Head-to-head · October 2026
Customizer Export/Import vs Design Import/Export
Customizer Export/Import comes out ahead, winning 6 of 8 head-to-head checks against Design Import/Export.
Customizer Export/Import
The Customizer Export/Import plugin allows you to export or import your WordPress customizer settings from…
Design Import/Export
Import and export your block based theme design: global/custom styles, templates, template parts and patterns.
| Metric | Customizer Export/Import | Design Import/Export |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 100K+ | 200+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 7.6K | 272 |
| Download trend | +8% | +47.8% |
| Rating | 4.8/5 | 5/5 |
| Reviews | 115 | 6 |
| Health score | 76/100 | 53/100 |
| Last updated | 4 months ago | 10 months ago |
| Tested up to | WP 7.0.7 | WP 6.9.10 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | 7.4+ |
| First released | Dec 2014 | Jul 2021 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Customizer Export/ImportDesign Import/Export
Choose Customizer Export/Import if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
- Proven at scale on 100K+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.8/5 from 115 reviews
Choose Design Import/Export if…
You care most about download trend and rating.
- Small user base (200+ active installs)
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.9 (latest is 7.1)
FAQ
Customizer Export/Import vs Design Import/Export: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 16, 2026
Which is better, Customizer Export/Import or Design Import/Export?
Customizer Export/Import comes out ahead, winning 6 of 8 head-to-head checks against Design Import/Export. Choose Customizer Export/Import if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews. Choose Design Import/Export if you care most about download trend and rating.
Is Customizer Export/Import more popular than Design Import/Export?
Customizer Export/Import is the more popular of the two with 100K+ active installs, compared with 200+ for Design Import/Export.
Can I use Customizer Export/Import and Design Import/Export together?
Both plugins cover export and import, 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 Customizer Export/Import and Design Import/Export free?
Yes. Both are free to download from the official WordPress.org plugin directory. Either may also offer paid upgrades from its developer.
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