Quick Summary
WP All Import is a WooCommerce plugin that imports and exports product data. Drag-and-drop mapping handles CSV, XML, Excel, and Google Sheets, with inline PHP for any field. Single CSV imports run as fast as WooCommerce's free built-in tool.
Plugin comparison across price, formats, and variable products.
| Plugin | Primary Feature / Price | Key Limitation | Ideal Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| WP All Import | CSV, XML, Excel, Google Sheets; $169/yr | No rollback for failed imports | Any store size, ACF, WPML |
| Built-in Tool | CSV only, free since WooCommerce 3.1 | No scheduling or remote files | One-time imports |
| Product CSV Import Suite | $59/yr, first-party WooCommerce extension | 2.8/5 rating, variable issues | Extension compatibility |
| WebToffee Plugin | CSV, XML, TSV, Excel, Google Sheets; $69/yr | No drag-and-drop or inline PHP | Scheduled FTP/SFTP feeds |
- WP All Import maps variable products through four linking methods: parent SKU, parent ID, group ID, and XML child elements.
- WooCommerce 9.9 added selective product export to the built-in tool. WooCommerce will phase out Product CSV Import Suite into core, per its documentation.
Moving product data into or out of WooCommerce at scale?
WooCommerce store owners have a handful of credible options for importing and exporting products. Different plugins take a different approach to the same problem, and everything depends on what your catalog actually looks like and how often you need to move data.
In this guide, we'll break down the four plugins that consistently handle WooCommerce product import and export for stores ranging from small catalogs to enterprise-scale operations, what each one does well, where each one falls short, and how to decide which fits your store.
📑 Table of Contents
What Makes a Good WooCommerce Product Import and Export Plugin
A plugin that handles WooCommerce product import and export should cover the basics, including support for simple, variable, grouped, and external products, plus images, attributes, categories, and tags. The plugins that rise above the rest share a few additional traits:
- Multiple file formats. CSV alone is rarely enough. XML, Excel, and Google Sheets cover the rest of the realistic catalog sources.
- Reliable variable product handling. Variations are the most common point of failure in product imports. A plugin that flattens variations into simple products is not a real plugin.
- Custom field compatibility. Stores running ACF, WPML, Meta Box, JetEngine, or Yoast SEO need their custom fields to for imports and exports.
- Update without duplicates. A good plugin lets you update existing products by SKU or ID without creating duplicates.
- Filtering on export. The ability to export only specific products, not the entire catalog, is essential for any store past a few hundred SKUs.
- Scheduling. Recurring imports from supplier feeds automate work that is otherwise manual.
- A clear interface. Whether the plugin uses drag-and-drop or dropdowns, the workflow should be predictable and the documentation should be complete.
With those criteria in mind, here are the four plugins that consistently deliver for WooCommerce stores.
1. WP All Import
WP All Import is the most popular WooCommerce product import and export plugin in the WordPress ecosystem. It has been available since 2011 and runs on 200,000+ active websites.
The plugin handles every standard WooCommerce product type, including simple, variable, grouped, external/affiliate, subscription, and downloadable products. Variable products are handled through four linking methods (parent SKU, parent ID, group ID, and XML child elements), which means your import file does not need to match a rigid format. The drag-and-drop interface is the only major visual mapping screen in this category, and it appears on both the import and export sides.
WP All Import supports CSV, XML, Excel, and Google Sheets, plus inline PHP transformations for any field and XPath expressions for complex XML feeds. The premium version is sold as a lifetime license with unlimited site activations, a 90-day money-back guarantee, and world-class support.
Pros
- Drag-and-drop interface, the most intuitive visual mapping screen in this category
- All four file formats supported: CSV, XML, Excel, and Google Sheets
- Inline PHP transformations for any field, a feature no other premium plugin in this space ships
- XPath support for complex XML feeds with nested nodes
- Variable products handled reliably through four linking methods
- Bulk update with selective fields, no duplicate-product problem
- Import from URL, FTP, or SFTP, plus scheduled imports through WordPress cron or a paid scheduling service
- Officially supported add-ons for ACF, Meta Box, JetEngine, Gravity Forms, Yoast SEO, and WPML
- Preview before import and re-runnable templates
Cons
- Steeper learning curve than simpler tools, especially around XPath and the Variations tab
- No built-in rollback for failed imports, though the preview screen catches most problems before they hit
Reviews
- WordPress.org: 4.7 out of 5 across 1,960 reviews
- 1,500+ five-star ratings on WordPress.org
Price
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| WooCommerce Import Package | $169 per year |
| Import + Export Pro Package | $299 per year |
| Ultimate Lifetime Package | $1,299 one-time payment |
Recommended For
Stores of any size that need reliable WooCommerce product import and export, from a one-time CSV migration to scheduled supplier syncs. Particularly strong for variable product catalogs, custom field mapping, and stores that rely on third-party plugins like ACF, WPML, or Yoast SEO. The drag-and-drop interface and auto-detect step make it efficient for simple imports, while the PHP editor and XPath support handle the complex cases that other plugins cannot.
For a complete review, see our Why WP All Import Remains the Top Plugin for WooCommerce Product Import & Export breakdown.
2. WooCommerce Product CSV Importer and Exporter
The WooCommerce Product CSV Importer and Exporter is the built-in CSV tool that ships with WooCommerce core since version 3.1. It is not a separate plugin and does not require an additional purchase or installation. Every store running WooCommerce has access to it from the moment the plugin is activated.
You can navigate to the importer and exporter from Products > All Products in your WordPress admin. Two buttons sit at the top of that screen: Import and Export. When you click on either of them, it launches a multi-step wizard that walks you through uploading a CSV, mapping columns, and running the import or export.
The tool handles simple, variable, grouped, external, virtual, and downloadable products, plus custom meta through the meta: column prefix. For a store doing one catalog migration or occasional bulk updates, it does the job competently without any extra cost.
Pros
- Free and built into WooCommerce core, no installation, no license, no renewal
- Officially maintained by the WooCommerce team, so core compatibility is guaranteed
- All standard WooCommerce product types supported, including variable products with variations
- Custom meta and custom taxonomies supported through the
meta:prefix - Migration-friendly, exported CSVs match the importer's expected schema
- Selective export of specific products (added in WooCommerce 9.9)
Cons
- CSV only, no XML, Excel, or Google Sheets support
- No scheduled or recurring imports, every import must be triggered manually
- No remote file sources, upload from computer or local server path only
- No update-only mode, every import combines create and update
- Variable products are unforgiving, strict CSV row ordering required
- Shallow custom field support, scalar text meta only
- No drag-and-drop mapping, dropdown-based column mapping
- Minimal error reporting on failed imports
Reviews
As a built-in feature, the WooCommerce CSV Importer and Exporter does not have its own review listing. Sentiment in the WooCommerce community forums and GitHub issues is mixed, with variable product behavior being the most common complaint.
Price
Free. The tool ships with WooCommerce core.
Recommended For
Stores with simple to moderately complex catalogs of standard WooCommerce product types doing one-time migrations, occasional bulk updates, or basic backup exports. Less suitable for stores that need scheduling, remote file sources, complex third-party plugin data, or variable product catalogs at scale.
For a complete review, see our WooCommerce Product CSV Importer and Exporter: Our Complete Review breakdown.
3. WooCommerce Product CSV Import Suite
The WooCommerce Product CSV Import Suite is a premium extension sold on the WooCommerce.com marketplace. It is built and maintained by the WooCommerce team, the same team behind Automattic.
The Suite adds deep custom field and custom taxonomy support to the built-in importer, plus officially tested compatibility with a specific list of WooCommerce extensions: Subscriptions, Composite Products, Min/Max Quantities, Brands, Pre-Orders, Product Vendors, Deposits, Box Office, and Gift Cards. Variable products require a two-step workflow: import the parent products first, then import the variations as a separate CSV.
The Suite has been available since 2012 and is sold as a 1-year subscription with a 30-day money-back guarantee. WooCommerce's own documentation notes that "in the long term, this extension will be phased out and its features and functionality included directly in WooCommerce."
Pros
- Officially built and supported by the WooCommerce team
- Extensive official extension support (Subscriptions, Composite Products, Brands, Product Vendors, and more)
- Custom field and custom taxonomy coverage through the
meta:andtax:column prefixes - Bulk delete tools under WooCommerce > Status > Tools
- Export controls with limit and offset options
- Merge mode for updating existing products by ID or SKU
- Hidden meta export with extension-specific fields
Cons
- CSV only, no XML, Excel, or Google Sheets
- No scheduled imports, every import must be triggered manually
- No remote file sources, upload from computer only
- Variable product workflow is split between parent and variations CSVs
- Variable product issues are well documented, including the "Used for variations" flag not being set automatically
- 2.8 out of 5 marketplace rating, the lowest of the four tools in this cluster
- No drag-and-drop mapping, dropdown-based
- Limited third-party coverage, specific list of officially supported extensions
- Serialized data handled awkwardly, exported as JSON for editing
- Subscription records not importable, only subscription products
- No update-only mode
Reviews
- WooCommerce.com marketplace: 2.8 out of 5 across 12 reviews
- The recurring complaint is variable product behavior, with variations importing as simple products in some setups
Price
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 1-year plan | $59 per year |
| 2-year plan | $94.40 every 2 years |
Recommended For
Stores that need first-party compatibility with the WooCommerce team's officially supported extension list, particularly Subscriptions, Brands, and Product Vendors. Stores doing one-time catalog migrations or occasional bulk updates through CSV. Less suitable for stores that need scheduling, remote file imports, or reliable variable product handling at scale.
For a complete review, see Our Close Look at the WooCommerce Product CSV Import Suite breakdown.
4. WebToffee's Product Import Export Plugin for WooCommerce
WebToffee's Product Import Export Plugin for WooCommerce is an extension from an established WooCommerce plugin developer. The plugin supports every standard WooCommerce product type, handles five file formats, runs scheduled imports and exports through FTP and SFTP, and ships with advanced filtering and a column mapping screen.
The plugin is sold as an annual subscription with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Five file formats supported: CSV, XML, TSV, Excel, and Google Sheets
- Scheduled imports and exports via FTP/SFTP with email alerts
- All standard WooCommerce product types, including variable, subscription, downloadable, and composite
- Advanced export filtering with more than a dozen criteria
- Bulk update with evaluation rules for mathematical transformations
- Image ZIP export for migrating to new servers
- Pre-saved templates for recurring workflows
- ChatGPT description generation for missing product descriptions
Cons
- WPML support is limited to simple products
- Subscription records are not importable, only subscription products
- No drag-and-drop mapping interface, dropdown-based
- No inline PHP transformations
- No XPath support for complex XML
- No rollback for failed imports
- Composite Products support is limited
- Variable product handling is less robust than WP All Import
- Separate plugins required for orders, customers, and coupons
- Annual license, not lifetime
- No live Google Sheets sync
Reviews
- Trustpilot (WebToffee company): 4.5 to 4.8 out of 5 across 1,000+ reviews
- WordPress.org (free version): 4.6 out of 5 across 410+ reviews
Price
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Single site | $69 per year |
| Up to 5 sites | $129 per year |
| Up to 25 sites | $249 per year |
Recommended For
Stores that need scheduled FTP or SFTP imports from a supplier feed, work with multiple file formats including Google Sheets, and want a polished interface backed by a strong support team. Less suitable for stores that need multilingual imports beyond simple products, drag-and-drop visual mapping, or a lifetime license.
For a complete review, see our WebToffee's Product Import Export Plugin for WooCommerce: Is It Worth It? breakdown.
Side-by-Side Comparison - WooCommerce Product Import and Export
| Feature | WP All Import | Built-in WooCommerce Tool | Product CSV Import Suite | WebToffee Plugin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $169/yr or $1,299 lifetime | Free | $59/yr | $69-$249/yr |
| File formats | CSV, XML, Excel, Google Sheets | CSV only | CSV only | CSV, XML, TSV, Excel, Google Sheets |
| Variable products | Full support, four linking methods | Supported with strict CSV format | Supported, two-step workflow | Supported |
| Scheduled imports | Yes (cron + paid service) | No | No | Yes |
| Update only mode | Yes | No | Merge mode | Yes |
| Drag-and-drop mapping | Yes | No | No | No |
| Inline PHP | Yes | No | No | No |
| XPath for XML | Yes | No | No | No |
| Custom fields | ACF, Meta Box, JetEngine, WPML, Yoast | Scalar meta only | Scalar meta + WooCommerce extensions | ACF, Yoast, limited |
| Bulk delete tools | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| WordPress.org rating | 4.7/5 (1,960 reviews) | N/A | 2.8/5 (12 reviews) | 4.6/5 (410+ reviews on free version) |
Final Thoughts - WooCommerce Product Import and Export
Picking the right WooCommerce product import and export plugin comes down to what your store actually needs. The built-in tool is free and sufficient for one-time imports of simple catalogs. The Product CSV Import Suite is the right choice if you need first-party support for a specific list of WooCommerce extensions and are comfortable with CSV and the two-step variable product workflow. WebToffee's plugin is a solid pick for stores that need scheduled FTP/SFTP jobs and a polished interface.
For stores that need a plugin that handles both simple and complex cases, WP All Import is the most capable tool in this space. The drag-and-drop interface makes a single CSV import as fast as it is with the built-in tool, and the auto-detect step handles straightforward catalogs without any custom mapping. The PHP function editor and XPath support are what set it apart for stores that eventually need to handle supplier feeds, custom fields, or variable products at scale. The variable product ratings in WordPress.org reviews back this up over nearly 2,000 user reports.
The cost equation is worth being honest about. The $169 WooCommerce Import Package is more expensive than WebToffee's $69 starting tier. The lifetime license changes that calculation. For any store that will be importing or exporting products for more than two years, the lifetime license is cheaper. For any agency managing multiple stores, the unlimited site activations make it dramatically cheaper than per-site pricing.
The choice depends on what you are optimizing for. If your catalog is small and you will only ever import once, the free built-in tool is enough. If your catalog is large, variable, or has any custom field complexity, WP All Import is the most capable tool for the job and earns its position at the top of this list.
Frequently Asked Questions - WooCommerce Product Import and Export
What is the best import/export plugin for WooCommerce?
WP All Import and WP All Export are the best import/export plugins for WooCommerce, built specifically for moving WooCommerce product data in both directions. WP All Import handles bringing products in, and WP All Export handles pulling them out, both through the same Drag & Drop field-mapping interface. They cover simple products, variable products, images, attributes, categories, custom fields, and everything else in between.
How do I export all Products from WooCommerce?
You can export all products from WooCommerce with WP All Export. The steps are as follows:
Go to All Export → New Export
Select WooCommerce Products as the post type
Leave filtering blank to capture the entire catalog
Select fields in the Drag & Drop screen
Choose CSV, Excel, or XML as the export file type, click Confirm & Run Export, then download the file as CSV, XML, or Excel
Can WooCommerce import variable products?
WP All Import, the built-in importer, and Product Export and Import for WooCommerce all support variable products and their variations. WP All Import adds explicit parent-child configuration rules and a visual mapping interface for more complex catalogs.
How to import products with images in WooCommerce
You can import products with images in WooCommerce using WP All Import. After setting up a WooCommerce Products import, map product image data in the Images section of the Drag & Drop screen, after the Title & Description and WooCommerce Add-On sections. Images can be sourced by downloading from a URL, matching a filename in the Media Library, or matching a filename in the wpallimport files folder. All three options are included in that section.
