wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “invite codes”
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 “invite codes”, we and wp.org disagree on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 8 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
CM Registration – Tailored tool for seamless login and invitation-based registrations shows at wp.org #11 but places #23 on merit, a gap of 12 places. Its 30+ installs carry it up the search order; its 3.8★ average from 8 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.
Buried gem
Translate WordPress with Weglot 2.0 – Multilingual AI Translation places #11 on merit, 4.8★ from 1940 reviews, but shows at wp.org #23. A smaller install base keeps it further down the default search order than its quality signals alone would.
WP-Members Membership Plugin 50K+ · 4.6★ (272)
wp.org #3 2 too low 2 
User Registration & Membership – Free & Paid Memberships, Subscriptions, Content Restriction, User Profile, Custom User Registration & Login Builder 50K+ · 4.8★ (832)
wp.org #4 2 too low 3 
Chatway Live Chat – AI Chatbot, Customer Support, FAQ & Helpdesk Customer Service & Chat Buttons 30K+ · 5.0★ (775)
wp.org #6 3 too low 4 
AutomatorWP – No-Code Workflow Automation, Integration & Webhooks Plugin, now with AI 6K+ · 4.8★ (202)
wp.org #5 1 too low 5 
Affiliate Program Suite — SliceWP Affiliates 10K+ · 4.9★ (111)
wp.org #7 2 too low 6 
All in One Invite Codes 200+ · 5.0★ (3) thin reviews
wp.org #1 5 too high 7 
Templately – Elementor & Gutenberg Template Library: 6500+ Free & Pro Ready Templates And Cloud! 300K+ · 5.0★ (383)
wp.org #9 2 too low 8 
WP Discord Invite 400+ · 4.6★ (7) thin reviews
wp.org #2 6 too high 9 
New User Approve 20K+ · 4.3★ (131)
wp.org #10 1 too low 10 
RSVP and Event Management 3K+ · 4.4★ (58)
wp.org #8 2 too high 11 Translate WordPress with Weglot 2.0 – Multilingual AI Translation 50K+ · 4.8★ (1940)
wp.org #23 12 too low 12 
Atarim – AI Agency for WordPress: Edit Pages, Fix Code, Update Plugins, SEO & Client Feedback 1K+ · 4.9★ (126)
wp.org #14 2 too low 13 
BlogVault Backup & Staging 80K+ · 4.6★ (332)
wp.org #18 5 too low 14 
YITH WooCommerce Wishlist 400K+ · 3.9★ (262)
wp.org #13 1 too high 15 
Pie Register – User Registration, Profiles & Content Restriction 1K+ · 4.2★ (222)
wp.org #17 2 too low 16 
MoreConvert Wishlist for WooCommerce 8K+ · 4.9★ (120)
wp.org #22 6 too low 17 
ProfilePress – Paid Membership, Online Courses (LMS), Ecommerce, User Registration & Login Form, User Profile & Restrict Content 100K+ · 3.1★ (938)
wp.org #19 2 too low 18 
Coupon Affiliates – Affiliate Plugin for WooCommerce 5K+ · 4.9★ (77)
wp.org #21 3 too low 19 
Salon Booking System – Appointment Booking for Salons, Barbershops & Spas 2K+ · 4.4★ (187)
wp.org #24 5 too low 20 
BuddyPress Builder for Elementor – BuddyBuilder 1K+ · 4.6★ (57)
wp.org #20 21 I Invite Anyone 1K+ · 4.3★ (26) closure risk
wp.org #12 9 too high 22 
InstaWP Connect – 1-click WP Staging & Migration 40K+ · 4.5★ (12) thin reviews
wp.org #16 6 too high 23 CM Registration – Tailored tool for seamless login and invitation-based registrations 30+ · 3.8★ (8) thin reviews
wp.org #11 12 too high 24 
Wallet Up – Cash App, Venmo, PayPal, Zelle & QR Code Payments 200+ · 5.0★ (1) thin reviews
wp.org #15 9 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.