wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “upload security”
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 “upload security”, we agree with wp.org on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 8 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
Atlant Security shows at wp.org #16 but places #23 on merit, a gap of 7 places. Its 700+ installs carry it up the search order; its 5.0★ average from 8 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.
Wordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security 5M+ · 4.7★ (5039)
wp.org #1 2 
All-In-One Security (AIOS) – Security and Firewall 1M+ · 4.7★ (1720)
wp.org #2 3 
Security Plugin, Firewall & Malware Scanner with Auto Removal 40K+ · 4.8★ (397)
wp.org #3 ↑1 4 
Really Simple Security – Simple and Performant Security (formerly Really Simple SSL) 3M+ · 4.9★ (8869)
wp.org #6 ↓1 2 too low 5 
Jetpack – AI Agents & MCP, Security, Backup & Analytics 3M+ · 3.7★ (2408)
wp.org #5 ↓2 6 
Security Optimizer – The All-In-One Protection Plugin 1M+ · 4.5★ (157)
wp.org #4 ↑2 2 too high 7 
Defender Security – Malware Scanner, Login Security & Firewall 80K+ · 4.8★ (334)
wp.org #7 8 
MalCare WordPress Security Plugin – Malware Scanner, Cleaner, Security Firewall 100K+ · 4.4★ (559)
wp.org #8 ↑2 9 
WP Hide & Security Enhancer 50K+ · 4.3★ (275)
wp.org #10 ↓1 1 too low 10 
Security Ninja – WordPress Security & Firewall 7K+ · 4.7★ (101)
wp.org #11 ↑3 1 too low 11 
Sucuri Security – Auditing, Malware Scanner and Security Hardening 600K+ · 4.2★ (386)
wp.org #13 ↓1 2 too low 12 
Auto Upload Images 20K+ · 4.3★ (106)
wp.org #12 ↑1 13 
Iptanus File Upload 10K+ · 4.4★ (117)
wp.org #17 4 too low 14 
WP Activity Log 300K+ · 4.7★ (490)
wp.org #23 ↓15 9 too low 15 
FluentAuth – Login Security, Two-Factor Authentication, Passkeys & Social Login 10K+ · 4.1★ (35)
wp.org #9 ↑12 6 too high 16 
Drag and Drop Multiple File Upload for Contact Form 7 60K+ · 4.8★ (94)
wp.org #20 ↓1 4 too low 17 
EasyMedia – Increase Media Upload File Size | Role-Based Upload Limit | Increase Execution Time 70K+ · 4.9★ (99)
wp.org #21 ↓1 4 too low 18 
Resize Image After Upload 80K+ · 4.8★ (56)
wp.org #22 4 too low 19 
XO Security 30K+ · 5.0★ (11) thin reviews
wp.org #15 ↑1 4 too high 20 
File Upload Types by WPForms 40K+ · 4.0★ (20) thin reviews
wp.org #14 ↑9 6 too high 21 
Vigilant – 100% Free Security Suite: Firewall, 2FA, Login, Headers, Scanner… 3K+ · 5.0★ (24) thin reviews
wp.org #24 3 too low 22 
Lord of the Files: Enhanced Upload Security 1K+ · 5.0★ (11) thin reviews
wp.org #18 4 too high 23 Atlant Security 700+ · 5.0★ (8) thin reviews
wp.org #16 ↑1 7 too high 24 
BotBlocker Security – Complete security platform 3K+ · 5.0★ (10) thin reviews
wp.org #19 ↓4 5 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.