Password Protected
by Saad Iqbal · Admin & Utilities
Also makes 51 other plugins · 1.3M+ installs across the portfolio →
Password protect your WordPress site with one password. Control access, whitelist trusted IPs, and monitor password activity.
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
A 85/100
no flags
Active installs
300K+
≈350K estimated
Momentum
-11%
downloads vs prior 30d
Biggest opportunity: Swap “maintenance mode” and “restrict content” for “categories” and “whitelist”. “maintenance mode” isn't earning its slot: you're not in the first 24 results for its own search. “categories” sits at #4 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “restrict content” isn't earning its slot: it only gets you to #21. “whitelist” sits at #4 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. All five slots are taken, so one has to go.
85 health vs 56 average across 5,902 Admin & Utilities plugins
Install conversion
How it's measured →3.7%
of downloads still active
At least 300K of 8.1M lifetime downloads are still running, above its category: the median Admin & Utilities plugin keeps 0.6%, across 4,193 plugins.
Downloads count every update, not just first installs, so older and more frequently released plugins read lower. Compare against other Admin & Utilities 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 8 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 3 days ago
Tested up to WordPress 7.1.4, the current branch or newer
4.4★ over 142 reviews, smoothed to 4.32★
5 of 5 tags set · short description in place
2 of 2 support threads resolved in the last 2 months
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.
45
Momentum
Holding steady
-0.1
Velocity
places per keyword, 28d
37%
Breadth
of keywords climbing, 28d
-0.2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| password protect your tag | #1 | #1 | up 2 |
| password protected | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| password protection your tag | #1 | #1 | up 3 |
| password | #1 | #1 | up 1 |
| protected | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| password protect page your tag | #2 | #2 | up 2 |
| protected site | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| password protected content | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| add password content | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| protected content | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| password protected pages | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| protected page | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| no password | #1 | #1 | up 1 |
| password protected posts | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| post password | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| password post | #1 | #1 | — |
| protected post | #1 | #1 | — |
| whitelist | #4 | #5 | 0 |
| custom password page | #2 | #2 | up 1 |
| password protect post | #2 | #2 | — |
| maintenance mode your tag | Not in the top 24 | ||
734 searches this plugin appeared in over the last 90 days, 20 listed. 658 left out as unrelated or noise (years, numbers, stray words). 1 of its tags isn't in the top 24 for their own search.
What to do about it
- Swap “maintenance mode” and “restrict content” for “categories” and “whitelist”. “maintenance mode” isn't earning its slot: you're not in the first 24 results for its own search. “categories” sits at #4 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “restrict content” isn't earning its slot: it only gets you to #21. “whitelist” sits at #4 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. All five slots are taken, so one has to go.
- Slipping on “restrict content”. Down 10 places since 2026-09-18, now #21. Check what shipped around then, and what moved above you.
Daily downloads
Since 5 Oct 2022 · 1,490 days · wp.org + Plugin Pulse archive
30-day downloads
Rolling 30-day volume · peak 380K · 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.
8
releases in the last 12 months
3d ago
latest release · v2.8.6 · 30 Oct 2026
64
tagged releases on record
Recent releases
What its installed base runs
via wordpress.orgShare of active installs on each version of this plugin · 42% 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 “300K+”. Our estimate pins where the real number sits.
Crossed into this band 22 months ago; a band this size takes about a year or more to cross, which places it about 50% of the way through.
Install history since 10 Oct 2021
Recent reviews
All reviews on wp.org ↗- ★★★★★ swisspaul19565mo ago
Easy to install and configure. It seems that the Support service must be good too, because as soon as I had deactivated Password Protected, I was contacted by them enquiring whether I was having problems with that module. The answer is no : it works perfectly. And the only reason I deactivated it is that the website on which it was installed no longer contains any sensitive or confidential information that requires the use of passwords. But I can recommend it to anyone looking for a simple effective way of controlling access to a website.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Dr Tyrell6mo ago
This plugin could really use an update. The create has a gorgeous PAYMENT page, but the ugliest plugin on the market. Enabling the password protection inserts an embarrassing 1999 notice inside your site. The $99/year made me laugh out loud. This topic was modified 2 months, 1 week ago by Dr Tyrell.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ hriepma6mo ago
Super easy to use and does exactly what I needed. Clean, lightweight, and very reliable—highly recommend 👍
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Kindly Thrive Support12mo ago
I need a homepage public. I want to lock out everything else. This was the top result for this feature, but it is locked behind a paywall. Exclusion of a few pages should be included or at least the homepage. I am sure this is useful for some people, but I need my homepage unlocked for a project.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Katherine Kern1.1y ago
easy to customize; support is fast
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ vibrantsystems1.1y ago
While it took a while to get the plugin working with my website, the support team was able to assist me through the more technical issues and it now works without a hitch!
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ alchambers1.2y ago
I purchased this as a lifetime license, and decided to try it out. I had compatibility issues between this plugin and MainWP, but Muhammad Usama Azad of the Password Protected team was able to debug the issue quickly and provided a fix. It is appreciated.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ lightwavin1.2y ago
This plugin appears to be a good one but quite pricey if you want any features but I understand that the developer has spent time creating this plugin and would like to make some money which is fair. Just discovered one of the developers other plugins which helped do what I needed to do. Thank you! This topic was modified 11 months, 2 weeks ago by lightwavin. Reason: updated information found
Read on wp.org ↗
Latest updates
via wp.org changelogRecent releases and news for this plugin
- — Version 2.8.3 Improved code optimization. 2.8.3
- — Version 2.8.2 New – Added functionality to bypass page cache. Improved code optimization. 2.8.2
- — Version 2.8.1 Update – Tested up to WordPress 7.0. Fixed – UI checkbox issue. 2.8.1
- — Version 2.8.0 Tested up to WordPress 6.9. Improved code optimization. 2.8.0
- — Version 2.7.12 Fixed – Fix the Vulnerability issued by WordFence. Fixed – Translation issue. 2.7.12
- — Version 2.7.11 Fixed: Translation issue. Improved code optimization. 2.7.11
Security history
via Wordfence IntelligenceAll 7 disclosed vulnerabilities are patched in the current version (2.8.6). Sites still on an older version should update.
- Patched Medium · 6.4 Password Protected <= 2.8.4 - Authenticated (Subscriber+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting via Freemius purchase_completed Handler ↗2026-10-28 CVE-2026-93293 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 2.8.4 Patched in 2.8.5
- 2026-08-03 CVE-2026-14943 Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor Affects <= 2.8.3 Patched in 2.8.4
- Patched Medium · 4.4 Password Protected <= 2.6.6 - Authenticated (Admin+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting ↗2024-02-19 CVE-2024-0656 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 2.6.6 Patched in 2.6.7
- Patched Medium · 4.4 Password Protected <= 2.6.2 - Authenticated (Administrator+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting ↗2023-06-13 CVE-2023-32580 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 2.6.2 Patched in 2.6.3
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.
Languages
via translate.wordpress.orgTranslated into 78 languages, 9 at 90% or more
Plus 54 more locales with partial translations.
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
8 of 8 pass · checked 2 Nov 2026Can an assistant quote this readme? Eight deterministic checks over the wp.org listing, no model involved.
- ✓ Says what it does "Password protect your WordPress site with one password. Control access, whitelist trusted IPs, and monitor..."
- ✓ Has a FAQ 16 questions in the FAQ.
- ✓ FAQ asks real questions 16 of 16 read like questions a user would type.
- ✓ Names who it is for Names its audience or use cases ("perfect for", "for businesses", "ideal for").
- ✓ Names what it works with Mentions WooCommerce, Elementor, Gutenberg, Block editor and 4 more.
- ✓ Headings and lists 8 headings and 2 lists.
- ✓ Enough to quote 17,564 characters of description.
- ✓ Tags match the text 4 of 5 tags appear in the text; "maintenance mode" does not.
Growth timeline
Install-tier crossings we have observed, and how long each tier took to outgrow
- 2025-01-11 400K+ → 300K+ down after 26 days in tier
- 2024-12-16 300K+ → 400K+ up after 17 days in tier
- 2024-11-29 400K+ → 300K+ down after 15 days in tier
- 2024-11-14 300K+ → 400K+ up after 24 days in tier
- 2024-10-21 400K+ → 300K+ down after 384 days in tier
- 2023-10-03 300K+ → 400K+ up after 723 days in tier
- 2021-10-10 200K+ → 300K+ up after 860 days in tier
- 2019-06-03 100K+ → 200K+ up after 1174 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).
-
GatePass – Password Protect Pages, Posts, Entire Site & WooCommerce for WordPress 10+ installs · 3.6★ · 4 shared tags -
PPWP – Password Protect Pages 30K+ installs · 4.6★ · 3 shared tags A -
Passster – Password Protect Pages and Content 10K+ installs · 4.2★ · 3 shared tags B -
Password for WP 200+ installs · 3.6★ · 3 shared tags -
Password Protect – Temporary Login Without Password & Password Protect Entire Site 200+ installs · 3.9★ · 3 shared tags B -
ContentProtector – password protect your page, post or text 5K+ installs · 3.6★ · 2 shared tags
Embed this report card
Drop a live Pulse card for Password Protected into a readme, a review or a deck. It updates itself.
<iframe src="https://plugins.wpmayor.com/embed/password-protected" width="480" height="300" style="border:0" loading="lazy" title="Password Protected — Plugin Pulse"></iframe> Password Protected: 300K+ active installs, 4.4★ (142 reviews). Plugin Pulse (WP Mayor), as of 2026-11-02. https://plugins.wpmayor.com/plugin/password-protected
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