Complete security plugins comparison

234 features analyzed in detail. Filter and search to find exactly what you need.

Which WordPress security plugin is best

The honest answer is that it depends on what you value: raw threat intelligence, ease of use, brand recognition or how much actually works without paying. Wordfence has the deepest signature database but charges $149 a year for real-time rules and locks features like country blocking and the real-time IP blocklist on the free tier. Sucuri is mostly a remote service with WAF and CDN, so its plugin alone offers far less protection without the $199/year subscription. Solid Security (the rebrand of iThemes Security) now runs scheduled malware and vulnerability scans for free, but keeps trusted devices, passkeys and most of its hardening in the paid version. AIOS is the most generous of the big names, with around 69 free features.

If you want firewall, two-factor authentication, security headers with full CSP, file integrity monitoring, REST API control, an Under Attack mode and a 0–100 security audit without paying for a "premium" tier, the only plugin that ticks every box for free is Vigilant. That's the bias of this page, but the data below lets you check it line by line.

Best free alternatives to Wordfence

The plugins most often considered as alternatives to Wordfence are Sucuri, Solid Security, AIOS and Vigilant. The matrix below compares them across firewall, login security, 2FA, file integrity, REST API, hardening and audit features so you can see exactly where each one falls short or pulls ahead.

Category Feature Vigilant
100% free		 Wordfence
Free		 Wordfence
$149/year		 Solid
Free		 Solid
$99/year		 AIOS
Free		 AIOS
$89/year		 Sucuri
Free		 Sucuri
$199/year		 SG Security
Free
✓ Available for free
€ Paid version only
✗ Not available

Frequently asked questions about WordPress security plugins

It depends on your priorities. Wordfence has the largest threat-intel database but most of its serious features sit behind a $149/year paywall and free firewall rules ship 30 days late. Sucuri shines as a remote service with WAF and CDN, but the WordPress plugin alone offers very few protections without the $199/year subscription. Solid Security now includes scheduled malware and vulnerability scans for free, but still keeps trusted devices, passkeys and much of its hardening for the paid tier. AIOS is the freest of the big ones, with around 69 features. Vigilant is the only one that puts 189 security features in the free version, including 2FA, security headers, file integrity, audit, Audit Alerts and Under Attack mode, with no upsells and no data sent to third parties.
The most common alternatives to Wordfence are Sucuri (better as a remote service than as a plugin), Solid Security (good for basics if you pay), AIOS (more generous free tier) and Vigilant. Vigilant is the closest free alternative in scope: firewall, brute-force protection, 2FA, security headers, REST API control, file integrity and a security audit at no cost, with no premium edition pushing upgrades.
Yes. All 189 features are included with no restrictions, no premium edition and no trial. Vigilant doesn't sell a paid version of itself, so there's no incentive to cripple the free one.
It can, but it's not recommended. Two security plugins typically duplicate firewall rules, login lockouts and headers, which causes false positives, double notifications and broken sites. Pick one and disable overlapping modules in the other, ideally testing in staging first.
Yes. Vigilant ships compatibility presets for WooCommerce, Contact Form 7 and Elementor. The REST API security module whitelists WooCommerce endpoints automatically, and the firewall doesn't block payment gateway calls.

Convinced

Install Vigilant and protect your WordPress with 189 free features.

Download Vigilant for free