Head-to-head · October 2026
Website Security Check vs Wordfence Security
Wordfence Security comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Website Security Check.
Website Security Check
Website Security Check detects if your WordPress website has vulnerabilities and security flaws. Get a full…
| Metric | Website Security Check | Wordfence Security |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 100+ | 5M+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 141 | 4.7M |
| Download trend | +78.5% | -28% |
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Reviews | 2 | 5,023 |
| Health score | 32/100 | 97/100 |
| Last updated | 6 years ago | 1 week ago |
| Tested up to | WP 5.5.23 | WP 7.1.3 |
| Support resolved | — | 92% |
| Requires PHP | 5.6+ | 7.0+ |
| First released | Feb 2019 | Apr 2012 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Website Security CheckWordfence Security
Choose Website Security Check if…
You care most about download trend.
- Small user base (100+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 6 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 5.5 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Wordfence Security if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
- One of the most-used plugins on the web — 5M+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.7/5 from 5,023 reviews
- Actively developed — last update 1 week ago
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
- Responsive support — 92% of recent threads resolved
Both compete in: security
FAQ
Website Security Check vs Wordfence Security: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 10, 2026
Which is better, Website Security Check or Wordfence Security?
Wordfence Security comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Website Security Check. Choose Website Security Check if you care most about download trend. Choose Wordfence Security if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
Is Website Security Check more popular than Wordfence Security?
Wordfence Security is the more popular of the two with 5M+ active installs, compared with 100+ for Website Security Check.
Can I use Website Security Check and Wordfence Security together?
Both plugins cover security, 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 Website Security Check and Wordfence Security 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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