterprise-grade Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) with support for Email, SendGrid API, Webhooks, WhatsApp, and SMS delivery.
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
Kadence Security leads on 4 of the 5 measures we track.
Kadence Security ranks higher on WordPress.org: #9 against #12 in Authentication Plugins.
Kadence Security has more users: 700,000+ active installs against 50+.
Not enough reviews to compare ratings fairly: BaseCloud Shield has 1, Kadence Security has 3,990. We compare ratings only above 50 reviews each.
Kadence Security has more reviews behind its score: 3,990 against 1.
Kadence Security was updated more recently, on July 27, 2026; BaseCloud Shield on June 30, 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.
BaseCloud Shield
BaseCloud Shield does not lead on any measure we track, so pick it only for something these numbers cannot show, such as a feature you need.
Kadence Security
Pick Kadence 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 or you want the one shipping releases most recently.
BaseCloud Shield vs Kadence Security side by side
| BaseCloud Shield | Kadence Security | |
|---|---|---|
| Authentication Plugins ranking | #12 | #9 |
| Rating | 5.0 | 4.6 |
| Reviews | 1 | 3,990 |
| Active installs | 50+ | 700,000+ |
| Total downloads | 1,996 | 39,152,851 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | – | – |
| Last updated | Jun 30, 2026 | Jul 27, 2026 |
| First published | Jan 19, 2026 | Oct 23, 2010 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 6.9.7 | 7.0.4 |
| Requires PHP | 7.4 | 7.4 |
| Pricing | Free on WordPress.org | Free + paid version |
30-day download figures appear after both plugins have 30 days of tracking.
BaseCloud Shield 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 BaseCloud Shield nor Kadence Security can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the Authentication Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
BaseCloud Shield vs Kadence Security: common questions
Is BaseCloud Shield better than Kadence Security?
Kadence Security leads on 4 of the 5 measures we track. Neither is better at everything, and the answer depends on which measure you weigh. Kadence Security ranks higher on WordPress.org: #9 against #12 in Authentication Plugins.
Which has more users, BaseCloud Shield or Kadence Security?
Kadence Security ranks higher on WordPress.org: #9 against #12 in Authentication Plugins.
Which is rated higher, BaseCloud Shield or Kadence Security?
Kadence Security has more users: 700,000+ active installs against 50+.
Are BaseCloud Shield and Kadence Security free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. BaseCloud Shield 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 BaseCloud Shield 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
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Security and Firewall
1 million+ installs · 4.7 from 1,715 reviews
-
Wordfence Security
5 million+ installs · 4.7 from 4,992 reviews
-
Jetpack
3 million+ installs · 3.7 from 2,406 reviews
-
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.