wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “database log”
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 “database log”, we agree with wp.org on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 8 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
Log Emails shows at wp.org #7 but places #16 on merit, a gap of 9 places. Its 6K+ installs carry it up the search order; its 5.0★ average from 11 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.
Buried gem
UpdraftPlus: WP Backup & Migration Plugin places #11 on merit, 4.8★ from 8709 reviews, but shows at wp.org #19. A smaller install base keeps it further down the default search order than its quality signals alone would.
Activity Log – Monitor User and Agent Changes 200K+ · 4.3★ (74)
wp.org #1 2 
WP Activity Log 300K+ · 4.7★ (490)
wp.org #2 3 
Advanced Database Cleaner – Optimize & Clean Database to Speed Up Site Performance 100K+ · 4.9★ (1962)
wp.org #3 4 
Database Cleaner: Cleanup, Optimization & Repair 10K+ · 5.0★ (150)
wp.org #4 5 
WP-Optimize – Cache, Compress images, Minify & Clean database to boost page speed & performance 1M+ · 4.8★ (2617)
wp.org #5 6 
Optimize Database after Deleting Revisions 60K+ · 4.7★ (181)
wp.org #6 7 
Database Addon for Contact Form 7 – CFDB7 600K+ · 5.0★ (1875)
wp.org #9 ↓1 2 too low 8 
Simple History – Track, Log, and Audit WordPress Changes 300K+ · 4.9★ (491)
wp.org #12 ↑1 4 too low 9 
Wordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security 5M+ · 4.7★ (5040)
wp.org #13 ↓3 4 too low 10 
Debug Log Manager – Conveniently Monitor and Inspect Errors 10K+ · 5.0★ (25)
wp.org #8 ↑1 2 too high 11 UpdraftPlus: WP Backup & Migration Plugin 4M+ · 4.8★ (8709)
wp.org #19 ↓1 8 too low 12 
Post SMTP – Complete Email Delivery and SMTP Solution with Email Logs, Alerts, Backup SMTP & Mobile App 300K+ · 4.7★ (528)
wp.org #16 ↑1 4 too low 13 
WP Mail Log 10K+ · 4.9★ (66)
wp.org #14 1 too low 14 
WP Database Backup – Unlimited Database & Files Backup by Backup for WP 20K+ · 4.5★ (102)
wp.org #15 1 too low 15 
Log cleaner for Kadence Security 7K+ · 5.0★ (22) thin reviews
wp.org #10 ↑1 5 too high 16 Log Emails 6K+ · 5.0★ (11) thin reviews
wp.org #7 9 too high 17 
All-In-One Security (AIOS) – Security and Firewall 1M+ · 4.7★ (1720)
wp.org #24 7 too low 18 
Simple Login Log 5K+ · 4.5★ (27)
wp.org #11 ↑1 7 too high 19 
Debug Log Manager Tool 3K+ · 5.0★ (22) thin reviews
wp.org #17 2 too high 20 
CF7 Apps – Addons for Contact Form 7 (Honeypot, Database, Redirection, Webhook, etc.) 300K+ · 3.8★ (135)
wp.org #22 2 too low 21 
Activity Log Pro – User Activity Log, Audit Log & Security Monitor 400+ · 5.0★ (15) thin reviews
wp.org #20 1 too high 22 
Database for Contact Form 7 7K+ · 4.2★ (14) thin reviews
wp.org #18 4 too high 23 R REST API Log 5K+ · 3.6★ (24) thin reviews
wp.org #23 24 
CodingBunny Database Cleaner 200+ · 5.0★ (2) thin reviews
wp.org #21 3 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.