Captcha by BestWebSoft – Advanced Spam Protection, Math & OCR-Friendly Captcha for Site Forms
by bestwebsoft · Security
Also makes 17 other plugins · 204.3K+ installs across the portfolio →
1 The Ultimate Spam Protection Plugin Using Captcha for WordPress Forms.
Try it live opens a temporary test site in your browser, which can take about 20 seconds to load. Plugins that rely on outside services or a full server may not work completely there.
Health
B 78/100
Open vulnerability
Active installs
10K+
≈19K estimated
Momentum
+31%
downloads vs prior 30d
Biggest opportunity: Swap “antispam”, “security” and “spam protection” for “bestwebsoft”, “math” and “no captcha”. “antispam” isn't earning its slot: you're not in the first 24 results for its own search. “bestwebsoft” sits at #6 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “security” isn't earning its slot: you're not in the first 24 results for its own search. “math” sits at #10 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “spam protection” isn't earning its slot: it only gets you to #15. “no captcha” sits at #11 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. All five slots are taken, so one has to go.
78 health vs 66 average across 1,776 Security plugins
Install conversion
How it's measured →4.4%
of downloads still active
At least 10K of 226.9K lifetime downloads are still running, above its category: the median Security plugin keeps 1.4%, across 1,059 plugins.
Downloads count every update, not just first installs, so older and more frequently released plugins read lower. Compare against other Security plugins, not across the directory. wp.org reports active installs as the bottom of a band, so the real rate is this or higher.
This plugin shipped 4 releases in the last 12 months, and every existing install that updated counted as another download. wp.org publishes no split between first installs and updates, so we show the raw rate rather than guess at one.
Details
Directory ranking optimization
How it's scored →How well this listing is tuned to rank in WordPress.org search, on the factors an owner controls. Not popularity, optimization.
Excellent listing optimization
Well tuned across the board
Updated 4 days ago
Tested up to WordPress 7.1.4, the current branch or newer
4.1★ over 21 reviews, smoothed to 4.10★ and held back under 25 reviews
5 of 5 tags set · short description in place
Search visibility
How it's tracked →Directory searches this plugin turns up in, and which way each one is moving. WordPress.org publishes no history of search positions, so this starts the day we first tracked a keyword and never backfills.
60
Momentum
Gaining ground
+1.5
Velocity
places per keyword, 28d
59%
Breadth
of keywords climbing, 28d
+1.8
Acceleration
recent half vs earlier
wp.org is where the directory puts the plugin for that search. On merit is where it would sit if results were ranked on rating, support and updates, without the install boost. The last column is how far the wp.org position moved, from our first reading in the last 90 days to the latest.
| Keyword | wp.org | On merit | wp.org move, 90 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| ocr | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| math captcha | #2 | #3 | up 2 |
| bestwebsoft | #6 | #9 | up 4 |
| captcha woocommerce your tag | #8 | #13 | up 1 |
| math | #10 | #10 | 0 |
| captcha your tag | #11 | #17 | up 4 |
| spam protection your tag | #15 | #20 | up 2 |
| no captcha | #11 | #14 | up 1 |
| captcha protection | #8 | #13 | down 1 |
| free captcha | #8 | #12 | 0 |
| friendly | #24 | #21 | 0 |
| antispam protection | #15 | #17 | 0 |
| woocommerce captcha | #10 | #14 | up 1 |
| woocommerce checkout captcha | #10 | #16 | 0 |
| captcha plugin | #12 | #14 | up 2 |
| forms captcha | #16 | #19 | up 8 |
| antispam security | #18 | #20 | up 1 |
| antispam woocommerce | #19 | #21 | — |
| antispam comment spam | #23 | #18 | — |
| antispam your tag | Not in the top 24 | ||
| security your tag | Not in the top 24 | ||
86 searches this plugin appeared in over the last 90 days, 19 listed. 67 left out as unrelated or noise (years, numbers, stray words). 2 of its tags aren't in the top 24 for their own search.
What to do about it
- Swap “antispam”, “security” and “spam protection” for “bestwebsoft”, “math” and “no captcha”. “antispam” isn't earning its slot: you're not in the first 24 results for its own search. “bestwebsoft” sits at #6 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “security” isn't earning its slot: you're not in the first 24 results for its own search. “math” sits at #10 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “spam protection” isn't earning its slot: it only gets you to #15. “no captcha” sits at #11 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. All five slots are taken, so one has to go.
- One page off on “captcha”. #11 puts you just past the first ten results, where almost all the clicks stop. The gap to close is small.
- One page off on “spam protection”. #15 puts you just past the first ten results, where almost all the clicks stop. The gap to close is small.
Daily downloads
Since 5 Oct 2022 · 1,488 days · wp.org + Plugin Pulse archive
30-day downloads
Rolling 30-day volume · peak 15.5K · peaks are release surges
Directory rank vs rivals
wp.org popularity rank over time · higher is better · when a rival's line climbs above yours, they've overtaken you
Rating trend
Star average over time · dips mark rough releases
Health trend
Composite health score, snapshotted daily
Update activity
How busy the existing users are, measured as downloads in the last 30 days for every 1,000 active sites. A spike means a new release everyone's pulling; a long, slow decline means an aging user base that updates less.
Release cadence
Actively maintainedHow often this plugin actually ships. A steady rhythm is the maintenance signal a single "last updated" date can't show.
4
releases in the last 12 months
4d ago
latest release · v5.2.9 · 27 Oct 2026
29
tagged releases on record
Recent releases
What its installed base runs
via wordpress.orgShare of active installs on each version of this plugin · 87% run the current release. Green is the current release; a big slice on older versions is a user base that has stopped updating.
Estimated active installs
The public count shows “10K+”. Our estimate pins where the real number sits.
Crossed into this band 3.9 years ago; a band this size takes about a year or more to cross, which places it about 90% of the way through.
Install history since 11 Jan 2020
Recent reviews
All reviews on wp.org ↗- ★★★★★ jxenarios1.6y ago
For what I really need it for you have to pay for, the contact forms.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Kemon1.8y ago
This plugin is a fantastic solution for stopping spam on WordPress sites. The math captcha is simple yet effective, and it’s easy to set up even for custom forms. I upgraded to the Pro version for WooCommerce support, and it works flawlessly. Highly recommended for anyone needing reliable spam protection!
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ salinator2.0y ago
Many thanks to the BestWebSoft Support Team who were able to provide a quick solution to my problemPatrick
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ 阿卡林刘3.0y ago
I Don`t Want pay This Plugin for All Feature, Because is Too expensive. This topic was modified 2 years, 9 months ago by 阿卡林刘.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ fairyfox3.6y ago
实在是棒的前无古人后无来者，作者可千万别那天支撑不住了断更了啊，怕怕(*o*)
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ digimik4.0y ago
Suddenly the free version is a trial and ends. When caching, I keep getting 403 errors. Deleted…
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ olehmx4.4y ago
En mi caso en wordpress 5.9.3 funciona perfectamente. Despues de instalar ha desaparecido el spam. Ademas el plugin no consume los recursos. Gracias.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Anne4.9y ago
Good plugin and quick response to question , works easily
Read on wp.org ↗
Latest updates
via wp.org changelogRecent releases and news for this plugin
- — Version 2.8 Update : All functionality was updated for WordPress 6.9.4 NEW : The new functionality Force Strong Passwords has been added. PRO : The new compatibility with Easy Digital Downloads Forms has been added. Update : BWS Pan 2.8
- — Version 2.7 Bugfix : Syntax error has been fixed. 2.7
- — Version 2.6 Update : All functionality was updated for WordPress 6.8.2 Pro : The Block disposable emails functionality has been added. NEW : The new compatibility with BWS Login Register Form has been added. Update : BWS Panel secti 2.6
- — Version 2.5 Update : All functionality was updated for WordPress 6.7 NEW : The compatibility with Protected post password form has been added. Pro : The compatibility with Memberpress has been added. Pro : The compatibility with For 2.5
- — Version 2.4 Update : All functionality was updated for WordPress 6.6 Update : Check settings notice has been added. 2.4
- — Version 2.2 Update : All functionality was updated for WordPress 6.5 Update : BWS panel section was updated. NEW: Ability to use session to save captcha values has been added. Bugfix : The issue with display captcha has been fixed. 2.2
Security history
via Wordfence Intelligence1 open vulnerability affects the current version (5.2.9). 2 of 3 disclosed are patched.
Vulnerability records provided by Wordfence Intelligence. Copyright 2012-2026 Defiant Inc. License and terms.
CVE records: Copyright 1999-2026 The MITRE Corporation. CVE terms of use.
Behavioral tests
via WP HiveAutomated install-time checks, tested on PHP 8.1.12 · WP 7.0.1
Languages
via translate.wordpress.orgTranslated into 17 languages, 3 at 90% or more
AI assistants
How it's measured →Whether ChatGPT and Claude name this plugin when asked the category question, and whether the readme gives them something to quote.
Not measured yet for this plugin’s topics. Its tracked searches are not among the measured topics. See the topics measured so far.
Readme readiness
7 of 8 pass · checked 28 Oct 2026Can an assistant quote this readme? Eight deterministic checks over the wp.org listing, no model involved.
- ! Says what it does Short description names no action; say what the plugin does for the site.
- ✓ Has a FAQ 5 questions in the FAQ.
- ✓ FAQ asks real questions 3 of 5 read like questions a user would type.
- ✓ Names who it is for Names its audience or use cases ("ideal for", "if you have").
- ✓ Names what it works with Mentions WooCommerce, Elementor, Divi, Contact Form 7 and 11 more.
- ✓ Headings and lists 7 headings and 22 lists.
- ✓ Enough to quote 6,865 characters of description.
- ✓ Tags match the text 3 of 5 tags appear in the text; "antispam", "captcha WooCommerce" do not.
Growth timeline
Install-tier crossings we have observed, and how long each tier took to outgrow
- 2022-12-21 9K+ → 10K+ up after 3 days in tier
- 2022-12-18 10K+ → 9K+ down after 11 days in tier
- 2022-12-07 9K+ → 10K+ up after 1 days in tier
- 2022-12-06 10K+ → 9K+ down after 3 days in tier
- 2022-12-03 9K+ → 10K+ up after 1 days in tier
- 2022-12-02 10K+ → 9K+ down after 1 days in tier
- 2022-12-01 9K+ → 10K+ up after 11 days in tier
- 2022-11-20 10K+ → 9K+ down after 3 days in tier
Competes with
The plugins that solve the same job, ranked by shared tags then reach, closest match first. The letter on the right is each plugin's health grade (A best, F worst).
-
Titan Anti-spam & Security – Brute Force Protection, 2FA & Spam Filter 50K+ installs · 4.4★ · 3 shared tags A -
Antispam Bee 700K+ installs · 4.8★ · 2 shared tags A -
SiteGuard WP Plugin 600K+ installs · 4.1★ · 2 shared tags B -
CF7 Apps – Addons for Contact Form 7 (Honeypot, Database, Redirection, Webhook, etc.) 300K+ installs · 3.8★ · 2 shared tags A -
reCaptcha by BestWebSoft 100K+ installs · 3.9★ · 2 shared tags B -
hCaptcha for WP 70K+ installs · 4.5★ · 2 shared tags A
Embed this report card
Drop a live Pulse card for Captcha by BestWebSoft – Advanced Spam Protection, Math & OCR-Friendly Captcha for Site Forms into a readme, a review or a deck. It updates itself.
<iframe src="https://plugins.wpmayor.com/embed/captcha-bws" width="480" height="300" style="border:0" loading="lazy" title="Captcha by BestWebSoft – Advanced Spam Protection, Math & OCR-Friendly Captcha for Site Forms — Plugin Pulse"></iframe> Captcha by BestWebSoft – Advanced Spam Protection, Math & OCR-Friendly Captcha for Site Forms: 10K+ active installs, 4.1★ (21 reviews). Plugin Pulse (WP Mayor), as of 2026-10-31. https://plugins.wpmayor.com/plugin/captcha-bws
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