Really Simple Security vs Security Optimizer (October 2026)
Updated October 23, 2026 · Data from WordPress.org, refreshed daily · How this works
Both rank in the WordPress.org Security Plugins top 10: Really Simple Security at #3 and Security Optimizer at #4. 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.
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.
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
Really Simple Security leads on 5 of the 6 measures we track.
Really Simple Security ranks higher on WordPress.org: #3 against #4 in Security Plugins.
Really Simple Security has more users: 3 million+ active installs against 1 million+.
Really Simple Security is rated higher: 4.9 out of 5 from 8,868 reviews, against 4.5 from 157 reviews.
Really Simple Security has more reviews behind its score: 8,868 against 157.
Security Optimizer was updated more recently, on October 14, 2026; Really Simple Security on September 15, 2026.
Really Simple Security was downloaded more in the last 30 days: 543,051 times against 440,444.
Which one to pick
Each plugin is the better answer for the measure it actually leads on. Nothing here is a recommendation we invented.
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.
Security Optimizer
Pick Security Optimizer if you want the one shipping releases most recently.
Really Simple Security vs Security Optimizer side by side
| Really Simple Security | Security Optimizer | |
|---|---|---|
| Security Plugins ranking | #3 | #4 |
| Rating | 4.9 | 4.5 |
| Reviews | 8,868 | 157 |
| Active installs | 3 million+ | 1 million+ |
| Total downloads | 221,826,017 | 39,264,123 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | 543,051 | 440,444 |
| Last updated | Sep 15, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 |
| First published | Mar 15, 2015 | May 31, 2021 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.1.3 | 7.1.3 |
| Requires PHP | 7.4 | 7.0 |
| Pricing | Free on WordPress.org | Free on WordPress.org |
Downloads per day, last 49 days
Really Simple 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 Really Simple Security nor Security Optimizer can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the Security Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
Really Simple Security vs Security Optimizer: common questions
Is Really Simple Security better than Security Optimizer?
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 #4 in Security Plugins.
Which has more users, Really Simple Security or Security Optimizer?
Really Simple Security ranks higher on WordPress.org: #3 against #4 in Security Plugins.
Which is rated higher, Really Simple Security or Security Optimizer?
Really Simple Security has more users: 3 million+ active installs against 1 million+.
Are Really Simple Security and Security Optimizer free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. Really Simple Security may also sell a paid version or add-ons. Security Optimizer may also sell a paid version or add-ons.
Alternatives to Really Simple Security and Security Optimizer
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
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Wordfence Security
5 million+ installs · 4.7 from 5,031 reviews
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Security and Firewall
1 million+ installs · 4.7 from 1,718 reviews
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Limit Login Attempts Security
1 million+ installs · 4.8 from 1,488 reviews
-
Jetpack
3 million+ installs · 3.7 from 2,406 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.