Kadence Security vs Security Optimizer (October 2026)
Updated October 22, 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 Security Optimizer at #5. Kadence 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.
Security Optimizer
Security Optimizer – The All-In-One Protection Plugin
Secure your WordPress site from brute-force attacks, threats, malware, and bots. Free to use and easy to set up.
Who leads on what
Kadence Security leads on 4 of the 6 measures we track.
Security Optimizer ranks higher on WordPress.org: #5 against #7 in Security Plugins.
Security Optimizer has more users: 1 million+ active installs against 700,000+.
Kadence Security is rated higher: 4.6 out of 5 from 3,992 reviews, against 4.5 from 157 reviews.
Kadence Security has more reviews behind its score: 3,992 against 157.
Kadence Security was updated more recently, on October 14, 2026; Security Optimizer on October 14, 2026.
Kadence Security was downloaded more in the last 30 days: 664,080 times against 424,724.
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, you want the one shipping releases most recently or you want the one being installed faster right now.
Security Optimizer
Pick Security Optimizer if you go by where WordPress.org itself puts them or you want the plugin more sites already run.
Kadence Security vs Security Optimizer side by side
| Kadence Security | Security Optimizer | |
|---|---|---|
| Security Plugins ranking | #7 | #5 |
| Rating | 4.6 | 4.5 |
| Reviews | 3,992 | 157 |
| Active installs | 700,000+ | 1 million+ |
| Total downloads | 40,115,995 | 39,245,409 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | 664,080 | 424,724 |
| Last updated | Oct 14, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 |
| First published | Oct 23, 2010 | May 31, 2021 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.1.3 | 7.1.3 |
| Requires PHP | 7.4 | 7.0 |
| Pricing | Free + paid version | Free on WordPress.org |
Downloads per day, last 48 days
Kadence Security ratings
Security Optimizer 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 Security Optimizer can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the Security Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
Kadence Security vs Security Optimizer: common questions
Is Kadence Security better than Security Optimizer?
Kadence Security leads on 4 of the 6 measures we track. Neither is better at everything, and the answer depends on which measure you weigh. Security Optimizer ranks higher on WordPress.org: #5 against #7 in Security Plugins.
Which has more users, Kadence Security or Security Optimizer?
Security Optimizer ranks higher on WordPress.org: #5 against #7 in Security Plugins.
Which is rated higher, Kadence Security or Security Optimizer?
Security Optimizer has more users: 1 million+ active installs against 700,000+.
Are Kadence Security and Security Optimizer free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. Kadence Security is listed as commercial, so a paid version or add-ons exist. Security Optimizer may also sell a paid version or add-ons.
Alternatives to Kadence Security and Security Optimizer
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
-
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
-
Wordfence Security
5 million+ installs · 4.7 from 5,030 reviews
-
Jetpack
3 million+ installs · 3.7 from 2,407 reviews
-
Really Simple Security
3 million+ installs · 4.9 from 8,868 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.