wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “json web authentication”
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 “json web authentication”, we agree with wp.org on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 9 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
JSON API User shows at wp.org #6 but places #14 on merit, a gap of 8 places. Its 1K+ installs carry it up the search order; its 3.9★ average from 21 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.
Buried gem
Members – Membership & User Role Editor Plugin places #11 on merit, 4.9★ from 1281 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 
JWT Authentication for WP REST API 60K+ · 4.4★ (53) not PHP-current
wp.org #2 3 
JWT Authentication for WP REST APIs 10K+ · 4.4★ (74)
wp.org #3 4 
Two Factor Authentication 20K+ · 4.4★ (77)
wp.org #4 5 
Security Plugin, Firewall & Malware Scanner with Auto Removal 40K+ · 4.8★ (397)
wp.org #7 2 too low 6 
Jetpack – AI Agents & MCP, Security, Backup & Analytics 3M+ · 3.7★ (2408)
wp.org #5 ↑1 1 too high 7 
wpDataTables – WordPress Data Table, Dynamic Tables & Table Charts Plugin 60K+ · 4.5★ (449)
wp.org #8 1 too low 8 
All-In-One Security (AIOS) – Security and Firewall 1M+ · 4.7★ (1720)
wp.org #9 1 too low 9 
WPVibe – MCP Server for WordPress, works with Claude, ChatGPT & other AI MCP agents 100K+ · 5.0★ (195)
wp.org #11 ↑3 2 too low 10 
ElementsKit Elementor Addons – Advanced Widgets & Templates Addons for Elementor 1M+ · 4.9★ (2051)
wp.org #13 ↓1 3 too low 11 Members – Membership & User Role Editor Plugin 300K+ · 4.9★ (1281)
wp.org #17 6 too low 12 
Hide My WP Ghost – Security & Firewall 100K+ · 4.5★ (373)
wp.org #15 3 too low 13 
Query Monitor 200K+ · 4.9★ (470)
wp.org #22 ↓6 9 too low 14 JSON API User 1K+ · 3.9★ (21) thin reviews
wp.org #6 ↓1 8 too high 15 
Contact Form Clean and Simple 7K+ · 4.7★ (195)
wp.org #21 ↓1 6 too low 16 
WP Hide & Security Enhancer 50K+ · 4.3★ (275) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #14 ↓1 2 too high 17 
Magic Login – Magic Link & Passwordless Authentication for WordPress – Login Without Password 3K+ · 4.8★ (26)
wp.org #12 ↓2 5 too high 18 
WP OAuth Server (OAuth Authentication) 3K+ · 3.8★ (41) not PHP-current
wp.org #10 ↑1 8 too high 19 
Advanced IP Blocker 3K+ · 4.9★ (27)
wp.org #19 ↑3 20 
Easy MCP AI – Connect Claude to WordPress: MCP Server for ChatGPT & AI Agents 30K+ · 4.9★ (16) thin reviews
wp.org #16 ↑2 4 too high 21 
PushEngage – Web Push Notifications, WooCommerce Automation & Chat Widget 8K+ · 4.3★ (37)
wp.org #18 ↓3 3 too high 22 
WPVulnerability 10K+ · 5.0★ (20) thin reviews
wp.org #23 ↓6 1 too low 23 
REST API Guard 200+ · 5.0★ (2) thin reviews
wp.org #24 1 too low 24 
CoCart JWT Authentication 200+ · 0.0★ (0) thin reviews
wp.org #20 ↓1 4 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.