Looking for the best WordPress import export plugins?
An import/export WordPress plugin lets you conveniently move your website to a new domain, server, or hosting service.
Apart from site migration, it also allows you to safely store your site data and create a backup locally on your PC or remotely on a cloud server.
As a result, every site should have a reliable importer plugin.
And it is no different for us here at IsItWP. Since we always add content, update it, and sometimes change the site layout, we have used and tested several export import plugins to find what works best for us.
As a result, we have created this list of the best exporter and importer plugins based on our experience. We looked at how the plugins meet everyday business needs, including customization, performance, reliability, updates, and support.
This helped us provide first-hand information about the features, pricing, pros, and cons of each tool. Just to be extra thorough, we also went through other unbiased third-party plugin review websites to ensure we did not miss anything.
But we understand that investing in an all import export WordPress plugin can be expensive, especially if you are just starting your business and looking to test them first.
So, in this article, we’ll share some of the best WordPress import export plugins available for free. If you are looking for even more migration and backup functionalities, don’t worry; we will also break down the pricing for each plugin.
Importance of Import Export Plugins
There are many ways you can import or export your site. For example, you can do it manually through your phpMyAdmin panel. You can also use an FTP client application to download your WordPress files.
But, with this manual process, you need a high level of coding experience. On top of this, you must download and store the files separately. So you will save the wp-content folder, themes files, and plugin files individually on your PC.
This can be overwhelming and confusing, making migration and restoration harder.
Alternatively, you can import/export your site through your host. Some have a backup/restore feature, which makes the process simple. But, if your hosting provider does not have this feature, you will need to contact them directly and have them sort it out for you.
As you can imagine, this can take time. Plus, most hosting providers can only provide recent backups, meaning you do not have an all import export solution.
That is where an importer plugin comes in!
Import tools don’t just let you import your WordPress files. They allow you to import content from different content management systems (CMS) to your WordPress website. On top of this, you can also export and import themes, plugins, and any other data.
The export tool creates an XML file for your WordPress posts, pages, comments, feeds, and media files. You can download this XML file on your computer and import it to another WordPress site to use the data.
Here are other reasons to consider all import/export plugins.
- Effortless Data Migration: They allow you to quickly transfer large files or large amounts of data. As a result, they ensure smooth transitions when changing WordPress themes or building a staging site.
- Advanced Backup and Restore: Exporting your data creates a backup, ensuring you can restore your site to a previous state. Some support scheduled backups, keeping your site safe regularly.
- Bulk Editing and Updates: These tools export your data in CSV or XML format, making bulk edits offline easy. So, after modifying the content, like product pricing, user details, or post metadata, you can quickly import it back into WordPress.
- Multi-Site Management: For WordPress multisite networks, managing and sharing data across different sites can be complex. Import Export plugins simplify the process by enabling you to transfer content between sites efficiently.
- Easy Data Integration: These migration tools allow you to Integrate data from third-party sources easily. For example, importing customer lists or exporting analytics for reports becomes straightforward.
Most importantly, it improves productivity by automating repetitive tasks. This gives you the time to focus on your actual business.
The Best WordPress Import Export Plugins
Now that you have a better understanding of the importance of import export WordPress tools, you’ll find the top free WordPress import export plugins below. Each plugin can offer different features to import and export your content between WordPress sites.
But if you are in a hurry or want to compare the tools side by side, check out this table below. If you want to skip to any tool in the list, simply select the name of the plugin in the table below.
Name | Key Feature | Free Plugin? | Price |
🥇 Duplicator | Easy backup and migration | ✔️ | Starting from $49.50/ year |
🥈 Customizer Export / Import | Copy theme customizer settings | ✔️ | Free |
🥉 Widget Importer & Exporter | Widget migration and backup | ✔️ | Free |
4. Import Shopify to WP | Easy Shopify to WordPress migration | ✔️ | Free |
5. WP All Import | Quick content migration from any CMS | ✔️ | Starting from $199 /year |
6. Import and Export Users With Meta | Allows user and metadata transfer | ✔️ | Premium addon at $49.99 / year |
7. Export All URLs | Complete URL export tool | ✔️ | Free |
8. Ultimate CSV Importer | Flexible CSV and XML import | ✔️ | Starting from $149 |
9. Export Media With Selected Content | Complete media inclusion in exports | ✔️ | Free |
Now, let’s look at each import export plugin in detail. Let’s get started.
1. Duplicator
Duplicator is hands-down the best import export plugin for WordPress. It can help you import data to any website, cloud storage, or local computer.
The plugin is so easy to use. You simply need to install it on your site and create a package of the data you want to export.
Then Duplicator will create a single archive file for you that you can download or send to storage options like Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Amazon S3 and FTP/SFTP. So, you can use this plugin to backup as well as migrate your website to any new location.
Another great use of this plugin is if you want to set up multiple sites with the same themes and plugins. You can create a pre-configured bundle once and use it across multiple sites as many times as you like.
You won’t have to worry about importing and exporting SQL scripts. None of that.
What we love about Duplicator is that there’s tons of documentation and tutorials to help you every step of the way.
We must also mention that Duplicator is a free WordPress plugin. They also have a pro version with advanced features and functionality like scheduled backups, smart migration wizard, file encryption, and server to server imports.
If you are unsure if this exporter plugin is right for you, check out this comparison article on Duplicator Vs. UpdraftPlus Vs. BackupBuddy.
Key Features of the Duplicator Plugin:
- Effortless Backup Creation: Create complete site backups, bundling files, themes, plugins, and databases into one manageable archive.
- Flexible Backup Options: Customize backups by including or excluding specific files, folders, or plugins for a tailored approach.
- One-Click Restore: Restore your site in minutes with minimal downtime, perfect for quick recovery or rollbacks.
- Smart Migration Tools: Seamlessly migrate sites between domains, hosts, or directories with drag-and-drop simplicity.
- Cloud Storage Integration: Store backups securely on Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon S3, OneDrive, or FTP.
- Disaster Recovery Mode: Quickly recover your site using a restore file URL or Recovery Launcher setup.
- Scheduled Backups: Automate backups with flexible scheduling to ensure your latest updates are always protected.
- Multisite and Large Site Support: Manage and migrate large sites or multisite networks effortlessly.
- Built-in Search and Replace: Automatically update URLs and paths during migration to prevent broken links.
- Advanced Import Options: Upload large archive files with adjustable chunk sizes or import directly via URLs.
Check out the latest Duplicator review here.
Get started with Duplicator here.
Pricing: Forever free version available. Starting from $49.50/ year.
2. Customizer Export / Import
Customizer Export/Import is a free WordPress import export plugin. It lets you export your WordPress customizer settings so that you can replicate the same theme options on another website.
After activating this plugin, it will add an export button on your theme’s customizer page. Click on the export button, and it’ll download the settings on your computer as a file.
To import the settings file, you need to install this plugin on your other WordPress site. It’ll ask if you want to download and import images from the other site as well. Select your options and import the WordPress customizer settings easily.
Key Features of Customizer Export/Import:
- Export Customizer Settings: Easily export your WordPress theme’s customizer settings to replicate design options on other sites.
- Simple Import Process: Import settings to another site with options to include images from the original setup.
- One-Click Export Button: Adds an export button in the customizer for quick downloads of configuration files.
- Cross-Site Compatibility: Ensures theme consistency across multiple WordPress installations.
Get started with Customizer Export/Import here.
Pricing: Free
3. Widget Importer & Exporter
Widget Importer & Exporter is a premium-like free and popular WordPress import export plugin on the market. It’s built specifically to import/export widgets between your WordPress sites.
You can also use this plugin to back up your widgets. The plugin allows you to create an export file of your currently active widgets with just a click. You’ll get a file in JSON format with a .wie extension.
When it comes to importing widgets, the plugin won’t duplicate widgets, it won’t import widgets that aren’t compatible with your theme, and it keeps the widgets inactive for where widget areas aren’t available in your current theme.
Key features of Widget Importer & Exporter:
- Widget Backup: Export active widgets into a JSON file with a single click.
- Effortless Import: Reimport widgets without duplications or conflicts with incompatible themes.
- Non-Intrusive Handling: Keeps unused widgets inactive if widget areas are unavailable in the new theme.
- Cross-Theme Support: Seamlessly transfer widgets between different WordPress themes.
Get started with Widget Importer & Exporter here.
Pricing: Free
4. Import Shopify to WP
Import Shopify to WP is the best plugin to use if you want to switch from Shopify to WordPress.
Shopify does not have an easy way to export data that’s in a file format supported by WordPress. You may be able to export your Shopify website, but you won’t be able to import it to WordPress.
This plugin works like a charm and will make the migration process seamless.
Follow our guide for detailed steps: How to Move from Shopify to WooCommerce (The Right WAY!).
Key features of Import Shopify to WP:
- Shopify to WordPress Migration: Simplifies moving from Shopify to WordPress seamlessly.
- File Conversion Support: Bridges the gap between Shopify’s export formats and WordPress requirements.
- eCommerce Data Migration: Handles orders, products, and customer details efficiently.
- Step-by-Step Process: Guides users through migration with user-friendly tools.
Get started with Import Shopify to WP here.
Pricing: Free
5. WP All Import
WP All Import is a free WP import export plugin. It allows you to migrate your complete site from any popular CMS to WordPress.
In other words, this plugin can help import the content to your WordPress website easily.
It supports XML or CSV file format to import the content in WordPress. If you can handle a basic Excel file, you’ll have no problem with these formats. It’s also easy to use the drag and drop interface to move your site.
This plugin is compatible with a companion plugin to export your WordPress content, including posts, WooCommerce products, orders, users, and anything you’d like. You can use this export file to duplicate your site on a local server or a live WordPress website.
There are addons you can use for more features like ACF (advanced custom fields), link cloak, WooCommerce product types, and user imports.
Key features of WP All Import:
- Comprehensive Site Import: Import content from XML or CSV files to WordPress, including posts, WooCommerce products, and more.
- Drag-and-Drop Interface: Simplifies mapping and organizing data during the import process.
- Export Companion Plugin: Supports seamless exports for duplicating or migrating sites.
- Add-On Flexibility: Extend functionality with ACF, WooCommerce, and user import add-ons.
Get started with WP All Import here.
Pricing: Starting from $199 /year.
6. Import and Export Users With Meta
Import and Export Users With Meta is another free WordPress import export plugin. It lets you import users and customers along with their metadata from a CSV file to your WordPress site or a WooCommerce store.
After importing users, you can also assign roles and filter by role or registered date. If a user is already there, it automatically updates the user information.
The plugin also lets you export WordPress users in a CSV file to use on other sites. It integrates with popular WordPress membership plugins to import and export members between WordPress sites.
The plugin is WPML compatible so you can translate the frontend pages as well as any email notifications sent to users.
Key features of Import and Export Users With Meta:
- User Metadata Management: Import/export user data, including metadata, using CSV files.
- Role Assignment: Filter and automatically assign user roles or update existing user information.
- Membership Integration: Compatible with membership plugins for seamless member transfers.
- Multilingual Support: WPML compatibility ensures translated frontend and email notifications.
- WooCommerce-Ready: Streamlines importing/exporting WooCommerce customer data.
Get started with Import and Export Users With Meta here.
Pricing: Premium addon at $49.99 / year.
7. Export All URLs
Export All URLs is a simple and free WordPress import and export plugin. It’s useful to check all the URLs of your website, handle 301 redirects using htaccess, audit website security, migrate the website, and more.
It also helps check how many posts and pages are published on your site. You can export URLs in a CSV file. Then simply download the export file to your computer to use later. This is also helpful to migrate your website any time you want. You simply need to import the file to your new site.
Key features of Export All URLs:
- URL Export: Create a CSV file of all site URLs for migration or auditing purposes.
- 301 Redirect Support: Manage redirects and ensure smooth transitions during migrations.
- Site Content Overview: Track the number of posts, pages, and custom content types on your site.
- Migration Tool: Simplifies site migration with easy URL handling and file import options.
Get started with Export All URLs here.
Pricing: Free
8. Ultimate CSV Importer
Ultimate CSV Importer by Smackcoders is a free WordPress import and export plugin. It’s a 1-stop solution to import WordPress data using a CSV or XML file.
The plugin makes it easy to import this file from your desktop, FTP, host server, specific file, or any other location. It also supports other file formats.
You can import blog posts, pages, and media. It also supports custom post types, WordPress custom fields, comments, reviews, and taxonomies.
Ultimate CSV Importer is flexible and requires no coding skills to work with. This plugin supports many WordPress plugins, including All in One SEO, bbPress, Yoast, WP Job Manager, and more. It even supports WooCommerce import so you can be sure all your eCommerce data is transferred.
Key features of Ultimate CSV Importer:
- Broad Data Import: Supports importing posts, pages, media, comments, and custom fields via CSV or XML.
- WooCommerce Ready: Handles eCommerce imports, including products, orders, and reviews.
- File Source Flexibility: Import from desktop, FTP, or external servers seamlessly.
- Plugin Compatibility: Integrates with plugins like Yoast, All in One SEO, and bbPress.
Get started with Ultimate CSV Importer here.
Pricing: Starting from $149.
9. Export Media With Selected Content
Export Media With Selected Content is a free addon to the WordPress export feature. By default, when you export your WordPress content, it doesn’t include the media files and images.
This plugin will also add an option to the WordPress export settings. If you check the option, it’ll find featured images and include media attachments of your posts in the export file.
Key features on Export Media With Selected Content:
- Enhanced Export Functionality: Includes media files and featured images in WordPress exports.
- Selective Media Inclusion: Optionally add media attachments related to exported posts or pages.
- Simple Integration: Adds an export option to WordPress settings for easy media handling.
- Improves Migration: Ensures a complete transfer of content and media between sites.
Get started with Export Media With Selected Content.
Pricing: Free
We hope this article has helped you find the best WordPress import export plugins for your website. If you have any more questions check out the commonly asked questions below.
FAQs: 7+ Best WordPress Import Export Plugins (Free)
Which is the best free importer plugin?
The Duplicator plugin is the best free importer tool for WordPress. It simplifies creating site backups, migrating sites to a new server, or cloning your website. With a step-by-step wizard, you can package your entire WordPress site into a single archive file. This backup includes content, videos, images, databases, themes, and plugins. This file can then be imported to another WordPress installation without any compatibility issues. This makes Duplicator the best choice for both beginners and advanced users looking for a reliable, cost-free import solution.
Can I import or export my site without a plugin?
Yes, you can import or export your WordPress site without a plugin using the built-in tools. For exporting, WordPress provides a simple option under Tools > Export. This lets you download a file containing your posts, pages, comments, and more. For importing, you can use the Tools > Import section, which supports specific file formats like WordPress XML files. But, this method does not include media files, themes, or plugins. So, for more comprehensive imports or exports, you should use an exporter plugin like Duplicator.
Which is the best all import export plugin?
The Duplicator plugin is the best all-in-one import/export plugin for WordPress. It allows you to back up your entire website in a single package, including themes, plugins, databases, and media. This package can be easily imported to any WordPress site, ensuring a seamless migration process without data loss. Its all-in-one capability makes it a perfect tool for duplicating, migrating, or staging websites.
What is the best CSV importer plugin for WordPress?
WP All Import is a top choice for importing CSV files into WordPress. Using its simple drag-and-drop interface, it supports importing content like posts, pages, WooCommerce products, and custom fields. This migration plugin excels in handling large and complex datasets, offering flexibility in mapping CSV fields to WordPress elements without requiring any coding.
Congratulations! You can now choose the best import export plugin for your business. Check out this article to learn how to migrate your website from any CMS to WordPress.
Apart from that, here are other articles you may be interested in reading.
- How to Make a Website from Scratch
- The Complete WordPress Security Guide (Beginner Friendly)
- How to Transfer WordPress from Local Server to a Live Site (Step by Step)
The first article will teach you how to make a website from scratch. The next post is a complete WordPress security guide. While the last article shows you how to transfer WordPress from a local server to a live site step by step.
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