wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “extra layer security”

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 “extra layer security”, 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

Security Header Generator shows at wp.org #14 but places #21 on merit, a gap of 7 places. Its 400+ installs carry it up the search order; its 4.9★ average from 7 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.

Buried gem

Slider, Gallery, and Carousel by MetaSlider – Image Slider, Video Slider places #9 on merit, 4.6★ from 743 reviews, but shows at wp.org #13. A smaller install base keeps it further down the default search order than its quality signals alone would.

merit plugin signals wp.org

Security Optimizer – The All-In-One Protection Plugin 1M+ · 4.5★ (157) wp.org #1 2

Really Simple Security – Simple and Performant Security (formerly Really Simple SSL) 3M+ · 4.9★ (8869) wp.org #3 1 too low 3

Jetpack – AI Agents & MCP, Security, Backup & Analytics 3M+ · 3.7★ (2408) wp.org #2 1 too high 4

Defender Security – Malware Scanner, Login Security & Firewall 80K+ · 4.8★ (334) wp.org #4 5

WP Hide & Security Enhancer 50K+ · 4.3★ (275) wp.org #6 1 too low 6

Security Ninja – WordPress Security & Firewall 7K+ · 4.7★ (101) wp.org #5 1 too high 7

Elementor Website Builder – more than just a page builder 10M+ · 4.5★ (7322) wp.org #8 1 too low 8

Smart Slider 3 800K+ · 4.9★ (1125) wp.org #11 3 too low 9

Slider, Gallery, and Carousel by MetaSlider – Image Slider, Video Slider 500K+ · 4.6★ (743) wp.org #13 4 too low 10

Cookies and Content Security Policy 10K+ · 4.9★ (67) wp.org #10 11

WP 2FA – Two-factor authentication for WordPress 100K+ · 4.7★ (184) wp.org #12 1 too low 12

Vigilant – 100% Free Security Suite: Firewall, 2FA, Login, Headers, Scanner… 3K+ · 5.0★ (24) thin reviews wp.org #7 5 too high 13

TranslatePress – Translate Multilingual sites with AI Translation 400K+ · 4.7★ (1667) wp.org #22 9 too low 14

BackWPup – WordPress Backup & Restore Plugin 400K+ · 4.0★ (1323) wp.org #19 5 too low 15

Melapress Login Security 3K+ · 4.8★ (20) thin reviews wp.org #9 6 too high 16

Two Factor 100K+ · 4.7★ (209) wp.org #24 8 too low 17

Sina Extension for Elementor 40K+ · 4.9★ (35) wp.org #15 2 too high 18

Password Protected 300K+ · 4.4★ (142) wp.org #20 2 too low 19

WP fail2ban – Advanced Security 60K+ · 4.2★ (71) wp.org #21 1 too low 21

Security Header Generator 400+ · 4.9★ (7) thin reviews wp.org #14 7 too high 22

Extra Product Options for WooCommerce 600+ · 4.1★ (9) thin reviews wp.org #16 6 too high 23

WebDefender Security – Protection & AntiSpam 1K+ · 4.0★ (18) thin reviews wp.org #23 24

Kadence Central – Site Management, Backups, Security, and Reporting 30K+ · 4.2★ (5) thin reviews wp.org #17 7 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.