How to Enhance WordPress Security: Top Alternatives to MalCare

Jetpack

Jetpack is a comprehensive WordPress security plugin designed to optimize and secure your website. Developed by Automattic, the same team behind WordPress.com, Jetpack is a trusted and widely-used plugin, boasting over 5 million active installations. It offers a wide range of features from security, performance enhancement, marketing, and design tools, making it an all-in-one solution for advanced users and developers looking to enhance their website’s functionality and performance.

Features That Matter

1. Security

Jetpack offers comprehensive security features, including real-time backups, easy restores, malware scans, spam protection, and brute force protection. It also offers an activity log for tracking changes to your site, a Web Application Firewall (WAF), and optional two-factor authentication.

2. Performance

The WordPress security plugin includes a free Content Delivery Network (CDN) that auto-optimizes your images, resulting in faster page load times. It also offers unlimited, high-speed, ad-free video hosting.

3. Growth Tools

Jetpack helps you grow your website traffic with SEO tools, automatic social media posting, payment and donation collection integrations, and an advertising network for generating revenue.

4. Insightful Stats

Gain insights into your audience with advanced site stats and analytics. Track your top-performing posts, view your content creation habits, and discover where your traffic is coming from.

5. AI Assistant

Jetpack’s AI Assistant integrates with your WordPress editor to help you create professional content more efficiently. It can generate diverse content based on your prompts and offers AI-powered translations.

What We Liked The Most

Jetpack’s comprehensive feature set is its major strength. Its security features are robust, offering peace of mind for site owners. The performance enhancements, particularly the image optimization and CDN, can significantly improve site speed. The growth tools and insightful stats offer valuable resources for driving traffic and understanding your audience.

Moreover, the AI Assistant is a standout feature, offering a unique tool for content creation that separates Jetpack from many other WordPress plugins.

What Could be Better

Despite its comprehensive features, Jetpack can be overwhelming for new users due to its vast array of options. A more streamlined user interface could make the WordPress security plugin more approachable. Furthermore, while Jetpack offers a free version, many of its most valuable features require a paid subscription, which may not fit into everyone’s budget.

Targeted Audience

Jetpack is best suited for advanced users and developers who require a comprehensive solution for security, performance enhancement, and growth tools. It’s also beneficial for large site owners who need robust security and backup features.

Community Reviews & Ratings

Jetpack has received positive reviews on the WordPress Plugin Repository, with an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars. Users often praise its comprehensive set of features and reliable security tools. However, some users have expressed concerns about the plugin’s complexity and the cost of the premium features.

Pricing

While Jetpack offers basic features for free, it also provides three paid plans

• Security Bundle: $20/month when billed yearly, totaling $240 annually.
• Complete Bundle: $50/month when billed yearly, totaling $600 annually.
• Individual Modules: Prices start at $1 for the first month, then renew at $144 and $198 annually for specific features like Backup and Social.

Overall, Jetpack is a robust and comprehensive WordPress security plugin that offers a wealth of features to enhance your website’s functionality and performance. Despite some complexity and cost concerns, its extensive tools and reliable security make it a solid choice for advanced users and developers.

Wordfence Security

Wordfence is a widely acclaimed and popular WordPress security plugin, known for its comprehensive suite of security features. This WordPress security plugin is a product of a dedicated research team, whose sole focus is WordPress security. The team provides real-time updates on the latest malware and WordPress exploits, converting these into firewall rules and malware signatures. This WordPress security plugin is best suited for developers and large website owners who require robust security measures.

Key Features

1. WordPress Firewall

The Wordfence firewall identifies and blocks malicious traffic, providing an extra layer of security to your website. The firewall rules and malware signatures are updated in real-time for premium users, ensuring up-to-date protection against new threats.

2. WordPress Security Scanner

The scanner checks for malware, bad URLs, backdoors, and other threats in your core files, themes, and plugins. It also alerts you of known security vulnerabilities and potential issues, such as abandoned plugins.

3. Login Security

Wordfence provides two-factor authentication (2FA), one of the most secure remote system authentication methods. It also includes a login page CAPTCHA to prevent bots from logging in.

4. Wordfence Central

This feature allows you to manage security for multiple sites in one place, with detailed security findings and highly configurable alerts.

5. Security Tools

Wordfence provides live traffic monitoring and advanced blocking rules based on IP Range, Hostname, User Agent, and Referrer. Country blocking is also available for premium users.

What We Liked The Most

Wordfence excels in its comprehensive and robust security features. Its real-time updates on firewall rules and malware signatures ensure that your website is always protected against the latest threats. The ability to manage multiple sites’ security from one place and the inclusion of two-factor authentication are highly beneficial features for developers and large site owners.

What Could be Better

While Wordfence is a fantastic plugin, the real-time updates and some advanced features are only available for premium users. For small site owners or hobbyist bloggers, this might be a limiting factor. Including some of these features in the free version could make this WordPress security plugin even more appealing.

Target Audience

Wordfence is ideal for developers, large site owners, and businesses that require robust security measures. It’s particularly useful for those managing multiple sites.

Community Reviews and Ratings

Wordfence has received high ratings and positive reviews on platforms like G2 and the WordPress plugin repositories. Users often praise its comprehensive security features and real-time updates. Some users have mentioned the steep learning curve for new users and the cost of premium features as potential drawbacks.

Pricing

Wordfence offers a free version with basic features and a premium version with additional advanced features and real-time updates.

• Premium: $119 USD per year
• Care: $490 USD per year
• Response: $950 USD per year

WordFence is a great choice for users who want a comprehensive security solution that is easy to use and affordable. It offers a wide range of features, including malware scanning, brute force protection, and user activity monitoring.

Shield Security

Shield Security is a comprehensive WordPress security plugin that uses a host of advanced features to protect websites from a wide range of threats. This WordPress security plugin is particularly suitable for advanced users, developers, and large website owners who require robust, customizable security solutions.

Key Features

1. silentCAPTCHA Bad Bot Protection

This feature helps protect websites from harmful bots that account for a majority of WordPress security threats. It uses a unique silent CAPTCHA technology that doesn’t interrupt the user experience like traditional CAPTCHA systems.

2. Comprehensive Activity Log Coverage

One of the standout features of Shield Security is its extensive logging that documents every WordPress action on a site. It even detects changes made directly on the database, a feature not available in many other WordPress security plugins.

3. Limit Login Attempts and Block Registration Forms SPAM

This feature uses silentCAPTCHA technology to protect login, registration, and lost password forms from brute force attacks and spam.

4. User Session Theft Protection

Shield Security can lock user sessions to specific browsers or IP addresses, offering an additional layer of protection against session and account theft.

5. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

This robust feature provides an extra layer of security by requiring users to verify their identity using a secondary device or application.

What We Liked The Most

The silentCAPTCHA technology is a standout feature, offering a user-friendly alternative to traditional CAPTCHA systems. Also, the comprehensive activity log coverage provides a detailed record of all actions on a site, offering invaluable insight for troubleshooting and security audits.

What Could Be Better

The WordPress security plugin could benefit from a more intuitive interface to accommodate less experienced users. Additionally, the advanced features might be overwhelming for basic users.

Target Audience

Shield Security is best suited for advanced users, developers, and large site owners who need robust, customizable security solutions.

Community Reviews and Ratings

Shield Security has received positive feedback from users on various platforms, including the WordPress plugin repository. Users commonly praise its comprehensive feature set and robust security measures. However, some users have noted that the plugin can be complex to configure.

Pricing

Shield Security offers both a free version with basic security features and a premium version.

• Starter: $129 / year
• Plus: $149 / year
• Agency: $199 / year

In conclusion, Shield Security is a robust and comprehensive security plugin for WordPress users needing advanced security options. The plugin’s unique features, such as the silentCAPTCHA and extensive activity logging, set it apart from many other security plugins on the market. However, its complexity and advanced feature set may be overwhelming for basic users.

All-In-One Security (AIOS)

All-In-One Security (AIOS) is a highly rated WordPress security and firewall plugin, favored for its extensive capacities in enhancing website security. With over 1 million installations and a 5-star user rating, this WordPress security plugin is a testament to robust security capabilities and user-friendly design.

AIOS is ideally suited for advanced users, developers and large site owners who require comprehensive security measures for their WordPress sites. It offers a suite of security features that protect against threats such as brute force attacks, spam comments, content theft, and more.

Key Features

1. Login Security Tools

AIOS offers a range of tools that strengthen login security, such as detecting and prompting change for insecure usernames, hiding the login page URL, enforcing login lockouts, and providing detailed user activity reports.

2. Web Application Firewall (WAF)

The WAF provides automatic protection against known exploits, with the ability to progressively activate firewall settings. This feature helps protect against fake Google bots, DDOS attacks, cross-site scripting, and more.

3. Content Protection Features

AIOS safeguards your content from theft and spam, with features like iFrame prevention, copywriting protection, and disabling RSS and Atom feeds.

4. Two-Factor Authentication

This feature adds an extra layer of security, making it harder for unauthorized users to access your site.

5. File Change Detection

This feature alerts you to any changes in your WordPress system files, allowing you to determine if the change is legitimate or suspicious.

Unique to the AIOS plugin is its ability to extend WordPress Salts Security Feature, adding 64 new characters and changing them weekly to make it more challenging for hackers to crack passwords.

What We Liked The Most

AIOS stands out for its comprehensive suite of security features, covering login, content, firewall, and file protection. Its ability to protect against a wide range of threats makes it a versatile choice for WordPress security.

Another impressive aspect is the plugin’s user-friendliness, despite its advanced capabilities. The WordPress security plugin is easy to configure, making it accessible for both experienced developers and less tech-savvy users.

What Could Be Better

While AIOS offers a comprehensive set of security features, it lacks a built-in malware scanner in its free version, which would be a great addition to its security suite. However, this feature is available in the premium version of the plugin.

Target Audience

Advanced users, developers, and large site owners who require comprehensive security measures for their WordPress sites would benefit the most from this WordPress security plugin.

Community Reviews & Ratings

According to reviews on G2 and the WordPress plugin repository, users appreciate the plugin’s extensive security features and user-friendly interface. Some users, however, mentioned that the plugin could be a bit complex for beginners.

Pricing

AIOS offers a free version with a comprehensive suite of security features. For advanced features such as malware scanning, users can upgrade to AIOS Premium. The cost of the premium version starts from  $70.00 / year.

AIOS is a more powerful option for users who require advanced security features and are willing to invest more. It offers real-time threat detection, malware scanning, and a firewall, making it a strong choice for protecting your website from advanced threats.

Really Simple Security

The WordPress plugin, Really Simple Security, is a powerful, lightweight, and user-friendly tool designed to significantly enhance the security of WordPress websites. With a robust set of features, it offers an effective solution to common security concerns such as SSL certificate generation, vulnerability scanning, login protection, and WordPress hardening.

This WordPress security plugin is widely appreciated by advanced users and developers for its simplicity and efficiency, making it one of the most popular plugins in the WordPress community.

Key Features

1. Easy SSL Migration

This feature allows users to migrate their website to HTTPS and enforce SSL with just one click, offering secure cookies and Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate installation.

2. WordPress Hardening

This includes measures like preventing code execution in the uploads folder, disabling XML-RPC, and implementing username restrictions to keep WordPress fortified and safe.

3. Vulnerability Detection

The WordPress security plugin notifies users when plugins, themes, or the WordPress core contain vulnerabilities that need immediate action.

4. Login Protection

Really Simple Security provides two-factor authentication (2FA) for specific user roles, enhancing the security of user accounts.

5. Advanced SSL enforcement (Pro version)

The Pro version offers advanced SSL enforcement, including Mixed Content Scan & Fixer and enabling HTTP Strict Transport Security.

What We Liked The Most

Really Simple Security stands out for its user-friendly approach to website security, offering a 1-minute configuration with a short onboarding setup. Its lightweight design means that disabled features won’t load any redundant code, ensuring optimal website performance. The Easy SSL Migration and WordPress Hardening features are particularly effective at enhancing website security with minimal effort.

What Could be Better

The plugin could benefit from more detailed documentation and tutorials for advanced users who want to make the most of its features. Additionally, some users may find the Pro version a bit pricey compared to other similar tools.

Target Audience

Really Simple Security is perfect for advanced users and developers who need a straightforward, efficient way to enhance the security of their WordPress websites.

Community Reviews and Ratings

The plugin has received positive feedback on platforms like G2 and WordPress plugin repositories for its user-friendly interface and robust security features. Some users have noted that it could benefit from more comprehensive documentation.

Pricing

Really Simple Security offers a Pro version for users who want enhanced features such as advanced SSL enforcement, a WordPress firewall, and access control.

• Agency (25 Domains): $199
• Professional (5 Domains): $99
• Personal (Single License): $49

In conclusion, Really Simple Security is a highly recommended WordPress plugin for users looking to significantly enhance their website security with minimal effort. Its robust features and user-friendly design make it an excellent choice for both advanced users and developers.

Sucuri Security

The Sucuri Security WordPress plugin is a comprehensive security solution for WordPress websites. The plugin was developed and maintained by Sucuri Inc., a global authority on website security, and is now maintained by a dedicated team at GoDaddy. Known for its extensive feature set, Sucuri Security is popular among advanced users and developers seeking a robust and reliable tool to enhance their website’s security posture.

This WordPress security plugin is best suited for advanced users and developers who need a comprehensive security solution for their WordPress sites. Its extensive features and functionalities allow users to monitor and manage their website’s security with ease and efficiency.

Features That Matter

1. Security Activity Auditing

This feature allows users to track any activity on their site that could potentially harm its security. It’s particularly useful for detecting unauthorized access or changes to the site.

2. File Integrity Monitoring

This functionality checks for any changes in the WordPress core files, plugins, and themes that might indicate a breach or malicious activity.

3. Remote Malware Scanning

This feature scans the website for malware and other security vulnerabilities, helping users keep their sites safe and secure.

4. Blocklist Monitoring

This feature monitors various blocklists to ensure that your website is not listed there, preventing potential damage to your site’s reputation and SEO.

5. Security Hardening

This feature provides various options for hardening the security of your WordPress site.

What We Liked The Most

The Sucuri Security plugin stands out for its comprehensive and robust security features. The security activity auditing feature is particularly effective, providing users with a thorough overview of their site’s security status and any potential threats. The remote malware scanning and blocklist monitoring features also add significant value, helping users proactively protect their sites against attacks and maintain their online reputation.

What Could Be Better

While the Sucuri Security plugin is packed with features, it may have a steep learning curve for less experienced users. Additionally, some users might find the lack of personalized support for the free version limiting. The inclusion of more detailed documentation or tutorials could make the plugin more accessible to users of all skill levels.

Target Audience

This plugin is ideally suited for advanced users and developers who manage WordPress sites and require a comprehensive security solution.

Community Reviews and Ratings

Reviews and ratings from various platforms such as G2 and WordPress plugin repositories generally praise Sucuri Security for its comprehensive security features and robust performance. Some users, however, have mentioned the steep learning curve and lack of personalized support for the free version as potential drawbacks.

Pricing

The Sucuri Security plugin is free to use, with a premium version available that includes additional features such as a website firewall and customer support.

• Basic Platform: $199.99 / yr
• Pro Platform: $299.99 / yr
• Business Platform: $499.99 / yr
• Junior Dev: $999.98 / yr

In conclusion, Sucuri Security is a powerful and comprehensive security solution for WordPress websites. It offers advanced features like real-time threat detection, malware scanning, WAF protection, and DDoS protection. Sucuri’s cloud-based platform provides robust security without compromising your website’s performance.