wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “system log”
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 “system log”, we agree with wp.org on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 11 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
Error Log Viewer by BestWebSoft shows at wp.org #15 but places #23 on merit, a gap of 8 places. Its 5K+ installs carry it up the search order; its 4.8★ average from 9 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.
Buried gem
Online Scheduling and Appointment Booking System – Bookly places #12 on merit, 4.4★ from 586 reviews, but shows at wp.org #19. A smaller install base keeps it further down the default search order than its quality signals alone would.
WP Activity Log 300K+ · 4.7★ (490)
wp.org #1 2 
Masteriyo LMS – LMS Course Builder, Quizzes & Certificates 6K+ · 4.8★ (184)
wp.org #2 3 
Wordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security 5M+ · 4.7★ (5039)
wp.org #3 4 
WP Booking System – Booking Calendar 10K+ · 4.9★ (344)
wp.org #5 1 too low 5 
Simple History – Track, Log, and Audit WordPress Changes 300K+ · 4.9★ (491)
wp.org #7 2 too low 6 
Elementor Website Builder – more than just a page builder 10M+ · 4.5★ (7322)
wp.org #9 ↑1 3 too low 7 
Email Log 80K+ · 4.2★ (43)
wp.org #4 3 too high 8 
Post SMTP – Complete Email Delivery and SMTP Solution with Email Logs, Alerts, Backup SMTP & Mobile App 300K+ · 4.7★ (528)
wp.org #10 ↓1 2 too low 9 
Salon Booking System – Appointment Booking for Salons, Barbershops & Spas 2K+ · 4.4★ (187)
wp.org #8 1 too high 10 
Debug Log Manager – Conveniently Monitor and Inspect Errors 10K+ · 5.0★ (25)
wp.org #6 4 too high 11 
Security Plugin, Firewall & Malware Scanner with Auto Removal 40K+ · 4.8★ (397)
wp.org #17 ↑3 6 too low 12 Online Scheduling and Appointment Booking System – Bookly 60K+ · 4.4★ (586)
wp.org #19 7 too low 13 
LiteSpeed Cache 7M+ · 4.8★ (2778)
wp.org #23 10 too low 14 
Stream – Activity Log & Audit Trail 70K+ · 4.3★ (76)
wp.org #16 ↑1 2 too low 15 
Activity Log Pro – User Activity Log, Audit Log & Security Monitor 400+ · 5.0★ (15) thin reviews
wp.org #11 4 too high 16 
Security Optimizer – The All-In-One Protection Plugin 1M+ · 4.5★ (157)
wp.org #18 2 too low 17 
GD Rating System 1K+ · 4.3★ (24) thin reviews
wp.org #12 5 too high 18 
Fluent Support – Helpdesk & Customer Support Ticket System 10K+ · 4.6★ (69)
wp.org #21 ↑1 3 too low 19 
Wallet System for WooCommerce – Digital Wallet, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), Instant Cashback, Referral program, Partial & Subscription Payments 1K+ · 4.9★ (65)
wp.org #22 ↑1 3 too low 20 
Disqus Comment System 30K+ · 2.7★ (219)
wp.org #13 7 too high 21 
System Dashboard 900+ · 4.9★ (16) thin reviews
wp.org #14 ↑1 7 too high 22 
SureMail – SMTP and Email Logs Plugin with Amazon SES, Postmark, and Other Providers 200K+ · 4.7★ (25)
wp.org #24 2 too low 23 Error Log Viewer by BestWebSoft 5K+ · 4.8★ (9) thin reviews
wp.org #15 ↑1 8 too high 24 
User Activity Tracking and Log 2K+ · 3.5★ (34)
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.