wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “wordpress timezone plugin”
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 “wordpress timezone plugin”, we agree with wp.org on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 7 of the top 20. 6 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
Intagrate Lite shows at wp.org #18 but places #23 on merit, a gap of 5 places. Its 4K+ installs carry it up the search order; its 4.1★ average from 27 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.
Buried gem
Wordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security places #12 on merit, 4.7★ from 5039 reviews, but shows at wp.org #16. A smaller install base keeps it further down the default search order than its quality signals alone would.
BackWPup – WordPress Backup & Restore Plugin 400K+ · 4.0★ (1323) not PHP-current
wp.org #1 2 
Independent Analytics – WordPress Analytics Plugin 100K+ · 4.8★ (167)
wp.org #2 3 
Hustle – Email Marketing, Lead Generation, Optins, Popups 80K+ · 4.4★ (859)
wp.org #3 4 
AI Engine – MCP Server & AI Chatbot for WordPress, with Claude, ChatGPT & Gemini 90K+ · 4.9★ (874)
wp.org #6 ↑3 2 too low 5 
Appointment Booking Plugin – LatePoint | Calendar & Scheduling for WordPress 100K+ · 4.9★ (106)
wp.org #5 ↑1 6 
GiveWP – Donation Plugin and Fundraising Platform 100K+ · 4.6★ (708) throws errorsnot PHP-currentheavy footprint
wp.org #4 2 too high 7 
GeoDirectory – WP Business Directory Plugin and Classified Listings Directory 10K+ · 4.8★ (716) heavy footprint
wp.org #8 1 too low 8 
The Events Calendar 600K+ · 4.2★ (2461)
wp.org #9 ↓2 1 too low 9 
MainWP Dashboard: Self-hosted WordPress Management for Agencies 20K+ · 4.9★ (2354) not PHP-current
wp.org #12 ↑5 3 too low 10 
Five Star Restaurant Reservations – WordPress Booking Plugin 10K+ · 4.7★ (211) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #7 ↑12 3 too high 11 
HurryTimer – An Scarcity and Urgency Countdown Timer for WordPress & WooCommerce 20K+ · 4.8★ (170)
wp.org #11 ↑9 12 Wordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security 5M+ · 4.7★ (5039) heavy footprint
wp.org #16 ↓3 4 too low 13 
Sliced Invoices – WordPress Invoice Plugin 4K+ · 4.6★ (117) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #10 3 too high 14 
NinjaFirewall (WP Edition) – Advanced Security Plugin and Firewall 100K+ · 4.9★ (220) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #13 ↓2 1 too high 15 
NEX-Forms – Ultimate Forms Plugin for WordPress 5K+ · 4.1★ (135)
wp.org #14 1 too high 16 
Events Manager – Calendar, Bookings, Tickets, Appointments and more! 60K+ · 4.2★ (551) not PHP-current
wp.org #17 ↓5 1 too low 17 
Order Tracking – WordPress Status Tracking Plugin 3K+ · 4.6★ (73)
wp.org #19 ↓3 2 too low 18 
WP Crontrol 300K+ · 4.4★ (167)
wp.org #23 5 too low 19 
WPCore Plugin Manager 9K+ · 4.8★ (32)
wp.org #15 4 too high 20 
Simple Calendar – Google Calendar Plugin 50K+ · 3.8★ (397) heavy footprint
wp.org #24 4 too low 21 
PowerPress Podcasting plugin by Blubrry 20K+ · 4.6★ (231) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #22 ↓1 1 too low 22 
Broken Link Checker 500K+ · 3.8★ (605) throws errorsnot PHP-current
wp.org #21 ↑3 1 too high 23 Intagrate Lite 4K+ · 4.1★ (27)
wp.org #18 ↓3 5 too high 24 
MLSImport: IDX Plugin & MLS Plugin for Real Estate Listings 5K+ · 4.2★ (5) throws errorsnot PHP-current thin reviews
wp.org #20 ↓2 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.