How Wordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security Affects Your WordPress Speed

Wordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security - MakeWPFast
A
Measured Speed Score
How is this scored?

Our Benchmark Methodology

Every speed score on MakeWPFast is based on real performance measurements, not estimates. We install each plugin on a clean WordPress 6.9 setup (PHP 8.3, MariaDB, GeneratePress theme) and measure the difference in three metrics:

TTFB (Time To First Byte) — how many milliseconds the plugin adds to server response time. This is the most important factor (50% of the score) because it directly affects every page load.

Memory usage — how much additional PHP memory the plugin consumes per request (30% of score). High memory usage can cause crashes on shared hosting.

Database queries — how many extra SQL queries the plugin runs per page load (20% of score). More queries mean more database work on every request.

GradeWhat it means
A / A-Negligible impact. Safe to install on any hosting.
B+ / B / B-Light impact. Adds some overhead but manageable on most setups.
C+ / C / C-Moderate impact. May noticeably slow down budget hosting.
D+ / DHeavy impact. Will affect page load times. Consider alternatives.
FSevere impact. Significant resource usage that hurts performance.

Plugins marked "Not Yet Tested" have not been benchmarked yet. We do not estimate or guess scores — if there is no measured data, there is no grade.

Note: Benchmarks measure a plugin in isolation on a clean install. Real-world impact varies based on your hosting, other plugins, and how the plugin is configured.

Measured Performance
Tested Feb 2026 · How we test
+-1 ms
TTFB Impact
+0 MB
Memory Impact
+0
DB Queries
Low impact
Plugin Overview
Active Installs5M+
Rating4.7/5 (4,800)
Tested Up ToWP 6.9.1
Requires PHP7.0+
Last UpdatedDec 20, 2025
Downloads405.9M+
AuthorMark Maunder
WP.orgView on WordPress.org

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Wordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security Speed Score - MakeWPFast

Performance Analysis

Wordfence is a security plugin that works as a firewall, malware scanner, two-factor authentication enforcer, and offers a suite of security tools. It has been used by millions of sites, has a solid rating, and is aimed at anyone who wants a full security layer.

The plugin’s benchmark data shows it adds virtually no load: the TTFB delta is only plus or minus one millisecond, memory delta is zero, and query overhead is none. So it won’t slow down a site that already runs heavy security measures.

If you only need a single static security filter and want to keep the server lean, this plugin is unnecessary and will run in the background doing scans that add no measurable benefit.

Maintenance Status

Last updated: 2025-12-20. Requires PHP 7.0+. Trusted by 5.0M+ active installations.

Benchmark data measured in an isolated Docker environment (WordPress 6.8, PHP 8.3, GeneratePress). See our full methodology.

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Comparisons
Wordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security vs Sucuri Security – Auditing, Malware Scanner and Security HardeningLoginizer vs Wordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login SecurityAll-In-One Security (AIOS) – Security and Firewall vs Wordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login SecurityWordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security vs Security Optimizer – The All-In-One Protection PluginWordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security vs Safe SVG
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Alternatives to Wordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security

PluginSpeed ScoreActive Installs
Really Simple Security – Simple and Performant Security (formerly Really Simple SSL)A3M+
Hostinger ToolsA3M+
Limit Login Attempts Reloaded – Login Security, Brute Force Protection, FirewallA2M+

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Wordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security slow down WordPress?
Wordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security has an estimated speed score of A. It should have minimal impact on your site speed.
Is Wordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security still maintained?
Wordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security was last updated on 2025-12-20. It has 5.0M+ active installations, indicating it is actively maintained and widely trusted.
What are the best alternatives to Wordfence Security – Firewall, Malware Scan, and Login Security?
Check our plugin reviews in the Security category for alternatives. We compare plugins side-by-side on speed, features, and user ratings to help you find the best fit.
Related Plugin Reviews
Really Simple Security – Simple and Performant Security (formerly Really Simple SSL)Hostinger ToolsLimit Login Attempts Reloaded – Login Security, Brute Force Protection, FirewallAll-In-One Security (AIOS) – Security and FirewallSafe SVG
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