Advanced Import vs WordPress Importer (September 2026)
Updated September 7, 2026 · Data from WordPress.org, refreshed daily · How this works
Both rank in the WordPress.org Import Plugins top 10: Advanced Import at #2 and WordPress Importer at #9. WordPress Importer leads on 3 of the 5 measures we track. Every number below comes straight from WordPress.org and is refreshed every day.
Advanced Import
Easily import demo data including posts, pages, media, widgets, customizer settings, and Gutenberg Blocks.
WordPress Importer
Import posts, pages, comments, custom fields, categories, tags and more from a WordPress export file.
Who leads on what
WordPress Importer leads on 3 of the 5 measures we track.
Advanced Import ranks higher on WordPress.org: #2 against #9 in Import Plugins.
WordPress Importer has more users: 2 million+ active installs against 80,000+.
Not enough reviews to compare ratings fairly: Advanced Import has 7, WordPress Importer has 327. We compare ratings only above 50 reviews each.
WordPress Importer has more reviews behind its score: 327 against 7.
WordPress Importer was updated more recently, on August 27, 2026; Advanced Import on June 9, 2026.
Which one to pick
Each plugin is the better answer for the measure it actually leads on. Nothing here is a recommendation we invented.
Advanced Import
Pick Advanced Import if you go by where WordPress.org itself puts them.
WordPress Importer
Pick WordPress Importer if you want the plugin more sites already run, you want the score backed by more reviews or you want the one shipping releases most recently.
Advanced Import vs WordPress Importer side by side
| Advanced Import | WordPress Importer | |
|---|---|---|
| Import Plugins ranking | #2 | #9 |
| Rating | 4.4 | 3.1 |
| Reviews | 7 | 327 |
| Active installs | 80,000+ | 2 million+ |
| Total downloads | 1,843,353 | 70,992,584 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | – | – |
| Last updated | Jun 9, 2026 | Aug 27, 2026 |
| First published | Sep 26, 2019 | May 20, 2010 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.0.4 | 6.8.8 |
| Requires PHP | 7.4 | 7.2 |
| Pricing | Free on WordPress.org | Free |
30-day download figures appear after both plugins have 30 days of tracking.
Advanced Import ratings
WordPress Importer ratings
How we compare these two
Every figure here is pulled from the WordPress.org plugin API every day at 03:00 UTC, for both plugins in the same run, so the two are always read on the same day. We compare only what the directory reports: active installs, the rating and how many reviews stand behind it, the last release date and, once we have a month of history, downloads over the last 30 days. Ratings are only called a win above 50 reviews each, because a handful of five-star reviews is not evidence. Nothing is weighted into an overall score, no measure is worth more than another, and neither Advanced Import nor WordPress Importer can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the Import Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
Advanced Import vs WordPress Importer: common questions
Is Advanced Import better than WordPress Importer?
WordPress Importer leads on 3 of the 5 measures we track. Neither is better at everything, and the answer depends on which measure you weigh. Advanced Import ranks higher on WordPress.org: #2 against #9 in Import Plugins.
Which has more users, Advanced Import or WordPress Importer?
Advanced Import ranks higher on WordPress.org: #2 against #9 in Import Plugins.
Which is rated higher, Advanced Import or WordPress Importer?
WordPress Importer has more users: 2 million+ active installs against 80,000+.
Are Advanced Import and WordPress Importer free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. Advanced Import may also sell a paid version or add-ons. WordPress Importer is a community plugin with no paid version.
Alternatives to Advanced Import and WordPress Importer
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
-
Widget Importer & Exporter
200,000+ installs · 4.7 from 117 reviews
-
Customizer Export/Import
100,000+ installs · 4.8 from 115 reviews
-
One Click Demo Import
1 million+ installs · 4.3 from 79 reviews
-
WP All Import
50,000+ installs · 5.0 from 6 reviews
-
Ansar Import
10,000+ installs · 5.0 from 1 reviews
More Import Plugins comparisons
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- Advanced Import vs WP All Import
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- Advanced Import vs One Click Demo Import
- Advanced Import vs Widget Importer & Exporter
- Advanced Import vs WP All Import
- Advanced Import vs WP Import Export Lite
- Ansar Import vs WordPress Importer
- Import / Export Customizer Settings vs WordPress Importer
- WP All Import vs WordPress Importer
- Customizer Export/Import vs WordPress Importer
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What moved this week
One email a week, built from the same daily snapshots these rankings come from: the plugins that climbed, what launched, and one ranking worth a look.