Wordfence Security vs ManageWP Worker (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: Wordfence Security at #1 and ManageWP Worker at #39. Wordfence Security leads on all 6 measures we track. Every number below comes straight from WordPress.org and is refreshed every day.
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.
ManageWP Worker
A better way to manage dozens of WordPress websites.
Who leads on what
Wordfence Security leads on all 6 measures we track.
Wordfence Security ranks higher on WordPress.org: #1 against #39 in Security Plugins.
Wordfence Security has more users: 5 million+ active installs against 1 million+.
Wordfence Security is rated higher: 4.7 out of 5 from 5,030 reviews, against 4.6 from 679 reviews.
Wordfence Security has more reviews behind its score: 5,030 against 679.
Wordfence Security was updated more recently, on September 30, 2026; ManageWP Worker on August 21, 2026.
Wordfence Security was downloaded more in the last 30 days: 4,349,413 times against 65,579.
Which one to pick
Each plugin is the better answer for the measure it actually leads on. Nothing here is a recommendation we invented.
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, you want the one shipping releases most recently or you want the one being installed faster right now.
ManageWP Worker
ManageWP Worker does not lead on any measure we track, so pick it only for something these numbers cannot show, such as a feature you need.
Wordfence Security vs ManageWP Worker side by side
| Wordfence Security | ManageWP Worker | |
|---|---|---|
| Security Plugins ranking | #1 | #39 |
| Rating | 4.7 | 4.6 |
| Reviews | 5,030 | 679 |
| Active installs | 5 million+ | 1 million+ |
| Total downloads | 431,627,309 | 29,506,451 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | 4,349,413 | 65,579 |
| Last updated | Sep 30, 2026 | Aug 21, 2026 |
| First published | Apr 21, 2012 | Mar 10, 2011 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.1.3 | 7.1.3 |
| Requires PHP | 7.0 | – |
| Pricing | Free + paid version | Free on WordPress.org |
Downloads per day, last 48 days
Wordfence Security ratings
ManageWP Worker 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 Wordfence Security nor ManageWP Worker can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the Security Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
Wordfence Security vs ManageWP Worker: common questions
Is Wordfence Security better than ManageWP Worker?
Wordfence Security leads on all 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 #39 in Security Plugins.
Which has more users, Wordfence Security or ManageWP Worker?
Wordfence Security ranks higher on WordPress.org: #1 against #39 in Security Plugins.
Which is rated higher, Wordfence Security or ManageWP Worker?
Wordfence Security has more users: 5 million+ active installs against 1 million+.
Are Wordfence Security and ManageWP Worker free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. Wordfence Security is listed as commercial, so a paid version or add-ons exist. ManageWP Worker may also sell a paid version or add-ons.
Alternatives to Wordfence Security and ManageWP Worker
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 1,718 reviews
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Jetpack
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Really Simple Security
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Limit Login Attempts Security
1 million+ installs · 4.8 from 1,488 reviews
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Admin and Site Enhancements
200,000+ installs · 5.0 from 424 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.