Best File Converter App for iPhone (2026): 8 Options Compared

How we evaluated

On October 12, 2026 we read the US App Store listing of each app — description, in-app purchase list and the developer's own statements about where files are processed — and checked Apple's and Adobe's documentation for the built-in and Acrobat features. ConvertEase is described from its own source code (version 1.0.8). Our criteria:

1. Format coverage. Which of images, video, audio and documents/PDF the app handles, and whether it can output MP3.
2. Where your file is processed. On the iPhone, or uploaded to a server. If a listing doesn't say, we write "not stated" instead of guessing.
3. Pricing model. Free, one-time purchase or subscription, as shown in the App Store's in-app purchase list. Prices vary by country and change, so we name the plan type rather than quoting numbers.
4. Ads. Only where the listing says so.

We don't show star ratings or download counts: they differ by country, change weekly, and we couldn't verify them consistently. We didn't run lab speed tests of competitors, so there are no speed claims here.

Comparison table

Sources: each app's US App Store listing and in-app purchase list (checked October 12, 2026); Adobe's Export PDFs help page. "Not stated" means the listing doesn't say where files are processed.

The 8 options, one by one

1. Built-in iOS tools — free, already on your iPhone

Before installing anything, try what iOS already has. In the Files app, long-press an image → Quick Actions → Convert Image to get JPEG, PNG or HEIF, or select photos → Create PDF. The Shortcuts app's Encode Media action can turn a video into audio-only M4A, and Make PDF builds a PDF. Any printable page can become a PDF from the Share sheet → Print → pinch out on the preview.

Good: free, on-device, no account. Limits: no MP3, no Word/Excel conversion, no PDF → Word, little quality control, menu names shift between iOS versions.

2. ConvertEase — images, video and audio on-device in one app (our app)

ConvertEase is listed on the App Store as "File Converter: PDF Video Mp3". It converts images (to JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIFF; reads HEIC and WEBP), video (MP4, MOV, MKV, AVI, 3GP) and audio (to M4A, WAV, AAC) on the iPhone, compresses images, video and audio on-device, and creates and extracts ZIP files, including password-protected ones. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, RTF, TXT, HTML and ODT conversions — and PDF/Office compression — are sent to our server.

Good: media never leaves the phone; one app across four file categories; no ads. Limits: no MP3 output on iOS, no PDF merge/split, no image → PDF, no WEBP output; documents are uploaded; free to download but saving results requires a Premium subscription (weekly, 3-month or yearly; some plans include a 3-day trial).

3. Documents by Readdle — file manager that also converts

Documents is primarily a file manager and PDF viewer. Its listing covers converting between PDF, DOCX, JPG, PNG, HEIC and WEBP, compressing PDFs and photos, merging and splitting PDFs, and extracting ZIP and RAR archives.

Good: strong all-round file hub with cloud-drive access and RAR support. Limits: video/audio conversion isn't listed; the listing doesn't say where conversions run; advanced features sit in the "Documents Plus" subscription.

4. PDF Expert by Readdle — best for serious PDF work

PDF Expert reads, annotates, fills, signs, merges, splits and compresses PDFs. Its Premium tier converts Word and images to PDF and PDF to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, JPG, PNG and TXT, and one subscription covers iPhone, iPad and Mac.

Good: the most complete PDF editor in this list. Limits: no media conversion; conversion is a paid feature; processing location not stated in the listing.

5. Adobe Acrobat Reader — if you already pay for Adobe

Acrobat Reader is free for reading and Fill & Sign. Creating PDFs, exporting to Word/Excel/PowerPoint and combining files are subscription features (the listing shows a 7-day trial); PDF export runs through Adobe's online service with an Adobe account.

Good: industry-standard PDF fidelity, OCR, works with Adobe cloud storage. Limits: PDF only; files go through Adobe's servers for export; requires an account.

6. File Converter by Sander Staal — widest format list

File Converter claims more than 2,000 source formats, from video, audio (including MP3) and images to eBooks, spreadsheets, CAD and 3D models. Its listing says files are uploaded to its conversion cloud and deleted after conversion; audio and video can also convert offline.

Good: unmatched breadth, MP3 output. Limits: most conversions need an upload and an internet connection; "Full Access" is an in-app purchase.

7. The Document / Video / Audio Converter by Float Tech — single-purpose cloud apps

Float Tech publishes three separate apps: The Document Converter, The Video Converter and The Audio Converter. The listings say conversion runs on a cloud server, an internet connection is required, and files are deleted after conversion. The video and audio apps list MP3 output.

Good: simple, focused, MP3 supported. Limits: uploads your files; you may need two or three apps; "Premium Pass" is a monthly subscription after a free trial (a lifetime pass is also listed).

8. iConv – Video & PDF Converter — budget all-rounder with ads

iConv by HappyTimes Tech converts many video formats, Office and iWork documents to PDF or PNG, runs OCR on images, and handles ZIP, RAR and 7Z archives.

Good: broad feature set including iWork files and 7Z. Limits: shows ads unless you buy iConv Pro (weekly, monthly, yearly or one-time); MP3 output and processing location aren't stated in the listing.

Plus: free in-browser tools on this site

For the jobs our app doesn't do, we built free tools that run inside Safari — the file is processed by your browser and never uploaded: MP4 to MP3, M4A to MP3, voice memo to MP3, WAV to MP3, merge PDF, split PDF, JPG to PDF, PDF to JPG, HEIC to JPG, PNG to JPG, JPG to PNG, WEBP to JPG and compress image. Very large videos depend on your phone's memory, and Safari may downscale photos above about 16 MP.

Best for…

• A few HEIC photos → JPG, or photos → PDF: built-in Files Quick Actions (free).
• PDF → Word, editing, merging, signing: PDF Expert; Adobe Acrobat if you're already in Adobe's ecosystem.
• A file manager that also converts and opens RAR: Documents by Readdle.
• Rare formats (eBooks, CAD, 3D, PSD): File Converter by Sander Staal.
• MP3 on iPhone: our free in-browser MP4 to MP3 / M4A to MP3 tools (no upload), or Float Tech's The Audio Converter (cloud).
• Merge or split a PDF for free, without uploading: our merge PDF and split PDF tools.
• Converting and compressing video, images and audio on the device, regularly, without ads: ConvertEase (subscription needed to save results).

On-device vs cloud: what actually changes

Cloud converters can handle more formats and heavier jobs without draining your battery, which is why File Converter and the Float Tech apps choose them — but your file travels to someone else's server and you need a connection. On-device conversion keeps the file on your iPhone and works offline, but is limited by what the phone's media frameworks support. ConvertEase sits in between: media stays on the phone, documents are converted on our server because iOS has no built-in Word/Excel/PowerPoint conversion engine.

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