PublishPress Capabilities vs WP User Manager (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 WP User Manager at #8. They split the 5 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.
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.
WP User Manager
WP User Manager – User Profile Builder & Membership
The most customizable profiles & community builder WordPress plugin with front-end login, registration, profile customization and content restriction.
Who leads on what
They split the 5 measures we track, so the choice comes down to which one you weigh most.
WP User Manager ranks higher on WordPress.org: #8 against #10 in User Profile Plugins.
PublishPress Capabilities has more users: 100,000+ active installs against 10,000+.
Both are rated 4.7 out of 5 (143 and 350 reviews).
WP User Manager has more reviews behind its score: 350 against 143.
PublishPress Capabilities was updated more recently, on August 25, 2026; WP User Manager on May 30, 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 you want the plugin more sites already run or you want the one shipping releases most recently.
WP User Manager
Pick WP User Manager if you go by where WordPress.org itself puts them or you want the score backed by more reviews.
PublishPress Capabilities vs WP User Manager side by side
| PublishPress Capabilities | WP User Manager | |
|---|---|---|
| User Profile Plugins ranking | #10 | #8 |
| Rating | 4.7 | 4.7 |
| Reviews | 143 | 350 |
| Active installs | 100,000+ | 10,000+ |
| Total downloads | 4,290,502 | 726,961 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | – | – |
| Last updated | Aug 25, 2026 | May 30, 2026 |
| First published | Jul 30, 2012 | Jul 6, 2015 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.1 | 7.0.4 |
| Requires PHP | 7.2.5 | 7.4 |
| Pricing | Free on WordPress.org | Free on WordPress.org |
30-day download figures appear after both plugins have 30 days of tracking.
PublishPress Capabilities ratings
WP User Manager 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 WP User Manager can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the User Profile Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
PublishPress Capabilities vs WP User Manager: common questions
Is PublishPress Capabilities better than WP User Manager?
They split the 5 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. WP User Manager ranks higher on WordPress.org: #8 against #10 in User Profile Plugins.
Which has more users, PublishPress Capabilities or WP User Manager?
WP User Manager ranks higher on WordPress.org: #8 against #10 in User Profile Plugins.
Which is rated higher, PublishPress Capabilities or WP User Manager?
PublishPress Capabilities has more users: 100,000+ active installs against 10,000+.
Are PublishPress Capabilities and WP User Manager free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. PublishPress Capabilities may also sell a paid version or add-ons. WP User Manager may also sell a paid version or add-ons.
Alternatives to PublishPress Capabilities and WP User Manager
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
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