Kadence Security vs Jetpack (October 2026)
Updated October 23, 2026 · Data from WordPress.org, refreshed daily · How this works
Both rank in the WordPress.org Security Plugins top 10: Kadence Security at #7 and Jetpack at #2. They split the 6 measures we track, so the choice comes down to which one you weigh most. 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.
Jetpack
Jetpack – WP Security, Backup, Speed, & Growth
Improve your WP security with powerful one-click tools like backup, WAF, and malware scan. Includes free tools like stats, CDN and social sharing.
Who leads on what
They split the 6 measures we track, so the choice comes down to which one you weigh most.
Jetpack ranks higher on WordPress.org: #2 against #7 in Security Plugins.
Jetpack has more users: 3 million+ active installs against 700,000+.
Kadence Security is rated higher: 4.6 out of 5 from 3,992 reviews, against 3.7 from 2,407 reviews.
Kadence Security has more reviews behind its score: 3,992 against 2,407.
Kadence Security was updated more recently, on October 14, 2026; Jetpack on October 12, 2026.
Jetpack was downloaded more in the last 30 days: 3,835,075 times against 664,080.
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 the review score matters most to you, you want the score backed by more reviews or you want the one shipping releases most recently.
Jetpack
Pick Jetpack if you go by where WordPress.org itself puts them, you want the plugin more sites already run or you want the one being installed faster right now.
Kadence Security vs Jetpack side by side
| Kadence Security | Jetpack | |
|---|---|---|
| Security Plugins ranking | #7 | #2 |
| Rating | 4.6 | 3.7 |
| Reviews | 3,992 | 2,407 |
| Active installs | 700,000+ | 3 million+ |
| Total downloads | 40,115,995 | 514,463,610 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | 664,080 | 3,835,075 |
| Last updated | Oct 14, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 |
| First published | Oct 23, 2010 | Jan 20, 2011 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.1.3 | 7.1.3 |
| Requires PHP | 7.4 | 7.4 |
| Pricing | Free + paid version | Free + paid version |
Downloads per day, last 48 days
Kadence Security ratings
Jetpack 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 Jetpack can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the Security Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
Kadence Security vs Jetpack: common questions
Is Kadence Security better than Jetpack?
They split the 6 measures we track, so the choice comes down to which one you weigh most. Neither is better at everything, and the answer depends on which measure you weigh. Jetpack ranks higher on WordPress.org: #2 against #7 in Security Plugins.
Which has more users, Kadence Security or Jetpack?
Jetpack ranks higher on WordPress.org: #2 against #7 in Security Plugins.
Which is rated higher, Kadence Security or Jetpack?
Jetpack has more users: 3 million+ active installs against 700,000+.
Are Kadence Security and Jetpack free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. Kadence Security is listed as commercial, so a paid version or add-ons exist. Jetpack is listed as commercial, so a paid version or add-ons exist.
Alternatives to Kadence Security and Jetpack
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
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Wordfence Security
5 million+ installs · 4.7 from 5,030 reviews
-
Security and Firewall
1 million+ installs · 4.7 from 1,718 reviews
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Limit Login Attempts Security
1 million+ installs · 4.8 from 1,488 reviews
-
Sucuri Security
600,000+ installs · 4.2 from 384 reviews
-
CleanTalk Anti-Spam
200,000+ installs · 4.8 from 3,219 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.