BBQ Firewall vs Security Optimizer
Two WordPress plugins head to head: ranking, active installs, downloads and ratings, from our daily tracking of the WordPress.org directory.
These aren’t all alternatives to each other — they do different jobs — so this page compares popularity only, not features.
At a glance
Security Optimizer leads the WordPress.org popular list today at #51, ahead of BBQ Firewall at #346. Over the last 7 days Security Optimizer held its place and BBQ Firewall slipped 2 places. Security Optimizer has the largest install base, roughly 10× the next: 1M+ active installs against 100K+ for BBQ Firewall. Downloads this week: Security Optimizer 869,341 and BBQ Firewall 3,130. Ratings: BBQ Firewall 4.9★ from 160 and Security Optimizer 4.5★ from 157 reviews.
| Metric | BBQ Firewall | Security Optimizer |
|---|---|---|
| Popular rank today | #346 ▼ 2 | #51 ▬ |
| Active installs | 100K+ | 1M+ |
| Downloads, last 7 days | 3,130 | 869,341 |
| Rating | 4.9★ (160) | 4.5★ (157) |
| Last updated | Aug 9, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 |
| Current version | 20260809 | 1.6.9 |
| Best rank on record | #342 | #51 |
| Days in the top 50 | 0 | 0 |
| On WordPress.org since | Mar 2010 | May 2021 |
Highlighted cells mark the strongest figure in each row. Rank and installs are from the latest WordPress.org capture; downloads are the last seven captured days.
Ranking history Lower is better
Active installs
Downloads per day
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Frequently asked questions
Which is more popular, BBQ Firewall or Security Optimizer?
By active installs, Security Optimizer: 1M+ sites run it against 100K+ for BBQ Firewall, according to WordPress.org figures captured on November 1, 2026.
Which ranks higher on WordPress.org, BBQ Firewall or Security Optimizer?
Security Optimizer, at #51 on the WordPress.org popular plugins list today, with BBQ Firewall at #346. The ranking reflects recent installs and moves daily, which is why this page shows the history rather than one snapshot.
Are BBQ Firewall or Security Optimizer alternatives to each other?
Not all of them. Some of these plugins do different jobs and many sites run more than one. This page compares their popularity, not their features.
Where do these numbers come from?
WordPress.org publishes each plugin’s active install count and its position on the popular list. This site records both every day, along with per-day downloads and ratings, so the charts above show how the plugins have moved over time rather than a single day.