Saurity vs iThemes Security
Simplicity and Reliability vs Feature Complexity
⚡ Quick Summary
Choose Saurity if you want simple, reliable protection that never locks you out - completely free.
Choose iThemes if you need comprehensive features like 2FA and file monitoring and can pay $99-299/year.
Different Security Philosophies
Saurity: Focused Simplicity
Does one thing extremely well - prevents brute force attacks without false positives. Simple interface, zero lockouts guaranteed, completely free.
iThemes: Comprehensive Suite
All-in-one solution with dozens of features. More complex to configure, premium required for best features, steeper learning curve.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Saurity | iThemes |
|---|---|---|
| Zero Admin Lockouts | ✓ Guaranteed | ✗ Lockouts possible |
| Progressive Rate Limiting | ✓ Smart delays | ✗ Instant blocking |
| Emergency Recovery | ✓ 3-tier system | ⚠️ Partial |
| Two-Factor Auth | ⚠️ Planned | ✓ Pro only |
| File Change Detection | ⚠️ Planned | ✓ Included |
| Database Backups | ✗ Not included | ✓ Pro only |
| Brute Force Protection | ✓ Advanced | ✓ Basic |
| Honeypot Detection | ✓ Included | ✗ Not included |
| IP Management | ✓ Full CIDR support | ✓ Basic |
| User Experience | Simple | Complex |
Pricing Comparison
| Tier | Saurity | iThemes |
|---|---|---|
| Free Version | $0 - All features | Limited features |
| Pro Version | N/A - No premium | $99/year (1 site) |
| 5 Sites | $0 | $199/year |
| Unlimited Sites | $0 | $299/year |
💰 Cost Savings: $99-299/year with Saurity
Ease of Use Comparison
Saurity
Setup Time: 5 minutes
Configuration: Works out of the box, optional customization
Learning Curve: Minimal - simple dashboard with clear options
iThemes Security
Setup Time: 30-60 minutes
Configuration: Requires reviewing dozens of settings
Learning Curve: Steep - many options can be overwhelming
Pros and Cons
Saurity
✓ Pros
- +Zero admin lockout guarantee
- +Completely free - no premium version
- +Progressive rate limiting (user-friendly)
- +Simple, focused feature set
- +Open source and transparent
- +Minimal performance impact
- +No upsell prompts
- +Works immediately after activation
✗ Cons
- -No 2FA yet (planned)
- -No file change detection yet
- -No database backups
- -Fewer features overall
- -Smaller user community
iThemes Security
✓ Pros
- +Comprehensive feature set
- +2FA authentication (Pro)
- +File change detection
- +Database backups (Pro)
- +Large established community
- +Regular updates
✗ Cons
- -Can lock out administrators
- -Complex interface - steep learning curve
- -Free version very limited
- -Frequent premium upgrade prompts
- -$99-299/year for full features
- -Heavy on server resources
- -Many features you may not need
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Saurity If:
- →Your main concern is brute force attack protection
- →You want simple, reliable security without complexity
- →Admin lockouts are unacceptable for your workflow
- →You prefer free, open-source solutions
- →You value minimal server resource usage
Choose iThemes If:
- →You need comprehensive security features (2FA, file monitoring, etc.)
- →Database backups are important to you
- →You want all security features in one plugin
- →Budget allows for $99-299/year
- →You are comfortable with complex configuration
Migrating from iThemes to Saurity
Switching from iThemes to Saurity is straightforward:
- 1
Download Saurity
Get the latest version from GitHub
- 2
Export iThemes IP Lists (if needed)
Save any custom IP whitelist/blacklist
- 3
Deactivate iThemes Security
Go to Plugins and deactivate
- 4
Install and Activate Saurity
Upload and activate - works immediately
- 5
Import IP Lists (optional)
Add your IP whitelist/blacklist to Saurity
Note: Saurity focuses on brute force protection. If you rely on iThemes features like 2FA or file monitoring, you may want to keep iThemes or find alternative solutions for those specific needs.
Compare Saurity with Other Plugins
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