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Zamzar API

developers.zamzar.com

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Spec score 8.6 #9 of 69 in File Conversion Software

What it is

Zamzar API is a REST-based HTTP service for adding file conversion to mobile, web, or desktop applications. It supports more than 1,100 conversion types across documents, video, images, audio, eBooks, CAD, 3D, and compressed files. Files can come from a user's machine or be reachable through HTTP, FTP, SFTP, or Amazon S3. Zamzar says its cloud service can handle demand from one file to 10,000. Developers can use official Java, PHP, and Python SDKs, plus code samples for C#, cURL, Node.js, and other languages. The free Test plan costs nothing, requires no card, and includes 100 credits, a 1 MB maximum file size, one-day file storage, and a three-day support response. Paid plans start at $25 /month. Successful conversions use at least one credit, and unused monthly credits do not roll over. Zamzar describes the API as a conversion service, not a CDN; converted files should be retrieved through the API. Accounts include free sandbox testing subject to file-size and job-count limits.

Spec sheet

What it does
Zamzar provides cloud file conversion between documents, images, video, audio, e-books, compressed files and CAD formats through a REST API.Read 15 Oct 2026 · developers.zamzar.com
Intended users
Zamzar describes the API as a developer-oriented service for adding file conversion to an application's or service's workflow.Read 8 Oct 2026 · developers.zamzar.com
Integrations
Official integrations include Amazon S3, FTP/SFTP, HTTP/HTTPS, Zapier and Make.Read 15 Oct 2026 · developers.zamzar.com
Security
Zamzar's privacy policy describes TLS traffic protection, salted and hashed API passwords, firewalls, access controls, regular patching, and monthly external security scans.Read 8 Oct 2026 · developers.zamzar.com
Support
The pricing page gives plan-specific response times of one to three days, and the company says its support team is staffed by software developers.Read 8 Oct 2026 · developers.zamzar.com
Headquarters
The registered office is The Courtyard, Shoreham Road, Upper Beeding, Steyning, West Sussex BN44 3TN, United Kingdom.Read 15 Oct 2026 · find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk
Founded
LinkedIn and Zamzar’s history identify 2006 as the service’s founding year by brothers Chris and Mike Whyley.Read 15 Oct 2026 · uk.linkedin.com
API architecture
The product is an asynchronous REST HTTP cloud API that uses API-key authentication and separate production and sandbox endpoints.Read 15 Oct 2026 · developers.zamzar.com
Cloud scaling
Zamzar says its cloud service can scale to handle demand ranging from one file to 10,000.Read 8 Oct 2026 · developers.zamzar.com
Cloud-only API
The API is described as cloud based and is not intended to serve as a CDN or general file-hosting service.Read 15 Oct 2026 · developers.zamzar.com
Company size and ownership
LinkedIn describes Zamzar Ltd as privately held with 2–10 employees.Read 15 Oct 2026 · uk.linkedin.com
Conversion coverage
The API supports more than 1,100 listed conversion types and the API landing page describes more than 1,200 conversions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · developers.zamzar.com
Conversion formats
The API supports over 1,100 conversions across documents, videos, images, audio, eBooks, CAD, 3D, and compressed files.Read 8 Oct 2026 · developers.zamzar.com
Credit accounting
Every successful conversion costs at least one credit, larger inputs consume extra credits in 50 MB increments, and unused monthly credits do not roll over.Read 15 Oct 2026 · developers.zamzar.com
Credit and bandwidth limits
Successful conversions cost at least one credit, the first 50 MB of input is included in the conversion cost, and unused monthly credits do not roll over.Read 8 Oct 2026 · developers.zamzar.com
Desktop system requirements
The desktop app supports Windows and Mac; the Mac download requires macOS 13 Ventura or later and the app needs an internet connection.Read 15 Oct 2026 · zamzar.com
Documentation depth
Documentation covers account, formats, jobs, uploads, downloads, webhooks, authentication, response codes, rate limits and sandbox usage with runnable language examples.Read 15 Oct 2026 · developers.zamzar.com
File hosting limit
Zamzar says the API is for file conversion and is not intended to act as a CDN, so converted files should be downloaded through the API.Read 8 Oct 2026 · developers.zamzar.com
File inputs
API jobs can import local uploads or files reachable through HTTP, FTP, SFTP and Amazon S3.Read 15 Oct 2026 · developers.zamzar.com
File retention
Free web conversions are stored for up to 24 hours, while paid users’ files remain until deletion or expiry under the applicable service terms.Read 15 Oct 2026 · zamzar.com
Free testing
A Test account requires no credit card, and all accounts include a sandbox mode for testing conversion jobs at no cost, subject to file size and number limits.Read 8 Oct 2026 · developers.zamzar.com
Input sources
The API can convert files on a user's machine or files accessible over HTTP, FTP, SFTP, or Amazon S3.Read 8 Oct 2026 · developers.zamzar.com
Legal company
Companies House identifies the maker as active private company ZAMZAR LIMITED, company number 06463494, registered in England and Wales.Read 15 Oct 2026 · find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk
Limit: API performance
G2 API feedback mentions slow large-file jobs and interface or performance improvements still being desirable.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Limit: Chrome extension age
The Chrome extension listing shows version 0.3.3 last updated 14 November 2017 and says the developer supplied no data-collection information.Read 15 Oct 2026 · chromewebstore.google.com
Limit: file size and formats
G2 reviewers cite paid-account file-size limits and missing support for some less-common formats.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Limit: free-service clarity
Several Trustpilot reviewers complained that a conversion appeared free until a paywall, account requirement or subscription prompt appeared; Zamzar says free use is limited to two files per 24 hours within size limits.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Notable news
Zamzar’s about page records that its API passed 50 million files and more than one million requests per day in March 2026.Read 15 Oct 2026 · zamzar.com
PHP SDK licence
The official Zamzar PHP package on Packagist is MIT licensed and requires PHP 7.2.34 or newer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · packagist.org
Praise: ease and speed
Independent reviewers repeatedly describe Zamzar as simple to use, quick for ordinary conversions and effective across many formats.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Praise: support
Reviewers report responsive, friendly support, including help with unusual formats and account or refund issues.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Privacy and compliance
Zamzar says it meets GDPR, UK GDPR, and Data Protection Act 2018 responsibilities and is registered with the UK Information Commissioner's Office.Read 8 Oct 2026 · developers.zamzar.com
Privacy compliance
Zamzar offers a data-processing agreement covering GDPR, UK GDPR and related UK and EU data-protection laws.Read 15 Oct 2026 · zamzar.com
Python SDK licence
The official Zamzar Python package on PyPI is MIT licensed and requires Python 3.11 or newer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pypi.org
Rate limits
Production limits include 5 POST job requests per second, 1 GET jobs request per second and 10 GET requests per second elsewhere; exceeding limits returns HTTP 429.Read 15 Oct 2026 · developers.zamzar.com
Rating on Capterra
4.6 out of 5 from 22 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · capterra.fr
Rating on Chrome Web Store
2.6 out of 5 from 547 ratingsRead 15 Oct 2026 · chromewebstore.google.com
Rating on G2
4.5 out of 5 from 17 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Rating on G2 API listing
4.2 out of 5 from 3 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Rating on GetApp
4.6 out of 5 from 22 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · getapp.com
Rating on Trustpilot
4.2 out of 5 from 1,289 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Rating on TrustRadius
9 out of 10 from 1 ratingRead 15 Oct 2026 · trustradius.com
Recent outage record
IsDown lists two Zamzar incidents in the prior 90 days, including a website intermittent outage and an API elevated-queue incident.Read 15 Oct 2026 · isdown.app
Sandbox
The free sandbox permits realistic conversions up to 1 MB and 100 sandbox jobs per month.Read 15 Oct 2026 · developers.zamzar.com
SDKs
Official SDKs are provided for Java, PHP and Python, with code examples for cURL, Node.js, Ruby and C#.Read 15 Oct 2026 · developers.zamzar.com
SDKs and samples
Zamzar provides official SDKs for Java, PHP, and Python, along with code samples for C#, cURL, Node.js, and other languages.Read 8 Oct 2026 · developers.zamzar.com
Security controls
Zamzar says traffic uses 128-bit SSL/TLS, infrastructure uses surveillance and multifactor access controls, and API keys can be disabled or revoked.Read 15 Oct 2026 · developers.zamzar.com

Plans and prices

Test Free No card required 100 credits · 1 MB maximum file · 1-day storage · 3-day support response · Amazon S3 · FTP/SFTP · HTTP/HTTPS · no overages · no custom conversions Read 15 Oct 2026 · developers.zamzar.com
Startup $25 a month $25 /month 500 credits/month ($0.05 per credit) · $0.05/credit overage · 50 MB maximum file · 2-day storage · 2-day support response · Amazon S3 · FTP/SFTP · HTTP/HTTPS · no custom conversions Read 15 Oct 2026 · developers.zamzar.com
Growth $99 a month $99 /month 2,500 credits/month ($0.04 per credit) · $0.04/credit overage · unlimited file size · 3-day storage · 2-day support response · Amazon S3 · FTP/SFTP · HTTP/HTTPS · no custom conversions Read 15 Oct 2026 · developers.zamzar.com
Scale $299 a month $299 /month 10,000 credits/month ($0.03 per credit) · $0.03/credit overage · unlimited file size · 3-day storage · 1-day support response · Amazon S3 · FTP/SFTP · HTTP/HTTPS · custom conversions Read 15 Oct 2026 · developers.zamzar.com

Every Zamzar API plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports more than 1,100 conversion types.
  • Official SDKs are available for Java, PHP, and Python.
  • Inputs can come from HTTP, FTP, SFTP, or Amazon S3.
  • Sandbox testing is included at no cost.

Limits

  • Test plan limits files to 1 MB.
  • Unused monthly credits do not roll over.
  • Converted files should be downloaded through the API.

Who it suits

It is for developers adding file conversion to an application or service workflow. The Test plan offers no-card access for limited conversion testing, while paid plans have larger stated allowances.

Zamzar API in depth

Read the full write-up

Zamzar API is a cloud service for adding file conversion to an application through a REST-based HTTP API. It best suits developers whose products need many file formats and several ways to supply files. Its breadth is compelling, but credit costs, file-size ceilings, and short retrieval windows make plan selection consequential.

Overview

Zamzar supports more than 1,100 conversions across documents, video, images, audio, eBooks, CAD, 3D, and compressed files. Applications can send files from a user's machine or use files accessible over HTTP, FTP, SFTP, or Amazon S3. That mix can accommodate varied workflows without requiring one particular source location. The service is not intended to host files as a CDN, however; converted files should be retrieved through the API.

Zamzar says its cloud service can scale from a single file to 10,000, which may suit workloads that fluctuate. That capacity does not remove the limits imposed by plan credits, maximum file sizes, and storage periods. Successful conversions cost at least one credit, the first 50 MB of input is included in the conversion cost, and unused monthly credits do not roll over. Larger inputs and sustained usage therefore deserve close cost review before production deployment.

Key features

Integration and conversion coverage

Official SDKs for Java, PHP, and Python give teams in those languages a direct starting point; code samples for C#, cURL, Node.js, and other languages broaden the options. Pricing-page integrations include Amazon S3, FTP/SFTP, and HTTP/HTTPS. The broad format range is a stronger fit for products handling mixed file types than for a narrowly focused conversion need.

Testing, security, and support

A Test account needs no credit card, and sandbox mode is included across accounts at no conversion charge. Both are subject to file-size and job-count limits, so they are useful for integration work but not a proxy for unrestricted production capacity. Zamzar describes TLS protection for traffic, salted and hashed API passwords, firewalls, access controls, regular patching, and monthly external security scans. It also states that it meets GDPR, UK GDPR, and Data Protection Act 2018 responsibilities and is registered with the UK Information Commissioner's Office.

Support response targets vary by plan from one to three days, and the company says its support team is staffed by software developers. That is relevant for teams integrating an API, though the response windows are not immediate support guarantees.

Pricing

The freemium model starts with a no-card Test account and paid plans from $25 per month. Credits are monthly, unused balances expire at month-end, and successful conversions consume at least one credit. Since overages are priced per credit on paid plans, teams should estimate both typical usage and peaks rather than rely on an unused-credit cushion.

PlanPriceAllowance and limitsTestfree100 conversion credits; 1 MB maximum file size; files stored 1 day; support response 3 days; no overagesStartup$25 a month500 credits/month; $0.05 per credit and $0.05/credit overages; 50 MB maximum file size; files stored 2 days; support response 2 daysGrowth$99 a month2,500 credits/month; $0.04 per credit and $0.04/credit overages; unlimited maximum file size; files stored 3 days; support response 2 daysScale$299 a month10,000 credits/month; $0.03 per credit and $0.03/credit overages; unlimited maximum file size; files stored 3 days; support response 1 day; custom conversionsTest is suited to small-scale evaluation, not sizeable files: its 1 MB ceiling is restrictive, and there are no overages. Startup is the lowest-cost paid option, but its 50 MB maximum makes it a poor fit for larger media or document inputs. Growth removes the maximum file-size ceiling and increases the quota, at a higher monthly commitment. Scale fits heavier workloads that need 10,000 credits, the lowest listed per-credit rate, or custom conversions. All tiers require timely retrieval, with stored files retained for only one to three days.

Platforms

Zamzar API is a cloud deployment and is listed for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows, as well as API use. This breadth suits teams building across mobile, desktop, and web environments, while the API and SDKs keep the integration centered on application development rather than a standalone local conversion tool.

Who it's for

This is a strong candidate for application teams that need broad conversion coverage, can use the supported file-source routes, and are prepared to manage credits and retrieve outputs promptly. It is less suitable when files must remain hosted for longer periods, when a workload regularly exceeds Startup's 50 MB ceiling, or when monthly credit expiration would make demand difficult to budget.

Pros and cons

Pros: More than 1,100 conversions span major file families, making one API relevant to varied workflows.

Pros: Local, HTTP, FTP, SFTP, and Amazon S3 inputs accommodate different application storage arrangements.

Pros: No-card testing and account-wide sandbox mode let developers begin integration without paid conversion usage.

Cons: Unused monthly credits do not roll over, so variable or seasonal demand can leave paid capacity unused.

Cons: Startup tops out at 50 MB, while files on all plans are stored only one to three days.

Cons: The API is not intended as a CDN, so applications must handle output retrieval through the API.

Alternatives

For an alternative with a free browser app capped at 10 files per operation, consider Aspose.Imaging; that option is relevant when image conversion in a browser matters more than Zamzar's application-integrated breadth. FreeConvert GIF Maker is a narrower option for GIF-making workflows, with a free allowance of 20 conversion minutes per day and up to 20 files per day. Choose Convertio instead when its Lite plan's 1 GB maximum file size, 1,000 monthly conversion credits, and 50 concurrent conversions better match the workload. Photopus is a Windows-only option, including a free edition and a Pro plan at $19.95 as a one-time purchase. Pillow is a free, open-source choice for teams looking for a local software library rather than Zamzar's cloud conversion API. XnConvert offers freeware for private, educational, and nonprofit use, with company licensing also available. Converseen is another free option for Linux, macOS, and Windows. libvips is a free option under LGPL-2.1-or-later for teams considering a self-hosted image-processing library.

For category browsing, see Image Converter Software, PDF API Software, and File Conversion Software.

Verdict

Choose Zamzar API when an application needs wide format coverage, multiple file-input routes, and a cloud conversion layer that can accommodate changing demand. Its main advantage is breadth paired with developer-oriented integration options. Look elsewhere if your workflow needs longer file retention, larger files on the entry paid plan, or more predictable credit carryover: credits expire monthly, and converted files must be retrieved through the API.

Verdict

Zamzar API offers broad format support and multiple input routes for application-integrated conversion. Review the credit rules, file-size limits, and retrieval requirement when choosing a plan.

Where Specifiction places it

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