Head-to-head · October 2026
GL Import External Images vs Replace External Images
Replace External Images comes out ahead, winning 4 of 7 head-to-head checks against GL Import External Images.
GL Import External Images
With the help of this plugin, you can become hassle-free from downloading and re-uploading images from hosted…
Replace External Images
“Replace External Images” lets you import externally hosted images used in post content directly into your…
| Metric | GL Import External Images | Replace External Images |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 700+ | 100+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 176 | 181 |
| Download trend | +36.4% | 0% |
| Rating | 5/5 | — |
| Reviews | 6 | 0 |
| Health score | 42/100 | 64/100 |
| Last updated | 2 years ago | 2 months ago |
| Tested up to | WP 6.7.10 | WP 7.1.3 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | 7.0+ | 7.4+ |
| First released | Jun 2022 | Jul 2025 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
GL Import External Imag…Replace External Images
Choose GL Import External Images if…
You care most about active installs, download trend and reviews.
- Small user base (700+ active installs)
- No update in over a year
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.7 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Replace External Images if…
You care most about downloads (30 days), health score and last updated.
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
- Small user base (100+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
Both compete in: external images import
FAQ
GL Import External Images vs Replace External Images: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 13, 2026
Which is better, GL Import External Images or Replace External Images?
Replace External Images comes out ahead, winning 4 of 7 head-to-head checks against GL Import External Images. Choose GL Import External Images if you care most about active installs, download trend and reviews. Choose Replace External Images if you care most about downloads (30 days), health score and last updated.
Is GL Import External Images more popular than Replace External Images?
GL Import External Images is the more popular of the two with 700+ active installs, compared with 100+ for Replace External Images.
Can I use GL Import External Images and Replace External Images together?
Both plugins cover external images 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 GL Import External Images and Replace External Images 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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