Forumax vs Private groups (October 2026)
Updated October 22, 2026 · Data from WordPress.org, refreshed daily · How this works
Both rank in the WordPress.org Forum Plugins top 10: Forumax at #4 and Private groups at #9. Forumax leads on 3 of the 6 measures we track. Every number below comes straight from WordPress.org and is refreshed every day.
Forumax
Forumax – AI Powered Advanced Community Forum Plugin
Build powerful communities with Forumax. A fully standalone, feature-rich forum plugin with voting, private replies, and Elementor integration.
Private groups
For bbPress - Creates private forum groups
Who leads on what
Forumax leads on 3 of the 6 measures we track.
Forumax ranks higher on WordPress.org: #4 against #9 in Forum Plugins.
Private groups has more users: 1,000+ active installs against 500+.
Not enough reviews to compare ratings fairly: Forumax has 18, Private groups has 49. We compare ratings only above 50 reviews each.
Private groups has more reviews behind its score: 49 against 18.
Forumax was updated more recently, on October 12, 2026; Private groups on August 20, 2026.
Forumax was downloaded more in the last 30 days: 1,719 times against 519.
Which one to pick
Each plugin is the better answer for the measure it actually leads on. Nothing here is a recommendation we invented.
Forumax
Pick Forumax if you go by where WordPress.org itself puts them, you want the one shipping releases most recently or you want the one being installed faster right now.
Private groups
Pick Private groups if you want the plugin more sites already run or you want the score backed by more reviews.
Forumax vs Private groups side by side
| Forumax | Private groups | |
|---|---|---|
| Forum Plugins ranking | #4 | #9 |
| Rating | 5.0 | 4.9 |
| Reviews | 18 | 49 |
| Active installs | 500+ | 1,000+ |
| Total downloads | 34,686 | 155,127 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | 1,719 | 519 |
| Last updated | Oct 12, 2026 | Aug 20, 2026 |
| First published | Aug 4, 2022 | May 16, 2014 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.1.3 | 7.1.3 |
| Requires PHP | 7.4 | – |
| Pricing | Free on WordPress.org | Free on WordPress.org |
Downloads per day, last 48 days
Forumax ratings
Private groups 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 Forumax nor Private groups can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the Forum Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
Forumax vs Private groups: common questions
Is Forumax better than Private groups?
Forumax leads on 3 of the 6 measures we track. Neither is better at everything, and the answer depends on which measure you weigh. Forumax ranks higher on WordPress.org: #4 against #9 in Forum Plugins.
Which has more users, Forumax or Private groups?
Forumax ranks higher on WordPress.org: #4 against #9 in Forum Plugins.
Which is rated higher, Forumax or Private groups?
Private groups has more users: 1,000+ active installs against 500+.
Are Forumax and Private groups free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. Forumax may also sell a paid version or add-ons. Private groups may also sell a paid version or add-ons.
Alternatives to Forumax and Private groups
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
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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.