How to Convert vs Zamzar
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
How to Convert is a file conversion app that runs entirely on the user's own device instead of uploading files to a server, wrapping tools like FFmpeg, ImageMagick, and Pandoc behind a simple drag-and-drop interface. It supports thousands of image, video, audio, document, and email conversions, plus batch processing, PDF compression, and image-to-SVG vectorization.
Zamzar is an online file conversion service that converts files between more than 1,200 formats across documents, images, audio, video, eBooks, CAD files, and archives, all without installing software. It also offers a desktop app and a developer API for automated conversions.
- Files never leave the device during conversion
- One-time price with no recurring subscription
- Very broad format coverage including niche conversions
- Batch processing built in
- Supports an unusually wide range of over 1,200 file formats
- No software installation required for basic web conversions
- Cloud storage integrations simplify importing files to convert
- Developer API available for teams needing automated conversion pipelines
- Desktop app requires a paid purchase after the single-file web demo
- Relies on underlying open-source tools being installed correctly
- Smaller company/support footprint as an independent project
- Free tier's 50MB upload limit is restrictive for large media files
- Converted files are only kept for 24 hours on the free plan
- Large or complex conversions can take noticeably longer than desktop-native tools
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Long-running video conversion tool supporting 1000+ formats with AI upscaling and compression.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataHow to Convert offers offline, one‑time‑price batch conversion with full privacy, while Zamzar provides a freemium online service with API and cloud integrations but limits on free usage.
Key differences
- •Conversion runs locally vs. in the cloud
- •Pricing model: one‑time purchase vs. freemium with limits
- •Batch processing built‑in offline vs. optional desktop app for Zamzar
- •File size and retention limits on Zamzar’s free tier
- •API availability only in Zamzar
Pricing & value
How to Convert is a single paid purchase; Zamzar’s free tier is limited and paid plans aren’t detailed.
Ease of use / learning curve
Zamzar works instantly in a browser; How to Convert requires installing a desktop app.
Features & depth
How to Convert supports thousands of formats and batch conversion offline; Zamzar’s online tier caps file size.
Integrations & ecosystem
Zamzar integrates with Box, Dropbox and offers a developer API; How to Convert has no API.
Security & privacy
How to Convert never uploads files; Zamzar processes files in the cloud and stores them for 24 hours.
Support
Both provide email support; neither specifies additional support tiers.
Choose How to Convert if…
Users needing offline, privacy‑focused batch conversion and willing to pay once.
Choose Zamzar if…
Users who prefer no installation, need cloud storage integration or API access, and can work within free‑tier limits.
Common questions
Can I convert large files for free?
No. Zamzar’s free tier caps uploads at 50 MB; How to Convert requires a paid purchase but has no size limit.
Do my files leave my computer during conversion?
How to Convert processes files locally; Zamzar uploads files to its cloud service.
Is there an API for automated conversions?
Yes, Zamzar offers an API; How to Convert does not provide an API.