Brandwave

MalCare vs Sucuri:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Sucuri had more branded searches than MalCare among WordPress security plugins in New Zealand. Sucuri had about 140 branded searches, while MalCare had 50. Sucuri made up 35% of all WordPress security plugin searches we track, and MalCare accounted for 12.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about WordPress security plugins, Sucuri appeared in four of the five answers and MalCare in one. Sucuri was mentioned before MalCare in four out of five answers.

Among WordPress security plugins in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Sucuri, about 3 searches for every 1 for MalCare

Sucuri 140 searchesMalCare 50 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Sucuri, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, MalCare in 1

Sucuri in 4 of 5MalCare in 1 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Sucuri, named ahead of MalCare in 4 of 5 answers

Sucuri first in 4MalCare first in 1

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Top WordPress security plugins in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Sucuri was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. MalCare was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Sucuri was listed before MalCare in four out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Wordfence1st
  2. Sucuri2nd
  3. MalCare3rd
  4. Patchstack3rd
  5. Kadence Security–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Wordfence5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Sucuri4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Patchstack2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • MalCare1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Kadence 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 in New Zealand?”

    1. 1Wordfence
    2. 2Patchstack
    3. 3Sucuri

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What are the best WordPress security plugins in New Zealand?”

    1. 1Wordfence
    2. 2Sucuri
    3. 3Patchstack

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best WordPress security plugin in New Zealand for site protection?”

    1. 1Wordfence
    2. 2Sucuri

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “wordpress security plugin”

    1. 1Wordfence
    2. 2Sucuri

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “wordpress malware scanner”

    1. 1MalCare
    2. 2Wordfence

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

Is MalCare or Sucuri more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for MalCare and Sucuri by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five WordPress security plugins we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

MalCare and Sucuri among WordPress security plugins in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Sucuri, MalCare. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthWordfenceSucuriMalCareKadence SecurityPatchstack
Oct 202541%35.9%15.4%5.1%2.6%
Nov 202543.2%40.5%10.8%2.7%2.7%
Dec 202537.8%48.6%5.4%2.7%5.4%
Jan 202644.1%41.2%2.9%5.9%5.9%
Feb 202650%36.1%5.6%5.6%2.8%
Mar 202650%35.7%7.1%4.8%2.4%
Apr 202645.9%37.8%8.1%0%8.1%
May 202631.4%51%5.9%7.8%3.9%
Jun 202628.3%56.6%7.5%5.7%1.9%
Jul 202631.8%43.2%6.8%11.4%6.8%
Aug 202636.5%40.4%7.7%9.6%5.8%
Sep 202642.5%35%12.5%5%5%

How has the MalCare and Sucuri comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for New Zealand WordPress security plugins in September 2026?

3 changes

  1. In September 2026, Wordfence overtook Sucuri to become the leader among WordPress security plugins in New Zealand, with 42.5% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, MalCare overtook Kadence Security to rank 3rd among WordPress security plugins in New Zealand, with 12.5% of the searches.

  3. In September 2026, Sucuri lost share of searches among WordPress security plugins in New Zealand, from 40.4% to 35%.

How are branded searches counted?

23 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using MalCare’s and Sucuri’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

8 branded search terms

  • malcare
  • malcare plugin
  • malcare scan
  • malcare security
  • malcare security plugin
  • malcare wordpress
  • malcare wordpress security
  • wordpress malcare

Sucuri

15 branded search terms

  • check site sucuri
  • site scan sucuri
  • site sucuri
  • sucuri
  • sucuri check
  • sucuri monitoring
  • sucuri pro
  • sucuri scan
  • sucuri security check
  • sucuri security plugin
  • sucuri site
  • sucuri sitecheck
  • sucuri software
  • sucuri wordpress scan
  • sucuri wp

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among WordPress security plugins

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