LegacyLeaps vs CloudConvert vs Zamzar vs SysTools — XLS to XLSX Converter Comparison & Excel File Converter Comparison
Compare legacy file migration tools. See which converter preserves VBA macros, handles Access databases, and keeps your data local.
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
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
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
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
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.