IG Follower Exporter vs Exporter for Followers (2026 Comparison)
Quick Comparison Table
Here is a side-by-side look at the two most popular Instagram follower export extensions on Chrome Web Store. Every number below comes from the current version of each tool as of April 2026.
| Feature | IG Follower Exporter | Exporter for Followers |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.9/mo or $29/year | ~$20/mo (60 USDT / 3 months) |
| Payment method | Credit card (Stripe) | USDT cryptocurrency only |
| Free plan limit | 600 followers | 550 followers |
| Data fields (Pro) | 24 (incl. email, phone, bio) | 14 |
| Checkpoint & resume | Yes | No |
| Excel export | Yes (Pro) | No (CSV only) |
| Progress feedback | Real-time progress bar | No visible progress |
| Rate limit handling | 3-level adaptive with countdown | Basic pause |
| Data processing | 100% local (browser only) | Local |
The short version: IG Follower Exporter is 5x cheaper, accepts credit cards, exports 10 more data fields, and has checkpoint resume. Both tools process data locally in your browser, so your Instagram data never leaves your computer.
Detailed Breakdown
Price and Payment
Exporter for Followers charges 60 USDT for a 3-month license, which works out to about $20 per month. The only way to pay is with USDT cryptocurrency. If you do not already hold USDT, you need to set up a crypto wallet, buy USDT on an exchange, and transfer it. That is a significant barrier for most users.
IG Follower Exporter costs $3.9 per month or $29 per year (about $2.42/month on the annual plan). You pay with a regular credit or debit card through Stripe. No crypto wallet needed. The annual plan saves you 38% compared to paying monthly.
On a yearly basis, you would spend roughly $240 on Exporter for Followers versus $29 on IG Follower Exporter. That is an 8x difference for the annual plan.
Data Fields and Export Formats
Exporter for Followers exports 14 fields per follower in CSV format. That covers the basics: username, full name, profile URL, follower count, following count, bio, and a few more.
IG Follower Exporter exports 24 fields in Detailed mode. In addition to everything Exporter for Followers provides, you also get email address, phone number, WhatsApp contact, business category, city, external URL, and several other profile attributes. If you are doing influencer outreach or lead generation, those extra fields save you from having to manually visit each profile.
IG Follower Exporter also supports Excel (.xlsx) export on the Pro plan. Exporter for Followers only outputs CSV files. Excel export matters if you work with large datasets or need to share formatted spreadsheets with your team.
User Experience: Progress and Checkpoint
When you export a large account (say, 50,000 followers), the process can take hours in Detailed mode because of Instagram's rate limits. During that time, you want to know what is happening.
IG Follower Exporter shows a real-time progress bar with the current count, total estimate, and a countdown timer when rate-limited. You can see exactly how far along the export is and how long the current pause will last.
Exporter for Followers does not show progress during the export. You click start and wait. There is no indication of how many records have been collected or how much time remains.
The checkpoint feature in IG Follower Exporter is a major advantage for large exports. If your browser crashes, your laptop runs out of battery, or you simply need to close the tab, the export picks up where it left off. Exporter for Followers starts over from the beginning if the export is interrupted.
When to Choose Each Tool
Choose Exporter for Followers if:
- You already hold USDT and are comfortable paying with cryptocurrency
- You only need the basic 14 data fields and CSV format is enough
- You are already familiar with the tool and your workflow depends on it
- You only export small accounts (under 1,000 followers) where checkpoint resume is not critical
Choose IG Follower Exporter if:
- You want to pay with a credit card instead of cryptocurrency
- You need more data fields (email, phone, WhatsApp, business category)
- You export large accounts and need checkpoint resume so you do not lose progress
- You want Excel export for formatted spreadsheets
- You want to see real-time progress during long exports
- You want a lower price ($3.9/mo vs ~$20/mo)
For most users, IG Follower Exporter is the better choice. It costs less, accepts standard payment methods, provides more data, and handles large exports more reliably.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from Exporter for Followers to IG Follower Exporter?
Yes. Install IG Follower Exporter from the Chrome Web Store, go to any Instagram profile, and start exporting. There is no data migration needed because both tools export fresh data directly from Instagram. Your existing CSV files from Exporter for Followers will still work in any spreadsheet app.
Which one has better rate limiting?
IG Follower Exporter uses a 3-level adaptive rate limiter with a visible countdown timer. It automatically slows down when approaching Instagram's API limits, then gradually speeds back up when it is safe. Exporter for Followers uses basic pause-based rate limiting without visible feedback. The adaptive approach reduces the chance of hitting Instagram's rate limit walls and getting temporarily blocked.
Is IG Follower Exporter really free?
Yes, the free plan is fully functional. You can export up to 600 followers or following per session in Quick mode, which includes username, full name, profile URL, verified status, and private status. No credit card required to use the free plan. Pro ($3.9/month or $29/year) unlocks unlimited exports, Detailed mode with 24 data fields, and Excel export.
Which tool accepts credit cards?
IG Follower Exporter accepts credit and debit cards through Stripe. Exporter for Followers only accepts USDT cryptocurrency. If you prefer paying with a regular credit card, IG Follower Exporter is the only option between these two tools.
What is a good alternative to Exporter for Followers?
IG Follower Exporter is a direct alternative that costs $3.9/month compared to roughly $20/month. It accepts credit card payments, exports 24 data fields (versus 14), supports Excel format, and includes checkpoint resume for large exports. The free plan allows 600 followers per session. Read our full guide on exporting Instagram followers for more options including manual methods and API tools.