Shield Security vs Wordfence:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Wordfence had more branded searches than Shield Security among WordPress security plugins worldwide. Wordfence had about 25,600 branded searches, while Shield Security had 4,400. Wordfence made up 9.7% of all WordPress security plugin searches we track, and Shield Security accounted for 1.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about WordPress security plugins, Wordfence appeared in all five answers and Shield Security in none.
Who do people search for more?
Wordfence, about 6 searches for every 1 for Shield Security
Who does AI mention more?
Wordfence, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Wordfence, the only one of the two named
Follow Shield Security vs Wordfence and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top WordPress security plugins in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Wordfence appeared in all five answers. 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 Shield Security or Wordfence more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Shield Security and Wordfence 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 Wordfence, 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 Shield Security and Wordfence comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Wordfence was ahead of Shield Security in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- 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.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Wordfence’s share of searches among WordPress security plugins worldwide moved from 15.2% to 9.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 25.9K to 25.6K.
How did search popularity change for WordPress security plugins worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Wordfence lost share of searches among WordPress security plugins worldwide, from 12.9% to 9.7%.
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?
5 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Shield Security’s and Wordfence’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.
Shield Security
1 branded search term
- shield security
Wordfence
4 branded search terms
- word fence
- wordfence
- wordfence plugin
- wordfence security
Other head-to-heads among WordPress security plugins
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.