These 10 apps lead WordPress Plugin Directory's _browse_popular category as of September 2026 — ranked by user rating, review count, and audit score, refreshed every 24 hours from the canonical WordPress marketplace listing.
Discover the top-rated _browse_popular apps available on WordPress Plugin Directory. Rankings based on user ratings, review count, and market performance.
Updated · methodology: audit-score · About AppRanks
This is the curated shortlist — the top-ranked _browse_popular apps. To browse every _browse_popular app on WordPress Plugin Directory, see the full _browse_popular category.
This list ranks the top 10 WordPress apps classified under by the source marketplace's own taxonomy — apps appear here only because WordPress Plugin Directory itself tags them in this category, not because of any AppRanks editorial decision. Within the category set, ranking uses a Bayesian-ish blend of average rating × natural log of review count: the formula is , so a high-rating-low-review app doesn't leapfrog an established listing on a single 5-star outlier. The blend favors apps that are both well-reviewed AND have an established user base.
rating × ln(reviewCount + 1)AppRanks does not invent a proprietary score for public surfaces — the rank shown mirrors the marketplace's published category position exactly, scraped on a 12-24 hour refresh cycle from the canonical WordPress Plugin Directory listing. The category lookup happens at request time and the page is cached at the edge for 1 hour to absorb traffic spikes; the underlying ranking data refreshes daily so the list stays accurate within one day of any source change. AppRanks does not editorially promote or demote apps based on advertiser or partnership status — the same blend formula applies uniformly across every app on this platform.
Elementor Website Builder – more than just a page builder
Ranks #1 in the WordPress Plugin Directory _browse_popular category as a highly rated listing. Currently has an established review history (7,293 reviews). Position holds for the trailing 30-day window.
Pick if: Pick this if you prioritize merchant satisfaction over scale — Elementor Website Builder – more than just a page builder holds a 4.5-star average across 7,293 reviews in the _browse_popular category.
Yoast SEO – Advanced SEO with real-time guidance and built-in AI
Ranks #2 in the WordPress Plugin Directory _browse_popular category as a category-leading listing. A deep review base (27,817 reviews) with a no-rating average. Position holds for the trailing 30-day window.
Pick if: Pick this if you want the category default — Yoast SEO – Advanced SEO with real-time guidance and built-in AI ranks #2 _browse_popular WordPress app with both a 4.8-star average and 27,817 reviews backing it.
Ranks #3 in the WordPress Plugin Directory _browse_popular category as a well-rated listing. Tracks at no-rating across 2,176 reviews — established review history. Position holds for the trailing 30-day window.
Pick if: Pick this if you want an emerging _browse_popular option — Contact Form 7 ranks #3 on WordPress Plugin Directory and is still building review depth.
Holds position #4 in the WordPress Plugin Directory _browse_popular category as a category-leading listing. Currently has an established review history (1,244 reviews). Refresh: daily from the source marketplace.
Currently sits at #5 in the WordPress Plugin Directory _browse_popular category as a category-leading listing. An established review history (2,763 reviews) with a no-rating average. Refresh: daily from the source marketplace.
Holds position #6 in the WordPress Plugin Directory _browse_popular category as a highly rated listing. Tracks at no-rating across 4,813 reviews — established review history. Refresh: daily from the source marketplace.
Akismet Anti-spam: Spam Protection
Currently sits at #7 in the WordPress Plugin Directory _browse_popular category as a highly rated listing. Currently has an established review history (1,186 reviews). AppRanks tracks this listing on a 24-hour cycle.
Site Kit by Google – Analytics, Search Console, AdSense, Speed
Holds position #8 in the WordPress Plugin Directory _browse_popular category as a well-rated listing. An established review history (1,006 reviews) with a no-rating average. AppRanks tracks this listing on a 24-hour cycle.
WPForms – AI Form Builder for WordPress – Contact Forms, Payment Forms, Survey Form, Quiz & More
Currently sits at #9 in the WordPress Plugin Directory _browse_popular category as a category-leading listing. Tracks at no-rating across 14,363 reviews — deep review base. AppRanks tracks this listing on a 24-hour cycle.
All-in-One WP Migration and Backup
Holds position #10 in the WordPress Plugin Directory _browse_popular category as a highly rated listing. Currently has an established review history (7,660 reviews). Source: WordPress Plugin Directory's own published category position.
Same data as the ranked cards, condensed into a sortable-by-eye grid: rating × review depth × pricing tier across the top 10 _browse_popular apps on WordPress Plugin Directory.
| # | App | Rating | Reviews | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elementor Website Builder – more than just a page builder | 4.5★ | 7,293 | — |
| 2 | Yoast SEO – Advanced SEO with real-time guidance and built-in AI | 4.8★ | 27,817 | — |
| 3 | Contact Form 7 | 4.0★ | 2,176 | — |
| 4 | Classic Editor | 4.9★ | 1,244 | — |
| 5 | LiteSpeed Cache | 4.8★ | 2,763 | — |
| 6 | WooCommerce | 4.5★ | 4,813 | — |
| 7 | Akismet Anti-spam: Spam Protection | 4.7★ | 1,186 | — |
| 8 | Site Kit by Google – Analytics, Search Console, AdSense, Speed | 4.2★ | 1,006 | — |
| 9 | WPForms – AI Form Builder for WordPress – Contact Forms, Payment Forms, Survey Form, Quiz & More | 4.8★ | 14,363 | — |
| 10 | All-in-One WP Migration and Backup | 4.5★ | 7,660 | — |
Want to compare any two apps in detail (features, ratings trend, pricing plans side-by-side)? Open the head-to-head page from the "Compare to #N" link on each card above. Custom multi-app comparisons, historical rank trajectory, and CSV export are available on a paid plan.
Methodology details: /glossary/audit-score · /about.
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