Stack Guard vs All-In-One Security
The All-In-One Security alternative with scans and backups on Free
All-In-One Security (AIOS) from Team Updraft has a generous free firewall, login and file change features, with malware scanning on Premium and backups in a separate plugin. Stack Guard puts malware scanning and backups in the free plugin too.
Checked October 2026 against the free plugins' source code on WordPress.org and the vendors' own pricing and feature pages. Sources below.
How All-In-One Security works
Firewall, login and file change features run inside the plugin. Premium adds malware scanning and uptime monitoring as external services. Backups need UpdraftPlus.
How Stack Guard works
One plugin for protection, scanning and backups, all running on your own server. Bans and firewall rules run in PHP, so they work on any web server.
Stack Guard or All-In-One Security: features and how they work
| Feature | Stack Guard | All-In-One Security |
|---|---|---|
| Features in the free version | ||
| Custom login URL | Free | Free |
| Two-factor authentication | Free | Free |
| Brute force lockouts | Free | Free |
| Firewall | Free | FreePHP and .htaccess rules; .htaccess rules do not apply on NGINX or IIS |
| Malware scanning | Free | Paid plansPremium scan runs on the vendor's servers |
| Country blocking | Paid plans | Paid plans |
| Security headers | Free | Not confirmed |
| Activity log | Free | Free |
| File change detection | Paid plans | Free |
| Backups with one-click restore | Free | Not offeredHands off to the separate UpdraftPlus plugin |
| White label for agencies | Paid plans | Not confirmed |
| How they work | ||
| Free works without an account or API key | Yes | Yes |
| Free protection is not delayed behind paid | Yes | Yes |
| Malware scan runs on your own server | Yes | NoPremium malware scan is remote |
| Free full backups, verified, with one-click restore and roll back | Yes | No |
| Renews at the first-year price | Yes | NoFirst year is half price; renews at about double |
| Full help docs inside the plugin | Yes | Not confirmed |
Why people choose a All-In-One Security alternative
Where Stack Guard is different from All-In-One Security
Malware scanning on Free
AIOS scans for malware on Premium. Stack Guard Free scans with signatures and checks every core file against WordPress.org.
Backups in the same plugin
AIOS leaves backups to UpdraftPlus. Stack Guard includes verified backups, one-click restore and roll back.
One price every year
AIOS discounts the first year by 50% and renews at full price. Stack Guard renews at exactly the price you paid.
Same protection on any web server
AIOS's .htaccess firewall rules do not apply on NGINX or IIS. Stack Guard's bans and firewall rules run in PHP inside WordPress, so they work the same on Apache, NGINX and LiteSpeed.
When All-In-One Security may suit you better
- You manage hundreds of sites and want the lowest possible unlimited price: AIOS Enterprise is $349 a year, below Stack Guard Agency Unlimited.
- You already use UpdraftPlus for backups and want the same vendor for security.
All-In-One Security pricing
- Personal2 sites$44.50 the first year for new customers$89 / year
- Business10 sites$74.50 the first year$149 / year
- Agency35 sites$124.50 the first year$249 / year
- EnterpriseUnlimited$174.50 the first year$349 / year
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
All-In-One Security alternative: questions
Is All-In-One Security free?
AIOS has a free version with a firewall, login lockouts, a renamed login page, two-factor, an audit log and file change detection. Malware scanning, country blocking and Smart 404 blocking are Premium.
What is the best All-In-One Security alternative?
If you want malware scanning and backups in the free plugin and the same price at every renewal, Stack Guard is a strong alternative to AIOS.
Is AIOS cheaper than Stack Guard?
For very large portfolios, yes: AIOS Enterprise is $349 a year for unlimited sites after the first-year discount, against $795 for Stack Guard Agency Unlimited. For 1 to 25 sites, Stack Guard is the same price or lower and includes backups.
Sources, checked October 2026
- https://teamupdraft.com/all-in-one-security/pricing/
- https://teamupdraft.com/blog/aios-pricing-update/
- https://teamupdraft.com/all-in-one-security/
- https://wordpress.org/plugins/all-in-one-wp-security-and-firewall/
All-In-One Security is a trademark of Team Updraft. Stack Guard is not affiliated with Team Updraft. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.
Try it next to All-In-One Security.
Stack Guard Free has no time limit. See the difference on your own site.