Duo Universal vs WPAuth (October 2026)
Updated October 22, 2026 · Data from WordPress.org, refreshed daily · How this works
Both rank in the WordPress.org Authentication Plugins top 10: Duo Universal at #8 and WPAuth at #5. WPAuth leads on 5 of the 6 measures we track. Every number below comes straight from WordPress.org and is refreshed every day.
Duo Universal
Easily add Duo authentication to your WordPress website. Enable multi-factor authentication for your admins and/or users.
WPAuth
Login for Google Apps by WPAuth
Simple secure login and user management through your Google Workspace for WordPress (using oAuth2 and MFA if enabled).
Who leads on what
WPAuth leads on 5 of the 6 measures we track.
WPAuth ranks higher on WordPress.org: #5 against #8 in Authentication Plugins.
WPAuth has more users: 10,000+ active installs against 2,000+.
Not enough reviews to compare ratings fairly: Duo Universal has 1, WPAuth has 64. We compare ratings only above 50 reviews each.
WPAuth has more reviews behind its score: 64 against 1.
WPAuth was updated more recently, on September 29, 2026; Duo Universal on January 6, 2026.
WPAuth was downloaded more in the last 30 days: 3,856 times against 769.
Which one to pick
Each plugin is the better answer for the measure it actually leads on. Nothing here is a recommendation we invented.
Duo Universal
Duo Universal does not lead on any measure we track, so pick it only for something these numbers cannot show, such as a feature you need.
WPAuth
Pick WPAuth if you go by where WordPress.org itself puts them, you want the plugin more sites already run, 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.
Duo Universal vs WPAuth side by side
| Duo Universal | WPAuth | |
|---|---|---|
| Authentication Plugins ranking | #8 | #5 |
| Rating | 4.0 | 4.6 |
| Reviews | 1 | 64 |
| Active installs | 2,000+ | 10,000+ |
| Total downloads | 21,024 | 683,380 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | 769 | 3,856 |
| Last updated | Jan 6, 2026 | Sep 29, 2026 |
| First published | Feb 27, 2024 | Nov 26, 2013 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 6.9.10 | 7.1.3 |
| Requires PHP | 7.3.16 | 7.2 |
| Pricing | Free on WordPress.org | Free on WordPress.org |
Downloads per day, last 48 days
Duo Universal ratings
WPAuth 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 Duo Universal nor WPAuth can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the Authentication Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
Duo Universal vs WPAuth: common questions
Is Duo Universal better than WPAuth?
WPAuth leads on 5 of the 6 measures we track. Neither is better at everything, and the answer depends on which measure you weigh. WPAuth ranks higher on WordPress.org: #5 against #8 in Authentication Plugins.
Which has more users, Duo Universal or WPAuth?
WPAuth ranks higher on WordPress.org: #5 against #8 in Authentication Plugins.
Which is rated higher, Duo Universal or WPAuth?
WPAuth has more users: 10,000+ active installs against 2,000+.
Are Duo Universal and WPAuth free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. Duo Universal may also sell a paid version or add-ons. WPAuth may also sell a paid version or add-ons.
Alternatives to Duo Universal and WPAuth
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
-
Google Authenticator
20,000+ installs · 4.3 from 135 reviews
-
WP 2-step verification
1,000+ installs · 4.2 from 27 reviews
-
Two Factor Authentication via Email
9,000+ installs · 5.0 from 4 reviews
-
miniOrange 2FA
10,000+ installs · 4.5 from 385 reviews
-
Limit Login Attempts
300,000+ installs · 4.6 from 202 reviews
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Weekly · free
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.