wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “content integrity”
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 “content integrity”, we agree with wp.org on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 7 of the top 20. 2 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
InTouch Integrity Guard shows at wp.org #8 but places #23 on merit, a gap of 15 places. Its 10+ installs carry it up the search order; its 5.0★ average from 1 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.
Buried gem
Anti-Malware Security and Brute-Force Firewall places #7 on merit, 4.9★ from 783 reviews, but shows at wp.org #17. 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★ (5039) heavy footprint
wp.org #1 2 
UpdraftPlus: WP Backup & Migration Plugin 4M+ · 4.8★ (8708)
wp.org #2 3 
All-in-One WP Migration and Backup 5M+ · 4.5★ (7676)
wp.org #5 2 too low 4 
WP Encryption: Easy HTTPS / SSL & Free SSL certificate, HTTPS redirect 50K+ · 4.9★ (1146)
wp.org #7 3 too low 5 
Vigilant – 100% Free Security Suite: Firewall, 2FA, Login, Headers, Scanner… 3K+ · 5.0★ (24) thin reviews
wp.org #4 1 too high 6 
Sucuri Security – Auditing, Malware Scanner and Security Hardening 600K+ · 4.2★ (386) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #6 7 Anti-Malware Security and Brute-Force Firewall 100K+ · 4.9★ (783)
wp.org #17 ↓1 10 too low 8 
Simple History – Track, Log, and Audit WordPress Changes 300K+ · 4.9★ (491)
wp.org #15 ↓1 7 too low 9 
Security Optimizer – The All-In-One Protection Plugin 1M+ · 4.5★ (157)
wp.org #9 ↓1 10 
WP Data Access – App Builder for Tables, Forms, Dashboards, Charts & Maps 10K+ · 4.9★ (88)
wp.org #14 ↑8 4 too low 11 
Cyr-To-Lat 300K+ · 4.7★ (98)
wp.org #12 1 too low 12 
NinjaFirewall (WP Edition) – Advanced Security Plugin and Firewall 100K+ · 4.9★ (220) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #11 ↑2 1 too high 13 
Integrity Checker 200+ · 4.8★ (6) throws errorsnot PHP-current thin reviews
wp.org #3 10 too high 14 
Advanced IP Blocker 3K+ · 4.9★ (27)
wp.org #13 ↑8 1 too high 15 
Cyr to Lat Enhanced 80K+ · 4.6★ (51)
wp.org #16 ↓1 1 too low 16 
Tutor LMS – eLearning and online course solution 100K+ · 4.4★ (590) heavy footprint
wp.org #24 ↓1 8 too low 17 
Username Changer 40K+ · 4.3★ (77)
wp.org #18 ↓1 1 too low 18 
Security Ninja – WordPress Security & Firewall 7K+ · 4.7★ (101)
wp.org #23 5 too low 19 
NinjaScanner – Virus & Malware scan 40K+ · 4.0★ (36)
wp.org #19 ↓1 20 
atec Cache Info 1K+ · 5.0★ (10) thin reviews
wp.org #22 ↑2 2 too low 21 
تقویم فارسی – Persian Calendar 3K+ · 5.0★ (8) thin reviews
wp.org #20 1 too high 22 
RSFirewall! 4K+ · 5.0★ (5) thin reviews
wp.org #21 ↓2 1 too high 23 InTouch Integrity Guard 10+ · 5.0★ (1) thin reviews
wp.org #8 ↑2 15 too high 24 
Smart Bulk Delete & Content Cleaner for WordPress 100+ · 5.0★ (1) thin reviews
wp.org #10 ↑1 14 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.