wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “lifterlms”

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 “lifterlms”, we agree with wp.org on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 16 of the top 20. 3 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

Experience API for LifterLMS by Grassblade shows at wp.org #6 but places #23 on merit, a gap of 17 places. Its 100+ installs carry it up the search order; its 0.0★ average from 0 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.

Buried gem

Simply Schedule Appointments places #6 on merit, 5.0★ from 155 reviews, but shows at wp.org #16. A smaller install base keeps it further down the default search order than its quality signals alone would.

merit plugin signals wp.org

LifterLMS – WP LMS for eLearning, Online Courses, & Quizzes 10K+ · 4.8★ (393) wp.org #1 2

Popup Maker – Boost Sales, Conversions, Optins, Subscribers with the Ultimate WP Popup Builder 600K+ · 4.9★ (4514) wp.org #5 3 too low 3

LoginWP (Formerly Peter's Login Redirect) 80K+ · 4.8★ (503) wp.org #7 ↑1 4 too low 4

FluentCRM – Email Newsletter, Automation, Email Marketing, Email Campaigns, Optins, Leads, and CRM Solution 80K+ · 4.8★ (250) wp.org #9 5 too low 5

Masteriyo LMS – LMS Course Builder, Quizzes & Certificates 6K+ · 4.8★ (184) throws errorsnot PHP-currentheavy footprint wp.org #8 ↓1 3 too low 6

Simply Schedule Appointments 50K+ · 5.0★ (155) wp.org #16 ↑2 10 too low 7

LifterLMS Labs 2K+ · 5.0★ (3) thin reviews wp.org #2 5 too high 8

WP Fusion Lite – Marketing Automation and CRM Integration for WordPress 4K+ · 5.0★ (69) wp.org #13 5 too low 9

Variation Swatches for WooCommerce – Color, Image & Size Swatches 200K+ · 4.6★ (51) wp.org #14 5 too low 10

AutomatorWP – No-Code Workflow Automation, Integration & Webhooks Plugin, now with AI 6K+ · 4.8★ (202) heavy footprint wp.org #20 10 too low 11

MailOptin – Popup, Optin Forms & Email Newsletters for Mailchimp, HubSpot, AWeber Etc. 10K+ · 4.8★ (438) throws errorsnot PHP-current wp.org #17 ↓2 6 too low 12

Custom Template for LifterLMS 200+ · 5.0★ (3) thin reviews wp.org #3 ↑1 9 too high 13

Seraphinite Accelerator 50K+ · 4.8★ (476) not PHP-current wp.org #23 10 too low 14

CartFlows – Funnel Builder & Checkout Plugin for WooCommerce 200K+ · 4.8★ (517) throws errorsnot PHP-current wp.org #21 7 too low 15

Lite LMS Progress Tracker by LifterLMS – Simple Course, Membership Site and Content Progress Tracking for WordPress 300+ · 4.7★ (3) thin reviews wp.org #4 ↓1 11 too high 16

ProfilePress – Paid Membership, Online Courses (LMS), Ecommerce, User Registration & Login Form, User Profile & Restrict Content 100K+ · 3.1★ (938) throws errorsnot PHP-current wp.org #15 ↑1 1 too high 17

FuseWP – WordPress User Sync to Email List & Marketing Automation (Mailchimp, Constant Contact, ActiveCampaign etc.) 2K+ · 4.9★ (25) wp.org #18 ↓1 1 too low 18

Noptin – Newsletter, New Post Notifications & Email Automation 10K+ · 4.5★ (120) throws errorsnot PHP-current wp.org #19 1 too low 19

Astra Widgets 200K+ · 3.9★ (17) host-installed base thin reviews wp.org #10 9 too high 20

China Payments Plugin | Accept WeChat Pay, Alipay & UnionPay | Chinese Checkout Optimization 200+ · 5.0★ (17) thin reviews wp.org #24 4 too low 21

Modern Cart – WooCommerce Side Cart & Popup Cart 60K+ · 4.9★ (16) throws errorsnot PHP-current thin reviews wp.org #22 1 too low 22

Tutor LMS – Migration Tool 1K+ · 5.0★ (4) throws errorsnot PHP-current thin reviews wp.org #11 ↑1 11 too high 23

Experience API for LifterLMS by Grassblade 100+ · 0.0★ (0) thin reviews wp.org #6 17 too high 24

Visibility Control for LifterLMS 60+ · 0.0★ (0) thin reviews wp.org #12 ↓1 12 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.