wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “retailers”
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 “retailers”, we agree with wp.org on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 10 of the top 20. 5 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
Torod – The smart shipping and delivery portal for e-shops and retailers shows at wp.org #7 but places #18 on merit, a gap of 11 places. Its 60+ installs carry it up the search order; its 3.7★ average from 3 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.
Buried gem
Advanced Local Pickup for WooCommerce – Click & Collect, In-Store Pickup places #11 on merit, 4.7★ from 55 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.
All-in-One WP Migration and Backup 5M+ · 4.5★ (7676)
wp.org #1 2 P Posts 2 Posts 9K+ · 4.8★ (101)
wp.org #3 1 too low 3 
Product Bundle Builder for WooCommerce 6K+ · 4.8★ (61) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #2 1 too high 4 
Agile Store Locator 10K+ · 4.9★ (59) not PHP-current
wp.org #4 5 
Product Feed Manager for WooCommerce – CTX Feed – Support 220+ Shopping, AI & Social Channels 90K+ · 4.6★ (838) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #6 1 too low 6 
Variation Swatches for WooCommerce – Color, Image & Size Swatches 200K+ · 4.6★ (51)
wp.org #5 1 too high 7 
Books Gallery – Book Showcase, Library & Affiliate Plugin 2K+ · 4.8★ (92)
wp.org #9 ↑1 2 too low 8 
Syncee Premium Dropshipping & Wholesale 1K+ · 4.5★ (49)
wp.org #8 9 
WPtouch – Make your WordPress Website Mobile-Friendly 40K+ · 3.7★ (341) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #13 4 too low 10 
Show only lowest prices in variable products for WooCommerce 6K+ · 4.8★ (28) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #11 1 too low 11 Advanced Local Pickup for WooCommerce – Click & Collect, In-Store Pickup 3K+ · 4.7★ (55) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #17 6 too low 12 
Whols – Wholesale Prices and B2B Store Solution for WooCommerce 3K+ · 5.0★ (14) thin reviews
wp.org #16 4 too low 13 
EU Withdrawal and Legal Guarantee Compliance 1K+ · 5.0★ (17) thin reviews
wp.org #19 6 too low 14 
WP Maps – Google Maps, OpenStreetMap, Mapbox, Store Locator with Search, Filters & Listings 60K+ · 4.3★ (122) throws errorsnot PHP-currentheavy footprint
wp.org #23 ↑1 9 too low 15 
Easyship WooCommerce Shipping Rates 2K+ · 4.2★ (54) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #21 6 too low 16 
Order Delivery Date for WooCommerce 10K+ · 4.3★ (61) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #22 6 too low 17 
WPC Product Quantity for WooCommerce 2K+ · 4.0★ (15) throws errorsnot PHP-current thin reviews
wp.org #18 1 too low 18 Torod – The smart shipping and delivery portal for e-shops and retailers 60+ · 3.7★ (3) throws errorsnot PHP-current thin reviews
wp.org #7 11 too high 19 
Retailers Management for WooCommerce — · 0.0★ (0) thin reviews
wp.org #10 ↓1 9 too high 20 
Klarna for WooCommerce 20K+ · 2.3★ (20) throws errorsnot PHP-current thin reviews
wp.org #15 5 too high 21 
Chicory Shoppable Recipes 300+ · 3.7★ (3) thin reviews
wp.org #14 7 too high 22 
Faire for WooCommerce 800+ · 3.0★ (5) throws errorsnot PHP-current thin reviews
wp.org #12 10 too high 23 
Import WooCommerce Suite for Products, Orders, Coupons, Reviews, and Customers | WP Ultimate CSV Importer 4K+ · 2.3★ (6) throws errorsnot PHP-current thin reviews
wp.org #24 1 too low 24 
Syncio — Multistore Product & Inventory Sync For WooCommerce 100+ · 5.0★ (1) throws errorsnot PHP-current thin reviews
wp.org #20 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.