See how WordSec's eight modules stack up against the best-known plugins.
Feature by feature, free vs. premium.
Web Application Firewall
Inspects every request with a one-click learning mode.
Custom Firewall Rules
User-defined rules with multiple conditions.
VPN / Proxy / Tor / Blacklist Blocking
Blocks anonymizer, Tor exit-node and blacklisted IP traffic.
Bad Bot & Scraper Blocking
Stops bad bots, AI scrapers and vuln scanners.
Blackhole Trap
Honeypot that traps crawlers ignoring the rules.
Role-Based REST API Control
Allow/deny REST API access by namespace and role.
Security Headers & iFrame Shield
Hardened headers and clickjacking protection.
Hardening Switches (25+)
XML-RPC, directory listing, file editor, force HTTPS.
Rate Limiting
Throttles abusive request floods and scrapers.
Country & Continent Geoblocking
Block or allow traffic by country and continent.
Multi-Stage Malware Scan
Seven-stage scan of files, database and cron jobs.
Malware Signature Rules
Curated detection rules for known threats.
File Integrity Monitoring
Flags added, deleted and modified files.
Scheduled & Remote Scans
Automatic scans plus remote scan triggering.
Automatic Fix
One-click remediation for common findings.
VirusTotal Lookup
Cross-check flagged files against VirusTotal.
Quarantine / Restore
Quarantine, delete or restore the original file.
Permissions & Ownership Audit
Audits file permissions and ownership.
CAPTCHA (3 Providers)
reCAPTCHA, Turnstile and hCaptcha on 5 forms.
Role-Based 2FA
Two-factor auth with customizable methods.
Brute Force & Honeypot
Limits login attempts with honeypot traps.
Hidden Login URL
Hides the login page and login error details.
IP & Country Login Whitelist
Restrict login to trusted IPs, CIDRs and countries.
Login Time Restrictions
Role-based login hours per user role.
Signup Restrictions (Disposable Email)
Block disposable and throwaway email domains at registration.
Session Management
Max sessions, idle timeout and remote logout.
Strong Password Policy
Leaked-password check and reuse prevention.
Argon2 & Salt Rotation
Argon2 hashing with scheduled key rotation.
Password Expiration
Role-based password validity policy.
Custom Login Page
Brand the login page: logo, background, CSS.
Real-Time Live Traffic
Watch requests as they happen, in detail.
Traffic Replay & Inspection
Replay history with request/response inspection.
IP / CIDR / Country Blocking
Ban single IPs, ranges, countries or continents.
Activity Audit Log
Tracks who did what across users and content.
Plugin & Theme Reputation
Reputation score for every plugin and theme.
Vulnerability Alerts
Alerts for vulnerable installed plugins/themes.
Abandoned Plugin Alerts
Warns about abandoned and outdated extensions.
Downtime Monitor
Alerts the moment your site goes offline.
Nameserver Monitor
Watches your domain's nameservers for changes.
IP Monitor
Flags when your server's IP address changes.
MX Monitor
Tracks changes to your mail (MX) records.
SSL Monitor
Watches SSL certificate validity and expiry.
Domain Expiry Monitor
Alerts before your domain registration expires.
Blacklist / RBL Monitor
Continuously watches domain & IP blocklists (RBL).
SSL Health Check
Checks SSL health and security headers.
Database Optimizer
Optimizes tables and checks the table prefix.
Email Deliverability Test
Tests whether your site email is delivered.
Maintenance Mode
One-click maintenance mode and system info.
WP-Cron Viewer
Inspect scheduled WordPress cron tasks.
Blacklist / Reputation Check
Checks domain and IP reputation blocklists.
| Features | WordSec | Wordfence | Sucuri | Solid Security | AIOS | MalCare |
|---|
Firewall & Hardening (WAF) | 10/10 | 7/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 | 5/10 |
Web Application FirewallInspects every request with a one-click learning mode. | Standard | Standard | Premium | Standard | Standard | Standard |
Custom Firewall RulesUser-defined rules with multiple conditions. | Standard | Standard | Premium | Standard | Standard | N/A |
VPN / Proxy / Tor / Blacklist BlockingBlocks anonymizer, Tor exit-node and blacklisted IP traffic. | Premium | N/A | Premium | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Bad Bot & Scraper BlockingStops bad bots, AI scrapers and vuln scanners. | Standard | Standard | Premium | Standard | Standard | Premium |
Blackhole TrapHoneypot that traps crawlers ignoring the rules. | Standard | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Role-Based REST API ControlAllow/deny REST API access by namespace and role. | Standard | N/A | N/A | Standard | Standard | N/A |
Security Headers & iFrame ShieldHardened headers and clickjacking protection. | Standard | Standard | Premium | Standard | Standard | N/A |
Hardening Switches (25+)XML-RPC, directory listing, file editor, force HTTPS. | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Premium |
Rate LimitingThrottles abusive request floods and scrapers. | Standard | Standard | Premium | Standard | Standard | Standard |
Country & Continent GeoblockingBlock or allow traffic by country and continent. | Standard | Premium | Premium | Premium | Premium | Premium |
Malware Scanner & Integrity | 8/8 | 7/8 | 6/8 | 3/8 | 4/8 | 6/8 |
Multi-Stage Malware ScanSeven-stage scan of files, database and cron jobs. | Standard | Standard | Premium | N/A | Premium | Standard |
Malware Signature RulesCurated detection rules for known threats. | Standard | Standard | Premium | N/A | N/A | Standard |
File Integrity MonitoringFlags added, deleted and modified files. | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
Scheduled & Remote ScansAutomatic scans plus remote scan triggering. | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Premium | Standard |
Automatic FixOne-click remediation for common findings. | Standard | Standard | Premium | N/A | N/A | Premium |
VirusTotal LookupCross-check flagged files against VirusTotal. | Standard | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Quarantine / RestoreQuarantine, delete or restore the original file. | Standard | Standard | Premium | N/A | N/A | Premium |
Permissions & Ownership AuditAudits file permissions and ownership. | Standard | Standard | N/A | Standard | Standard | N/A |
Login & Access Security | 12/12 | 5/12 | 5/12 | 10/12 | 9/12 | 4/12 |
CAPTCHA (3 Providers)reCAPTCHA, Turnstile and hCaptcha on 5 forms. | Standard | Standard | Premium | Premium | Standard | Standard |
Role-Based 2FATwo-factor auth with customizable methods. | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard | Premium |
Brute Force & HoneypotLimits login attempts with honeypot traps. | Standard | Standard | Premium | Standard | Standard | Standard |
Hidden Login URLHides the login page and login error details. | Standard | N/A | N/A | Standard | Standard | N/A |
IP & Country Login WhitelistRestrict login to trusted IPs, CIDRs and countries. | Standard | Premium | Premium | Premium | Standard | Premium |
Login Time RestrictionsRole-based login hours per user role. | Standard | N/A | N/A | Premium | N/A | N/A |
Signup Restrictions (Disposable Email)Block disposable and throwaway email domains at registration. | Premium | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Session ManagementMax sessions, idle timeout and remote logout. | Standard | N/A | N/A | Premium | Standard | N/A |
Strong Password PolicyLeaked-password check and reuse prevention. | Standard | Standard | N/A | Standard | Standard | N/A |
Argon2 & Salt RotationArgon2 hashing with scheduled key rotation. | Standard | N/A | Standard | Standard | Standard | N/A |
Password ExpirationRole-based password validity policy. | Standard | N/A | N/A | Standard | N/A | N/A |
Custom Login PageBrand the login page: logo, background, CSS. | Standard | N/A | N/A | N/A | Premium | N/A |
Monitoring & Threat Intelligence | 7/7 | 5/7 | 4/7 | 4/7 | 2/7 | 4/7 |
Real-Time Live TrafficWatch requests as they happen, in detail. | Standard | Standard | Premium | N/A | N/A | Premium |
Traffic Replay & InspectionReplay history with request/response inspection. | Standard | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
IP / CIDR / Country BlockingBan single IPs, ranges, countries or continents. | Standard | Standard | Premium | Standard | Standard | Premium |
Activity Audit LogTracks who did what across users and content. | Standard | Premium | Standard | Premium | Standard | Premium |
Plugin & Theme ReputationReputation score for every plugin and theme. | Standard | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Vulnerability AlertsAlerts for vulnerable installed plugins/themes. | Premium | Standard | Standard | Standard | N/A | Standard |
Abandoned Plugin AlertsWarns about abandoned and outdated extensions. | Standard | Standard | N/A | Premium | N/A | N/A |
Uptime & Infrastructure Monitoring | 7/7 | 0/7 | 3/7 | 0/7 | 0/7 | 0/7 |
Downtime MonitorAlerts the moment your site goes offline. | Business | N/A | Premium | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Nameserver MonitorWatches your domain's nameservers for changes. | Business | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
IP MonitorFlags when your server's IP address changes. | Business | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
MX MonitorTracks changes to your mail (MX) records. | Business | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
SSL MonitorWatches SSL certificate validity and expiry. | Business | N/A | Premium | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Domain Expiry MonitorAlerts before your domain registration expires. | Business | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Blacklist / RBL MonitorContinuously watches domain & IP blocklists (RBL). | Business | N/A | Premium | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Security Toolbox | 6/6 | 2/6 | 1/6 | 3/6 | 3/6 | 2/6 |
SSL Health CheckChecks SSL health and security headers. | Standard | N/A | N/A | Premium | N/A | Premium |
Database OptimizerOptimizes tables and checks the table prefix. | Standard | N/A | N/A | Standard | Standard | N/A |
Email Deliverability TestTests whether your site email is delivered. | Standard | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Maintenance ModeOne-click maintenance mode and system info. | Standard | N/A | N/A | N/A | Standard | N/A |
WP-Cron ViewerInspect scheduled WordPress cron tasks. | Standard | Standard | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Blacklist / Reputation CheckChecks domain and IP reputation blocklists. | Standard | Premium | Standard | Standard | Premium | Standard |
Every figure below is counted from the same 50 capabilities in the table above. WordSec covers all 50, and 40 of them are on the free plan.
The widest free tier among the rivals here, 22 of 50, and the scanner is its strength at 7 of 8. Login and access controls stop at 5 of 12, and there is no uptime or infrastructure monitoring. WordSec covers all 50. Choose Wordfence if your sites already run it.
The only rival with any uptime monitoring, 3 of 7, and a firewall reaching 8 of 10. Almost everything sits behind the paid plan: 8 of its 27 capabilities are free, the smallest free tier here. WordSec covers all 50, with 40 free. Choose Sucuri if you are already on their platform.
The strongest login and access controls among the rivals, 10 of 12, and 28 of 50 overall. Scanning thins out at 3 of 8, and there is no uptime monitoring. WordSec matches the login coverage at 12 of 12 and adds the scanning and monitoring it lacks. Choose Solid Security if it is already deployed.
Keeps most of what it offers free, 21 of its 26 capabilities, and hardens login well at 9 of 12. Monitoring is the weak point at 2 of 7, with no uptime checks and no live traffic view. WordSec keeps 40 capabilities free, a wider free tier in absolute terms. Choose AIOS if you already run it.
Built around scanning and cleanup, and reaches 6 of 8 there. Across the full matrix it is the narrowest of the five, 21 of 50 with 10 free, login controls at 4 of 12 and no uptime monitoring. WordSec covers all 50, the scanner included. Choose MalCare if cleanup is all you need.
