# External Image Importer vs Smart Auto Upload Images

> External Image Importer vs Smart Auto Upload Images compared on installs, downloads, ratings, updates, compatibility and support. Smart Auto Upload Images comes out ahead, winning 4 of 6 head-to-head checks against External Image Importer.

**Smart Auto Upload Images comes out ahead, winning 4 of 6 head-to-head checks against External Image Importer.** Choose External Image Importer if you care most about download trend and last updated. Choose Smart Auto Upload Images if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.

| | External Image Importer – Import Remote Images to the Media Library | Smart Auto Upload Images – Import External Images |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 70+ | 5K+ ✅ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 178 | 1.3K ✅ |
| Download trend | +89.4% ✅ | -67.2% |
| Rating | — | 4.3/5 |
| Reviews | 0 | 6 ✅ |
| Health score | 68/100 | 81/100 ✅ |
| Last updated | 2 weeks ago ✅ | 2 months ago |
| Tested up to | WP 7.1.3 | WP 7.1.3 |
| Support resolved | — | 100% |
| Requires PHP | 7.4+ | 8.0+ |
| First released | Jul 2026 | Aug 2025 |

## Frequently asked questions

### Which is better, External Image Importer or Smart Auto Upload Images?
Smart Auto Upload Images comes out ahead, winning 4 of 6 head-to-head checks against External Image Importer. Choose External Image Importer if you care most about download trend and last updated. Choose Smart Auto Upload Images if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.

### Is External Image Importer more popular than Smart Auto Upload Images?
Smart Auto Upload Images is the more popular of the two with 5K+ active installs, compared with 70+ for External Image Importer.

### Can I use External Image Importer and Smart Auto Upload Images together?
Both plugins cover external images, import images and media library, 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 External Image Importer and Smart Auto Upload 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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Source: live WordPress.org data · HTML version: https://pageforge.pro/directory/compare/nerdcow-external-image-importer-vs-smart-auto-upload-images/ · Generated 2026-10-14 09:44 UTC by PageForge