MalCare WordPress Security vs Really Simple Security (October 2026)
Updated October 22, 2026 · Data from WordPress.org, refreshed daily · How this works
Both rank in the WordPress.org Security Plugins top 10: MalCare WordPress Security at #10 and Really Simple Security at #3. Really Simple Security leads on 5 of the 6 measures we track. Every number below comes straight from WordPress.org and is refreshed every day.
MalCare WordPress Security
MalCare WordPress Security Plugin – Malware Scanner, Cleaner, Security Firewall
Get Bulletproof Security for your WordPress site. WordPress security plugin packed with comprehensive Firewall, malware scanner, cleaner & more.
Really Simple Security
Really Simple Security – Simple and Performant Security (formerly Really Simple SSL)
Easily improve site security with WordPress Hardening, Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), Login Protection, Vulnerability Detection and SSL certificate.
Who leads on what
Really Simple Security leads on 5 of the 6 measures we track.
Really Simple Security ranks higher on WordPress.org: #3 against #10 in Security Plugins.
Really Simple Security has more users: 3 million+ active installs against 100,000+.
Really Simple Security is rated higher: 4.9 out of 5 from 8,868 reviews, against 4.4 from 557 reviews.
Really Simple Security has more reviews behind its score: 8,868 against 557.
MalCare WordPress Security was updated more recently, on September 17, 2026; Really Simple Security on September 15, 2026.
Really Simple Security was downloaded more in the last 30 days: 528,131 times against 47,848.
Which one to pick
Each plugin is the better answer for the measure it actually leads on. Nothing here is a recommendation we invented.
MalCare WordPress Security
Pick MalCare WordPress Security if you want the one shipping releases most recently.
Really Simple Security
Pick Really Simple Security if you go by where WordPress.org itself puts them, you want the plugin more sites already run, the review score matters most to you, you want the score backed by more reviews or you want the one being installed faster right now.
MalCare WordPress Security vs Really Simple Security side by side
| MalCare WordPress Security | Really Simple Security | |
|---|---|---|
| Security Plugins ranking | #10 | #3 |
| Rating | 4.4 | 4.9 |
| Reviews | 557 | 8,868 |
| Active installs | 100,000+ | 3 million+ |
| Total downloads | 18,867,026 | 221,785,847 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | 47,848 | 528,131 |
| Last updated | Sep 17, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 |
| First published | Jan 30, 2018 | Mar 15, 2015 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.1.3 | 7.1.3 |
| Requires PHP | 7.0 | 7.4 |
| Pricing | Free on WordPress.org | Free on WordPress.org |
Downloads per day, last 48 days
MalCare WordPress Security ratings
Really Simple 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 MalCare WordPress Security nor Really Simple Security can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the Security Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
MalCare WordPress Security vs Really Simple Security: common questions
Is MalCare WordPress Security better than Really Simple Security?
Really Simple Security leads on 5 of the 6 measures we track. Neither is better at everything, and the answer depends on which measure you weigh. Really Simple Security ranks higher on WordPress.org: #3 against #10 in Security Plugins.
Which has more users, MalCare WordPress Security or Really Simple Security?
Really Simple Security ranks higher on WordPress.org: #3 against #10 in Security Plugins.
Which is rated higher, MalCare WordPress Security or Really Simple Security?
Really Simple Security has more users: 3 million+ active installs against 100,000+.
Are MalCare WordPress Security and Really Simple Security free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. MalCare WordPress Security may also sell a paid version or add-ons. Really Simple Security may also sell a paid version or add-ons.
Alternatives to MalCare WordPress Security and Really Simple Security
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
-
Wordfence Security
5 million+ installs · 4.7 from 5,030 reviews
-
Security and Firewall
1 million+ installs · 4.7 from 1,718 reviews
-
Limit Login Attempts Security
1 million+ installs · 4.8 from 1,488 reviews
-
Security Optimizer
1 million+ installs · 4.5 from 157 reviews
-
Kadence Security
700,000+ installs · 4.6 from 3,992 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.