Duo Universal vs Limit Login Attempts (September 2026)
Updated September 7, 2026 · Data from WordPress.org, refreshed daily · How this works
Both rank in the WordPress.org Authentication Plugins top 10: Duo Universal at #7 and Limit Login Attempts 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.
Duo Universal
Easily add Duo authentication to your WordPress website. Enable multi-factor authentication for your admins and/or users.
Limit Login Attempts
Limit rate of login attempts, including by way of cookies, for each IP. Fully customizable.
Who leads on what
They split the 5 measures we track, so the choice comes down to which one you weigh most.
Duo Universal ranks higher on WordPress.org: #7 against #8 in Authentication Plugins.
Limit Login Attempts has more users: 300,000+ active installs against 2,000+.
Not enough reviews to compare ratings fairly: Duo Universal has 1, Limit Login Attempts has 202. We compare ratings only above 50 reviews each.
Limit Login Attempts has more reviews behind its score: 202 against 1.
Duo Universal was updated more recently, on January 6, 2026; Limit Login Attempts on April 4, 2023.
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
Pick Duo Universal if you go by where WordPress.org itself puts them or you want the one shipping releases most recently.
Limit Login Attempts
Pick Limit Login Attempts if you want the plugin more sites already run or you want the score backed by more reviews.
Duo Universal vs Limit Login Attempts side by side
| Duo Universal | Limit Login Attempts | |
|---|---|---|
| Authentication Plugins ranking | #7 | #8 |
| Rating | 4.0 | 4.6 |
| Reviews | 1 | 202 |
| Active installs | 2,000+ | 300,000+ |
| Total downloads | 19,883 | 2,301,921 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | – | – |
| Last updated | Jan 6, 2026 | Apr 4, 2023 |
| First published | Feb 27, 2024 | Jan 15, 2009 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 6.9.7 | 6.2.11 |
| Requires PHP | 7.3.16 | – |
| Pricing | Free on WordPress.org | Free on WordPress.org |
30-day download figures appear after both plugins have 30 days of tracking.
Duo Universal ratings
Limit Login Attempts 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 Limit Login Attempts can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the Authentication Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
Duo Universal vs Limit Login Attempts: common questions
Is Duo Universal better than Limit Login Attempts?
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. Duo Universal ranks higher on WordPress.org: #7 against #8 in Authentication Plugins.
Which has more users, Duo Universal or Limit Login Attempts?
Duo Universal ranks higher on WordPress.org: #7 against #8 in Authentication Plugins.
Which is rated higher, Duo Universal or Limit Login Attempts?
Limit Login Attempts has more users: 300,000+ active installs against 2,000+.
Are Duo Universal and Limit Login Attempts free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. Duo Universal may also sell a paid version or add-ons. Limit Login Attempts may also sell a paid version or add-ons.
Alternatives to Duo Universal and Limit Login Attempts
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
-
Google Authenticator
20,000+ installs · 4.3 from 135 reviews
-
miniOrange 2FA
10,000+ installs · 4.5 from 384 reviews
-
Two Factor
100,000+ installs · 4.8 from 208 reviews
-
Two Factor Authentication via Email
9,000+ installs · 5.0 from 4 reviews
-
WP 2-step verification
1,000+ installs · 4.2 from 27 reviews
More Authentication Plugins comparisons
- BaseCloud Shield vs Duo Universal
- BaseCloud Shield vs Limit Login Attempts
- Kadence Security vs Duo Universal
- Kadence Security vs Limit Login Attempts
- Duo Universal vs Duo Two-Factor Authentication
- Duo Universal vs Google Authenticator
- Duo Universal vs miniOrange 2FA
- Duo Universal vs Sticklight
- Duo Universal vs Two Factor
- Duo Universal vs Two Factor Authentication via Email
- Duo Universal vs WP 2-step verification
- Duo Two-Factor Authentication vs Limit Login Attempts
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.