wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “request system”
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 “request system”, we agree with wp.org on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 11 of the top 20. 4 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
TuriTop Booking System shows at wp.org #12 but places #23 on merit, a gap of 11 places. Its 500+ installs carry it up the search order; its 5.0★ average from 2 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.
Buried gem
Ultimate Member – User Profile, Registration, Login, Member Directory, Content Restriction & Membership Plugin places #12 on merit, 4.4★ from 1445 reviews, but shows at wp.org #24. A smaller install base keeps it further down the default search order than its quality signals alone would.
Masteriyo LMS – LMS Course Builder, Quizzes & Certificates 6K+ · 4.8★ (184) throws errorsnot PHP-currentheavy footprint
wp.org #1 2 
Wordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security 5M+ · 4.7★ (5039) heavy footprint
wp.org #2 3 
Yoast SEO – Advanced SEO with real-time guidance and built-in AI 10M+ · 4.8★ (27821)
wp.org #5 2 too low 4 
Elementor Website Builder – more than just a page builder 10M+ · 4.5★ (7322) not PHP-currentheavy footprint
wp.org #4 5 
Salon Booking System – Appointment Booking for Salons, Barbershops & Spas 2K+ · 4.4★ (187) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #3 2 too high 6 
LiteSpeed Cache 7M+ · 4.8★ (2778)
wp.org #11 5 too low 7 
WP Fastest Cache – WordPress Cache Plugin 1M+ · 4.9★ (4228)
wp.org #13 6 too low 8 
Pinpoint Booking System – Legacy version 2K+ · 3.6★ (185)
wp.org #6 2 too high 9 
Online Scheduling and Appointment Booking System – Bookly 60K+ · 4.4★ (586)
wp.org #15 6 too low 10 
Security Plugin, Firewall & Malware Scanner with Auto Removal 40K+ · 4.8★ (397)
wp.org #21 11 too low 11 
Disqus Comment System 30K+ · 2.7★ (219)
wp.org #8 3 too high 12 Ultimate Member – User Profile, Registration, Login, Member Directory, Content Restriction & Membership Plugin 200K+ · 4.4★ (1445)
wp.org #24 12 too low 13 
GD Rating System 1K+ · 4.3★ (24) thin reviews
wp.org #10 3 too high 14 
Domain Mapping System | Create Microsites with Multiple Alias Domains (multisite optional) 2K+ · 4.5★ (56)
wp.org #16 2 too low 15 
Fluent Support – Helpdesk & Customer Support Ticket System 10K+ · 4.6★ (69)
wp.org #19 4 too low 16 
YITH Request a Quote for WooCommerce 10K+ · 3.3★ (66) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #7 9 too high 17 
System Dashboard 900+ · 4.9★ (16) throws errorsnot PHP-current thin reviews
wp.org #9 8 too high 18 
Wallet System for WooCommerce – Digital Wallet, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), Instant Cashback, Referral program, Partial & Subscription Payments 1K+ · 4.9★ (65) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #17 1 too high 19 
Comments – GraphComment | AI-Moderated Comment System 400+ · 4.7★ (30)
wp.org #22 3 too low 20 
Request a Quote for WooCommerce – Get a Quote Button 6K+ · 5.0★ (25) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #23 3 too low 21 
WP-CRM System – Manage Clients and Projects 700+ · 3.9★ (15) thin reviews
wp.org #20 1 too high 22 
Booking System Trafft 400+ · 5.0★ (3) thin reviews
wp.org #14 8 too high 23 TuriTop Booking System 500+ · 5.0★ (2) thin reviews
wp.org #12 11 too high 24 
atec System Info 200+ · 5.0★ (3) thin reviews
wp.org #18 6 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.