wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “block activity”
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 “block activity”, we agree with wp.org on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 13 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
Block for Apple Maps shows at wp.org #4 but places #19 on merit, a gap of 15 places. Its 1K+ installs carry it up the search order; its 5.0★ average from 2 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.
Buried gem
Translate WordPress with GTranslate places #12 on merit, 4.9★ from 4962 reviews, but shows at wp.org #22. A smaller install base keeps it further down the default search order than its quality signals alone would.
Wordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security 5M+ · 4.7★ (5040)
wp.org #1 2 
Anti-Spam, Spam FireWall by CleanTalk 200K+ · 4.8★ (3221)
wp.org #3 ↑1 1 too low 3 
Jetpack – AI Agents & MCP, Security, Backup & Analytics 3M+ · 3.7★ (2408)
wp.org #2 1 too high 4 
All-In-One Security (AIOS) – Security and Firewall 1M+ · 4.7★ (1720)
wp.org #5 ↑4 1 too low 5 
Elementor Website Builder – more than just a page builder 10M+ · 4.5★ (7322)
wp.org #6 1 too low 6 
Members – Membership & User Role Editor Plugin 300K+ · 4.9★ (1281)
wp.org #10 4 too low 7 
Kadence Security – Password, Two Factor Authentication, and Brute Force Protection 700K+ · 4.6★ (3992)
wp.org #13 6 too low 8 
Security Plugin, Firewall & Malware Scanner with Auto Removal 40K+ · 4.8★ (398)
wp.org #14 ↑5 6 too low 9 
Security Optimizer – The All-In-One Protection Plugin 1M+ · 4.5★ (157)
wp.org #8 ↓3 1 too high 10 
Ultimate Member – User Profile, Registration, Login, Member Directory, Content Restriction & Membership Plugin 200K+ · 4.4★ (1445)
wp.org #18 ↓4 8 too low 11 
Simple History – Track, Log, and Audit WordPress Changes 300K+ · 4.9★ (491)
wp.org #19 ↑1 8 too low 12 Translate WordPress with GTranslate 900K+ · 4.9★ (4962)
wp.org #22 ↑1 10 too low 13 
Recipe Card Blocks Lite 10K+ · 4.8★ (20) thin reviews
wp.org #9 ↓1 4 too high 14 
The Events Calendar Shortcode & Block 10K+ · 4.7★ (101)
wp.org #17 ↑1 3 too low 15 
Events Manager – Calendar, Bookings, Tickets, Appointments and more! 60K+ · 4.2★ (551)
wp.org #20 ↓5 5 too low 16 
Author Avatars List/Block 4K+ · 4.8★ (32)
wp.org #15 ↑1 1 too high 17 
Password Protected 300K+ · 4.4★ (142)
wp.org #21 4 too low 18 
Belaka – Block User Account 1K+ · 4.3★ (7) thin reviews
wp.org #7 ↓4 11 too high 19 Block for Apple Maps 1K+ · 5.0★ (2) thin reviews
wp.org #4 ↑3 15 too high 20 
All In One Login 60K+ · 3.6★ (35)
wp.org #24 4 too low 21 
Activity Link Preview For BuddyPress 100+ · 4.0★ (5) thin reviews
wp.org #16 ↑1 5 too high 22 
GamiPress – Block Users 300+ · 5.0★ (2) thin reviews
wp.org #11 11 too high 23 
Gutenverse Form – Contact Form Builder, Block Form & Booking Form 10K+ · 5.0★ (1) thin reviews
wp.org #12 11 too high 24 
OffCanvas / Drawer – add sleek slide-in panels to any page 900+ · 5.0★ (1) thin reviews
wp.org #23 ↓1 1 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.