Sucuri Security vs Wordfence 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: Sucuri Security at #8 and Wordfence Security at #1. Wordfence Security leads on 5 of the 6 measures we track. Every number below comes straight from WordPress.org and is refreshed every day.
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.
Wordfence Security
Wordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security
Firewall, Malware Scanner, Two Factor Auth, and Comprehensive Security Features, powered by our 24-hour team. Make security a priority with Wordfence.
Who leads on what
Wordfence Security leads on 5 of the 6 measures we track.
Wordfence Security ranks higher on WordPress.org: #1 against #8 in Security Plugins.
Wordfence Security has more users: 5 million+ active installs against 600,000+.
Wordfence Security is rated higher: 4.7 out of 5 from 5,030 reviews, against 4.2 from 384 reviews.
Wordfence Security has more reviews behind its score: 5,030 against 384.
Sucuri Security was updated more recently, on October 14, 2026; Wordfence Security on September 30, 2026.
Wordfence Security was downloaded more in the last 30 days: 4,349,413 times against 601,298.
Which one to pick
Each plugin is the better answer for the measure it actually leads on. Nothing here is a recommendation we invented.
Sucuri Security
Pick Sucuri Security if you want the one shipping releases most recently.
Wordfence Security
Pick Wordfence 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.
Sucuri Security vs Wordfence Security side by side
| Sucuri Security | Wordfence Security | |
|---|---|---|
| Security Plugins ranking | #8 | #1 |
| Rating | 4.2 | 4.7 |
| Reviews | 384 | 5,030 |
| Active installs | 600,000+ | 5 million+ |
| Total downloads | 37,470,132 | 431,627,309 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | 601,298 | 4,349,413 |
| Last updated | Oct 14, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 |
| First published | Nov 18, 2011 | Apr 21, 2012 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.1.3 | 7.1.3 |
| Requires PHP | 7.4 | 7.0 |
| Pricing | Free on WordPress.org | Free + paid version |
Downloads per day, last 48 days
Sucuri Security ratings
Wordfence 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 Sucuri Security nor Wordfence Security can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the Security Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
Sucuri Security vs Wordfence Security: common questions
Is Sucuri Security better than Wordfence Security?
Wordfence Security leads on 5 of the 6 measures we track. Neither is better at everything, and the answer depends on which measure you weigh. Wordfence Security ranks higher on WordPress.org: #1 against #8 in Security Plugins.
Which has more users, Sucuri Security or Wordfence Security?
Wordfence Security ranks higher on WordPress.org: #1 against #8 in Security Plugins.
Which is rated higher, Sucuri Security or Wordfence Security?
Wordfence Security has more users: 5 million+ active installs against 600,000+.
Are Sucuri Security and Wordfence Security free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. Sucuri Security may also sell a paid version or add-ons. Wordfence Security is listed as commercial, so a paid version or add-ons exist.
Alternatives to Sucuri Security and Wordfence Security
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
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Security and Firewall
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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.