11 Best WordPress Firewall Plugins To Safeguard Your Site

WordPress firewall plugins are one of the best lines of defense for your website. They’re capable of blocking many attacks by preventing malicious traffic from reaching your website. The question you should be asking is not whether it’s worthwhile to use a firewall plugin, but which one you should pick.

There are dozens of firewall and security plugins you can choose from. Typically, firewall features come as a part of all-in-one WordPress security solutions that also include other options for protecting your site. That means the right plugin won’t only help you block malicious traffic — it will also harden your website against other types of attacks.

On this page, we’ll introduce you to the eleven best WordPress firewall plugins you can use to safeguard your site. We’ll talk about what makes each of them unique, and help you choose the right option for your needs. Let’s get to it!

Why you need a WordPress firewall plugin

If there are security vulnerabilities on your website, attackers will try to exploit them. And whether you’re running a brand-new website or a well-established online business, every website is likely vulnerable to some degree

WordPress is very secure by default, but sites built with the CMS can still be a target for attackers. There are also bots that find WordPress sites and try to get through their defenses using known vulnerabilities (typically in out-of-date software).

Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to go beyond core protections to further secure your WordPress site. Setting up a firewall is one of the most effective options because it blocks malicious traffic from reaching your site in the first place.

If your web host doesn’t offer a web application firewall (WAF), you’ll want to use a WordPress firewall plugin. Even if your web host does offer this feature, you may want to back it up with a more robust solution anyway. This type of plugin will set up a WAF for your site and keep out harmful traffic. 

To do that, most firewall plugins draw on comprehensive databases of known attackers, or are developed by security firms that compile that kind of data on their own. This enables you to protect your website without having to configure the firewall and tell it which traffic to block, which is challenging if you don’t have a background in network security.

It’s also important to note there are quality WordPress firewall plugins you can use for free. That means there’s no excuse not to use one, even if you’re working with a limited budget.

Factors to consider when choosing a WordPress firewall plugin

There are a lot of options to choose from when it comes to WordPress firewall plugins. Most tools that include this functionality are all-in-one security solutions. That means you’re not only getting a WAF, but also other features that can help you protect your website.

With that in mind, here’s what you need to consider when choosing a WordPress firewall plugin:

• Compatibility with your version of WordPress. This is the first thing to look for in any plugin. You should be using the latest version of WordPress at all times, and whichever plugin you choose needs to be compatible with it. On top of that, it should receive regular updates from its developer.
• The security features included. Since you’re likely going to end up with an all-in-one security plugin, you’ll need to know what other features it provides. Some of these plugins offer functionality like automatic backups, security logs, malware scanning and cleanup, and more.
• How customizable the rules are. A WAF uses “rules” to determine which traffic it flags as malicious. Typically, these rules will come preconfigured, but it can be a good idea to choose a plugin that enables you to modify them. This can be particularly useful if you need to block specific attackers or allowlist members of your team.
• Ease of use and management. Whichever plugin you use should be easy to configure and manage. You shouldn’t need help from a third party to set it up, and it shouldn’t cause problems with the rest of your site.
• Company reputation and reviews. One of the best ways to determine if a plugin is worth using is to check out its reviews. You can (and should) read reviews from multiple sources before choosing a plugin, particularly if it’s one you plan on using for a long time.
• Pricing. Before you start researching options, it’s a good idea to determine your budget. This will save you time, as you’ll be able to filter out any options that are too expensive.

There’s no single WordPress firewall plugin that’s a perfect fit for every website. With that in mind, we’re going to introduce you to multiple options and guide you through choosing the best one for your needs.

The top 11 firewall plugins for WordPress

All the plugins in this section come fully recommended. Each one can be ideal for different users and use cases. When comparing them, it’s important to pay attention to their key features, and keep in mind your website’s specific needs (and the other security features you’re looking for).

1. Jetpack 

First up, the Jetpack Security plan on the Jetpack plugin offers a comprehensive collection of WordPress security tools in a single package. Along with setting up a WAF for your site, this Jetpack plan automates backups to the cloud, offers access to an activity log, and provides real-time malware scanning and one-click fixes.

All of these features are easy to navigate and understand. Most importantly, Jetpack Security is designed to require as little customization as possible. This makes it a great option if you want to use a security solution that works right out of the box.

As for the firewall itself, Jetpack’s WAF uses sophisticated rules to block traffic that might be harmful to your website. These rules are constantly updated by security experts, based on the latest data. Plus, you can specify IP addresses and ranges you’d like to block if needed.

Key features of Jetpack Security:

• A WAF to block malicious traffic
• Automatic, real-time backups to the cloud
• An activity log
• A built-in malware scanner
• One-click malware fixes
• Spam protection
• Brute force attack protection
• Downtime monitoring
• One-click fixes for the majority of known threats

Pros of Jetpack Security:

• It’s an all-in-one security solution.
• The firewall doesn’t require additional configuration.

Cons of Jetpack Security:

• You can’t get the firewall as a standalone feature.

Ease of Use: Jetpack tools are designed to be easy to use. You probably won’t need to read the documentation unless you want to, as you’ll be walked through configuring all the necessary settings.

Pricing: Jetpack Security plans start at $9.95 per month when you take advantage of a 50% discount for the first year. You can also get access to the WAF through the Jetpack Complete bundle (starting at $24.95 per month), or à le carte as part of the Jetpack Scan upgrade (starting at $4.95 per month).

2. Wordfence Security

Wordfence Security is a popular security plugin. It offers a wide-ranging security solution for WordPress users, including a malware and vulnerability scanner and login security functionality.

The plugin provides a firewall that comes with pre-configured rules for stopping risky traffic. This firewall also works hand-in-hand with a malware scanner to block malicious code or content from being submitted to your site. 

Some of the firewall’s more advanced features are only available for premium users. That includes real-time updates of the firewall’s rules, as free users have a delay of 30 days for security updates.

Key features of Wordfence Security:

• Pre-configured firewall rules to block malicious traffic
• Built-in malware scanner
• Login security features, including two-factor authentication (2FA), CAPTCHA implementation, and protection against brute force attacks
• The option to manage security for multiple sites through the Wordfence Central dashboard
• Access to more up-to-date firewall rules with the premium version

Pros of Wordfence Security:

• You get access to a comprehensive security solution for WordPress.
• The firewall doesn’t need additional configuration.
• It offers centralized management if you’re using Wordfence on multiple websites.

Cons of Wordfence Security:

• Free users don’t get access to the latest firewall rules, as there’s a 30-day delay between updates for free and premium users.
• Wordfence does not offer backups, which means that restoration could take longer in the event of a hack.
• Malware removal services are only available with the most premium plans.

Ease of use: There’s a bit of a learning curve to using Wordfence. The plugin offers a lot of security features, each with unique settings. That means you’ll need to spend time familiarizing yourself with them to get the most out of this tool.

Pricing: Wordfence offers a free version that includes most of the features we’ve covered so far. The premium version of the plugin starts at $119 per year. Plans with malware removal are closer to $500 per year.

3. All-In-One Security (AIOS)

As the name implies, All-In-One Security aims to include every security feature a WordPress site needs. That includes options to protect your login screen, a firewall, defense against spam, content-protection functionality and an audit log.

The plugin’s firewall offers automatic rules that you can use to protect your site against most threats. You can use the firewall to allowlist and blocklist IPs, giving you full control over who gets to access your website.

The premium version of the plugin also includes a malware scanner and 2FA. Plus, you get access to a premium support queue that can help if you run into problems with the plugin.

Key features of AIOS:

• A firewall that uses automatic rules
• The option to allowlist and blocklist IP addresses
• Spam protection for your website
• The ability to block visitors from copying content on your site
• Access to a security log
• Malware scanning and 2FA, with the premium version

Pros of AIOS:

• The firewall doesn’t require additional configuration, but you have the option to add new rules.
• You get protection from brute force attacks using login limits.

Cons of AIOS:

• Basic functionality like 2FA is not included in the free version of the plugin.

Ease of use: Due to how many features it offers, getting started with AIOS can be a bit overwhelming. This is not as significant an issue with the free version of the plugin, since it limits access to some of its more advanced features.

Pricing: The basic version of AIOS is free. The premium version starts at $70 per year.

4. CleanTalk

CleanTalk is unlike most of the other firewall plugins on this list because it focuses primarily on spam. This plugin enables you to block spam of all kinds, including comments, fake user registrations, product orders, and more.

One of the features that makes this possible is CleanTalk’s spam firewall. The firewall focuses on detecting bots and preventing them from accessing your site in the first place. If the firewall blocks access, the bot or person on the other end will only see a blank page.

Key features of CleanTalk:

• Universal anti-spam protection without CAPTCHAs
• Blocking against most types of spam by preventing bots from accessing your site
• Validation for emails in real time

Pros of CleanTalk:

• It’s one of the most comprehensive anti-spam solutions for WordPress.

Cons of CleanTalk:

• The plugin doesn’t block other types of attacks on your website, so it’s not a comprehensive security solution.

Ease of use: Since CleanTalk focuses only on spam, it’s very easy to set up and configure. The plugin offers limited configuration settings, and works in the background.

Pricing: CleanTalk offers a free trial, and subscriptions for the Site Security plan start at $9 per year​​.

5. NinjaFirewall

NinjaFirewall is a standalone firewall plugin for WordPress. It doesn’t offer additional security features beyond that, but it’s a solid pick if all you need is a quality WAF.

This plugin enables you to update the security rules for its firewall daily or hourly. On top of that, you have full control over the firewall and can use it to monitor multiple types of events, including logins, edits to user accounts, plugin and theme changes, WordPress updates, and more.

The plugin can also scan and sanitize submissions to your site, as well as detect changes to files. It will send you alerts if it finds anything suspicious happening on your website.

Key features of NinjaFirewall:

• Automatic security rules
• The option to update the firewall’s rules daily or hourly
• Brute-force attack protection
• Real-time detection of file modifications and other changes
• Notifications of important events via email

Pros of NinjaFirewall:

• You get up-to-date firewall rules at all times.
• The plugin enables you to decide what internal events to monitor.
• It offers protection against code submissions and changes to files.

Cons of NinjaFirewall:

• The plugin requires PHP 7.1 or a more recent version to work, plus it doesn’t offer other security features.

Ease of use: NinjaFirewall offers a lot of configuration options. It’s akin to full-blown firewall software in a way that most other plugins don’t come close to matching. The downside is that it can be difficult and time-consuming to configure if you’re not familiar with WAFs and how they work.

Pricing: The base version of NinjaFirewall is free, while the premium version (with advanced features) starts at $79 per year.

6. Defender

Defender is part of the WPMU DEV family of plugins. It includes a malware scanner, a firewall, and options to secure your login page (including 2FA and CAPTCHA integration). On top of that, you’ll also get access to an activity log.

The firewall, in particular, is designed to stop malicious traffic using preset rules. It’s also capable of stopping SQL injections, cross-site scripting, and brute force attacks.

The premium version of Defender includes scheduled malware scanning, repair of infected files, and a hosted WAF. With the free version of the plugin, the WAF works on the Defender servers rather than your own.

Key features of Defender:

• A firewall with automatic rules
• The option to allowlist and blocklist IP addresses
• The ability to block IP addresses depending on their region
• Protection for your login page using CAPTCHAs and 2FA
• A manual malware scanner
• Automatic malware scanning and file repair functionality with the premium version

Pros of Defender:

• It’s a very user-friendly plugin.
• The firewall doesn’t require any additional configuration, but you can also use it to allowlist and blocklist IPs manually.

Cons of Defender:

• Some advanced features are only available in the pro version, and it doesn’t offer the most relevant spam protection.

Ease of use: This plugin is handy for beginners, since it only takes a minute to set up. It will scan your site and configure the firewall automatically. If you want to customize it, though, there are plenty of advanced settings.

Pricing: The base version of the Defender plugin is free. Defender Pro includes additional security features, and starts at around $3.00 per month, billed yearly (this package includes all the other pro WPMU DEV plugins as well).

7. Shield Security

Shield Security offers several features geared towards stopping bots from accessing your website. That includes any kind of bots, from brute force to spamming programs. It provides login protection, login page obfuscation, an activity log, and a comprehensive firewall.

The Shield Security firewall uses automatic rules to block as much bot traffic as possible. The firewall also blocks suspicious requests to the REST API, and you can configure it to block specific IP addresses as well.

Key features of Shield Security:

• Protection against malicious bots
• Comprehensive activity logs
• Brute force attack protection, and the option to change the login page URL
• Automatic firewall rules
• Protection against unauthorized access to the REST API
• The ability to block IP addresses manually

Pros of Shield Security:

• It’s effective at detecting and blocking malicious bots.
• The activity logs are easy to navigate.

Cons of Shield Security:

• Some advanced features and improved detection capabilities are reserved for the ShieldPRO version.
• It focuses almost solely on bots, which means you might need a complementary security plugin.

Ease of use: If you haven’t used this kind of plugin before, navigating Shield Security can be challenging at first. But it’s not difficult to learn. It offers a broad range of options, but the plugin takes the time to clearly explain what each setting does.

Pricing: Shield Security offers both a free version and a premium version called ShieldPRO, the latter starting at $99 per year.

8. BBQ Firewall

BBQ Firewall (BBQ stands for “block bad queries”) is perhaps the most lightweight plugin on our list, with a low performance footprint. It focuses on providing a potent firewall that consumes as few resources as possible, while still providing protection against all the most common WordPress threats.

Those threats include SQL injection attacks, malicious file uploads, remote file execution, and more. The plugin does this by providing a comprehensive set of security rules, and it’s designed to be a plug-and-play tool. That means it requires no configuration or upkeep beyond regular updates.

Key features of BBQ Firewall:

• Blocking against SQL injection attacks, executable file uploads, directory traversal attacks, and various other threats
• A lightweight performance footprint
• Protection against known bad bots and referrers
• Hassle-free, zero-configuration setup

Pros of BBQ Firewall:

• This is a simple, plug-and-play setup with no configuration required.
• It’s designed to work with other WordPress security plugins.

Cons of BBQ Firewall:

• Some advanced features and customization options are only available in the Pro version.
• You have little control over the plugin’s configuration.

Ease of use: BBQ Firewall is designed to be easy to use and requires little configuration. That means setting up the plugin and getting started with it should only take a few minutes.

Pricing: BBQ Firewall offers a free version that includes all the features mentioned above. BBQ Pro, the advanced version, provides additional protection features and starts at $20 per year.

9. Sucuri Security

Sucuri is a popular WordPress security plugin. It includes features like a file integrity monitor, remote malware scanning, notifications about security breaches, and of course, a firewall.

Unlike many other plugins on this list, Sucuri doesn’t include its WAF in the free version of the plugin. To get access to the firewall functionality, you’ll need to pay for a premium license.

If you do so, you’ll get access to automated security scans, malware removal, file change detection, and a firewall with comprehensive rules. The downside is that the premium version of the plugin is more expensive than similar security tools.

Key features of Sucuri Security:

• File integrity monitoring
• Remote malware scanning
• Notifications about security breaches
• A website firewall (in the premium version)

Pros of Sucuri Security:

• It offers a comprehensive set of security features.

Cons of Sucuri Security:

• You only get access to the firewall with a premium license, which is expensive.

Ease of use: Sucuri is the kind of plugin that requires you to set aside a good portion of time to figure out its configuration settings. The plugin offers extensive documentation, but it can still be a complex process for new users.

Pricing: There’s a free version of Sucuri, but it doesn’t include the firewall feature. You can also get a premium license, with plans starting at $199.99 per year.

10. Security Ninja

Security Ninja offers a range of security features for WordPress websites. You can use it to scan your site for vulnerabilities, but the plugin does that in a unique way.

On top of checking for security exploits, the plugin also runs a comprehensive set of tests to check your site’s overall protection level. It detects known security issues, like whether you’re using the latest version of PHP and if files have the correct permissions.

Security Ninja can also implement a firewall on your website, but only if you use the premium version of the plugin. That version also includes login page security features and protection against brute force attacks.

Key features of Security Ninja:

• Website scans for vulnerabilities
• The ability to check your site for common security misconfigurations
• Database optimization

Pros of Security Ninja:

• It enables you to conduct a basic security audit for your website.
• You can scan your website for known vulnerabilities.

Cons of Security Ninja:

• The firewall feature is only available with the premium version of the plugin.

Ease of use: Security Ninja offers an installation wizard that walks you through the plugin’s basic settings. If you want to configure it beyond that, you’ll likely need to check out the plugin’s documentation.

Pricing: There’s a free version of Security Ninja, but it doesn’t include the firewall feature. The premium version of the plugin starts at $39.99 per year.

11. Jetpack Protect

Jetpack Protect is a free plugin from the Jetpack team. It offers vulnerability scanning that draws from the extensive WPScan database to search for and identify known vulnerabilities on your WordPress website. You can also use it to configure a basic firewall using manual rules.

If you upgrade to the premium version of Jetpack Protect, you’ll also get access to malware scanning and the full-featured WAF. This firewall (discussed earlier in the Jetpack Security review) works around the clock to safeguard your site, based on rules that are automatically updated as new threats are discovered.

This is another plugin that offers automatic setup. You just need to install the free plugin, and then choose the premium plan in your WordPress dashboard. The firewall will start protecting your site right away.

Key features of Jetpack Protect:

• Vulnerability scanning to identify flaws in your website and installed software
• A robust WAF with automatic rule updates (premium version only)
• Malware scanning to identify any threats currently impacting your website, along with email notifications and one-click fix options (premium version only)

Pros of Jetpack Protect:

• It’s an easy-to-use and affordable solution.
• Along with the WAF, you’ll get vulnerability and malware scanning to keep your website safe from any dangers.

Cons of Jetpack Protect:

• You’ll need the premium version to access the full firewall functionality, and you get fewer features than you would with the full Jetpack Security plan.

Ease of use: Jetpack Protect couldn’t be simpler to use. The WAF works and updates itself automatically, although you can make manual adjustments if you like.

Pricing: The premium version of Jetpack Protect, which includes the automatic WAF rule updates, starts at $4.95 per month (paid yearly) if you act on a 50% discount offer for the first year.

A comparison of the top firewall plugins for WordPress

In case you’re still having trouble deciding on the right tool for your site, let’s review the key details about each plugin on our list.

Plugin	Key Features	Pros	Cons	Ease of Use	Pricing
Jetpack Security	WAF, automatic real-time cloud backups, activity log, malware scanning, one-click fixes, spam protection, brute force attack protection, secure authentication	All-in-one solution, simple firewall setup	Firewall not available separately	Very user-friendly	Starts at $9.95/month with discount
Wordfence Security	Preconfigured firewall, malware scanner, login security, 2FA, CAPTCHA, brute force protection, Wordfence Central dashboard	Comprehensive solution, centralized management	30-day update delay for free users	Learning curve	Free version available; premium version starts at $119/year
All-In-One Security (AIOS)	Firewall with automatic rules, IP allowlist/blocklist, spam protection, content protection, security log, malware scanning, 2FA (premium)	Configurable firewall, brute force attack protection	Basic features like 2FA not in free version	Challenging for beginners	Free version available; premium version starts at $70/year
CleanTalk	Spam-focused firewall, anti-spam without CAPTCHAs, bot blocking, real-time email validation	Comprehensive anti-spam solution	Focuses only on spam	Very easy to set up	Starts at $9/year
NinjaFirewall	Very customizable firewall, daily/hourly rule updates, brute-force protection, file change detection, event monitoring	Up-to-date rules, detailed event monitoring	Requires PHP 7.1 or newer	Complex configuration	Free version available; premium version starts at $79/year
Defender	Firewall with automatic rules, IP allowlist/blocklist, CAPTCHA, 2FA, manual malware scanner, hosted WAF (premium)	User-friendly, configurable firewall	Advanced features in Pro version only	Easy for beginners	Free version available; premium version starts at $1.80/month
Shield Security	Bot protection, activity logs, brute force attack prevention, automatic firewall rules, REST API protection	Effective against bots, detailed logs	Advanced features in ShieldPRO only	Challenging for new users	Free version available; premium version starts at $99/year
BBQ Firewall	Lightweight firewall, blocks common threats, zero-configuration setup	Plug-and-play, works with other security plugins	Advanced features in Pro version only, limited control	Very easy	Free version available; premium version starts at $20/year
Sucuri Security	File integrity monitoring, remote malware scanning, security breach notifications, firewall (premium)	Comprehensive security features	Firewall only in premium version	Requires time to configure	Starts at $199.99/year
Security Ninja	Vulnerability scanning, security misconfiguration checks, database optimization, firewall (premium)	Basic security audit, vulnerability scans	Firewall only in premium version	User-friendly with installation wizard	Starts at $39.99/year
Jetpack Protect	Vulnerability scanning, malware scanning, WAF with automatic rule updates	Works automatically, low-cost solution	Full firewall functionality only in premium version	Works automatically	Starts at $4.95 per month with discount

What makes a good WordPress firewall solution (and why is Jetpack Security a top pick)?

By now, you should have a better understanding of what kind of features WordPress firewall plugins offer. To recap, here are the basic considerations to keep in mind:

• It should be easy to use. Some of the most popular WordPress security plugins aren’t particularly user-friendly. They offer dozens of security features, but users need to wade through lots of documentation to learn how to use them. Ideally, the plugin you choose should offer a simple onboarding process and a straightforward user experience.
• The plugin should come with automatic firewall rules. A great firewall plugin should be mostly plug-and-play. As soon as you enable the firewall, it should start working using preconfigured sets of rules from the developers. Moreover, these rules should receive regular updates to protect you against new threats.
• You should be able to set rules manually. While automatic rules are sufficient in the majority of cases, you’ll also want a plugin that enables you to configure the firewall manually. This will come in handy if you need to block against specific threats or allowlist particular users.
• It should protect against brute force attacks. Brute force attacks can prevent users from accessing your website, so it’s important to mitigate them in any way possible. A quality web host, in combination with a top-tier firewall plugin, should stop most of these threats in their tracks.
• It should integrate with other security plugins. Whichever firewall plugin you use should play nicely with other security plugins and solutions on your website. If you choose to use an all-in-one security plugin, this shouldn’t be much of a concern.

If you’re still on the fence about which solution to use for your website, Jetpack Security fulfills all of the above criteria and more. This plan gives you access to backup solutions, spam protection, an activity log, real-time malware scanning, and of course, a fully functioning firewall.

Moreover, Jetpack Security enables you to set custom rules for the firewall. That means you can rely on its automatic configuration, but also block specific threats if you know their IP addresses.

While Jetpack Security isn’t a free option, it offers a comprehensive security solution at a reasonable monthly price. It’s an all-in-one security package that provides peace of mind for you and your website’s users.

Frequently asked questions

Learning about firewalls? Here’s some of the most common questions users have:

What is a WordPress firewall plugin?

A firewall plugin is a tool you can use to set up a WAF for your WordPress website. This type of firewall uses rules to determine which traffic to block.

Most popular firewall plugins come with automatic rules, but you can also add new ones to stop specific traffic from accessing your site.

What are the main benefits of using a firewall on your WordPress site?

Firewalls are essential security measures for most websites and networks. Depending on your web host, you may already have access to a firewall that’s working in the background to protect your site against threats.

The main benefit of using a firewall is that they’re capable of stopping a lot of attacks on your website before they can even reach it. If attackers can’t access the site, they can’t exploit security vulnerabilities.

How much does a firewall plugin cost for WordPress?

Pricing varies from one plugin to another. A lot of firewall plugins both offer free and premium versions, with the latter including additional security or ease-of-use features. If you have the budget for it, this is one scenario where it’s smart to pay for a premium plugin.

Is it easy to set up and use a firewall plugin with WordPress?

This will depend on what firewall solution you decide to install. For example, Jetpack Security is very easy to get started with. The tools it provides are designed so that they work well out of the box, and don’t require users to toggle advanced settings — unless they want to.

You have full control over the WAF’s settings, but you can also let it run with its predetermined configuration, and it will keep your site safe. By default, Jetpack Security’s firewall can deal with most threats to your site without extra work required on your end.

Jetpack Security: The top firewall solution for WordPress

Jetpack Security is the best firewall solution for many websites and use cases. Unlike some of the other most popular options, Jetpack Security is easy to set up and configure. Once you activate the tools it provides, the firewall will start working with its preconfigured rules right away.

This WAF is also regularly updated in order to add new rules and protect your site against the latest security threats. Plus, you also get access to other key security features, like real-time backups, spam protection, an activity log, brute force attack protection, and real-time malware scanning with one-click fixes!