LegacyLeaps vs Zamzar — which converts xls files better?

Zamzar is a general-purpose online converter that works for simple format changes but fails for business-critical Excel files. It strips VBA macros, uploads your data to the cloud, has file size limits (50MB free, 1GB paid), and cannot convert Access databases. LegacyLeaps preserves VBA macros, processes locally, has no size limits, and handles both .xls and .mdb files.

XLS to XLSX Converter Comparison | LegacyLeaps vs CloudConvert

Q: What is the best xls to xlsx converter that preserves macros?

In this xls to xlsx converter comparison, LegacyLeaps is the only excel file converter that fully preserves VBA macros during conversion. In a LegacyLeaps vs CloudConvert comparison, CloudConvert and Zamzar silently strip VBA code. Desktop repair tools like Stellar and SysTools either don't convert formats or ignore VBA entirely. LegacyLeaps converts .xls to .xlsx or .xlsm, adds PtrSafe keywords, updates deprecated API references, and maps ActiveX controls — all locally on your machine.

Q: LegacyLeaps vs CloudConvert — which is better for Excel migration?

In this excel file converter comparison, LegacyLeaps vs CloudConvert comes down to VBA support and security. CloudConvert uploads files to their servers (security risk), strips VBA code during conversion, cannot handle .mdb files, and has file size limits. As an xls to xlsx converter comparison shows, LegacyLeaps processes everything locally, preserves all VBA code, handles both Excel and Access, and has no file size limits.

Q: LegacyLeaps vs SysTools — which is better for Access database migration?

SysTools converts Access data (tables, queries) but ignores VBA code, ActiveX forms, and Jet SQL syntax — the components that most commonly break during migration. LegacyLeaps handles the complete migration: data, VBA preservation, ActiveX control mapping, Jet-to-ACE provider updates, and SQL Server migration scripts. It also handles Excel files, so you need only one tool.

Feature-by-feature comparison

LegacyLeaps is the only tool that handles both Excel and Access migration with full VBA preservation.

Feature	LegacyLeaps	CloudConvert	Zamzar	SysTools	Stellar	Manual
.xls to .xlsx conversion	✓ Yes	✓ Yes	✓ Yes	✗ No	✗ No	✓ Yes
.mdb to .accdb conversion	✓ Yes	✗ No	✗ No	✓ Yes	✗ No	✓ Yes
VBA macro preservation	✓ Yes	✗ No	✗ No	✗ No	~ Repair only	~ Risky
ActiveX control handling	✓ Yes	✗ No	✗ No	✗ No	✗ No	~ Risky
Jet SQL migration	✓ Yes	✗ No	✗ No	✗ No	✗ No	~ Manual
Batch/bulk conversion	✓ Unlimited	✓ Yes	~ Limited	✓ Yes	✓ Yes	✗ No
Local processing (files stay on your machine)	✓ Yes	✗ No (cloud)	✗ No (cloud)	✓ Yes	✓ Yes	✓ Yes
Free scan/preview before purchase	✓ Yes	✗ No	✗ No	~ Preview only	~ Preview	~ N/A
Done-for-you migration service	✓ Yes	✗ No	✗ No	✗ No	✗ No	~ N/A
File size limits	✓ None	~ Varies	~ 50MB-1GB	✓ None	✓ None	✓ None
Money-back guarantee	✓ Yes	✗ No	✗ No	✗ No	✗ No	~ N/A
Price (simple conversion)	From $29	$9+/credits	$9-50/mo	~$49-99	$49	$150+/hr
Price (VBA + ActiveX migration)	From $97	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	$150+/hr

Detailed comparisons

Expand each section to see exactly how LegacyLeaps stacks up.

vs Free Online Converters (CloudConvert, Zamzar, Convertio)

They strip your macros during conversion -- your VBA code is silently removed, leaving broken workbooks
File size limits frustrate bulk migrations -- Zamzar caps free files at 50MB, and even paid plans hit 1GB
Your files get uploaded to their servers -- a security risk for sensitive business data, financial records, and proprietary databases
No support for Access databases -- CloudConvert and Zamzar cannot convert .mdb files at all

LegacyLeaps processes everything locally, preserves VBA code, handles ActiveX controls, and has no file size limits. Your data never leaves your machine.

Read the full comparison: LegacyLeaps vs Free Online Converters →

vs Desktop Repair Tools (Stellar, SysTools)

Stellar repairs corrupt files but doesn't convert formats -- your .xls stays .xls, still stuck in legacy format
SysTools converts Access data but ignores VBA code and ActiveX forms -- the parts that actually break
Neither handles both Excel AND Access in one tool -- you'd need to buy two separate products
No Jet SQL migration, no PtrSafe insertion, no deprecated API replacement

LegacyLeaps is a complete migration solution: scan, convert, preserve VBA, map ActiveX controls, modernize Jet SQL, and verify -- all in one tool.

Read the full comparison: LegacyLeaps vs SysTools Access Recovery →

vs Manual Migration

Manually opening and re-saving 500 files takes days of tedious, error-prone work
VBA code must be manually reviewed and updated -- PtrSafe keywords, 64-bit declarations, broken references
ActiveX controls must be individually identified, evaluated, and replaced one at a time
High risk of human error -- one missed formula or broken reference can break downstream reports
At $150+/hour for a consultant, a 500-file migration costs more than a house down payment
No documented audit trail -- you get converted files, but no compatibility report showing what was found and changed

LegacyLeaps automates the entire process with a free scan upfront. Know exactly what needs fixing before you spend a dollar.

Read the full comparison: LegacyLeaps vs Manual Migration →

Read: LegacyLeaps vs Hiring a Consultant →

vs Doing Nothing

Legacy formats degrade with each Windows update -- what works today may not work tomorrow
Office 2024 dropped even more legacy support, and the trend will only continue
Compliance and audit risk grows over time -- auditors increasingly flag legacy file formats
The next Windows update could make your files completely inaccessible without warning
Every month you wait, the cost of migration goes up as institutional knowledge leaves your organization

The cost of waiting always goes up. A free LegacyLeaps scan takes minutes and shows you exactly what you're dealing with -- no commitment required.

Read the full comparison: The Cost of Keeping .xls Files in Production →

Excel File Converter Comparison — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best xls to xlsx converter that preserves macros?

LegacyLeaps is the only xls to xlsx converter that fully preserves VBA macros during conversion. Cloud converters like CloudConvert and Zamzar silently strip VBA code. LegacyLeaps converts .xls to .xlsm, adds PtrSafe keywords, updates deprecated API references, and maps ActiveX controls — all locally on your machine.

LegacyLeaps vs CloudConvert — which is better for Excel migration?

LegacyLeaps is better if your files contain VBA macros, ActiveX controls, or sensitive data. CloudConvert uploads files to their servers (security risk), strips VBA code, cannot handle .mdb files, and has file size limits. LegacyLeaps processes everything locally, preserves VBA, handles both Excel and Access, and has no file size limits.

LegacyLeaps vs SysTools — which is better for Access database migration?

SysTools converts Access data but ignores VBA code, ActiveX forms, and Jet SQL syntax — the components that most commonly break. LegacyLeaps handles the complete migration: data, VBA preservation, ActiveX control mapping, Jet-to-ACE updates, and SQL Server migration scripts.

Is manual migration better than using LegacyLeaps?

Manual migration is slower, more expensive, and more error-prone. At $150+/hour for a consultant, converting 500 files costs tens of thousands. LegacyLeaps automates the entire process and provides a free scan upfront so you know exactly what needs fixing before spending anything.

LegacyLeaps vs CloudConvert vs Zamzar vs SysTools — XLS to XLSX Converter Comparison & Excel File Converter Comparison