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WP Hide & Security Enhancer vs Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users… (2026)

Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.

WP Hide & Security Enhancer

WP Hide & Security Enhancer

4.3(275)

50K+ active installs

Free

Updated 4 weeks ago
View WP Hide & Security Enhancer
VS
Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users…

Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users…

4.8(1,032)

40K+ active installs

Free

Updated 1 month ago
View Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users…

Quick Verdict

As of April 2026, Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users… has a higher user rating (4.8/5 from 1,032 reviews) while WP Hide & Security Enhancer leads in active installations (50K+ vs 40K+). Both are free WordPress plugins. WP Hide & Security Enhancer has accumulated 3.4M+ total downloads while Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users… has 12M+. Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users… has a higher support resolution rate (100% vs 0%).

Detailed Comparison

Rating
4.3/5WP Hide & Security Enhancer
►
Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users…4.8/5
Total Reviews
275WP Hide & Security Enhancer
►
Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users…1,032
Active Installs
50K+WP Hide & Security Enhancer
◄
Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users…40K+
Total Downloads
3.4M+WP Hide & Security Enhancer
►
Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users…12M+
Support Resolution
0%WP Hide & Security Enhancer
►
Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users…100%
Last Updated
4 weeks agoWP Hide & Security Enhancer
◄
Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users…1 month ago
First Released
2015WP Hide & Security Enhancer
Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users…2013
Age
11 yearsWP Hide & Security Enhancer
Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users…13 years
WP Requires
4.0+WP Hide & Security Enhancer
Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users…5.7+
PHP Requires
5.4+WP Hide & Security Enhancer
Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users…7.4+
Business Model
FreeWP Hide & Security Enhancer
Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users…Free
Latest Version
2.8.3WP Hide & Security Enhancer
Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users…21.2.6

Rating Breakdown

WP Hide & Security Enhancer

4.3/5(275 reviews)
5
80%
4
3%
3
3%
2
2%
1
13%

Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users…

4.8/5(1,032 reviews)
5
94%
4
3%
3
1%
2
1%
1
2%

Recent Reviews

WP Hide & Security Enhancer Reviews

by andrebell82

Never display security widget to non-admins

Works well except for displaying the security widget to non-admins. This would be a five-star review if the plugin supported hiding security stats and access from non-admins. //shudder//ChatGPT create

by joegold

Very good plugin with outstanding customer service!

This plugin is very effective and performs well. Customer Support is highly responsive and willing to help and troubleshoot possible implementation obstacles.

by fatihaker

Custome Login Url and Cloudflare

Hi, Im using free version of your plugin. I set my custom login url. I also use cloudflare and secured my custom login page. But whenever a user logged out, custome url displays at the address bar.

Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users… Reviews

by sondrasneed

I hate this expensive, complex plugin

I’m so tired of visitors being locked out of client sites, clients being locked out. I have no idea how to get real support. It’s sold as a simple, robust security plugin, but it’s by no means simple;

by exoduss

Causes critical error

Installed it two times, and each time it completely blocked access to the WordPress dashboard. Had to use FTP to delete this plugin.

by Amanda

Solid Security Plugin with Some Hidden Pitfalls

I’m a web developer and I like Shield Security. It’s solid and offers strong protection. That said, after following their advice to improve my security grade, I couldn’t edit the WordPress Customiz

Frequently Asked Questions

Is WP Hide & Security Enhancer or Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users… more popular?
WP Hide & Security Enhancer has 50K+ active installations while Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users… has 40K+. WP Hide & Security Enhancer is the more widely-used plugin as of April 2026.
Which has better ratings — WP Hide & Security Enhancer or Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users…?
WP Hide & Security Enhancer has a 4.3/5 rating from 275 reviews, while Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users… has a 4.8/5 rating from 1,032 reviews.
Are WP Hide & Security Enhancer and Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users… free?
WP Hide & Security Enhancer is free and Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users… is free. Both can be downloaded from the WordPress.org plugin directory.
Which plugin has better support — WP Hide & Security Enhancer or Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users…?
As of April 2026, WP Hide & Security Enhancer has a 0% support resolution rate while Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users… has a 100% rate.
Which plugin is updated more frequently?
WP Hide & Security Enhancer was last updated 4 weeks ago and Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users… was last updated 1 month ago.

Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.