Kadence Security vs Really Simple Security (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 Really Simple Security at #3. Really Simple Security leads on 4 of the 6 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.
Really Simple Security
Really Simple Security – Simple and Performant Security (formerly Really Simple SSL)
Easily improve site security with WordPress Hardening, Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), Login Protection, Vulnerability Detection and SSL certificate.
Who leads on what
Really Simple Security leads on 4 of the 6 measures we track.
Really Simple Security ranks higher on WordPress.org: #3 against #7 in Security Plugins.
Really Simple Security has more users: 3 million+ active installs against 700,000+.
Really Simple Security is rated higher: 4.9 out of 5 from 8,868 reviews, against 4.6 from 3,992 reviews.
Really Simple Security has more reviews behind its score: 8,868 against 3,992.
Kadence Security was updated more recently, on October 14, 2026; Really Simple Security on September 15, 2026.
Kadence Security was downloaded more in the last 30 days: 664,080 times against 528,131.
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 one shipping releases most recently or you want the one being installed faster right now.
Really Simple Security
Pick Really Simple Security if you go by where WordPress.org itself puts them, you want the plugin more sites already run, the review score matters most to you or you want the score backed by more reviews.
Kadence Security vs Really Simple Security side by side
| Kadence Security | Really Simple Security | |
|---|---|---|
| Security Plugins ranking | #7 | #3 |
| Rating | 4.6 | 4.9 |
| Reviews | 3,992 | 8,868 |
| Active installs | 700,000+ | 3 million+ |
| Total downloads | 40,115,995 | 221,785,847 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | 664,080 | 528,131 |
| Last updated | Oct 14, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 |
| First published | Oct 23, 2010 | Mar 15, 2015 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.1.3 | 7.1.3 |
| Requires PHP | 7.4 | 7.4 |
| Pricing | Free + paid version | Free on WordPress.org |
Downloads per day, last 48 days
Kadence Security ratings
Really Simple 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 Kadence Security nor Really Simple Security can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the Security Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
Kadence Security vs Really Simple Security: common questions
Is Kadence Security better than Really Simple Security?
Really Simple Security leads on 4 of the 6 measures we track. Neither is better at everything, and the answer depends on which measure you weigh. Really Simple Security ranks higher on WordPress.org: #3 against #7 in Security Plugins.
Which has more users, Kadence Security or Really Simple Security?
Really Simple Security ranks higher on WordPress.org: #3 against #7 in Security Plugins.
Which is rated higher, Kadence Security or Really Simple Security?
Really Simple Security has more users: 3 million+ active installs against 700,000+.
Are Kadence Security and Really Simple Security free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. Kadence Security is listed as commercial, so a paid version or add-ons exist. Really Simple Security may also sell a paid version or add-ons.
Alternatives to Kadence Security and Really Simple Security
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
-
Limit Login Attempts Security
1 million+ installs · 4.8 from 1,488 reviews
-
Jetpack
3 million+ installs · 3.7 from 2,407 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.