wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “design software”
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 “design software”, we agree with wp.org on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 9 of the top 20. 1 plugin is 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 the install base is organic or host-pushed, and its risk of being pulled.
Ranked above its merit
Extendify shows at wp.org #11 but places #22 on merit, a gap of 11 places. Its 500K+ installs carry it up the search order; its 4.7★ average from 10 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.
Buried gem
Popup Builder – Create highly converting, mobile friendly marketing popups. places #10 on merit, 4.7★ from 2215 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.
UpdraftPlus: WP Backup & Migration Plugin 4M+ · 4.8★ (8709)
wp.org #1 ↑1 2 
Easy Digital Downloads – eCommerce Payments and Subscriptions made easy 40K+ · 4.7★ (592)
wp.org #2 ↑1 3 
WP Travel Engine – Tour Booking Plugin – Tour Operator Software 20K+ · 4.9★ (594)
wp.org #4 ↑1 1 too low 4 
LiveChat – Live Chat Plugin for WP Websites 10K+ · 4.6★ (98)
wp.org #3 ↑1 1 too high 5 
Anti-Spam, Spam FireWall by CleanTalk 200K+ · 4.8★ (3221)
wp.org #6 1 too low 6 
All-In-One Security (AIOS) – Security and Firewall 1M+ · 4.7★ (1720)
wp.org #7 1 too low 7 
My Calendar – Accessible Event Manager 20K+ · 4.7★ (159)
wp.org #9 ↓1 2 too low 8 
Multibanco, MB WAY, Credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Payshop, and PIX (ifthenpay) for WooCommerce 8K+ · 5.0★ (21) thin reviews
wp.org #5 ↑5 3 too high 9 
Nelio A/B Testing – AB Tests and Heatmaps for Better Conversion Optimization 4K+ · 4.8★ (99)
wp.org #8 ↑3 1 too high 10 Popup Builder – Create highly converting, mobile friendly marketing popups. 200K+ · 4.7★ (2215)
wp.org #19 ↑3 9 too low 11 
GeoDirectory – WP Business Directory Plugin and Classified Listings Directory 10K+ · 4.8★ (716)
wp.org #17 ↑3 6 too low 12 
Otter Blocks – Gutenberg Blocks, Page Builder for Gutenberg Editor & FSE 300K+ · 4.7★ (251)
wp.org #14 ↑2 2 too low 13 
Stylish Cost Calculator – Quote Generator, Lead Gen & Price Estimator 1K+ · 4.8★ (175)
wp.org #18 ↑3 5 too low 14 
HubSpot All-In-One Marketing – Forms, Popups, Live Chat 200K+ · 4.3★ (207)
wp.org #21 ↓2 7 too low 15 
Yatra – Travel Booking & Tour Operator Software 600+ · 4.7★ (23) thin reviews
wp.org #12 ↑2 3 too high 16 
MaxiBlocks Builder | 17,000+ Design Assets, Patterns, Icons & Starter Sites 600+ · 5.0★ (17) thin reviews
wp.org #13 ↑2 3 too high 17 
LiveAgent – Omnichannel Help Desk & Live Chat Software 400+ · 4.2★ (32)
wp.org #15 ↑2 2 too high 18 
affiliate-toolkit – Multi-Network Affiliate & Amazon Product Display 2K+ · 4.5★ (22) thin reviews
wp.org #16 ↑2 2 too high 19 
Project Management, Bug and Issue Tracking Plugin – Software Issue Manager 20+ · 4.2★ (12) thin reviews
wp.org #10 ↑2 9 too high 20 
FluentCart A New Era of eCommerce – Faster, Lighter, and Simpler 9K+ · 4.5★ (46)
wp.org #23 3 too low 21 
Customer Support Ticket System & Helpdesk 400+ · 4.3★ (27)
wp.org #22 1 too low 22 Extendify 500K+ · 4.7★ (10) host-installed base thin reviews
wp.org #11 ↑2 11 too high 23 
Booqable Rental Plugin 1K+ · 4.2★ (10) thin reviews
wp.org #20 ↑3 3 too high 24 
KiviCare – Clinic & Patient Management System (EHR) 1K+ · 3.6★ (23) thin reviews
wp.org #24 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.