Kadence Security vs Duo Universal (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: Kadence Security at #9 and Duo Universal at #7. Kadence Security leads on 3 of the 5 measures we track. Every number below comes straight from WordPress.org and is refreshed every day.
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.
Duo Universal
Easily add Duo authentication to your WordPress website. Enable multi-factor authentication for your admins and/or users.
Who leads on what
Kadence Security leads on 3 of the 5 measures we track.
Duo Universal ranks higher on WordPress.org: #7 against #9 in Authentication Plugins.
Kadence Security has more users: 700,000+ active installs against 2,000+.
Not enough reviews to compare ratings fairly: Kadence Security has 3,990, Duo Universal has 1. 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; Duo Universal on January 6, 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.
Kadence Security
Pick Kadence Security if 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.
Duo Universal
Pick Duo Universal if you go by where WordPress.org itself puts them.
Kadence Security vs Duo Universal side by side
| Kadence Security | Duo Universal | |
|---|---|---|
| Authentication Plugins ranking | #9 | #7 |
| Rating | 4.6 | 4.0 |
| Reviews | 3,990 | 1 |
| Active installs | 700,000+ | 2,000+ |
| Total downloads | 39,152,851 | 19,883 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | – | – |
| Last updated | Jul 27, 2026 | Jan 6, 2026 |
| First published | Oct 23, 2010 | Feb 27, 2024 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.0.4 | 6.9.7 |
| Requires PHP | 7.4 | 7.3.16 |
| Pricing | Free + paid version | Free on WordPress.org |
30-day download figures appear after both plugins have 30 days of tracking.
Kadence Security ratings
Duo Universal 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 Kadence Security nor Duo Universal can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the Authentication Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
Kadence Security vs Duo Universal: common questions
Is Kadence Security better than Duo Universal?
Kadence Security leads on 3 of the 5 measures we track. Neither is better at everything, and the answer depends on which measure you weigh. Duo Universal ranks higher on WordPress.org: #7 against #9 in Authentication Plugins.
Which has more users, Kadence Security or Duo Universal?
Duo Universal ranks higher on WordPress.org: #7 against #9 in Authentication Plugins.
Which is rated higher, Kadence Security or Duo Universal?
Kadence Security has more users: 700,000+ active installs against 2,000+.
Are Kadence Security and Duo Universal free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. Kadence Security is listed as commercial, so a paid version or add-ons exist. Duo Universal may also sell a paid version or add-ons.
Alternatives to Kadence Security and Duo Universal
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
-
Two Factor
100,000+ installs · 4.8 from 208 reviews
-
Limit Login Attempts Security
1 million+ installs · 4.8 from 1,481 reviews
-
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
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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.