Best WordPress security and backup plugins 2026: what we actually run
Security plugins compared with WordPress.org data and prices, plus how to back up the site you cannot afford to lose.
Short answer: Use Wordfence free for security and UpdraftPlus free for off-site backups; both cost nothing. Check your host first: Hostinger already backs up weekly or daily and filters attacks at server level. Pay only if you need cleanup help or daily backups your host does not give.
A WordPress security plugin blocks attacks and scans for malware, while a backup plugin keeps a copy you can restore.
Best WordPress security plugins
Installs and ratings from the WordPress.org API, prices from each official page, 17 Oct 2026.
| Plugin | Installs | Rating | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wordfence | 5M+ | 4.7/5 | Free; Premium $149/yr | Best free scanner + firewall. We run it on investmarathi.com |
| Kadence Security (Solid) | 700k+ | 4.6/5 | Free; paid in Kadence Pro $299/yr | Light login and file-change protection |
| All-In-One Security (AIOS) | 1M+ | 4.7/5 | Free; Premium available | Many hardening options in one screen |
| MalCare | 100k+ | 4.4/5 | Free scanner; cleanup paid | Scans on its own servers, so lighter on yours |
Best WordPress backup options
| Option | Installs | Rating | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UpdraftPlus | 4M+ | 4.8/5 | Free; Premium $70/yr | Best free backup to Google Drive or Dropbox |
| WPvivid | 900k+ | 4.9/5 | Free; Pro available | Free staging and migration |
| Hostinger backups | Built in | – | Included | Weekly on Single/Premium, daily on Unlimited and Cloud |
What we run on our own sites
Read from the servers on 17 Oct 2026.
investmarathi.com (GeneratePress)
- Wordfence free 9.0.2: 491 scans, 30 attacks blocked in 3 weeks
- Hostinger backups, no backup plugin
- Manual copy before big changes
digitalpritam.in (Kadence)
- No security plugin: Hostinger’s server firewall and malware scanner
- Hostinger backups, no backup plugin
- A saved copy of every page before each rewrite
Security and backup guides
Wordfence vs Solid SecuritySolid is now Kadence Security
Backup plugin on Hostinger?Backups by plan, and when to add one
Best WordPress hosting in India8 hosts compared
Hostinger vs MilesWebMilesWeb backs up daily on every plan
UpdraftPlus vs WPvividWe broke a site and restored it
Speed Lab: cache pluginsTested on our Hostinger lab siteWordPress security and backup: FAQ
What is the best WordPress security plugin?
Wordfence for most sites: 5 million+ installs, a free firewall and malware scanner. On our own site it blocked 30 attacks in three weeks on the free plan.
What is the best free WordPress backup plugin?
UpdraftPlus: 4 million+ installs, rated 4.8 out of 5, with free backups to Google Drive, Dropbox and more.
Do I need both a security and a backup plugin?
You need a backup either way; security plugins reduce risk but cannot undo every mistake or hack. Many hosts, including Hostinger, back up for you, so check your plan first.
Is Solid Security still available?
Yes, renamed Kadence Security. The free plugin is on WordPress.org; its paid features are in the Kadence Pro bundle.
Does a security plugin slow WordPress down?
A little. Wordfence’s firewall runs on every request. On Hostinger, which already filters traffic at server level, keep scans scheduled and leave live traffic logging off, as we do.
How do I clean a hacked WordPress site?
Restore a clean backup from before the hack, update everything, change all passwords and keys, then scan again. If there is no clean backup, a paid cleanup service such as Wordfence Care is faster.
Methodology
How this page was built, so you can check it.
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Date | 17 Oct 2026 |
| Sources | Each product’s official pricing page and, where marked, our own tests |
| Procedure | We read every price, plan and renewal term for security and backup plugins and dated the page; tested pages link to their raw data |
| Limits | Prices change; we re-check them monthly. Some links are affiliate links and never change which product we rank higher |
About this page
Pritam Sonone
Founder of Digital Pritam. WordPress developer and designer, WordCamp Kolhapur 2025 speaker. Builds WordPress sites for clients.
How we checked
- Security data read from free Wordfence on our own site, investmarathi.com, on 17 Oct 2026
- Installs and ratings from the WordPress.org API the same day
- Prices from each official pricing page
Sources: Wordfence pricing · UpdraftPlus pricing · WordPress.org plugins
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Best WordPress SEO Plugin 2026Rank Math, Yoast, AIOSEO and SEOPressAffiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them, Digital Pritam may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only list deals we have checked on the brand’s own website, and commissions never change our picks. Prices can change at any time; always confirm the final price at checkout. Read our full affiliate disclosure.