Patchstack vs Monarx
Focused protection, built around processes that actually prevent exploits
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Vulnerability mitigation isn’t just virtual patching - it’s a process
Mitigation isn’t just about applying a patch or using a WAF. It begins with identifying new threats, verifying what has been affected, prioritizing based on context, and deploying protection before attackers even know about a vulnerability.
Patchstack and Monarx both aim to stop threats, but their approach to WordPress security is fundamentally different.
Patchstack
Mitigation – threat intelligence, real-time detection, and precise runtime protection inside WordPress itself.
Monarx
Detecting signs of infection at the server level, responding after suspicious behavior begins.
What is the difference between Patchstack and Monarx?
Mitigation Stage
Patchstack
Monarx
Discovery
Patchstack knows about most vulnerabilities before anyone else by combining original in-house research, an active bug bounty community, partnerships with vendors, as well as 3rd party CVE feeds
Relies on malware behavior and anomaly patterns during execution
Assessment
Real-time detection of active vulnerable components (e.g. plugin X v1.2.3 is installed and exploitable based on config)
Watches for signs of infection or runtime anomalies, without identifying specific components
Targeting
Patchstack’s connector plugin gives us visibility into each WordPress installation, allowing us to identify vulnerable components in real time, and deploy unique protection rules on a per-site basis
Applies generic behavior-based monitoring with no awareness of WordPress-specific architecture
Mitigation
Highly customized virtual patch rules are deployed at the application layer without changing any code or damaging functionality
Attempts to clean or block malicious code after it executes or modifies files
Awareness
Patchstack uses a simple connector plugin to gain full visibility into the WordPress stack: plugins, config, users, roles
No app-layer visibility - only reacts to execution patterns
Precision
Patchstack uses a simple connector plugin to gain full visibility into the WordPress stack: plugins, config, users, roles
No app-layer visibility - only reacts to execution patterns
Rollbacks & Safety
Not required as no code changes are made
Requires manual file restoration
Coverage
Full plugin/theme/core coverage. Largest collection of over 12,000 individual virtual patches on the market
Rules for WordPress core + large/popular plugins only
“Over the last 6 months, Patchstack has protected our users from 1.3 million vulnerabilities.”
Wes Tatters
Managing Director
What is vulnerability mitigation (and why is it time-sensitive)?
Mitigation is the step between knowing a vulnerability exists and permanently fixing it via an update. For site owners who can’t update immediately, mitigation is the safety net that prevents exploitation.
What really happens when a threat hits your website?
Let’s follow the process and see where each solution actually operates.
Patchstack (application-level)
Threat intelligence identifies vulnerable WordPress components before they’re exploited
A virtual patch is generated and deployed, targeting the specific vulnerable component
The WAF intercepts exploit attempts within WordPress, before they reach the server’s core
You know which plugin and its versions are vulnerable, and what traffic was blocked
Monarx (server-level)
A malicious request reaches the server
Monarx monitors runtime behavior and file changes to spot if malware gets injected
It tries to detect and clean threats after execution begins, without knowing which plugin or vulnerability was targeted
Operates generically across any PHP-based site, but lacks WordPress-specific context
Patchstack is up to 48 hours ahead of everybody
Speed matters. Vulnerabilities are often exploited within hours of disclosure.
We disclose vulnerabilities to partners before they are made public, and deploy protection rules ahead of time
We are the leading WordPress vulnerability discloser, and the #1 vulnerability processor of all time
We use data from our own researchers and a global community of security experts
Patchstack doesn’t modify website code
Monarx uses file-level patching – it modifies site files directly to apply fixes. This introduces major risks. Patchstack mitigates vulnerabilities at the application layer, applying real-time mitigation rules.
Patchstack
Plugin code and versioning are not altered
Mitigates vulnerabilities until updates can be safely applied
Highly targeted rules with zero false positives
When user rolls back to a vulnerable version, mitigation rules are automatically re-deployed
Monarx
Breaks version control in plugins/themes
Causes plugin update failures
Triggers false positives in malware scans
Difficult to rollback without backups
“Patchstack has led to the prevention of more than 56 000 vulnerabilities in our Managed WordPress installations.”
Liza Bogatyrev
Product Marketing Manager
Curious what Patchstack can do for you and your customers?
Proprietary threat intelligence makes the difference
Most WordPress security tools rely on 3rd party public CVE data which causes critical delays for threat intelligence and protection. Patchstack doesn’t.
Our threat intelligence combines original research, partnerships with plugin developers, a global bug bounty community, and 3rd party CVE feeds. This data feeds the largest active vulnerability database focused on WordPress.
Less security mumbo-jumbo, more focus on the boring stuff that actually works
We don’t chase buzzwords or overcomplicate things. We just do the job: block plugin and theme vulnerabilities before they get exploited.
🟢 Users stay online
🔒 Customers stay safe
💡 You get real visibility and control
Built for hosting companies and site operators who want to prevent, not just clean
Whether you protect 10 sites or 100,000, you don’t need another black-box scanner. You need a process-driven, context-aware, transparent security solution.
Patchstack helps hosting providers move from reactive cleanup to proactive prevention. Don't wait for malware to surface - stop it at the source.
✅ Reduce support load from infections
✅ Reduce server performance load from malicious traffic
✅ Provide transparent protection to non-technical customers
✅ Offer security upgrades that actually prevent downtime
✅ Differentiate your plans with real-time application-layer protection
Easy integration with hosting environments
Integrating Patchstack requires no infrastructure changes - when a user enables Patchstack within your chosen plan, add-on, or other implementation model, an API key is automatically generated and applied through WP-CLI or the connector plugin’s interface.
No need to change DNS settings or install anything across the entire server infrastructure. Patchstack provides the fastest mitigation, with application level integration for the fastest setup.
See how WP umbrella integrated Patchstack in 5 days with a single developer.
“Patchstack is like CrowdStrike, but for websites!”
Ryan McCue
Director of Product
Patchstack offers faster protection with coverage across the entire WordPress ecosystem
The key differences from Patchstack’s side are that its virtual patch rules don’t modify any code, and that they are deployed based on the visibility into each WordPress installation.
Patchstack
Monarx
Discovery model
Research + bug bounty + partnerships + CVE data
CVE-based + scanning for malware-like patterns
Protection speed
Up to 48 hours before public disclosure
Typically reactive, after CVE is public or malware is detected
Mitigation method
Runtime rules (precision protection rules) are applied at the application layer on per-site basis
“Automatic True Patching” - file-based patching (modifies files)
Code safety
Never touches code
Code is modified directly in plugin/theme files
Coverage
Entire WP ecosystem
Core + major plugins
App awareness
Full (plugins, config, users)
None
False positives
Near zero
Higher chance due to generic logic
Update conflicts
None
Common due to code edits
Rollback
Instant and safe
Manual restoration required
Should I choose Monarx or Patchstack?
We recommend using both because security requires a layered approach. Many web hosts use Monarx for generic server level security and malware scanning, and incorporate Patchstack to get the fastest protection for WordPress/CMS vulnerabilities without negative performance impact and false positives.
Get ahead of the exploit curve
Patchstack isn’t just a WAF with some virtual patches - it’s a full WordPress vulnerability intelligence & mitigation system.
