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Stack Guard vs Solid Security

The Solid Security alternative built to stay standalone

Solid Security, formerly iThemes Security, is now branded Kadence Security (version 10) and sold to new customers inside Liquid Web's Kadence by Nexcess bundle. If you want a dedicated WordPress security plugin with its own roadmap and simple pricing, Stack Guard is built for that.

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Checked October 2026 against the free plugins' source code on WordPress.org and the vendors' own pricing and feature pages. Sources below.

How Solid Security works

A plugin with a remote site scanner (known vulnerabilities and Google Safe Browsing) and Patchstack virtual patching on Pro. Now sold inside the Kadence by Nexcess bundle for new customers.

How Stack Guard works

A standalone security plugin. Scans and protection run on your own server, and pricing is for security only.

Stack Guard or Solid Security: features and how they work

Feature Stack GuardSolid Security
Features in the free version
Custom login URLFreeFree
Two-factor authenticationFreeFree
Brute force lockoutsFreeFree
FirewallFreeFreeRules engine is free; Patchstack virtual patching is Pro
Malware scanningFreeFreeRemote check for blocklisting and known vulnerabilities
Country blockingPaid plansNot offered
Security headersFreePaid plansVendor docs describe headers on Pro; no HSTS
Activity logFreePaid plansSecurity event log is free; user activity logging is Pro
File change detectionPaid plansFree
Backups with one-click restoreFreeNot offeredDatabase-only backups, no restore
White label for agenciesPaid plansNot confirmed
How they work
Free works without an account or API keyYesYes
Free protection is not delayed behind paidYesNot confirmed
Malware scan runs on your own serverYesNoScans run on the vendor's scanner service
Free full backups, verified, with one-click restore and roll backYesNo
Renews at the first-year priceYesNot confirmed
Full help docs inside the pluginYesNot confirmed

Why people choose a Solid Security alternative

Where Stack Guard is different from Solid Security

Security, not a bundle

New Solid Security customers are steered to a multi-product Kadence bundle. Stack Guard is one focused plugin with security-only pricing.

Full backups and restore on Free

Solid Security Free backs up the database only, with no restore. Stack Guard Free makes full or database-only backups, verifies them and restores in one click, with a 7-day roll back.

Clear pricing for agencies

Stack Guard Agency 25 is $245 a year and Agency 100 is $595, both published on our pricing page.

Scans that read your files

Solid's site scanner checks blocklists and known vulnerabilities from the vendor's service. Stack Guard scans your files on your own server for malicious code and checks every core file against WordPress.org.

When Solid Security may suit you better

  • You already use Kadence and want security in the same bundle and account.
  • You want Patchstack virtual patching, which comes with Solid Security Pro.

Solid Security pricing

  • Solid Security Pro1 siteThird-party listing; the vendor pricing page now redirects$99 / year
  • Solid Security Pro5 sitesThird-party listing$199 / year
  • Solid Security Pro25 sitesThird-party listing$549 / year
  • Kadence by Nexcess bundle1 siteBundle with other products; billing period not stated$350

Stack Guard pricing

  • FreeUnlimited sites$0
  • Pro1 site$95 / year
  • Pro 55 sites$145 / year
  • Agency 2525 sites$245 / year
  • Agency 5050 sites$395 / year
  • Agency 100100 sites$595 / year
  • Agency UnlimitedUnlimited sites$795 / year

Same price at every renewal.

Questions

Solid Security alternative: questions

What happened to iThemes Security and Solid Security?

iThemes Security became Solid Security, and from version 10 the plugin is branded Kadence Security, sold to new customers inside the Kadence by Nexcess bundle. Existing customers keep their plans while their subscription stays active.

What is a good Solid Security alternative?

Stack Guard is a standalone WordPress security plugin with a custom login URL, two-factor, brute force lockouts, a firewall, file-level malware scanning and verified full backups with restore on the free plan, and published Pro and Agency pricing.

Can I move from Solid Security to Stack Guard?

Yes. Install Stack Guard, recreate your login URL and lockout settings, check the compatibility screen for overlaps, then deactivate Solid Security.

Sources, checked October 2026

Solid Security is a trademark of SolidWP (Liquid Web / Nexcess). Stack Guard is not affiliated with SolidWP (Liquid Web / Nexcess). Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.

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Try it next to Solid Security.

Stack Guard Free has no time limit. See the difference on your own site.

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