FileDial vs CloudConvert
By Himanshu Ranjan · Updated 8 November 2026
CloudConvert is a cloud conversion service for 200+ formats, used in the browser or through an API, with 10 free credits a day and paid credit packages or subscriptions; files are processed on its servers and deleted after processing. FileDial converts on your Mac with 525 tools and no upload, for $20 once. Choose CloudConvert for APIs and any OS, FileDial for offline privacy.
At a glance
| FileDial | CloudConvert | |
|---|---|---|
| Where files are processed | On your Mac, files are never uploaded | CloudConvert servers in a chosen region |
| Retention | Nothing leaves the Mac | Deleted immediately after processing |
| Works offline | Yes, every tool works with Wi-Fi off | No |
| Platforms | Mac only: macOS 14+, Apple silicon (M1 or newer) | Any browser; API for any platform |
| Price | $20 once, lifetime license for 2 Macs, 14-day refund | Credit packages or monthly credit subscriptions |
| Free tier | 1-day free trial of every tool, no card | 10 credits per day, 1 GB max file |
| Formats | 525 tools across 10 file families | 213 formats across 11 categories |
| Developer API | None stated | REST API, SDKs, CLI, S3 import and export |
| Batch processing | Yes, select many files and run one tool on all | Up to 5 concurrent tasks free |
| Security credentials | Apple Developer ID signed, notarized | ISO 27001 certified, GDPR, DPA on request |
Details about CloudConvert come from its own website and documentation, checked 2026-11-09. Prices and features change; check the source links below.
About CloudConvert
An online file converter from Lunaweb GmbH covering 213 formats, with a developer API, SDKs and a CLI.
Platforms: Web browser and API. Price: Free: 10 credits per day, 1 GB max file size. Paid: one-time credit packages (credits never expire), monthly subscriptions, and Enterprise. A typical conversion uses one credit per minute plus a base cost.. Where files are processed: Uploaded and processed in the selected region on its cloud providers, deleted immediately after processing.
Choose CloudConvert if
- You need conversions inside your own app or pipeline through an API.
- You work on Windows, Linux or a Chromebook.
- You convert rare formats outside FileDial's list.
- Your files already live in S3 and should stay in the cloud.
Choose FileDial if
- Your files are private and you want no upload at all.
- You convert large videos and want to skip upload and download time.
- You want a fixed one-time price instead of counting credits.
- You want to convert from Finder, in batches, with Undo.
Cloud conversion done carefully
CloudConvert is one of the more transparent online converters. Its security page says processing happens only in the geographical region you select, files are deleted immediately afterwards, all transfers are SSL encrypted, and the company holds ISO 27001 certification. For developers, the API builds jobs from import, convert and export tasks, with official SDKs and a CLI.
The trade-off is that a copy of your file still travels to a server. FileDial removes that step: every tool runs on the Mac and works with Wi-Fi off, so there is nothing to delete later and no upload queue for a 2 GB video.
Credits versus one price
CloudConvert's free tier gives 10 credits a day with a 1 GB file limit and up to 5 concurrent tasks. Its pricing page says conversions typically use one credit per minute of conversion time plus a base cost, with Office to PDF at 2 and PDF to Office at 4. Paid credit packages never expire; subscription credits reset monthly.
FileDial has no credits. After a 1-day trial it costs $20 once for 2 Macs. A 366 MB 1080p video compressed to 720p in 23 seconds on a MacBook, and batches have no per-file cost.
Converting the same files in FileDial
Common CloudConvert jobs map to FileDial tools: Convert › Convert to MP4 for video, Convert › Convert to MP3 for audio, Convert › Convert to JPG or Convert › Convert to WebP for photos, Convert › PDF to Word for documents and Archive › Make ZIP for archives. If you need a format FileDial lacks or an API, CloudConvert is the better tool.
Questions
Does CloudConvert keep my files?
CloudConvert's security page says files are processed in the selected region and deleted immediately afterwards. FileDial never uploads files, so there is nothing to delete.
Is CloudConvert free?
It has a free tier of 10 credits per day with a 1 GB file limit. Heavier use needs a credit package or subscription. FileDial is $20 once after a 1-day trial.
Does FileDial have an API?
No API is stated. FileDial runs on your Mac from Finder, with recipes and watched folders for repeat jobs. For server-side automation, CloudConvert's API is the better fit.