On a site with more than one user, knowing who changed what and when matters, for fixing mistakes fast and for catching unauthorized access before it becomes a real problem. These plugins turn that into a searchable log instead of a guessing game.
Why This Matters
An activity log answers “what changed and who did it” directly instead of making you reconstruct events from memory. It also doubles as an early-warning system: a login from an unfamiliar location or an unexpected role change shows up in the log before it turns into real damage.
8 WordPress User Activity Plugins
1. WP Activity Log
WP Activity Log (Melapress, 300,000+ active installs) tracks logins, post edits, plugin updates, and profile changes in detail, with real-time email alerts for events like an admin logging in from a new device. Worth noting: an earlier version of this post listed this same plugin twice, once as “WP Activity Log” and again as “WP Security Audit Log”, they’re the same product under its old and current names, consolidated here. It also integrates with MainWP if you manage multiple sites from one dashboard, rather than needing a separate MainWP-specific logging plugin.
2. Simple History
Shows recent activity directly on the dashboard, logins, post updates, and other actions, no digging through settings menus. A good fit for smaller sites that want a log without extra configuration.
3. Aryo Activity Log
Now maintained by Elementor. Lightweight tracking of logins, content changes, failed login attempts, and settings/plugin updates without adding noticeable overhead. Note: an earlier version of this post attributed a similar plugin to a vaguely-named “Activity Log Team”, no such vendor exists; Aryo Activity Log is the real, current product covering this description.
4. Activity Track - User Activity Log
Tracks login/logout, file changes, and menu updates, with the ability to filter by user role (admin vs. author, for instance). Supports custom post types, not just default pages and posts. Note: an earlier version of this post used the generic name “User Activity Log”, which isn’t a real exact plugin title; Activity Track is a genuine current match for that description.
5. Stream
(XWP, 2.4M+ downloads, updated within days of this writing.) Real-time logging with filtering by user, date, or action type, built with multisite in mind. Slack and email alert integrations. A strong pick for developers, agencies, or teams that want live visibility rather than checking a log after the fact.
6. Logify WP
Security-focused activity logging: highlights repeated failed logins, sudden role changes, and other signals worth a second look, with alerts when something unusual happens. Note: an earlier version of this post used the generic name “Audit Log”, which isn’t a real standalone plugin title (it’s also the literal old name of the Melapress product above); Logify WP is a real, distinct product actually matching this description.
7. User Login History
Free (WordPress.org, 10,000+ active installs, by Faiyaz Alam). Does exactly one thing: tracks login/logout times, country, and browser, no extra features to configure. Useful if login visibility, not full change-tracking, is genuinely all you need.
8. Jetpack (Activity Log Feature)
If you’re already running Jetpack, its built-in activity timeline covers the basics (page edits, plugin updates, user actions) without installing anything new. Less detailed than a dedicated logging plugin, but genuinely convenient if you’re already using Jetpack’s backup and security features.
Choosing One
Small site, want simplicity: Simple History or Jetpack’s built-in log. Serious security monitoring: WP Activity Log or Logify WP. Real-time visibility across a team or multisite setup: Stream. Just need login times: User Login History.
Setup Notes
- Install from Plugins > Add New, activate, then configure what to track and whether to enable email/Slack alerts.
- Decide log retention upfront, some plugins let you cap how long logs are stored, worth setting deliberately rather than letting it grow indefinitely.
- Test it: make a small change or log in with a test account, then confirm it actually appears in the log before relying on it.