MalCare vs Shield Security:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, MalCare and Shield Security were level in searches among WordPress security plugins worldwide, with an estimated 4.4K branded searches each, at 1.7% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about WordPress security plugins, MalCare appeared in one of the five answers and Shield Security in none.
Who do people search for more?
MalCare and Shield Security are searched for about as often as each other.
Who does AI mention more?
MalCare, mentioned in 1 of 5 answers, Shield Security in 0
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Top WordPress security plugins in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, MalCare was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Shield Security did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Wordfence1st
Sucuri2nd- Solid Security3rd
Patchstack4th- MalCare5th
Shield Security–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Sucuri5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Wordfence5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Solid Security2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Patchstack2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- MalCare1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Shield Security0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about WordPress security plugins
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which WordPress security plugin should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best WordPress security plugins?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best WordPress security plugin for a small website?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“wordpress security plugin”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“secure wordpress site”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is MalCare or Shield Security more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for MalCare and Shield Security by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six WordPress security plugins we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for MalCare, Shield Security. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Sucuri | Wordfence | Solid Security | MalCare | Shield Security | Patchstack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 69.5% | 15.2% | 8.7% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 1.4% |
| Nov 2025 | 70.6% | 15.5% | 7.1% | 3.2% | 2.1% | 1.4% |
| Dec 2025 | 77% | 11.6% | 6.5% | 2.4% | 1.6% | 1% |
| Jan 2026 | 77.3% | 11.4% | 6.6% | 2% | 1.6% | 1.1% |
| Feb 2026 | 69.9% | 15.4% | 8.6% | 2.6% | 2.1% | 1.4% |
| Mar 2026 | 69.4% | 15.3% | 8.6% | 2.5% | 2.5% | 1.7% |
| Apr 2026 | 69.5% | 15% | 8.4% | 2.5% | 2.5% | 2% |
| May 2026 | 74.6% | 12.5% | 7.2% | 2.1% | 2.1% | 1.4% |
| Jun 2026 | 71% | 14.3% | 8.2% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 1.6% |
| Jul 2026 | 73.6% | 13% | 7.3% | 2.2% | 2.2% | 1.8% |
| Aug 2026 | 73.4% | 12.9% | 7.2% | 2.2% | 2.2% | 2.2% |
| Sep 2026 | 80% | 9.7% | 5.6% | 1.7% | 1.7% | 1.4% |
How has the MalCare and Shield Security comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- MalCare was ahead of Shield Security in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, MalCare’s share of searches among WordPress security plugins worldwide moved from 2.6% to 1.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 4.4K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Shield Security’s share of searches among WordPress security plugins worldwide moved from 2.6% to 1.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 4.4K.
How did search popularity change for WordPress security plugins worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
MalCare’s share of searches among WordPress security plugins worldwide has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 2.4% to 1.7% in September 2026.
Shield Security’s share of searches among WordPress security plugins worldwide has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 2.4% to 1.7% in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using MalCare’s and Shield Security’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
MalCare
1 branded search term
- malcare
Shield Security
1 branded search term
- shield security
Other head-to-heads among WordPress security plugins
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