The Best Free WordPress Firewall Plugins (2025 Security Guide)
A firewall is your WordPress site’s first line of defense against hackers, brute force attacks, and malicious traffic. While premium solutions like Wordfence and Sucuri offer advanced features, these free firewall plugins provide strong protection without costing a dime.
Why You Need a WordPress Firewall
✅ Blocks brute force attacks (login attempts)
✅ Prevents SQL injections & XSS attacks
✅ Stops bad bots & scrapers
✅ Protects against zero-day exploits
✅ Reduces server load from malicious traffic
Top 6 Free WordPress Firewall Plugins
1. Wordfence Security (Freemium) 🏆 Best Overall
⚡ Key Features:
- Web Application Firewall (WAF)
- Real-time threat defense
- Login security & brute force protection
- Malware scanner (limited in free version)
🔹 Pros:
✔ Most comprehensive free firewall
✔ Blocks known attack patterns
🔸 Cons:
✖ WAF rules update delayed by 30 days (vs. real-time in premium). Our YouTube channel; https://www.youtube.com/@easythemestore
2. NinjaFirewall (Freemium) 🚀 Best for Advanced Users
⚡ Key Features:
- PHP-level firewall (more effective than plugin-based)
- Blocks exploits before reaching WordPress
- Lightweight (doesn’t slow down site)
🔹 Pros:
✔ Stops attacks before WordPress loads
✔ No daily cron jobs (unlike Wordfence)
🔸 Cons:
✖ Requires manual setup (must be loaded before WP)
3. Shield Security (Freemium) 🛡️ Best for Automation
⚡ Key Features:
- Automatic IP blocking
- Login protection & 2FA
- File integrity monitoring
🔹 Pros:
✔ Easy-to-use interface
✔ Blocks malicious bots automatically
🔸 Cons:
✖ Fewer firewall rules than Wordfence
4. BBQ Firewall (Free) 🔥 Best Lightweight Option
⚡ Key Features:
- Blocks bad requests (SQLi, XSS, RFI)
- Ultra-lightweight (no database queries)
- Zero configuration
🔹 Pros:
✔ No performance impact
✔ Set-and-forget protection
🔸 Cons:
✖ No login security features
5. All In One WP Security (Free) 🏅 Best for Beginners
⚡ Key Features:
- Firewall with security grading
- Brute force protection
- Database security
🔹 Pros:
✔ Beginner-friendly checklist
✔ Strong login security
🔸 Cons:
✖ Less robust firewall than Wordfence/NinjaFirewall
Download All In One WP Security
6. MalCare Security (Freemium) 🦠 Best for Malware Detection
⚡ Key Features:
- Smart firewall rules
- Malware scanner (1 free scan/day)
- Bot protection
🔹 Pros:
✔ Excellent malware detection
✔ Clean infected files
🔸 Cons:
✖ Limited scans in free version
Comparison Table: Free Firewall Plugins
| Plugin | Firewall Type | Login Protection | Bot Blocking | Ease of Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wordfence | WAF | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| NinjaFirewall | PHP-level | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Shield Security | Hybrid | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| BBQ Firewall | Request blocking | ❌ No | ❌ No | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| All In One WP | Basic rules | ✅ Yes | ⚠ Limited | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| MalCare | Smart firewall | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ⭐⭐⭐ |
How to Choose the Best Free Firewall?
- For maximum protection: Wordfence or NinjaFirewall
- For lightweight security: BBQ Firewall
- For beginners: All In One WP Security
- For malware scanning: MalCare
🚨 Important: No firewall is 100% perfect. Combine with:
✔ Strong passwords
✔ Regular updates
✔ Security headers
Final Recommendation
- Start with Wordfence (best balance of features)
- Add BBQ Firewall for extra request filtering
- Use Cloudflare (free plan) for DDoS protection
🚀 Pro Tip: Test your firewall at Pentest-Tools.com
Which firewall are you using? Share below! 👇