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Customizer Export/Import

By Beaver Builder

Content Management / Document Management & Downloads

Reviewed by Abdul Hameid

Trusted WordPress expert with 20+ years of experience evaluating plugins for the WP ecosystem.

Customizer Export/Import Review - In-Depth Analysis

Easily export or import your WordPress customizer settings with this plugin. It simplifies the process of managing theme customizer settings.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.81/10

User Rating

4.8/5 (based on 115+ reviews)

Active Installations

100,000+

Update Frequency

Below Average It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

4.33 / 10 (Low Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

The Customizer Export/Import plugin allows you to export or import your WordPress customizer settings from directly within the customizer interface. If your theme makes use of the WordPress customizer for its settings, this plugin is for you.

Exporting customizer settings is easy. Click the export button from within the customizer and a file will automatically begin downloading with your settings. Export files are named after your theme and can only be used to import settings for the theme or child theme that they came from.

Importing customizer settings is just as easy. Choose the export file you would like to import, select whether you would like to download and import images, and finally, click the import button. Once your settings have been imported, the page will refresh and your new design will be displayed.

Comparing to Alternatives

Customizer Export/Import fills a narrow but useful niche: moving Customizer settings between installs. Most listed alternatives are theme-specific demo importers rather than direct competitors, so this plugin remains a fairly unique general-purpose tool in its space.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Simple, focused function that works across many themes rather than being locked to one
Fast export/import process that saves significant manual re-configuration time
Consistently high user satisfaction with minimal setup required
Lightweight compared to bulky demo-import suites

Weaknesses

Past vulnerabilities including an arbitrary file upload flaw give it a weaker security track record than some alternatives
No pro version means no dedicated support tier or advanced features beyond core export/import
Most alternatives are theme-bundled demo importers, so comparisons aren't always apples-to-apples

User Sentiment Analysis

With 115 ratings, the plugin holds a strong 4.8/5 average, with 94.8% of reviewers giving 5 stars and no 2 or 3-star ratings at all. The small 4.3% share of 1-star reviews suggests isolated issues rather than widespread dissatisfaction.

Positive highlights

"Exactly what we needed" with the latest theme and WP version, says Lobby13
"Works fine!" — a quick, satisfied endorsement from jaapmarcus
commarketinguniteck exported theme settings to a child theme in minutes, calling it a huge time saver
andreispirea says the plugin "probably saved a few hours of customization"
Apple.WP-Dev praises it working perfectly across every theme they've tried

Common complaints

Weaknesses

Three known vulnerabilities historically, including a medium-severity admin+ arbitrary file upload issue
No visible negative review commentary to diagnose recurring pain points, despite the 1-star share existing

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Ideal for developers and site owners who need to migrate or back up Customizer settings between themes or installs quickly, especially when switching to a child theme or replicating a setup across multiple sites.

Not ideal for

Not ideal for users who need advanced import features beyond Customizer data, or for security-conscious admins running outdated versions, given the plugin's history of admin-level vulnerabilities including file upload and object injection flaws — always ensure it's updated to the latest fixed release.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version provides full export and import functionality for Customizer settings, covering the plugin's entire core purpose at no cost.

Final Verdict

Customizer Export/Import earns its strong reputation through simplicity: it does one job — moving Customizer settings — and does it reliably across a wide range of themes, as reflected in its 4.8-star average and near-unanimous positive reviews. For users needing a quick, no-cost way to replicate theme settings, it remains a solid pick with no pro upsell friction.

However, its history of three vulnerabilities, including a medium-severity arbitrary file upload flaw patched only in 2024, is a legitimate caution for security-conscious site owners. As long as users keep the plugin updated, the practical benefits and consistently positive sentiment make it a reasonable choice, though those wary of past security issues may want to weigh alternatives or ensure strict update discipline.