1
Wordfence Security
Site owners and agencies who want a strong free on-server firewall and scanner, with the option to buy real-time threat data or incident response.
86overall scoreDetails
Best WordPress Security Plugins (2026)
Firewalls, malware scanning, login protection and hardening: how the main WordPress security plugins compare on the features that keep a site safe.
About Security Plugins
WordPress powers a huge share of the web, which makes it a constant target for automated attacks: password guessing, malware injection and exploits for vulnerable plugins. A security plugin adds layers of defence on top of good hosting and regular updates, from a firewall and login protection to malware scanning and alerts when something changes.
We compare the most widely used security plugins, including Wordfence, Kadence Security (formerly Solid Security), Sucuri Security, All-In-One Security (AIOS), Really Simple Security, MalCare, Jetpack Protect, Shield Security, Defender, Patchstack, WP Cerber and Limit Login Attempts Reloaded. Each one is checked against 26 features across firewall and blocking, scanning and cleanup, login security, hardening, and monitoring.
Every feature is marked as free, paid, add-on, partial or not offered, with a short note and a link to the source. The ranking combines feature coverage with WordPress.org popularity and ratings, so you can see which plugin covers the protection your site actually needs.
The ranking
Overall score = 55% features, 20% popularity, 25% ratings. Filter by the features you need, or tick two plugins to compare them.
Must have
2
Sucuri Security
Sites that want free auditing and integrity monitoring now, with the option of a managed cloud firewall and malware cleanup service.
85overall scoreDetails
3
Defender Security
Site owners who want a broad free security plugin with strong login protection, and WPMU DEV members who get Pro at no extra cost.
84overall scoreDetails
4
Shield Security
Owners and agencies who want a feature-rich free security plugin with automatic blocking and solid login security.
82overall scoreDetails
5
MalCare Security
Site owners who want zero-load cloud scanning and built-in malware cleanup, and agencies managing many client sites.
82overall scoreDetails
6
Kadence Security (formerly Solid Security)
Sites that mainly need strong login protection and vulnerability alerts, especially those already on a Kadence Pro or Elite plan.
81overall scoreDetails
7
WP Cerber Security
Experienced admins who want detailed firewall, anti-spam and access-control rules and are comfortable installing outside WordPress.org.
73overall scoreDetails
8
All-In-One Security (AIOS)
Budget-conscious site owners and agencies who want extensive free login, firewall and hardening controls with an inexpensive upgrade path.
73overall scoreDetails
9
Really Simple Security
Site owners who want HTTPS, light hardening and vulnerability alerts with minimal setup, and can add a separate malware scanner.
72overall scoreDetails
10
Patchstack
Agencies and developers who want early vulnerability alerts and virtual patching across many WordPress sites.
70overall scoreDetails
11
Jetpack Protect
Site owners in the Jetpack ecosystem who want hands-off cloud vulnerability and malware scanning rather than detailed security settings.
64overall scoreDetails
12
Limit Login Attempts Reloaded
Sites that already have scanning and a firewall elsewhere but need dependable, lightweight brute-force protection.
59overall scoreDetails
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Pricing compared
Entry and top plans on the same billing period, plus any lifetime deal. Prices are list prices before discounts or tax.
| Plugin | Free version | Entry plan | Top plan | Lifetime | Paid plans |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wordfence Security |
Yes | $149/yrPremium, 1 site | $1,250/yrResponse, 1 site | — | 3 |
| Sucuri Security |
Yes | $9.99/moBasic Firewall, 1 site | — | — | 4 |
| Defender Security |
Yes | $60/yrPro Basic, 1 site | $1,200/yrWPMU DEV Premium, Unlimited | — | 4 |
| Shield Security |
Yes | $149/yrPlus, 1 site | $399/yrPlus (10 sites) | — | 3 |
| MalCare Security |
Yes | $99/yrProtect, 1 site | $499/yrFortify, 1 site | — | 3 |
| Kadence Security (formerly Solid Security) |
Yes | $299/yrKadence Pro, Not stated | $499/yrKadence Elite, Not stated | — | 2 |
| WP Cerber Security |
Yes | $99/yrSingle, 1 site | $399/yr5 Value Pack | — | 2 |
| All-In-One Security (AIOS) |
Yes | $89/yrPersonal, 2 sites | $349/yrEnterprise, Unlimited | — | 4 |
| Really Simple Security |
Yes | $69/yrPersonal, 1 site | $209/yrAgency, 25 sites | — | 3 |
| Patchstack |
Yes | $5/moPersonal protection, 1 site | — | — | 2 |
| Jetpack Protect |
Yes | $119.40/yrJetpack Scan, 1 site | $239.40/yrJetpack Security, 1 site | — | 2 |
| Limit Login Attempts Reloaded |
Yes | $30/yrPersonal, 1 site | $450/yrAgency, 10 sites | — | 3 |
Spotted an out-of-date price? Suggest an edit.
Full feature matrix
Every plugin against every feature. Scroll sideways on small screens.
| Feature | Wordfence Security | Sucuri Security | Defender Security | Shield Security | MalCare Security | Kadence Security (formerly Solid Security) | WP Cerber Security | All-In-One Security (AIOS) | Really Simple Security | Patchstack | Jetpack Protect | Limit Login Attempts Reloaded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firewall & blocking | ||||||||||||
| Web application firewall | ||||||||||||
| Cloud / DNS-level firewall | ||||||||||||
| Brute-force protection | ||||||||||||
| Login CAPTCHA | ||||||||||||
| Rate limiting & bot blocking | ||||||||||||
| Country blocking | ||||||||||||
| Real-time IP blocklist | ||||||||||||
| Scanning & cleanup | ||||||||||||
| Malware scanner | ||||||||||||
| File change detection | ||||||||||||
| Vulnerability alerts | ||||||||||||
| Scheduled scans | ||||||||||||
| Off-site scanning | ||||||||||||
| Malware removal | ||||||||||||
| Login security | ||||||||||||
| Two-factor authentication | ||||||||||||
| Passkeys / WebAuthn | ||||||||||||
| Password policies | ||||||||||||
| Custom login URL | ||||||||||||
| Session management | ||||||||||||
| Hardening | ||||||||||||
| One-click hardening | ||||||||||||
| SSL / HTTPS tools | ||||||||||||
| Security headers | ||||||||||||
| Virtual patching | ||||||||||||
| Auto-update vulnerable plugins | ||||||||||||
| Monitoring & management | ||||||||||||
| Activity log | ||||||||||||
| Security alerts | ||||||||||||
| Multi-site dashboard | ||||||||||||
Statuses: Yes Pro Add-on Partial 3rd-party No ?
Head-to-head comparisons
Limit Login Attempts Reloaded/Wordfence SecurityKadence Security (formerly Solid Security)/Wordfence SecurityAll-In-One Security (AIOS)/Jetpack ProtectPatchstack/Wordfence SecurityAll-In-One Security (AIOS)/MalCare SecurityKadence Security (formerly Solid Security)/WP Cerber SecurityDefender Security/Shield SecurityLimit Login Attempts Reloaded/Kadence Security (formerly Solid Security)Patchstack/Kadence Security (formerly Solid Security)MalCare Security/Really Simple SecuritySucuri Security/WP Cerber SecurityDefender Security/Wordfence SecurityLimit Login Attempts Reloaded/Sucuri SecurityPatchstack/Sucuri SecurityJetpack Protect/MalCare SecurityAll-In-One Security (AIOS)/WP Cerber SecurityDefender Security/Kadence Security (formerly Solid Security)All-In-One Security (AIOS)/Limit Login Attempts ReloadedAll-In-One Security (AIOS)/PatchstackMalCare Security/Shield SecurityReally Simple Security/WP Cerber SecurityDefender Security/Sucuri SecurityLimit Login Attempts Reloaded/Really Simple SecurityPatchstack/Really Simple SecurityShield Security/Wordfence SecurityJetpack Protect/WP Cerber SecurityAll-In-One Security (AIOS)/Defender SecurityJetpack Protect/Limit Login Attempts ReloadedJetpack Protect/PatchstackShield Security/Kadence Security (formerly Solid Security)Limit Login Attempts Reloaded/MalCare SecurityDefender Security/Really Simple SecurityMalCare Security/WP Cerber SecurityShield Security/Sucuri SecurityLimit Login Attempts Reloaded/Shield SecurityDefender Security/Jetpack ProtectShield Security/WP Cerber SecurityAll-In-One Security (AIOS)/Shield SecurityDefender Security/Limit Login Attempts ReloadedMalCare Security/PatchstackMalCare Security/Wordfence SecurityDefender Security/WP Cerber SecurityReally Simple Security/Shield SecurityLimit Login Attempts Reloaded/PatchstackPatchstack/Shield SecurityMalCare Security/Kadence Security (formerly Solid Security)Patchstack/WP Cerber SecurityJetpack Protect/Shield SecurityLimit Login Attempts Reloaded/WP Cerber SecurityDefender Security/PatchstackMalCare Security/Sucuri SecurityWordfence Security/WP Cerber SecurityDefender Security/MalCare SecurityReally Simple Security/Kadence Security (formerly Solid Security)Really Simple Security/Sucuri SecurityAll-In-One Security (AIOS)/Really Simple SecurityJetpack Protect/Wordfence SecurityJetpack Protect/Kadence Security (formerly Solid Security)Sucuri Security/Wordfence SecurityJetpack Protect/Sucuri Security Buyer's guide
Know which layer you are adding
Security plugins work in different places. Endpoint firewalls such as Wordfence's run inside WordPress and see every request in context. Cloud or DNS-level firewalls, such as Sucuri's paid platform, filter traffic before it reaches your server. Others focus on scanning, login protection or virtual patching. Many sites combine one main security plugin with a host- or CDN-level firewall.
The basics most sites need
Brute-force protection, two-factor authentication for administrators, a malware scanner and alerts for vulnerable plugins cover the most common attacks. These are available in the free versions of several plugins, so check the feature filter above before paying.
What paid plans add
Real-time firewall rules and IP blocklists, virtual patching for newly disclosed vulnerabilities, off-site scanning, malware removal and multi-site dashboards are the most common upgrades. Free versions of some firewalls receive new rules after a delay, which matters when a widely used plugin has a fresh vulnerability.
Avoid overlapping plugins
Running two firewalls or two scanners at once can slow the site and cause conflicts or lockouts. Pick one main security plugin, and only add a second tool when it covers something the first does not, such as virtual patching or login rate limiting.
Security is more than a plugin
Keep WordPress, plugins and themes updated, remove what you do not use, use strong unique passwords and keep tested backups off-site. A security plugin helps you spot and block problems, but backups are what let you recover from them.
Browse by feature
Web application firewall (11)
Cloud / DNS-level firewall (2)
Brute-force protection (12)
Login CAPTCHA (11)
Rate limiting & bot blocking (9)
Country blocking (9)
Real-time IP blocklist (10)
Malware scanner (9)
File change detection (8)
Vulnerability alerts (9)
Scheduled scans (11)
Off-site scanning (5)
Malware removal (8)
Two-factor authentication (11)
Passkeys / WebAuthn (5)
Password policies (6)
Custom login URL (8)
Session management (5)
One-click hardening (10)
SSL / HTTPS tools (4)
Security headers (7)
Virtual patching (6)
Auto-update vulnerable plugins (5)
Activity log (11)
Security alerts (12)
Multi-site dashboard (10)