Patchstack vs Wordfence:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Wordfence had more branded searches than Patchstack among WordPress security plugins in New Zealand. Wordfence had about 170 branded searches, while Patchstack had 20. Wordfence made up 42.5% of all WordPress security plugin searches we track, and Patchstack accounted for 5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about WordPress security plugins, Wordfence appeared in all five answers and Patchstack in two. Wordfence was mentioned before Patchstack in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Wordfence, about 9 searches for every 1 for Patchstack
Who does AI mention more?
Wordfence, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Wordfence, named ahead of Patchstack in every answer
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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. Patchstack was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Wordfence was listed before Patchstack in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Wordfence1st
Sucuri2nd
MalCare3rd
Patchstack3rd
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?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best WordPress security plugins in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best WordPress security plugin in New Zealand for site protection?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“wordpress security plugin”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“wordpress malware scanner”
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 Patchstack or Wordfence more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Patchstack and Wordfence 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.
Share of searches by month for Wordfence, Patchstack. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Wordfence | Sucuri | MalCare | Kadence Security | Patchstack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 41% | 35.9% | 15.4% | 5.1% | 2.6% |
| Nov 2025 | 43.2% | 40.5% | 10.8% | 2.7% | 2.7% |
| Dec 2025 | 37.8% | 48.6% | 5.4% | 2.7% | 5.4% |
| Jan 2026 | 44.1% | 41.2% | 2.9% | 5.9% | 5.9% |
| Feb 2026 | 50% | 36.1% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 2.8% |
| Mar 2026 | 50% | 35.7% | 7.1% | 4.8% | 2.4% |
| Apr 2026 | 45.9% | 37.8% | 8.1% | 0% | 8.1% |
| May 2026 | 31.4% | 51% | 5.9% | 7.8% | 3.9% |
| Jun 2026 | 28.3% | 56.6% | 7.5% | 5.7% | 1.9% |
| Jul 2026 | 31.8% | 43.2% | 6.8% | 11.4% | 6.8% |
| Aug 2026 | 36.5% | 40.4% | 7.7% | 9.6% | 5.8% |
| Sep 2026 | 42.5% | 35% | 12.5% | 5% | 5% |
How has the Patchstack and Wordfence comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Wordfence was ahead of Patchstack in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Patchstack’s share of searches among WordPress security plugins in New Zealand moved from 2.6% to 5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 10 to 20.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Wordfence’s share of searches among WordPress security plugins in New Zealand moved from 41% to 42.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 160 to 170.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand WordPress security plugins in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Wordfence overtook Sucuri to become the leader among WordPress security plugins in New Zealand, with 42.5% of the searches.
In September 2026, Patchstack lost share of searches among WordPress security plugins in New Zealand, from 5.8% to 5%.
How are branded searches counted?
27 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Patchstack’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.
Patchstack
3 branded search terms
- patchstack
- patchstack security
- patchstack wordpress
Wordfence
24 branded search terms
- 2fa wordfence
- plugin wordfence
- word fence
- wordfence
- wordfence 2fa
- wordfence assistant
- wordfence assistant plugin
- wordfence care
- wordfence central
- wordfence elementor
- wordfence features
- wordfence firewall
- wordfence multiple sites
- wordfence plugin
- wordfence pro
- wordfence response
- wordfence security plugin
- wordfence waf
- wordfence woocommerce
- wordfence wordpress
- wordfence wordpress plugin
- wordfence wp
- wordfence wp plugin
- wordpress plugin wordfence
Other head-to-heads among WordPress security plugins
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