wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “check out”
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 “check out”, we agree with wp.org on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 10 of the top 20. 4 plugins are pushed down for signals wp.org ignores: errors, a host-installed base, or removal risk.
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 it throws errors on current PHP, whether the install base is organic or host-pushed, and its risk of being pulled.
Ranked above its merit
WP Spell Check shows at wp.org #6 but places #19 on merit, a gap of 13 places. Its 2K+ installs carry it up the search order; its 2.9★ average from 39 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.
Buried gem
Autoptimize places #9 on merit, 4.7★ from 1428 reviews, but shows at wp.org #14. A smaller install base keeps it further down the default search order than its quality signals alone would.
WooCommerce 7M+ · 4.5★ (4833) throws errorsnot PHP-currentheavy footprint
wp.org #1 2 
The Events Calendar 600K+ · 4.2★ (2461)
wp.org #2 3 
TablePress – Tables in WordPress made easy 600K+ · 5.0★ (4625)
wp.org #5 2 too low 4 
Wordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security 5M+ · 4.7★ (5039) heavy footprint
wp.org #4 5 
Check & Log Email – Easy Email Testing & Mail logging 90K+ · 4.8★ (292) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #3 2 too high 6 
Translate WordPress with GTranslate 900K+ · 4.9★ (4962)
wp.org #9 ↑2 3 too low 7 
WPForms – AI Form Builder for WordPress – Contact Forms, Payment Forms, Survey Form, Quiz & More 5M+ · 4.8★ (14387)
wp.org #11 ↑2 4 too low 8 
Complianz GDPR/CCPA Cookie Consent Banner 1M+ · 4.7★ (1667)
wp.org #10 ↑10 2 too low 9 Autoptimize 800K+ · 4.7★ (1428)
wp.org #14 ↑7 5 too low 10 
Plugin Check (PCP) 10K+ · 4.5★ (36)
wp.org #7 3 too high 11 
BuddyPress 90K+ · 4.1★ (375)
wp.org #13 ↑4 2 too low 12 
Post Types Order 600K+ · 4.5★ (296)
wp.org #12 ↑4 13 
Post SMTP – Complete Email Delivery and SMTP Solution with Email Logs, Alerts, Backup SMTP & Mobile App 300K+ · 4.7★ (528)
wp.org #16 ↓6 3 too low 14 
Polylang 900K+ · 4.7★ (3004)
wp.org #18 ↑4 4 too low 15 
Smash Balloon Social Photo Feed – Easy Social Feeds Plugin 1M+ · 4.9★ (4358)
wp.org #20 ↓5 5 too low 16 
Pods – Custom Content Types and Fields 100K+ · 4.8★ (418)
wp.org #24 8 too low 17 
Events Manager – Calendar, Bookings, Tickets, Appointments and more! 60K+ · 4.2★ (551) not PHP-current
wp.org #19 2 too low 18 
Event Tickets and Registration 90K+ · 3.5★ (236) heavy footprint
wp.org #17 ↓3 1 too high 19 WP Spell Check 2K+ · 2.9★ (39) throws errorsnot PHP-currentheavy footprint
wp.org #6 13 too high 20 
Yoast Duplicate Post 3M+ · 4.7★ (538) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #21 ↑3 1 too low 21 
Opt-Out for Google Analytics (DSGVO / GDPR) 3K+ · 4.3★ (6) thin reviews
wp.org #8 ↑4 13 too high 22 
Modern Cart – WooCommerce Side Cart & Popup Cart 60K+ · 4.9★ (16) throws errorsnot PHP-current thin reviews
wp.org #15 ↑3 7 too high 23 
Out of the Block: OpenStreetMap 800+ · 4.4★ (8) thin reviews
wp.org #22 1 too high 24 
CMS ADMINS Security Check Report 400+ · 5.0★ (2) thin reviews
wp.org #23 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.