Looking for Wordfence Alternatives?
Here’s the list.
But hear me out:
To be honest, WordFence is a GREAT WordPress security plugin. You can block country traffic, data leak protection, two-factor authentication, file repair. Their real-time threat intelligence for protection against hackers is incomparable.
BUT as great WordFence appears to be, there are a few catches that are hard to miss. Under the guise of doing everything real-time, the following reasons have been turning users away:
- Taxes server resources to filter website traffic
- Slow customer support on the free version due to an enormous user base
- Real-time site scan could affect bandwidth
- Learning curve could be time-consuming and could turn some people away
If the above reasons summarize you, then you’ve come to the right place. WordFence isn’t the be-all and end-all of security plugins. You have other viable options to sift through.
In fact, we have about 5 intuitive WordPress security plugins below that could help you kick WordFence to the curb and redo your site security.
5 Best Wordfence Alternatives
1. Sucuri
Sucuri is the foremost competitor to WordFence. Although many would find repeated differences in both plugins, the main share of Sucuri’s praise is in its (small but) dedicated dev. A dev team that personally looks into your site’s vulnerabilities.
Their team reached out to us some time ago for an overview of their service. We covered Sucuri in much detail in our Sucuri Review. You can go through the article to briefly learn about Sucuri or you can also check our toe-to-toe comparison in Sucuri vs WordFence.
To put it in a nutshell, Sucuri protects, monitors and boosts your WordPress website’s performance. You get handcrafted security tools and WAF protection. Sucuri’s pricing plans are designed according to separate demographics in mind.
Features
- SSL certificate support included in WAF
- Protection against DDoS attacks and post-attack diagnosis
- Custom CDN for enhanced protection
- Runs on a cloud-based platform for remote site-scanning
- Unlimited cleanups included in the annual price
- Premium customer support for all plans
Price
- Basic Platform – $199.99/yr
- Pro Platform – $299.99/yr
- Business Platform – $499.99/yr
2. SiteLock
The reason SiteLock is our #2 WordFence competitor on this list. This is because it is a cybersecurity service rather than an all-in-one plugin. If it is a turn off for you, then do know that plugins hog resources and need regular updating.
A dedicated service constantly watches out for you. SiteLock consists of a group of experienced cybersecurity professionals. SiteLock has worked with hundreds of clients at this point and have been featured in magazines like WSJ and Forbes.
Reputation aside, SiteLock is an affordable website monitoring and protection solution that is up-to-date on everything in the cybersecurity realm and offers a free cybersecurity audit of your website to gauge performance and offer security recommendations.
Features
- PCI compliance for credit payment portals
- Website backup to restore your website after a hacking attack
- DDoS protection to never let your users get a 404 error
- Protection over VPN networks
- Vulnerability patching in your CMS
- WAF to filter malicious traffic
Price
- SecureAlert Plan – $14.99/mo
- SecureStarter Plan – $29.99/mo
- SecureSpeed Plan – $49.99/month
3. Wordfence Alternatives: Malcare
Wordfence Alternatives:
Malcare lies in an interesting position in the WordPress security space. It is too easy of a plugin to be called a suite and too small of a company to be called a service. However, Malcare has the same list of features for all plans. The pricing is more for more websites.
The one thing that makes Malcare stand out from the competition is its attention to data. The plugin does not simply scan your website and removes infected files. It goes the extra step in copying over files from your site onto their servers. Performing the clean-up on their end and leaving your website in an isolated state.
If that isn’t enough, Malcare is ridiculously easy-to-use and does not bore the user with website security jargon. You’ll see intuitive icons, switches for custom settings, dashboard UI, status updates, etc.
If anything, Malcare comes closest to Wordfence in terms of aesthetics.
Features
- Intuitive dashboard for managing security and updates over all websites
- WordPress hardening feature for websites with different priorities
- Proprietary servers for data isolation when scanning
- Easy team management when handling multiple issues
- Captcha system protects against brute force attempts
- 1-click malware removal in any & all cases
Price
- Personal Plan – $99/yr – 1 Website
- Small Business – $259/yr – 5 Websites
- Developers – $599/year – 20 Websites
4. Wordfence Alternaties: Astra Security
Astra doesn’t only serve WordPress but supports other CMS platforms as well like Magento, Drupal, PrestaShop, OpenCart, and custom PHP hosting variants. Hence, Astra’s firewall is multi-platform and you can keep using it even after shifting to a different platform.
Astra is essentially divided into 4 services: Firewall & Malware, Hacked Websites, Security Audits, and Agencies. Instead of doing everything at the same time, you can hire their services as required or resolve a specific security issue without having to pay the full price.
Now, Astra’s main strength is its in-depth security audits that created detailed reports and improvement recommendations. Astra’s pricing is a tricky ball but if you simply want site security, Firewall & Malware is the option to look for.
Features
- Intuitive firewall that tracks hacking attack origins
- Attacker profiling to detect the attacker’s IP address & country
- Analytical dashboard to get a clear view of your site’s security
- Search engine bot that detects if your website isn’t on any search engine’s bad side
- Machine learning algorithm for precise malware detection
- File-scanning pre upload
Price
- Pro Plan – $19/month
- Advanced Plan – $39/month
- Business Plan – $119/month
5. WordFence Alternatives: iThemes.com/security/
iThemes security plugin came from iThemes (website design tools), when it was known as WP security. From its initial inception, iThemes security has grown into a much advanced WordPress security tool with the pro version emphasizing plugin 7 theme vulnerabilities.
To be a bit harsh, iThemes’ free version is quite basic. It offers the simplest of defense features at which point you’re better off going with other options. But, the Pro version is a much better ROI with constant updates to the plugin for a year.
iThemes isn’t loaded with the most top-notch cyber security measures and embellishments of any kind. It offers a simple security mechanism that is held up by many security professionals and their humble user base that appreciates its affordable cost and bold but capable security features.
Features
- Takes care of outdated themes and plugins that cause vulnerabilities
- Monitors and tracks activities to trace suspicious activities
- Prevents brute force events through Google’s verified captcha prompt
- Automated vulnerability fixing during site-scan
- 2FA method to authenticate login attempt
- Multiple website management with iThemes Sync feature
Price
- Blogger – $80/year
- Small Business – $127/year
- Gold – $199/year
Best Wordfence Alternatives?
WordFence is a dominant force in the WordPress community. It has caused much disarray among users that want to move on to something different. But never seem to due to accessibility issues.
But once you do make the leap, don’t bother looking back. If you were used to WordFence in the past, anything new or different is bound to be a cakewalk. If you want our recommendation, a brief look at Sucuri should give you a good perspective.
And if that does not work out, you can always opt for something else from above. Like a dedicated service like SiteLock if you’re entirely tired of plugins.
Whatever your choice may be, please let us know in the comments down below.
