Private groups vs WP Discourse (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: Private groups at #9 and WP Discourse at #12. Private groups leads on 3 of the 6 measures we track. Every number below comes straight from WordPress.org and is refreshed every day.
Private groups
For bbPress - Creates private forum groups
WP Discourse
This plugin allows you to use Discourse as a community engine for your WordPress website. The plugin is not a substitute for Disqus type commenting sy …
Who leads on what
Private groups leads on 3 of the 6 measures we track.
Private groups ranks higher on WordPress.org: #9 against #12 in Forum Plugins.
Both report 1,000+ active installs on WordPress.org.
Not enough reviews to compare ratings fairly: Private groups has 49, WP Discourse has 8. We compare ratings only above 50 reviews each.
Private groups has more reviews behind its score: 49 against 8.
Private groups was updated more recently, on August 20, 2026; WP Discourse on August 13, 2026.
WP Discourse was downloaded more in the last 30 days: 986 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.
Private groups
Pick Private groups if you go by where WordPress.org itself puts them, you want the score backed by more reviews or you want the one shipping releases most recently.
WP Discourse
Pick WP Discourse if you want the one being installed faster right now.
Private groups vs WP Discourse side by side
| Private groups | WP Discourse | |
|---|---|---|
| Forum Plugins ranking | #9 | #12 |
| Rating | 4.9 | 4.5 |
| Reviews | 49 | 8 |
| Active installs | 1,000+ | 1,000+ |
| Total downloads | 155,127 | 132,420 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | 519 | 986 |
| Last updated | Aug 20, 2026 | Aug 13, 2026 |
| First published | May 16, 2014 | Jul 5, 2016 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.1.3 | 7.1.0 |
| Requires PHP | – | 5.6 |
| Pricing | Free on WordPress.org | Free on WordPress.org |
Downloads per day, last 48 days
Private groups ratings
WP Discourse 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 Private groups nor WP Discourse can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the Forum Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
Private groups vs WP Discourse: common questions
Is Private groups better than WP Discourse?
Private groups leads on 3 of the 6 measures we track. Neither is better at everything, and the answer depends on which measure you weigh. Private groups ranks higher on WordPress.org: #9 against #12 in Forum Plugins.
Which has more users, Private groups or WP Discourse?
Private groups ranks higher on WordPress.org: #9 against #12 in Forum Plugins.
Which is rated higher, Private groups or WP Discourse?
Both report 1,000+ active installs on WordPress.org.
Are Private groups and WP Discourse free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. Private groups may also sell a paid version or add-ons. WP Discourse may also sell a paid version or add-ons.
Alternatives to Private groups and WP Discourse
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
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