FileDial vs FreeConvert
By Himanshu Ranjan · Updated 8 November 2026
FreeConvert is an online converter with 1,500+ conversions, a free tier of 20 conversion minutes a day and paid plans from US$12.99 a month; uploads are stored on AWS in Ireland and deleted after 8 hours. FileDial converts on your Mac with 525 tools, no upload and no daily limit, for $20 once. Choose FreeConvert for any device, FileDial for privacy and volume.
At a glance
| FileDial | FreeConvert | |
|---|---|---|
| Where files are processed | On your Mac, files are never uploaded | Servers; stored on AWS in Ireland |
| Retention | Nothing leaves the Mac | Deleted after 8 hours, or sooner by hand |
| Works offline | Yes, every tool works with Wi-Fi off | No |
| Platforms | Mac only: macOS 14+, Apple silicon (M1 or newer) | Any browser, desktop or mobile |
| Price | $20 once, lifetime license for 2 Macs, 14-day refund | US$12.99 to US$29.99 per month |
| Free tier | 1-day free trial of every tool, no card | 20 conversion minutes per day |
| Max file size | No limit stated | 1 GB free; 1.5 GB to 20 GB paid |
| Formats | 525 tools across 10 file families | 1,500+ conversions |
| Batch processing | Yes, select many files and run one tool on all | Paid: 100 simultaneous conversions |
| API | None stated | Yes, free account for API use |
Details about FreeConvert come from its own website and documentation, checked 2026-11-09. Prices and features change; check the source links below.
About FreeConvert
A browser-based file converter supporting more than 1,500 conversions, with an API.
Platforms: Any browser on Windows, Mac, Linux or mobile. Price: Free: 20 conversion minutes per day, 5 minutes per file. Basic US$12.99/mo, Standard US$24.99/mo, Pro US$29.99/mo; Scale on demand.. Where files are processed: Uploaded and stored with Amazon Web Services in Ireland, automatically deleted after 8 hours.
Choose FreeConvert if
- You convert from a Windows PC, Chromebook or phone.
- You need a rare format or an API.
- Your daily needs fit inside 20 free conversion minutes.
Choose FileDial if
- You would rather your files never sit on a server, even for 8 hours.
- You convert large videos without waiting for uploads.
- You want one price and no minute counting.
- You want compress, trim, OCR and rename tools alongside conversion.
Files on a server for 8 hours
FreeConvert's privacy page says uploaded files are stored with Amazon Web Services in Ireland and automatically and permanently deleted after 8 hours, with an option to delete them sooner. Transfers use 256-bit SSL. That is a clear policy, and the service works on any device.
Online converters are not all this careful. In July 2024 Cybernews reported that two other online PDF services left storage open, exposing 89,062 user-uploaded files including passports and contracts. FileDial avoids the question: every tool runs on the Mac and nothing is uploaded.
Minutes versus a flat price
FreeConvert's free tier gives 20 conversion minutes a day with up to 5 minutes per file, and paid plans add minutes, larger files and GPU encoding on Pro. FileDial has no meter. After a 1-day trial it is $20 once for 2 Macs, and a 366 MB 1080p video compressed to 720p in 23 seconds on a MacBook.
Typical FreeConvert jobs map to Convert › Convert to MP4, Convert › Convert to MP3, Convert › Convert to JPG and Convert › PDF to Word in FileDial, run from a dial in Finder on one file or many.
Questions
How long does FreeConvert keep files?
FreeConvert says uploaded files are stored on Amazon Web Services in Ireland and deleted automatically after 8 hours, or sooner if you delete them. FileDial never uploads files.
What are FreeConvert's free limits?
Its pricing page lists 20 conversion minutes per day and up to 5 minutes per file; its homepage lists a 1 GB maximum file size. FileDial has no daily limit.
Does FileDial need internet?
No. All tools work with Wi-Fi off. The app goes online only for a license check and optional anonymous usage counts.