Customizer Export/Import vs Widget Importer & Exporter (October 2026)
Updated October 22, 2026 · Data from WordPress.org, refreshed daily · How this works
Both rank in the WordPress.org Import Plugins top 10: Customizer Export/Import at #3 and Widget Importer & Exporter at #8. Widget Importer & Exporter leads on 4 of the 6 measures we track. Every number below comes straight from WordPress.org and is refreshed every day.
Customizer Export/Import
Easily export or import your WordPress customizer settings!
Widget Importer & Exporter
Import and export your widgets.
Who leads on what
Widget Importer & Exporter leads on 4 of the 6 measures we track.
Customizer Export/Import ranks higher on WordPress.org: #3 against #8 in Import Plugins.
Widget Importer & Exporter has more users: 200,000+ active installs against 100,000+.
Customizer Export/Import is rated higher: 4.8 out of 5 from 115 reviews, against 4.7 from 117 reviews.
Widget Importer & Exporter has more reviews behind its score: 117 against 115.
Widget Importer & Exporter was updated more recently, on October 15, 2026; Customizer Export/Import on June 16, 2026.
Widget Importer & Exporter was downloaded more in the last 30 days: 73,006 times against 7,960.
Which one to pick
Each plugin is the better answer for the measure it actually leads on. Nothing here is a recommendation we invented.
Customizer Export/Import
Pick Customizer Export/Import if you go by where WordPress.org itself puts them or the review score matters most to you.
Widget Importer & Exporter
Pick Widget Importer & Exporter if you want the plugin more sites already run, you want the score backed by more reviews, you want the one shipping releases most recently or you want the one being installed faster right now.
Customizer Export/Import vs Widget Importer & Exporter side by side
| Customizer Export/Import | Widget Importer & Exporter | |
|---|---|---|
| Import Plugins ranking | #3 | #8 |
| Rating | 4.8 | 4.7 |
| Reviews | 115 | 117 |
| Active installs | 100,000+ | 200,000+ |
| Total downloads | 2,837,349 | 5,409,626 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | 7,960 | 73,006 |
| Last updated | Jun 16, 2026 | Oct 15, 2026 |
| First published | Dec 20, 2014 | Jul 15, 2013 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.0.7 | 7.1.3 |
| Requires PHP | – | 5.2.4 |
| Pricing | Free on WordPress.org | Free on WordPress.org |
Downloads per day, last 48 days
Customizer Export/Import ratings
Widget Importer & Exporter 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 Customizer Export/Import nor Widget Importer & Exporter can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the Import Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
Customizer Export/Import vs Widget Importer & Exporter: common questions
Is Customizer Export/Import better than Widget Importer & Exporter?
Widget Importer & Exporter leads on 4 of the 6 measures we track. Neither is better at everything, and the answer depends on which measure you weigh. Customizer Export/Import ranks higher on WordPress.org: #3 against #8 in Import Plugins.
Which has more users, Customizer Export/Import or Widget Importer & Exporter?
Customizer Export/Import ranks higher on WordPress.org: #3 against #8 in Import Plugins.
Which is rated higher, Customizer Export/Import or Widget Importer & Exporter?
Widget Importer & Exporter has more users: 200,000+ active installs against 100,000+.
Are Customizer Export/Import and Widget Importer & Exporter free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. Customizer Export/Import may also sell a paid version or add-ons. Widget Importer & Exporter may also sell a paid version or add-ons.
Alternatives to Customizer Export/Import and Widget Importer & Exporter
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
-
WP Import Export Lite
40,000+ installs · 4.0 from 113 reviews
-
One Click Demo Import
1 million+ installs · 4.3 from 79 reviews
-
Import / Export Customizer Settings
50,000+ installs · 4.7 from 6 reviews
-
Advanced Import
80,000+ installs · 4.4 from 7 reviews
-
WP All Import
50,000+ installs · 5.0 from 6 reviews
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