MalCare WordPress Security vs Security Optimizer (September 2026)
Updated September 7, 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 Security Optimizer at #6. Security Optimizer leads on 4 of the 5 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.
Security Optimizer
Security Optimizer – The All-In-One Protection Plugin
Secure your WordPress site from brute-force attacks, threats, malware, and bots. Free to use and easy to set up.
Who leads on what
Security Optimizer leads on 4 of the 5 measures we track.
Security Optimizer ranks higher on WordPress.org: #6 against #10 in Security Plugins.
Security Optimizer has more users: 1 million+ active installs against 200,000+.
Security Optimizer is rated higher: 4.5 out of 5 from 157 reviews, against 4.4 from 548 reviews.
MalCare WordPress Security has more reviews behind its score: 548 against 157.
Security Optimizer was updated more recently, on August 28, 2026; MalCare WordPress Security on August 28, 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.
MalCare WordPress Security
Pick MalCare WordPress Security if you want the score backed by more reviews.
Security Optimizer
Pick Security Optimizer 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 or you want the one shipping releases most recently.
MalCare WordPress Security vs Security Optimizer side by side
| MalCare WordPress Security | Security Optimizer | |
|---|---|---|
| Security Plugins ranking | #10 | #6 |
| Rating | 4.4 | 4.5 |
| Reviews | 548 | 157 |
| Active installs | 200,000+ | 1 million+ |
| Total downloads | 18,677,939 | 38,761,032 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | – | – |
| Last updated | Aug 28, 2026 | Aug 28, 2026 |
| First published | Jan 30, 2018 | May 31, 2021 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.1 | 7.1 |
| Requires PHP | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| Pricing | Free on WordPress.org | Free on WordPress.org |
30-day download figures appear after both plugins have 30 days of tracking.
MalCare WordPress Security ratings
Security Optimizer 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 Security Optimizer can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the Security Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
MalCare WordPress Security vs Security Optimizer: common questions
Is MalCare WordPress Security better than Security Optimizer?
Security Optimizer leads on 4 of the 5 measures we track. Neither is better at everything, and the answer depends on which measure you weigh. Security Optimizer ranks higher on WordPress.org: #6 against #10 in Security Plugins.
Which has more users, MalCare WordPress Security or Security Optimizer?
Security Optimizer ranks higher on WordPress.org: #6 against #10 in Security Plugins.
Which is rated higher, MalCare WordPress Security or Security Optimizer?
Security Optimizer has more users: 1 million+ active installs against 200,000+.
Are MalCare WordPress Security and Security Optimizer free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. MalCare WordPress Security may also sell a paid version or add-ons. Security Optimizer may also sell a paid version or add-ons.
Alternatives to MalCare WordPress Security and Security Optimizer
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
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Security and Firewall
1 million+ installs · 4.7 from 1,715 reviews
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Wordfence Security
5 million+ installs · 4.7 from 4,992 reviews
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Really Simple Security
3 million+ installs · 4.9 from 8,863 reviews
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Limit Login Attempts Security
1 million+ installs · 4.8 from 1,481 reviews
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Kadence Security
700,000+ installs · 4.6 from 3,990 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.