Head-to-head · September 2026
ContentGate vs Groups
Groups comes out ahead, winning 8 of 8 head-to-head checks against ContentGate.
ContentGate
Restrict content on your WordPress website with simple, rule-based access control.
Groups – Memberships and Access Control
The Groups plugin for WordPress is an essential tool that helps you organize users on your website. Think of…
| Metric | ContentGate | Groups |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 40+ | 10K+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 126 | 22.1K |
| Download trend | +26% | +121.7% |
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Reviews | 1 | 382 |
| Health score | 41/100 | 93/100 |
| Last updated | 6 months ago | 4 days ago |
| Tested up to | WP 6.9.9 | WP 7.1.2 |
| Support resolved | 0% | 100% |
| Requires PHP | 7.4+ | 7.4+ |
| First released | Apr 2026 | Jan 2012 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
ContentGateGroups
Choose ContentGate if…
You prefer its feature set and workflow — it holds its own on the fundamentals.
- Small user base (40+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.9 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Groups if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
- Proven at scale on 10K+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.8/5 from 382 reviews
- Actively developed — last update 4 days ago
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
- Momentum — downloads up 121.7% vs the previous 30 days
Both compete in: access-control
FAQ
ContentGate vs Groups: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Sep 27, 2026
Which is better, ContentGate or Groups?
Groups comes out ahead, winning 8 of 8 head-to-head checks against ContentGate. Choose Groups if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
Is ContentGate more popular than Groups?
Groups is the more popular of the two with 10K+ active installs, compared with 40+ for ContentGate.
Can I use ContentGate and Groups together?
Both plugins cover access-control, so most sites only need one. Running two plugins that do the same job can cause conflicts and slow your site down — pick the one that fits best and remove the other.
Are ContentGate and Groups free?
Yes. Both are free to download from the official WordPress.org plugin directory. Either may also offer paid upgrades from its developer.
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