Zamzar is an onlinefile converter and compressor, created by brothers Mike and Chris Whyley in England in 2006.[1][2] It allows users to convert files online, without downloading a software tool, and supports over 1,200 different conversion types.[3] Since its formation, the service has converted over 510 million files for users[4] from 245 different countries.[5] The service supports the conversion of documents, images, audio, video, e-Books, CAD files and compressed file formats.[6]
[7] Users can type in a URL or upload one or more files (if they are all of the same format) from their computer; Zamzar will then convert the file(s) to another user-specified format, such as an Adobe PDF file to a MicrosoftWord document.[8] Once conversion is complete, users can immediately download the file from their web browser.[9] Users can also choose to receive an email with a link to download the converted file.
In February 2021 Zamzar expanded their tool and announced a new file compression service.[10] The compressor is visually similar to the conversion tool with a drag and drop download feature. As with the converter, users have the option to subscribe for a paid plan if they wish to compress multiple or larger files than the free service permits[11]
in 2015 Zamzar launched a file conversion API, allowing users to integrate file conversion capabilities into their own websites and applications.[12] Sample code is provided to allow users to integrate file conversion capabilities in C#, Java, Node.js, PHP, Python and cURL.[13] Zamzar also maintains a project on GitHub which allows users to perform file conversion from the command line on Linux, MacOSorWindows systems.[14]
It is also possible to send files for conversion by emailing them to Zamzar.[15] Zamzar launched this capability in 2012,[16] allowing users to email files to dedicated email addresses for the file to be automatically converted to a different format. A link is then emailed back to the end user to allow them to download their converted file. For example, to convert a .doc attachment to .pdf users would simply email the file to pdf@zamzar.com.
Zamzar does not publish lists of customers that use their services, but in 2019 they announced[17] that Xerox Corporation would be using the Zamzar API to help power conversions in the Xerox Audio Document application. Users of Zamzar's services have access to both a Terms of Service document[18] and a Privacy Policy.[19] In April 2018 Zamzar announced[20] their compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and began offering a Data Processing Agreement (DPA), covering end user data rights and outlining Zamzar's contractual obligations to protect that data.[21]
Zamzar is currently free to use, but there is a limit of two conversions per hour for files up to 100MB. Users can pay a monthly subscription in order to access preferential features, such as unlimited file conversions, online file management, shorter response and queuing times and other benefits.[22]
Its name comes from Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis. Its main character is called Gregor Samsa and it is from his surname that Zamzar is derived.[1][23] The founders of the service considered three other names – Konvertieren, Khamailen and Obrogo – before settling on Zamzar.[24]
