Best Solid Security Alternatives in 2026: 6 Options Compared

Solid Security has gone through another major transition in 2026. The plugin previously known as iThemes Security and then Solid Security is now branded as Kadence Security. The free plugin still focuses on WordPress hardening, login protection, two-factor authentication, brute-force defense, firewall rules, vulnerability visibility, user security, and database backups. Paid access for new customers is now part of the wider Kadence Pro bundle rather than a simple standalone Solid Security purchase.

That packaging change is one reason to compare alternatives, but it should not be the only one. Security plugins use different architectures. Some emphasize an endpoint firewall running inside WordPress, some scan malware off-site, some put a cloud WAF in front of the website, and some focus more on hardening, login protection, or backups. The right replacement depends on what Solid Security is currently doing for the site.

Pricing checked: September 23, 2026. Prices below reflect current official offers and renewal structures where available.

At-a-glance comparison

Compare	Kadence SecurityFree; Kadence Pro $299/year for new customers Remove	Wordfence Security$149/year Premium Remove	MalCareFree; Protect $99/year; cleanup from Repair $299/year Remove	Sucuri SecurityFree plugin; paid platform from $229/year Remove	All-In-One Security (AIOS)Free; Personal $44.50 first year for 2 sites; renews $89/year Remove	Really Simple Security$49 first year; renews $69/year for 1 site Remove
Pricing model	Freemium	Freemium	Freemium	Freemium	Freemium	Freemium
Starting price	Free; Kadence Pro $299/year for new customers	$149/year Premium	Free; Protect $99/year; cleanup from Repair $299/year	Free plugin; paid platform from $229/year	Free; Personal $44.50 first year for 2 sites; renews $89/year	$49 first year; renews $69/year for 1 site
Free version	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sites included	Site allowance follows current Kadence Pro bundle terms	1 site	1 site (Protect)	1 site (paid platform)	License count varies by plan; unlimited option available	1 site on Personal; 5 on Professional; 25 on Agency
Lifetime option	No	No	No	No	No	No
Refund policy	Kadence bundle purchase terms apply	30-day refund window for Premium licenses	14-day refund; cleanup use can affect eligibility	30-day guarantee on paid platform, subject to cleanup terms	Vendor purchase terms apply	30-day money-back guarantee
Setup level	Intermediate	Intermediate	Beginner-friendly	Intermediate	Intermediate	Beginner-friendly
WordPress.org rating	4.6/5 (3,990)	4.7/5 (5,010)	4.4/5 (553)	4.2/5 (384)	4.7/5 (1,717)	4.9/5 (8,865)
Active installs	700K+	5M+	100K+	600K+	1M+	3M+
Best for	WordPress sites that want strong account protection, two-factor authentication, vulnerability scanning, and optional virtual patching.	WordPress sites that want endpoint firewall protection, malware scanning, login security, and active security monitoring from one plugin.	WordPress owners who want cloud-based malware scanning with an upgrade path to automated cleanup and broader managed protection.	Site owners who want free WordPress monitoring plus a clear upgrade path to a managed cloud WAF and security-response service.	WordPress site owners who want broad login security, hardening, firewall controls, file monitoring, and optional malware scanning in one plugin.	WordPress sites that want lightweight hardening, SSL enforcement, vulnerability awareness, and login protection in one plugin.
Not ideal for	Sites that only need a simple login limiter or teams expecting a standalone malware-cleanup service.	Sites whose hosting or CDN already provides an overlapping managed security stack, or teams that need managed incident response rather than a self-administered plugin.	Sites that want all scanning and security processing to stay local or expect malware cleanup to be included in the free tier.	Users expecting the free plugin alone to provide the full Sucuri cloud firewall and paid cleanup service.	Sites that only need a simple login limiter or teams wanting a fully managed external security service.	Sites primarily looking for managed malware cleanup, deep incident response, or security controls already fully provided by hosting/CDN infrastructure.
Tested version	10.0.4	9.0.1	6.72	2.8	5.4.10	9.8.3
Last reviewed	2026-09-09	2026-09-09	2026-09-12	2026-09-12	2026-09-09	2026-09-09
Features
Web application firewall	Yes	Yes Endpoint WAF is included; paid plans receive real-time firewall rule updates.	Yes Free includes a basic firewall; paid plans add advanced/real-time protection.	Paid plan The cloud WAF is part of Sucuri paid firewall/platform services, not the free plugin alone.	Yes Firewall and file-protection controls are available in the free plugin.	Paid plan Really Simple Security Pro includes its WordPress firewall.
Malware scanning	No	Yes Malware scanner and file checks are included; free signatures are delayed versus paid threat intelligence.	Yes Free includes periodic malware scanning; paid plans scan more frequently.	Yes Free plugin uses remote SiteCheck scanning, which cannot inspect every server-side file.	Paid plan Malware scanning is a Premium feature.	No
Malware cleanup / repair	No	Limited Hands-on malware removal is provided with Wordfence Care/Response rather than standard Premium.	Paid plan Instant cleanup starts with the Repair tier, not Free/Protect.	Paid plan Paid Website Security Platform plans include malware/hack cleanup.	No	No
Vulnerability monitoring	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes Remote scans can flag outdated software and visible issues; this is not a full local vulnerability scanner.	Yes	Yes Pro includes recurring vulnerability management.
Virtual patching / exploit mitigation	Limited	No	Paid plan	Paid plan	No	Limited
Login protection	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes Paid WAF protects login/admin traffic at the network edge.	Yes	Yes Pro bundles login protection controls.
Two-factor authentication	Yes	Yes	Yes Free supports WP-Admin 2FA for a limited number of users.	Yes Sucuri Website Firewall Protected Pages can require two-factor authentication; Sucuri account 2FA is also available.	Yes Two-factor authentication is available in the free security feature set.	Yes Two-factor authentication is part of Pro login protection.
Passkey authentication	Limited	Yes	No	No	No	No
Brute-force protection	Yes	Yes	Yes	Paid plan	Yes	Yes Limit Login Attempts is included in Pro login protection.
File integrity / change monitoring	Yes	Yes	Limited	Yes Free plugin monitors file changes/integrity.	Yes	Paid plan
Country blocking	Paid plan	Paid plan Country blocking is a paid feature.	Paid plan Geo-blocking starts on paid protection plans.	Paid plan Sucuri Firewall Geo Blocking can restrict view or POST access by country.	Paid plan Country blocking requires AIOS Premium.	No Region blocking is part of the paid security feature set.
Security headers / hardening	Paid plan	Limited No dedicated general security-header manager is documented in the Wordfence plugin feature set.	Limited	Yes	Yes Security hardening includes visitor/browser protection controls.	Yes Visitor protection/security headers are a Pro feature.
Security / activity logs	Yes	Paid plan Wordfence includes security/audit logging features.	Paid plan Activity logs are included on higher paid tiers.	Yes Free plugin provides audit trails/security activity logging.	Yes	Paid plan
Cloud WAF / edge protection	No	No	No	Paid plan	No	No
Off-server / remote scanning	No	No	Yes	Yes	Limited	No
Hands-on managed cleanup	No	Paid plan	Paid plan	Paid plan	No	No

Why users may consider leaving Solid Security

The first issue is packaging. New customers looking for the former Solid Security Pro capabilities now encounter Kadence Pro, currently $299/year. That bundle includes much more than security, including design, ecommerce, memberships, and backups. If a site only needs security, paying for a broader stack can change the value calculation even when the security features themselves remain useful.

The second issue is architecture. Kadence Security includes firewall rules and vulnerability-focused protection, but it is not identical to a dedicated cloud WAF service or an off-site malware-removal platform. A site dealing with active malware, repeated compromise, or high-risk traffic may prefer a security product built more heavily around scanning, cleanup, or network-level filtering.

The third issue is migration complexity. Solid Security can change database settings, configuration files, login behavior, firewall rules, and hardening options. Replacing it is not as simple as deactivating one plugin and activating another. Before switching, you need to know which login restrictions, 2FA policies, blocked IPs, backend URL changes, file rules, and vulnerability protections are currently active.

Wordfence Security when endpoint firewall and scanning matter

Wordfence Security is a different security model from Solid Security. It combines a WordPress endpoint firewall, malware scanner, login security, two-factor authentication, brute-force protection, vulnerability intelligence, and live traffic visibility in one plugin.

The free version is substantial, but threat-intelligence timing differs from paid plans. Wordfence Premium currently costs $149/year for one site. The paid tier is easier to justify when a site specifically values real-time firewall rules, malware signatures, reputation checks, and support rather than a broader Kadence bundle.

Wordfence Security is also a heavier operational tool. Scanning and traffic inspection can use server resources, especially on busy or constrained hosting. That is not automatically a problem, but it is a real architectural difference from services that move more analysis off-site.

Migration from Solid Security should include a review of firewall behavior, 2FA enrollment, login lockouts, blocked users, and any changed login URL. Avoid enabling overlapping firewall or lockout rules without testing because duplicate controls can lock administrators out.

MalCare when malware scanning and cleanup are the priority

MalCare approaches WordPress security with a stronger emphasis on remote scanning, automated protection, and malware cleanup. That can appeal to users leaving Solid Security because they want less scanning workload on their own server or because cleanup capability matters more than a large set of hardening toggles.

MalCare has a free entry point. Its current Protect plan is $99/year, while malware cleanup is associated with the higher Repair tier starting at $299/year. That distinction matters. A lower-priced security subscription is not the same thing as a plan that includes active remediation after compromise.

MalCare also changes the day-to-day workflow. Instead of treating wp-admin as the entire security control center, more of the scanning and site management model is cloud-connected. Agencies managing compromised or high-maintenance sites may prefer that, while users who want everything managed locally may prefer another approach.

Before replacing Solid Security with MalCare, document existing login security and hardening rules. MalCare can cover a different part of the security problem well, but not every Solid Security setting has a direct one-to-one equivalent.

Sucuri Security when a cloud WAF and incident response matter

Sucuri Security has to be understood as two layers. The free WordPress plugin provides monitoring, integrity checks, hardening tools, and security visibility. The paid website security platform adds the cloud firewall, malware cleanup, and broader incident-response service.

The paid platform currently starts at $229/year. That is more expensive than many plugin-only licenses, but the purchase is for a different service model. Traffic can be filtered through Sucuri’s infrastructure before it reaches WordPress, which is fundamentally different from a firewall that operates inside the application.

Sucuri Security is relevant when the primary reason for leaving Solid Security is the need for a proxy WAF, DDoS-oriented filtering, cleanup service, or external security layer. It is less compelling if the site simply wants 2FA, login hardening, and basic vulnerability checks at the lowest possible software cost.

A migration to Sucuri also requires DNS and caching planning when the cloud firewall is enabled. Treat that as infrastructure work, not merely a plugin swap.

All-In-One Security (AIOS) for broad WordPress hardening

All-In-One Security (AIOS) is closer to Solid Security conceptually because both cover a broad set of WordPress hardening and login-security controls. AIOS includes login protection, firewall rules, file protection, spam controls, security settings, and additional protections through its free and paid tiers.

The current Personal plan starts at $44.50 for the first year covering two sites and renews at $89/year. That makes All-In-One Security (AIOS) financially different from Kadence Pro if the requirement is primarily WordPress security rather than the full Kadence product stack.

The trade-off is that broad hardening plugins expose many settings that can interact with hosting, caching, XML-RPC, REST API behavior, file permissions, and login flows. More controls do not automatically mean a safer configuration. The site owner still needs to understand what is being blocked and why.

When moving from Solid Security, disable overlapping hardening rules in a controlled sequence and keep a working backup plus alternate access method available.

Really Simple Security for hardening, vulnerability protection, and SSL-related workflows

Really Simple Security has evolved far beyond its original SSL-focused identity. It now covers vulnerability detection, hardening, login security, two-factor authentication, firewall-related protection, and other WordPress security controls alongside its HTTPS and configuration history.

Really Simple Security Pro currently starts at $49 for the first year and renews at $69/year for one site. It can make sense when the team wants a lower-cost security and hardening product without buying an entire design-and-commerce suite.

The overlap with Solid Security is significant, which also makes migration risk important. Both products can affect login behavior, hardening, firewall rules, and security settings. Do not run every protection in both plugins simultaneously while testing.

Really Simple Security is especially relevant for sites that already associate security maintenance with HTTPS, configuration hardening, vulnerability monitoring, and user-login protection rather than malware-cleanup services.

Jetpack Security when backups and recovery belong in the same subscription

Jetpack takes another route. Jetpack Security combines security functionality with real-time or scheduled backups, activity logs, malware scanning, spam protection, and WordPress.com infrastructure depending on the plan.

The current Jetpack Security offer is $9.95/month for the first year when billed annually and renews at $19.95/month. The recurring cost is higher than some plugin-only options, but backup and recovery are part of the value calculation.

Jetpack Security becomes relevant when the user wants fewer separate vendors for backup, activity history, scanning, and recovery. If you already have a preferred backup system and only need firewall or login security, another option may be more focused.

The main migration issue is service dependency. Jetpack relies on a WordPress.com connection for several cloud-backed features, so evaluate account, storage, restore, and operational requirements rather than comparing only the plugin checklist.

Choose based on the security layer you actually need

• Endpoint firewall and malware scanning: compare Wordfence Security.
• Remote scanning and malware cleanup workflow: compare MalCare.
• Cloud WAF and external incident-response layer: compare Sucuri Security.
• Broad WordPress hardening and login controls: compare All-In-One Security (AIOS).
• Hardening plus SSL, vulnerability, and login-security workflows: compare Really Simple Security.
• Security combined with backups and recovery: compare Jetpack Security.

These are different operating models, not a ranking. A site facing credential attacks has a different requirement from a site that has already been compromised, and both differ from an agency that mainly needs enforceable 2FA and vulnerability visibility across client sites.

What to check before switching from Solid Security

Start by creating a full backup and documenting the current configuration. Solid Security and Kadence Security can modify WordPress files, database settings, login behavior, firewall rules, user-security policies, and hardening options.

Record whether two-factor authentication is enforced and which users are enrolled. Note any hidden or changed login URL, banned hosts, lockout settings, custom firewall rules, password policies, privilege controls, XML-RPC restrictions, file-change settings, database backup behavior, and vulnerability notifications.

Then test the replacement on staging. Make sure administrators can still log in, password resets work, REST API and application-password workflows still function where required, cron jobs run, ecommerce callbacks are not blocked, and your host or CDN is not duplicating the same firewall behavior.

During migration, avoid stacking two security plugins with overlapping firewall, lockout, and 2FA policies unless you know exactly which module owns each control. Security plugins can protect a site by blocking requests, but overlapping rules can also block legitimate admins, payment callbacks, APIs, and scheduled jobs.

When staying with Solid Security or Kadence Security makes sense

Staying makes sense when the existing configuration is stable, the site depends on its login-security and hardening rules, and you already use the wider Kadence ecosystem. New Kadence Pro packaging includes security, backups, design tools, WooCommerce tools, and memberships, so the bundle can be economically sensible when several of those products are already useful to the same site.

The current free Kadence Security plugin also remains a substantial security tool. It includes brute-force protection, 2FA, firewall rules, user security, database backups, vulnerability visibility, and hardening controls. A migration is not necessary merely because the brand changed.

Existing SolidWP customers also have a special consideration: Liquid Web says existing users keep their plans, features, and pricing. Before canceling an older Solid Security subscription, compare the legacy entitlement with what a new Kadence plan would cost to replace.

Solid Security alternatives FAQs