Security Optimizer vs Sucuri Security (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: Security Optimizer at #6 and Sucuri Security at #8. Security Optimizer leads on 4 of the 5 measures we track. Every number below comes straight from WordPress.org and is refreshed every day.
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.
Sucuri Security
Sucuri Security – Auditing, Malware Scanner and Security Hardening
The Sucuri WordPress Security plugin is a security toolset for security integrity monitoring, malware detection and security hardening.
Who leads on what
Security Optimizer leads on 4 of the 5 measures we track.
Security Optimizer ranks higher on WordPress.org: #6 against #8 in Security Plugins.
Security Optimizer has more users: 1 million+ active installs against 600,000+.
Security Optimizer is rated higher: 4.5 out of 5 from 157 reviews, against 4.2 from 384 reviews.
Sucuri Security has more reviews behind its score: 384 against 157.
Security Optimizer was updated more recently, on August 28, 2026; Sucuri Security on July 7, 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.
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.
Sucuri Security
Pick Sucuri Security if you want the score backed by more reviews.
Security Optimizer vs Sucuri Security side by side
| Security Optimizer | Sucuri Security | |
|---|---|---|
| Security Plugins ranking | #6 | #8 |
| Rating | 4.5 | 4.2 |
| Reviews | 157 | 384 |
| Active installs | 1 million+ | 600,000+ |
| Total downloads | 38,761,032 | 36,357,965 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | – | – |
| Last updated | Aug 28, 2026 | Jul 7, 2026 |
| First published | May 31, 2021 | Nov 18, 2011 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.1 | 7.0.4 |
| Requires PHP | 7.0 | – |
| Pricing | Free on WordPress.org | Free on WordPress.org |
30-day download figures appear after both plugins have 30 days of tracking.
Security Optimizer ratings
Sucuri 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 Security Optimizer nor Sucuri Security can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the Security Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
Security Optimizer vs Sucuri Security: common questions
Is Security Optimizer better than Sucuri Security?
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 #8 in Security Plugins.
Which has more users, Security Optimizer or Sucuri Security?
Security Optimizer ranks higher on WordPress.org: #6 against #8 in Security Plugins.
Which is rated higher, Security Optimizer or Sucuri Security?
Security Optimizer has more users: 1 million+ active installs against 600,000+.
Are Security Optimizer and Sucuri Security free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. Security Optimizer may also sell a paid version or add-ons. Sucuri Security may also sell a paid version or add-ons.
Alternatives to Security Optimizer and Sucuri Security
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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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.