Head-to-head · October 2026
Import / Export Customize… vs Theme YAML
Import / Export Customizer… comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Theme YAML.
Import / Export Customizer Settings
Astra theme customizer offers several settings for header/footer layout, sidebar and blog designs, colors…
Theme YAML
Theme Yaml converts your theme.yaml file into theme.json so that you can configure your theme with YAML. It…
| Metric | Import / Export Customize… | Theme YAML |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 50K+ | 10+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 3.5K | 37 |
| Download trend | +13.6% | -37.3% |
| Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Reviews | 6 | 2 |
| Health score | 81/100 | 29/100 |
| Last updated | 2 months ago | 3 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 7.1.3 | WP 6.3.13 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | 5.4+ | 7.4+ |
| First released | Mar 2019 | Mar 2022 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Import / Export Customi…Theme YAML
Choose Import / Export Customize… if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
- Proven at scale on 50K+ active sites
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
Choose Theme YAML if…
You prefer its feature set and workflow — it holds its own on the fundamentals.
- Small user base (10+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 3 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.3 (latest is 7.1)
Both compete in: settings
FAQ
Import / Export Customize… vs Theme YAML: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 16, 2026
Which is better, Import / Export Customizer… or Theme YAML?
Import / Export Customizer… comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Theme YAML. Choose Import / Export Customizer… if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
Is Import / Export Customizer… more popular than Theme YAML?
Import / Export Customizer… is the more popular of the two with 50K+ active installs, compared with 10+ for Theme YAML.
Can I use Import / Export Customizer… and Theme YAML together?
Both plugins cover settings, so most sites only need one. Running two plugins that do the same job can cause conflicts and slow your site down — pick the one that fits best and remove the other.
Are Import / Export Customizer… and Theme YAML free?
Yes. Both are free to download from the official WordPress.org plugin directory. Either may also offer paid upgrades from its developer.
Powered by PageForge
Want thousands of pages that rank like these? Build them in an afternoon.
This directory runs on the same engine as PageForge. Turn any spreadsheet, CSV or API into thousands of fast, SEO-ready WordPress pages — with schema, internal links and AI-written copy baked in.
- CSV, Google Sheets & API data sources
- AI content, schema & internal links per page
- Works with Elementor, Gutenberg, Yoast & Rank Math
- Free on WordPress.org — no credit card
