Head-to-head · October 2026
Hotlink Protection vs CopySafe Web Protection
CopySafe Web Protection comes out ahead, winning 7 of 8 head-to-head checks against Hotlink Protection.
Hotlink Protection
This plugin is adopted and being maintained. Caution: This plugin may not work on all setups and is best to…
CopySafe Web Protection
Copy protect images, PDF and video – anything displayed on a web page. No other WordPress plugin can protect…
| Metric | Hotlink Protection | CopySafe Web Protection |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 200+ | 800+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 148 | 371 |
| Download trend | +46.5% | +27.1% |
| Rating | 1/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Reviews | 5 | 12 |
| Health score | 22/100 | 63/100 |
| Last updated | 8 years ago | 4 months ago |
| Tested up to | WP 4.9.34 | WP 7.0.7 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | Any |
| First released | Jun 2009 | Dec 2012 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Hotlink ProtectionCopySafe Web Protection
Choose Hotlink Protection if…
You care most about download trend.
- Small user base (200+ active installs)
- Low rating so far — 1/5 from only 5 reviews
- No update in 8 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 4.9 (latest is 7.1)
Choose CopySafe Web Protection if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and rating.
- Small user base (800+ active installs)
Both compete in: protect image
FAQ
Hotlink Protection vs CopySafe Web Protection: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 8, 2026
Which is better, Hotlink Protection or CopySafe Web Protection?
CopySafe Web Protection comes out ahead, winning 7 of 8 head-to-head checks against Hotlink Protection. Choose Hotlink Protection if you care most about download trend. Choose CopySafe Web Protection if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and rating.
Is Hotlink Protection more popular than CopySafe Web Protection?
CopySafe Web Protection is the more popular of the two with 800+ active installs, compared with 200+ for Hotlink Protection.
Can I use Hotlink Protection and CopySafe Web Protection together?
Both plugins cover protect image, 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 Hotlink Protection and CopySafe Web Protection 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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