TL;DR: feature-by-feature
Jetpack Security's malware scanner is signature-based and runs as part of the broader Jetpack plugin, same in-process architecture concern as Wordfence. The bundled VaultPress backup is genuinely useful and the main reason to consider Jetpack at all. If you don't need the backup, the rest of the Jetpack Security tier is overpriced for what it delivers.
| Feature | Jetpack Security | Guardian Gaze | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bundled with backups | Yes (VaultPress) | No (pair with UpdraftPlus etc.) | Jetpack |
| Real-time WAF | Complete tier only | Pro tier | ✓ Guardian Gaze |
| Malware scanner architecture | In-process, signature-based | Server-side, AI-assisted | ✓ Guardian Gaze |
| Database malware scanner | Limited | First-class | ✓ Guardian Gaze |
| WordPress.com integration | Native | Self-hosted only | Jetpack for .com sites |
| Starting paid price (security only) | $119.40/yr | $149/yr | Jetpack on price |
| Bundle includes backups | Yes | No | Jetpack |
| WAF included in starter paid tier | No | Yes | ✓ Guardian Gaze |
Pricing comparison
Jetpack Security is $119.40/yr (with annual billing); the higher Complete tier is $599.40/yr and is the one that includes a cloud firewall. Guardian Gaze Pro at $149.99/yr already includes the real-time WAF that Jetpack reserves for the Complete tier, a five-fold difference for the same capability.
Jetpack Security
Automattic's security bundle for WordPress.com and self-hosted.
- FreeFree (limited)
- Security$119.40/yr (with annual billing)
- Complete$599.40/yr
Guardian Gaze
AI-powered, server-side malware detection.
- FreeFree
- Pro$149.99/yr per site
- Agencyfrom $1,341/yr
Add a dedicated backup plugin (UpdraftPlus free or $70/yr Premium) and the total stack is comparable to Jetpack Security but with the WAF included.
Jetpack Security pricing checked on 21 July 2026, taken from Jetpack Security’s own pricing page. Prices change — confirm on their site before deciding.
Where each tool wins
Jetpack Security strengths
- From Automattic, makers of WordPress.com, first-party integration with Jetpack analytics, backups, and CDN.
- VaultPress backups bundled, real-time backups to off-site storage.
- 30-day backup archive at the Security tier; full year at Complete.
- Automated malware scanning and one-click restore.
Jetpack Security weaknesses
- Bundled product. You're paying for backups, image CDN, downtime monitor, social tools, and more. If you only want security, the bundle is poor value.
- Malware scanner is signature-based and runs as part of Jetpack's broader plugin, same in-process architectural concern as Wordfence.
- No real-time WAF in the Security tier; cloud firewall sits at the Complete tier ($599.40/yr).
- Jetpack itself is heavy, adds noticeable load and many features site owners don't use.
Bundle math: what are you actually paying for?
Jetpack Security is sold as a security product but it's primarily a backup product with security features attached. The VaultPress backup engine is the unique thing in the bundle, real-time, off-site, with one-click restore.
If you value VaultPress, Jetpack Security is a good way to get it. If you use a different backup tool (UpdraftPlus, BackWPup, or your host's snapshot service), you're paying for backup capability you don't use.
Guardian Gaze doesn't bundle backups. We deliberately keep the product scope tight: detection + prevention + cleanup, and that's it. Pair us with whichever backup tool you prefer. For most sites, UpdraftPlus free + Guardian Gaze Pro is materially cheaper than Jetpack Security and gives you both better backup options and better security depth.
Scanner architecture
Jetpack's malware scanner is signature-based and runs as part of the Jetpack plugin within WordPress. This is the same architectural pattern as Wordfence (scanner and malware execute in the same PHP process) and inherits the same risks. We've covered the data on this in our Wordfence comparison; the short version is that signature scanners running inside WordPress have a documented tampering rate around 14% on actively compromised sites.
Jetpack's scanner is also less actively maintained than the dedicated security products. The threat-intelligence team at Defiant (Wordfence) and the malware research at Sucuri produce visible weekly output. Jetpack's security research publishing cadence is lower because security isn't their primary product.
Performance impact
Jetpack is one of the heavier plugins in the WordPress ecosystem. Even with modules disabled, the base plugin adds measurable load. Every Jetpack site loads a substantial amount of JavaScript, makes outbound calls to WordPress.com, and runs background tasks. On a slow host this is noticeable.
If your goal is purely security, you're getting a lot of weight that doesn't contribute to that goal. Guardian Gaze's plugin footprint is roughly 5% of Jetpack's on the same site, measurable in real PageSpeed benchmarks.
If you're on WordPress.com
This is the one case where Jetpack Security is the right answer. If your site is hosted at WordPress.com (not self-hosted), Jetpack is the only security product that integrates natively with the platform. Third-party security plugins on WordPress.com hit configuration walls.
Guardian Gaze is for self-hosted WordPress. If you're on WordPress.com Business or higher, install us; if you're on a lower WP.com tier that doesn't allow plugins, Jetpack is your option.
What we'll concede about Jetpack Security
If you're on WordPress.com or already pay for VaultPress backups, Jetpack Security is the easiest button to press. The bundle is convenient and Automattic isn't going anywhere.
Verdict: which should you pick?
Pick Jetpack Security if…
Sites already deep in the Jetpack ecosystem (WordPress.com hosted, or self-hosted with Jetpack backups in use). The bundle math only works if you use the other features.
Pick Guardian Gaze if…
You're self-hosted, you have a backup solution you like (or use UpdraftPlus), you don't need the rest of the Jetpack bundle, and you want a real-time WAF in the starter paid tier rather than paying $599/yr for Jetpack Complete.
If you bought Jetpack for the backups and the security is incidental, decoupling those is usually cheaper. Guardian Gaze + a dedicated backup plugin tends to cost less than Jetpack Security on its own.
The free plugin installs in two minutes. Run a side-by-side scan and decide for yourself.
Install Guardian Gaze freeHow to switch from Jetpack Security to Guardian Gaze
Jetpack is unusual in that disabling the security features doesn't require removing Jetpack itself; you can keep VaultPress backups, the image CDN, and the downtime monitor, and just disable the security modules.
- Install Guardian Gaze. Run a baseline scan.
- In Jetpack settings, disable Scan, Protect, Akismet (or keep Akismet if you use it; it's a separate Automattic product and works fine alongside us).
- Downgrade your Jetpack plan if security was the reason you were on Security or Complete. Drop to Jetpack Free or Jetpack Backup (which is just the VaultPress backup, no security overhead).
- Enable Guardian Gaze's WAF and any hardening rules you used to rely on Jetpack for.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Guardian Gaze with the rest of Jetpack?
Yes. We coexist with Jetpack's non-security modules (CDN, social, analytics, backups) without conflict. Most customers in this situation drop Jetpack to a backup-only plan and add Guardian Gaze for security.
Will I lose VaultPress backups if I switch?
Only if you also cancel the Jetpack Backup plan. Jetpack Backup is sold separately from Jetpack Security and is the cheaper way to keep just the backup. We recommend it for sites that liked VaultPress.
Does Guardian Gaze work on WordPress.com?
On WordPress.com Business plan and higher (which allows third-party plugins), yes. On lower WP.com tiers, no; that's a platform limitation.
What about Akismet, is that included in Jetpack Security?
Yes, Akismet is bundled. Guardian Gaze doesn't replace Akismet (comment spam is a separate problem); keep Akismet running alongside us if you use it. The free Akismet tier is enough for most non-commercial sites.
Is Jetpack Security cheaper than Guardian Gaze for the starter tier?
Marginally, $119.40/yr vs $149.99/yr. But Jetpack Security at that price doesn't include the cloud firewall (that's the Complete tier at $599.40/yr). Guardian Gaze includes the WAF in the $149 tier. Comparing equivalents, Guardian Gaze is ~$450/yr cheaper.