LiteSpeed Cache vs Rank Math SEO (September 2026)
Updated September 7, 2026 · Data from WordPress.org, refreshed daily · How this works
Both rank in the WordPress.org SEO Plugins top 10: LiteSpeed Cache at #4 and Rank Math SEO at #2. 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.
LiteSpeed Cache
All-in-one unbeatable acceleration & PageSpeed improvement: caching, image/CSS/JS optimization...
Rank Math SEO
Rank Math SEO – AI SEO Tools to Dominate SEO Rankings
Grow your organic traffic and AI visibility with powerful SEO tools, XML sitemaps, Schema automation, and built-in AI SEO, all in one place.
Who leads on what
They split the 5 measures we track, so the choice comes down to which one you weigh most.
Rank Math SEO ranks higher on WordPress.org: #2 against #4 in SEO Plugins.
LiteSpeed Cache has more users: 7 million+ active installs against 4 million+.
Both are rated 4.8 out of 5 (2,770 and 7,498 reviews).
Rank Math SEO has more reviews behind its score: 7,498 against 2,770.
LiteSpeed Cache was updated more recently, on September 1, 2026; Rank Math SEO on August 31, 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.
LiteSpeed Cache
Pick LiteSpeed Cache if you want the plugin more sites already run or you want the one shipping releases most recently.
Rank Math SEO
Pick Rank Math SEO if you go by where WordPress.org itself puts them or you want the score backed by more reviews.
LiteSpeed Cache vs Rank Math SEO side by side
| LiteSpeed Cache | Rank Math SEO | |
|---|---|---|
| SEO Plugins ranking | #4 | #2 |
| Rating | 4.8 | 4.8 |
| Reviews | 2,770 | 7,498 |
| Active installs | 7 million+ | 4 million+ |
| Total downloads | 137,398,682 | 195,088,787 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | – | – |
| Last updated | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2026 |
| First published | Jan 29, 2016 | Nov 19, 2018 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.1 | 7.1 |
| Requires PHP | 7.4 | 7.4 |
| Pricing | Free on WordPress.org | Free on WordPress.org |
30-day download figures appear after both plugins have 30 days of tracking.
LiteSpeed Cache ratings
Rank Math SEO 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 LiteSpeed Cache nor Rank Math SEO can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the SEO Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
LiteSpeed Cache vs Rank Math SEO: common questions
Is LiteSpeed Cache better than Rank Math SEO?
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. Rank Math SEO ranks higher on WordPress.org: #2 against #4 in SEO Plugins.
Which has more users, LiteSpeed Cache or Rank Math SEO?
Rank Math SEO ranks higher on WordPress.org: #2 against #4 in SEO Plugins.
Which is rated higher, LiteSpeed Cache or Rank Math SEO?
LiteSpeed Cache has more users: 7 million+ active installs against 4 million+.
Are LiteSpeed Cache and Rank Math SEO free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. LiteSpeed Cache may also sell a paid version or add-ons. Rank Math SEO may also sell a paid version or add-ons.
Alternatives to LiteSpeed Cache and Rank Math SEO
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
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