iThemes Security vs Sucuri Security
iThemes Security, now branded Solid Security, strengthens logins, offers two-factor authentication, scans for vulnerabilities, adds firewall rules and monitors file changes. Sucuri Security is built around monitoring, malware detection and hardening, with file integrity checks, activity audit logs and email alerts, and it connects to Sucuri's paid firewall and cleanup services. Both offer a firewall, login protection, two-factor login, an activity log and a free version. Sucuri Security includes malware scanning. iThemes Security puts more weight on hardening, with Pro plans adding passwordless login and scheduled scans.
| Feature | iThemes Security v10.0.6 · checked 23 Oct 2026 Free + paid · ★ 4.6/5 Visit Details | Sucuri Security v2.8.1 · checked 23 Oct 2026 Free + paid · ★ 4.2/5 Visit Details |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Active installs | 700,000+ | 600,000+ |
| Last updated | October 14, 2026 | October 14, 2026 |
| Editions | Kadence Security Basic · Kadence Security Pro ($) | Sucuri Security - Auditing, Malware Scanner and Hardening · Sucuri Firewall + WordPress Security Plugin ($) |
| Pros | Two-factor login, brute-force lockout and compromised password checks; Site scanner and file change monitoring in the free version | File integrity scanner and audit logs in the free plugin; Two-factor login and hardening options; Remote SiteCheck scan included |
| Cons | Scheduled site scans need the paid Pro plugin; Many settings and modules make the first setup long | Firewall and brute-force protection need a paid subscription; Many screens and settings to review; Cloud features depend on Sucuri services |
| Mentioned in our posts | 2 | 1 |
| Features (Security plugins checklist) | ||
| Firewall | Yes | Paid |
| Malware scan | Yes | Yes |
| Login protection | Yes | No |
| Two-factor login | Yes | Yes |
| Activity log | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | Yes | Yes |
| More features | ||
| Other features | Refuses compromised passwords via Have I Been Pwned, File change monitoring, Ban users and IP addresses, Hide the login page, Scheduled site scans ($), Pro security check service ($) | File integrity monitoring, Audit logs of site changes, Failed login logging and alerts, Hardening settings, Two-factor login with TOTP, Remote SiteCheck scan, Cloud web application firewall ($) |
| Integrations | ||
| Other | Have I Been Pwned, WordPress secret-key service, Kadence Security status service | Sucuri WAF API ($), Sucuri SiteCheck |
| Requires WordPress | 6.5 | 6.0 |
| Requires PHP | 7.4 | 7.4 |
| Tested up to | 7.1 | 7.1 |
| Phones home | Only if you agree | No |
| External services | assets.solidwp.com, api.pwnedpasswords.com, api.wordpress.org, itsec-ssl-proxy-detect.ithemes.com | waf.sucuri.net, sitecheck.sucuri.net, wp-plugin.sucuri.net |
| Blocks | 1 | — |
| Shortcodes | 1 | — |
Verdict
iThemes Security suits site owners who want guided hardening of logins and settings. Sucuri Security suits owners who want to monitor changes and malware, with paid firewall and cleanup services available.