Google Authenticator vs Wordfence Security (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: Google Authenticator at #4 and Wordfence Security at #14. Wordfence Security leads on 5 of the 6 measures we track. Every number below comes straight from WordPress.org and is refreshed every day.
Google Authenticator
Google Authenticator for your WordPress blog.
Wordfence Security
Wordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security
Firewall, Malware Scanner, Two Factor Auth, and Comprehensive Security Features, powered by our 24-hour team. Make security a priority with Wordfence.
Who leads on what
Wordfence Security leads on 5 of the 6 measures we track.
Google Authenticator ranks higher on WordPress.org: #4 against #14 in Authentication Plugins.
Wordfence Security has more users: 5 million+ active installs against 20,000+.
Wordfence Security is rated higher: 4.7 out of 5 from 5,030 reviews, against 4.3 from 135 reviews.
Wordfence Security has more reviews behind its score: 5,030 against 135.
Wordfence Security was updated more recently, on September 30, 2026; Google Authenticator on August 23, 2026.
Wordfence Security was downloaded more in the last 30 days: 4,349,413 times against 9,113.
Which one to pick
Each plugin is the better answer for the measure it actually leads on. Nothing here is a recommendation we invented.
Google Authenticator
Pick Google Authenticator if you go by where WordPress.org itself puts them.
Wordfence Security
Pick Wordfence Security if you want the plugin more sites already run, the review score matters most to you, 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.
Google Authenticator vs Wordfence Security side by side
| Google Authenticator | Wordfence Security | |
|---|---|---|
| Authentication Plugins ranking | #4 | #14 |
| Rating | 4.3 | 4.7 |
| Reviews | 135 | 5,030 |
| Active installs | 20,000+ | 5 million+ |
| Total downloads | 765,926 | 431,627,309 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | 9,113 | 4,349,413 |
| Last updated | Aug 23, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 |
| First published | May 16, 2011 | Apr 21, 2012 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.1.3 | 7.1.3 |
| Requires PHP | – | 7.0 |
| Pricing | Free on WordPress.org | Free + paid version |
Downloads per day, last 48 days
Google Authenticator ratings
Wordfence Security 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 Google Authenticator nor Wordfence Security can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the Authentication Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
Google Authenticator vs Wordfence Security: common questions
Is Google Authenticator better than Wordfence Security?
Wordfence Security leads on 5 of the 6 measures we track. Neither is better at everything, and the answer depends on which measure you weigh. Google Authenticator ranks higher on WordPress.org: #4 against #14 in Authentication Plugins.
Which has more users, Google Authenticator or Wordfence Security?
Google Authenticator ranks higher on WordPress.org: #4 against #14 in Authentication Plugins.
Which is rated higher, Google Authenticator or Wordfence Security?
Wordfence Security has more users: 5 million+ active installs against 20,000+.
Are Google Authenticator and Wordfence Security free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. Google Authenticator may also sell a paid version or add-ons. Wordfence Security is listed as commercial, so a paid version or add-ons exist.
Alternatives to Google Authenticator and Wordfence Security
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
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Security and Firewall
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Jetpack
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Really Simple Security
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Limit Login Attempts Security
1 million+ installs · 4.8 from 1,488 reviews
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Admin and Site Enhancements
200,000+ installs · 5.0 from 424 reviews
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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.