Wordfence vs Solid Security 2026: Solid is now Kadence Security
Solid Security has been renamed.
Short answer: Solid Security is now called Kadence Security and its paid features ship inside the $299 Kadence Pro bundle. For a free security plugin, Wordfence is the stronger pick: firewall plus malware scanner, 5 million+ installs. On our own site, free Wordfence blocked 30 attacks in three weeks.
Solid Security is now Kadence Security
Checked on WordPress.org and solidwp.com on 17 Oct 2026.
Until 2023: iThemes Security
Originally Better WP Security, one of the oldest WordPress security plugins.
2023: renamed Solid Security
After Liquid Web’s StellarWP brought iThemes into its SolidWP brand.
2026: renamed Kadence Security
Same WordPress.org plugin (better-wp-security), now 10.0.6. Paid features are sold in the Kadence Pro and Elite bundles.
Wordfence vs Kadence Security: side by side
Plugin data from the WordPress.org API, prices from each official page, 17 Oct 2026.
| Wordfence | Kadence Security (Solid) | |
|---|---|---|
| Plugin on WordPress.org | Wordfence Security 9.0.2 | Kadence Security 10.0.6 (formerly Solid Security, formerly iThemes Security) |
| Active installs | 5 million+ | 700,000+ |
| Rating | 4.7/5 (5,025 reviews) | 4.6/5 (3,992 reviews) |
| Last updated | 30 Sep 2026 | 14 Oct 2026 |
| Free firewall | Yes, endpoint firewall in WordPress | Yes, plus Patchstack virtual patching in paid plans |
| Malware scanner (free) | Yes, scheduled scans | File change detection |
| Two-factor login (free) | Yes | Yes |
| Paid plan | Premium $149/yr per site | Included in Kadence Pro bundle, $299/yr |
| Paid plan adds | Real-time firewall rules and malware signatures | Kadence Backups, Kadence theme Pro, Blocks Pro and more |
| Hands-on cleanup | Care $590/yr, Response $1,250/yr | Not offered as a plan |
Wordfence on our own site: real numbers
Read from the Wordfence tables on investmarathi.com (free Wordfence 9.0.2) on 17 Oct 2026.
| What we measured | Result |
|---|---|
| Scans completed | 491, scheduled scans on |
| Attacks blocked, 23 Sep to 14 Oct 2026 | 30 |
| Blocked by the firewall | 17 |
| Brute-force logins blocked | 13 |
| Lockout rule | 20 failed logins, locked for 4 hours |
| Last scan | Completed with no open errors |
Small numbers are normal for a small site: most attacks on WordPress are automated login and vulnerability probes. Live traffic logging is off on our install to save server work.
Which should you choose?
Choose Wordfence if
- You want the best free security plugin
- You want a malware scanner without paying
- You may want paid cleanup help later (Care, Response)
Choose Kadence Security if
- You already pay for Kadence Pro or Elite
- You want security and backups from one vendor
- You prefer a lighter plugin without a full scanner
Wordfence vs Solid Security: FAQ
What happened to Solid Security?
It has been renamed Kadence Security. The WordPress.org plugin (slug better-wp-security, once iThemes Security) now shows as Kadence Security 10.0.6, and solidwp.com pages redirect to Kadence on Liquid Web. Its paid features now come with the Kadence Pro bundle.
Wordfence vs Solid Security: which is better?
For a free plugin, Wordfence: it has 5 million+ installs, a firewall and a scheduled malware scanner in the free version. Pick Kadence Security if you already pay for Kadence Pro, since its paid security and backups are included.
Is Wordfence free enough?
For most blogs, yes. Our site investmarathi.com runs free Wordfence 9.0.2: it has completed 491 scans and blocked 30 attacks from 23 Sep to 14 Oct 2026 (17 by the firewall, 13 brute-force logins). Free firewall rules arrive 30 days after Premium users get them.
Can I run Wordfence and Solid Security together?
No. Two firewalls and two login protections conflict and slow the site. Use one security plugin.
Do I need a security plugin on Hostinger?
Hostinger includes malware scanning and a web application firewall at server level. A plugin adds login protection and WordPress-aware scanning. We run Wordfence free on one site and none on this site.
How much does Wordfence Premium cost in India?
Wordfence Premium is $149 a year per site, about ₹16,696 with 18% GST at the 16 Oct 2026 rate.
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
- Wordfence numbers read from the Wordfence database tables on our own site, investmarathi.com, on 17 Oct 2026
- Plugin versions, installs and ratings from the WordPress.org API the same day
- Rename confirmed on WordPress.org and solidwp.com redirects
Sources: Wordfence pricing · Kadence Security on WordPress.org · Wordfence on WordPress.org · Kadence bundles
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