wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “access logs”
wp.org orders by popularity, so a plugin a host bundled onto millions of sites, or a big-brand one that's slow and mediocre, can sit at the top. Our ranking is built to answer a different question: which of these is actually worth installing. How this works →
For “access logs”, we agree with wp.org on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 7 of the top 20.
wp.org search ranks on
Install count (uncapped), the raw star average, freshness, and support. Popularity dominates, so the biggest install base usually wins regardless of how it got there.
We add
A cap on the install boost, volume-weighted ratings, and signals wp.org can't see: whether the install base is organic or host-pushed, and its risk of being pulled.
Ranked above its merit
Activity Logs, User Activity Tracking, Multisite Activity Log from Logtivity shows at wp.org #14 but places #24 on merit, a gap of 10 places. Its 2K+ installs carry it up the search order; its 5.0★ average from 4 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.
WP Activity Log 300K+ · 4.7★ (490)
wp.org #1 2 
Site Kit by Google – Analytics, Search Console, AdSense, Speed 5M+ · 4.2★ (1012)
wp.org #2 ↑3 3 
Post SMTP – Complete Email Delivery and SMTP Solution with Email Logs, Alerts, Backup SMTP & Mobile App 300K+ · 4.7★ (528)
wp.org #4 ↓2 1 too low 4 
Restricted Site Access 10K+ · 4.8★ (62)
wp.org #3 1 too high 5 
Simple History – Track, Log, and Audit WordPress Changes 300K+ · 4.9★ (491)
wp.org #5 ↓1 6 
Wordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security 5M+ · 4.7★ (5040)
wp.org #7 ↓1 1 too low 7 
Prevent Direct Access – Protect WordPress Files 10K+ · 4.6★ (297)
wp.org #8 1 too low 8 
Controlled Admin Access 10K+ · 4.8★ (45)
wp.org #6 ↑1 2 too high 9 
All-In-One Security (AIOS) – Security and Firewall 1M+ · 4.7★ (1720)
wp.org #11 2 too low 10 
Groups – Memberships and Access Control 10K+ · 4.8★ (382)
wp.org #13 ↑1 3 too low 11 
Easy WP SMTP – WordPress SMTP and Email Logs: Gmail SMTP, Office 365, Outlook, Custom SMTP, and more 500K+ · 4.6★ (709)
wp.org #12 1 too low 12 
Remove Dashboard Access 30K+ · 4.6★ (78)
wp.org #9 3 too high 13 
Elementor Website Builder – more than just a page builder 10M+ · 4.5★ (7322)
wp.org #19 ↑1 6 too low 14 
PublishPress Capabilities: User Role Access Control, Admin Area Permissions 90K+ · 4.7★ (143)
wp.org #15 ↓2 1 too low 15 
Security Plugin, Firewall & Malware Scanner with Auto Removal 40K+ · 4.8★ (397)
wp.org #21 6 too low 16 
Email Log 80K+ · 4.2★ (43)
wp.org #10 6 too high 17 
Check & Log Email – Easy Email Testing & Mail logging 90K+ · 4.8★ (292)
wp.org #22 ↓1 5 too low 18 
Prevent Files / Folders Access 1K+ · 4.6★ (35)
wp.org #16 ↓1 2 too high 19 
Simple Page Access Restriction 6K+ · 4.9★ (32)
wp.org #17 ↓1 2 too high 20 
Stream – Activity Log & Audit Trail 70K+ · 4.3★ (76)
wp.org #23 ↓1 3 too low 21 
SureMail – SMTP and Email Logs Plugin with Amazon SES, Postmark, and Other Providers 200K+ · 4.7★ (25)
wp.org #24 ↓1 3 too low 22 
Log Emails 6K+ · 5.0★ (11) thin reviews
wp.org #18 4 too high 23 R REST API Log 5K+ · 3.6★ (24) thin reviews
wp.org #20 ↓1 3 too high 24 Activity Logs, User Activity Tracking, Multisite Activity Log from Logtivity 2K+ · 5.0★ (4) thin reviews
wp.org #14 ↑3 10 too high Merit ranking caps the install boost at 1M (wp.org leaves it uncapped), replaces the raw star average with a volume-weighted Bayesian score and a Wilson lower bound, and keeps wp.org's own freshness and compatibility decays. Method from the plugin-directory source; see Meta Trac #8298. Positions are tracked daily from the first visit to a keyword, so the small arrows show movement since tracking began.