PublishPress Capabilities vs WP User Manager (October 2026)
Updated October 23, 2026 · Data from WordPress.org, refreshed daily · How this works
Both rank in the WordPress.org User Profile Plugins top 10: PublishPress Capabilities at #12 and WP User Manager at #9. WP User Manager leads on 3 of the 6 measures we track. Every number below comes straight from WordPress.org and is refreshed every day.
PublishPress Capabilities
PublishPress Capabilities: User Role Access Control, Admin Area Permissions
User role editing for WordPress. Manage user roles, control capabilities and permissions, and restrict admin access for any role.
WP User Manager
WP User Manager – Registration Form, Login Form, User Profile Builder & Member Directory
Registration forms, a frontend login form, user profiles and a member directory for WordPress. Add Stripe payments and content restriction.
Who leads on what
WP User Manager leads on 3 of the 6 measures we track.
WP User Manager ranks higher on WordPress.org: #9 against #12 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.
WP User Manager was updated more recently, on October 20, 2026; PublishPress Capabilities on October 14, 2026.
PublishPress Capabilities was downloaded more in the last 30 days: 126,023 times against 37,330.
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 being installed faster right now.
WP User Manager
Pick WP User Manager 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 WP User Manager side by side
| PublishPress Capabilities | WP User Manager | |
|---|---|---|
| User Profile Plugins ranking | #12 | #9 |
| Rating | 4.7 | 4.7 |
| Reviews | 143 | 350 |
| Active installs | 100,000+ | 10,000+ |
| Total downloads | 4,434,887 | 770,333 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | 126,023 | 37,330 |
| Last updated | Oct 14, 2026 | Oct 20, 2026 |
| First published | Jul 30, 2012 | Jul 6, 2015 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.1.3 | 7.1.3 |
| Requires PHP | 7.2.5 | 7.4 |
| Pricing | Free on WordPress.org | Free on WordPress.org |
Downloads per day, last 48 days
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?
WP User Manager leads on 3 of the 6 measures we track. Neither is better at everything, and the answer depends on which measure you weigh. WP User Manager ranks higher on WordPress.org: #9 against #12 in User Profile Plugins.
Which has more users, PublishPress Capabilities or WP User Manager?
WP User Manager ranks higher on WordPress.org: #9 against #12 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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