PublishPress Capabilities vs ProfilePress (September 2026)
Updated September 7, 2026 · Data from WordPress.org, refreshed daily · How this works
Both rank in the WordPress.org User Profile Plugins top 10: PublishPress Capabilities at #10 and ProfilePress at #3. ProfilePress leads on 3 of the 5 measures we track. Every number below comes straight from WordPress.org and is refreshed every day.
PublishPress Capabilities
PublishPress Capabilities – User Role Editor, Access Permissions, User Capabilities, Admin Menus
PublishPress Capabilities is the access control plugin. You can manage user capabilities, permissions, user roles, admin menus and more.
ProfilePress
Paid Membership Plugin, Ecommerce, User Registration Form, Login Form, User Profile & Restrict Content – ProfilePress
Setup paid membership, accept payment, sell subscription & digital product, paywall, create login & registration form, user profile & member directory
Who leads on what
ProfilePress leads on 3 of the 5 measures we track.
ProfilePress ranks higher on WordPress.org: #3 against #10 in User Profile Plugins.
Both report 100,000+ active installs on WordPress.org.
PublishPress Capabilities is rated higher: 4.7 out of 5 from 143 reviews, against 3.1 from 938 reviews.
ProfilePress has more reviews behind its score: 938 against 143.
ProfilePress was updated more recently, on September 5, 2026; PublishPress Capabilities on August 25, 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.
PublishPress Capabilities
Pick PublishPress Capabilities if the review score matters most to you.
ProfilePress
Pick ProfilePress 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.
PublishPress Capabilities vs ProfilePress side by side
| PublishPress Capabilities | ProfilePress | |
|---|---|---|
| User Profile Plugins ranking | #10 | #3 |
| Rating | 4.7 | 3.1 |
| Reviews | 143 | 938 |
| Active installs | 100,000+ | 100,000+ |
| Total downloads | 4,290,502 | 15,466,659 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | – | – |
| Last updated | Aug 25, 2026 | Sep 5, 2026 |
| First published | Jul 30, 2012 | Jan 14, 2013 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.1 | 7.1 |
| Requires PHP | 7.2.5 | 7.4 |
| Pricing | Free on WordPress.org | Free + paid version |
30-day download figures appear after both plugins have 30 days of tracking.
PublishPress Capabilities ratings
ProfilePress 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 PublishPress Capabilities nor ProfilePress can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the User Profile Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
PublishPress Capabilities vs ProfilePress: common questions
Is PublishPress Capabilities better than ProfilePress?
ProfilePress leads on 3 of the 5 measures we track. Neither is better at everything, and the answer depends on which measure you weigh. ProfilePress ranks higher on WordPress.org: #3 against #10 in User Profile Plugins.
Which has more users, PublishPress Capabilities or ProfilePress?
ProfilePress ranks higher on WordPress.org: #3 against #10 in User Profile Plugins.
Which is rated higher, PublishPress Capabilities or ProfilePress?
Both report 100,000+ active installs on WordPress.org.
Are PublishPress Capabilities and ProfilePress free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. PublishPress Capabilities may also sell a paid version or add-ons. ProfilePress is listed as commercial, so a paid version or add-ons exist.
Alternatives to PublishPress Capabilities and ProfilePress
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
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