Best role management plugins for WordPress
The most popular role management plugins for WordPress in November 2026, in WordPress.org’s own popular order, which follows active installs. Editorial Access Manager leads with 90+ active installs, ahead of RoleGuard (10+) and Advanced User Role Manager (fewer than 10). All 5 plugins tagged “role management” are below, with figures from WordPress.org that update every day.
Installs aren’t everything: a recent release, a “Tested up to” that matches the current WordPress, and support threads that get resolved show a plugin is looked after. Open any plugin for its downloads, rank history and alternatives.
Research this niche or see all plugins.
Top 5 role management plugins
- 1.
Editorial Access ManagerThe most installed role management plugin, with 90+ active installs. Rated 4.9 from 8 reviews, last updated 9 years ago. Tested only up to WordPress 4.9.35.
- 2.
RoleGuard10+ active installs. No reviews yet, updated 7 months ago. Tested only up to WordPress 6.9.11.
- 3.
Advanced User Role ManagerFewer than 10 active installs. No reviews yet, updated 6 months ago.
- 4.
WPFalcons Menu RestrictionsFewer than 10 active installs. No reviews yet, updated 5 months ago. Tested only up to WordPress 6.9.11.
- 5.
WPSAL (Simple Access List)Fewer than 10 active installs. No reviews yet, updated 3 weeks ago.
All 5 plugins tagged “role management”
Editorial Access Manager
Up in the last 7 days:24#17,355by Taylor Lovett9 years ago
Allow for granular editorial access control for all post types in WordPress
- Installs
- 90+
- Rating
- 4.9(8)
- Downloads
- 0/day
RoleGuard
#31,626by Ravinthranath A7 months ago
Assign time-limited roles to freelancers, contractors, and guest authors. Roles expire automatically and revert — zero cleanup needed.
- Installs
- 10+
- Rating
- –
- Downloads
- 0/day
Advanced User Role Manager
#60,189by Smackcoders Inc.,6 months ago
Advanced WordPress user role management with custom roles, temporary assignments, and OAuth2 integration.
- Installs
- <10
- Rating
- –
- Downloads
- 0/day
WPFalcons Menu Restrictions
#60,244by wpfalcons5 months ago
Easily hide and restrict WordPress admin menus and submenus for specific user roles and individual users with a premium React dashboard.
- Installs
- <10
- Rating
- –
- Downloads
- 0/day
WPSAL (Simple Access List)
Down in the last 7 days:14,528#68,444by VERYA Inc.24 days ago
We have ONE goal in mind: making it easy to control access to pages and posts.
- Installs
- <10
- Rating
- –
- Downloads
- 0/day