Tangerine File Converter Alternative
Tangerine is a slick new way to convert files from Finder. Here's what it costs, who it doesn't cover, and when a free all-in-one app fits better.
Quick Answer
- ✓Tangerine is great at one thing: hold Shift while dragging in Finder and a wheel of formats appears. Nothing in FileHop is that fast from Finder.
- ✓It needs an M1 or later Mac and macOS 13, and full use is a one-time purchase after the first 20 free files.
- ✓FileHop is free and also runs on Intel Macs and Windows, but you convert inside its window.
What is Tangerine, and what does it cost?
Tangerine: File Converter is a Mac app from Leap Studio. You Shift-drag a file in Finder and choose a format from a wheel around your cursor. Its site lists 275 conversion options and 26 tools across images, audio, video, PDF, documents, spreadsheets, subtitles and archives, and it says files are never uploaded.
The App Store showed $24.99 in the US and €29.99 in France and Germany in late October 2026, and press reports have quoted other prices, so check your own storefront. The free download covers your first 20 files. It's Apple silicon only, with no Intel or Windows version.
How to convert files with FileHop instead
FileHop swaps Tangerine's gesture for a full app. It takes a step more, and does a lot more once you're there.
Open your folder in FileHop
It works on Intel and Apple silicon Macs and on Windows.
Select files
Select one file or a batch.
Convert from Tools
Right-click, open Tools and pick the output format.
Edit, if you need more
Open the file in FileHop's editors to trim a video, fix a spreadsheet or edit a PDF.
FileHop has no Finder extension or global shortcut. If you convert files all day from Finder on an Apple silicon Mac, Tangerine is the faster tool.
Other options
Tangerine isn't the only way to convert files on a Mac.
Permute
A long-established media converter with deeper controls. Permute 4 is $14.99 and needs macOS 26 on Apple silicon.
FilePane
Adds quick actions to any drag, plus extras like web page capture. It's broader but less focused on format conversion.
macOS Quick Actions
Free and built in. Right-click an image in Finder to convert it to JPEG, PNG or HEIF.
Tangerine vs FileHop
A direct comparison as of October 2026.
| What matters | Tangerine | FileHop |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $24.99 after first 20 files | Free |
| Convert from Finder | Yes | No |
| Intel Macs | No | Yes |
| Windows | No | Yes |
| Output formats | 275 conversion options | Common media, document and data formats |
| File browser and editors | No | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tangerine free?
The download is free and covers your first 20 files. Unlimited use is a one-time purchase.
Does Tangerine work on Intel Macs?
No. It needs an M1 or later Mac running macOS 13 or later.
Is Tangerine on Windows?
Not as of October 2026. FileHop runs on Windows.
Is Tangerine a subscription?
No. It's a one-time unlock.
Does FileHop work from Finder like Tangerine?
No. FileHop has no Finder extension, so conversions start in its window.
Are files uploaded in either app?
Tangerine says files are never uploaded, and FileHop converts on your computer too.
Which one converts more formats?
Tangerine lists more conversion options, including PDF to Pages and EPUB. FileHop covers common formats and adds editors.
Which should I choose?
Choose Tangerine for instant conversions from Finder on Apple silicon. Choose FileHop for a free app that also browses and edits, or for Intel and Windows.
A free converter for any Mac or PC
Convert, compress and edit on Intel and Apple silicon Macs and Windows.
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