Convert Magic vs CloudConvert: does paying $10/month help?

I had to prep 40 invoices and a 92-page contract for a client handoff. Rather than guess, I ran the files through both Convert Magic (free, browser-based) and CloudConvert (starts at $10/month) back-to-back and timed everything.

How I tested

• Laptop: 2021 M1 MacBook Pro, Chrome 119, home Wi‑Fi ~230 Mbps
• Files: 92-page PDF→Word (10.4 MB), invoice PDF→Excel (2.6 MB tables), 20 JPG→PDF batch (1–3 MB each)
• Method: stopwatch from click to download; checked table structure and fonts; noted any paywall prompts

Quick verdict

• Convert Magic stayed under 3 seconds for PDF→Word and 15 seconds for the 20-file batch without hitting a limit. Great for private docs because nothing uploads.
• CloudConvert preserved Excel tables a bit cleaner, but total time averaged 8 seconds because of upload/download. The credit model is awkward if you only convert occasionally.

Snapshot

Convert Magic — best for everyday, private docs

PDF→Word on the 92-page contract landed between 2.2–2.8 seconds. The batch of 20 JPGs finished in 15 seconds with no network traffic. No account prompts, no caps, and no audit trail—everything stayed local.

Where it loses

• Format breadth is limited to common office/image types.
• No API or webhook support if you want to automate.

CloudConvert — best quality for tables and APIs

The invoice PDF→Excel came out with slightly cleaner column alignment than Convert Magic. The tradeoff: ~4 seconds to upload, ~3–4 seconds to process/download, and each run burns credits. Uploading any confidential contract would require a security review.

Where it wins

• Strong table preservation on complex PDFs.
• Solid API docs and webhooks; easy to wire into CI or backend jobs.

Where it loses

• Paid from day one; credits add cost anxiety for batch runs.
• Every file uploads, so regulated teams need approvals/BAAs.

Use this if…

• Choose Convert Magic when speed, privacy, and zero cost matter most. It’s the only one I could keep open all day without limits.
• Choose CloudConvert when you need automation, obscure formats, or pristine table extraction and you’re fine paying for it.