wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “security testing”
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 “security testing”, we agree with wp.org on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 5 of the top 20.
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
EasyTest – Simplify A/B Testing shows at wp.org #12 but places #21 on merit, a gap of 9 places. Its 10K+ installs carry it up the search order; its 5.0★ average from 1 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.
Buried gem
Translate WordPress with GTranslate places #10 on merit, 4.9★ from 4962 reviews, but shows at wp.org #14. A smaller install base keeps it further down the default search order than its quality signals alone would.
Security Plugin, Firewall & Malware Scanner with Auto Removal 40K+ · 4.8★ (397)
wp.org #1 2 
MalCare WordPress Security Plugin – Malware Scanner, Cleaner, Security Firewall 100K+ · 4.4★ (559)
wp.org #2 ↑1 3 
Security Ninja – WordPress Security & Firewall 7K+ · 4.7★ (101)
wp.org #3 ↓1 4 
WP Hide & Security Enhancer 50K+ · 4.3★ (275)
wp.org #4 ↑2 5 
Sucuri Security – Auditing, Malware Scanner and Security Hardening 600K+ · 4.2★ (386)
wp.org #5 ↓1 6 
Nelio A/B Testing – AB Tests and Heatmaps for Better Conversion Optimization 4K+ · 4.8★ (99)
wp.org #6 ↓1 7 
Complianz GDPR/CCPA Cookie Consent Banner 1M+ · 4.7★ (1667)
wp.org #9 ↑2 2 too low 8 
Hide My WP Ghost – Security & Firewall 100K+ · 4.5★ (373)
wp.org #10 2 too low 9 
Headers Security Advanced & HSTS WP 90K+ · 4.9★ (79)
wp.org #8 1 too high 10 Translate WordPress with GTranslate 900K+ · 4.9★ (4962)
wp.org #14 ↑2 4 too low 11 
Check & Log Email – Easy Email Testing & Mail logging 90K+ · 4.8★ (292)
wp.org #13 ↑2 2 too low 12 
Vigilant – 100% Free Security Suite: Firewall, 2FA, Login, Headers, Scanner… 3K+ · 5.0★ (24) thin reviews
wp.org #7 5 too high 13 
Cookies and Content Security Policy 10K+ · 4.9★ (67)
wp.org #11 ↓2 2 too high 14 
BBQ Firewall – Fast & Powerful Firewall Security 100K+ · 4.9★ (160)
wp.org #16 ↓4 2 too low 15 
Elementor Website Builder – more than just a page builder 10M+ · 4.5★ (7322)
wp.org #21 ↓1 6 too low 16 
WPBruiser Security – No CAPTCHA Anti-Spam & Login Protection 10K+ · 4.6★ (213)
wp.org #18 ↑3 2 too low 17 
Two Factor 100K+ · 4.7★ (209)
wp.org #22 ↑2 5 too low 18 
Theme Switcha – Easily Switch Themes for Development and Testing 7K+ · 4.4★ (63)
wp.org #15 ↓2 3 too high 19 
CheckView – Form & Checkout Testing 1K+ · 5.0★ (8) thin reviews
wp.org #19 ↓1 20 
Atomic Edge Security – Firewall, Malware Scan and Login Security 700+ · 5.0★ (5) thin reviews
wp.org #17 3 too high 21 EasyTest – Simplify A/B Testing 10K+ · 5.0★ (1) thin reviews
wp.org #12 ↑2 9 too high 22 
Sigmize: A/B Testing, Session Recordings, Heatmaps & Revenue Tracking for WooCommerce, SureCart & EDD 5K+ · 3.7★ (3) thin reviews
wp.org #20 ↓1 2 too high 23 
HT Security 100+ · 5.0★ (1) thin reviews
wp.org #23 ↓1 24 
Security Headers 800+ · 3.0★ (2) thin reviews
wp.org #24 ↓1 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.