Google Authenticator vs Protect the Children! (2026)
Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.
Quick Verdict
As of April 2026, Protect the Children! has a higher user rating (4.9/5 from 14 reviews) while Google Authenticator leads in active installations (20K+ vs 1.0K+). Both are free WordPress plugins. Google Authenticator has accumulated 691K+ total downloads while Protect the Children! has 22K+.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Google Authenticator | Protect the Children! | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3/5 | ► | 4.9/5 |
| Total Reviews | 134 | ◄ | 14 |
| Active Installs | 20K+ | ◄ | 1.0K+ |
| Total Downloads | 691K+ | ◄ | 22K+ |
| Support Resolution | N/A | 0% | |
| Last Updated | 3 years ago | ► | 1 month ago |
| First Released | 2011 | 2017 | |
| Age | 15 years | 9 years | |
| WP Requires | 4.5+ | false+ | |
| PHP Requires | false+ | 8.1+ | |
| Business Model | Free | Free | |
| Latest Version | 0.54 | 1.5.2 |
Rating Breakdown
Google Authenticator
Protect the Children!
Download Trends
Over the past 30 days, Google Authenticator averaged approximately 204 daily downloads while Protect the Children! averaged 16.
Recent Reviews
Google Authenticator Reviews
Great
Great plugin, but I wish to use a QR code for scanning when I log in.
Simply a missing feature in .ORG
Works! Uses WordPress UI, is super lightweight, not overdesigned, and is trivial to set up. Great job!
error
Fatal error: Uncaught Firebase\JWT\BeforeValidException: Cannot handle token prior to 2023-04-30T20:30:33+0000 in …\one-tap-google-sign-in\includes\vendor\firebase\php-jwt\src\JWT.phpI understand it r
Protect the Children! Reviews
シンプルで使い勝手が良いです
パスワードページを管理していると、この機能はとても便利です
Genius! Works so well!
Just wanted to say a quick thank you for developing such a simple, easy to use plugin. So many password plugins out there have their free + pro versions and still couldn’t get what I wanted it to do.
Works as I had hoped!
I tried a few other plugins… they were either overcomplicated (and more features than I needed), or they simply didn’t work (i.e., did not protect the children). So, I’m very happy to have found this
More Plugins Worth Comparing
Top alternatives in the same category as Google Authenticator and Protect the Children!
The ultimate login branding solution! Theme My Login offers matchless customization of your WordPress user experience!
Password protect WordPress pages and posts by user roles or with multiple passwords; protect your entire website with a single password.
Let your users reset their forgotten passwords from the frontend of your website.
Password Protect Pages, Posts & Content in WordPress
This plugin provides single sign-on via SAML and gives users one-click access to their WordPress accounts from identity providers like OneLogin.
Protect your content with passwords using easy-to-use shortcodes. Supports both global protection and partial content protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Google Authenticator or Protect the Children! more popular?
Which has better ratings — Google Authenticator or Protect the Children!?
Are Google Authenticator and Protect the Children! free?
Which plugin has better support — Google Authenticator or Protect the Children!?
Which plugin is updated more frequently?
Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.