FileDial vs Zamzar
By Himanshu Ranjan · Updated 8 November 2026
Zamzar is a long-running online converter for 1,100+ formats; free use allows 2 files a day up to 50 MB, and paid plans run US$12 to US$39 a month. Zamzar's privacy policy says files from free use are kept for up to 7 days. FileDial converts on your Mac with no upload, no daily limit and 525 tools, for $20 once. Choose Zamzar for occasional any-device use, FileDial for regular Mac work.
At a glance
| FileDial | Zamzar | |
|---|---|---|
| Where files are processed | On your Mac, files are never uploaded | Zamzar servers |
| Retention | Nothing leaves the Mac | Free: up to 7 days; account: until you delete |
| Works offline | Yes, every tool works with Wi-Fi off | No |
| Platforms | Mac only: macOS 14+, Apple silicon (M1 or newer) | Any browser |
| Price | $20 once, lifetime license for 2 Macs, 14-day refund | US$12, US$19 or US$39 per month |
| Free tier | 1-day free trial of every tool, no card | 2 files per day, 50 MB |
| Max file size | No limit stated | 50 MB free, up to 2 GB on Business |
| Formats | 525 tools across 10 file families | 1,100+ formats |
| Batch processing | Yes, select many files and run one tool on all | 25 to 100 concurrent conversions on paid plans |
| Online storage | Not applicable | 5 GB to 100 GB on paid plans |
Details about Zamzar come from its own website and documentation, checked 2026-11-09. Prices and features change; check the source links below.
About Zamzar
A browser-based file conversion service for documents, images, video and audio, with no software to install.
Platforms: Web browser; paid plans include desktop conversions. Price: Free: 2 files per day, 50 MB. Basic US$12/mo (200 MB), Pro US$19/mo (400 MB), Business US$39/mo (2 GB), one-month minimum.. Where files are processed: Uploaded to Zamzar servers; files from free use kept up to 7 days, paying users' files until they delete them.
Choose Zamzar if
- You convert one or two small files occasionally from any computer.
- You need a format outside FileDial's list.
- You want converted files stored online to download later.
Choose FileDial if
- Your files are over 50 MB, such as videos or scanned PDFs.
- You convert more than 2 files a day.
- You want no upload and no online copy.
- You want one payment rather than a monthly plan.
Limits on the free plan
Zamzar is simple to use and supports a very wide range of formats; its homepage lists more than 1,100. The free plan suits small, occasional jobs: its pricing page allows 2 website conversions a day, and the homepage gives a 50 MB size limit. Paid plans raise the cap to 200 MB, 400 MB or 2 GB.
FileDial has no daily count or upload cap because nothing is uploaded. Select a folder of photos and run Convert › Convert to JPG, or pick a screen recording and run Compress › Compress under 25 MB. A batch of 300 photos converted in 5 seconds on a MacBook.
Storage and privacy
Zamzar's privacy policy says files from free use are kept for no longer than 7 days, while paying users' files stay until they delete them, with online storage from 5 GB to 100 GB depending on plan. That is useful if you want a cloud copy. If you would rather no copy exist anywhere else, FileDial keeps files on the Mac and works with Wi-Fi off.
Pricing is monthly for Zamzar with a one-month minimum. FileDial is $20 once for 2 Macs, after a 1-day trial with every tool.
Questions
Is Zamzar free?
Zamzar's free tier allows 2 website conversions a day with a 50 MB size limit. Paid plans start at US$12 a month. FileDial costs $20 once after a 1-day trial.
How long does Zamzar keep files?
Zamzar's privacy policy says files from free use are kept for up to 7 days, and paying users' files are kept until they delete them. FileDial never uploads files.
Can FileDial convert large videos?
Yes, on the Mac, with no upload. A 366 MB 1080p video compressed to 720p in 23 seconds on a MacBook. Tools include Convert › Convert to MP4 and Compress › Compress to size…