Top File Compression Software Comparison
By Richard "Rick" Callahan | Published: 2025-04-11 | Category: File Compression Software
About File Compression Software
File compression software reduces the size of files and folders, making them easier to store, transfer, and manage. These tools bundle multiple files into single archives and often offer features like encryption and splitting.
Scoring Criteria
- → Compression Ratio
- → Speed
- → Format Support
- → Ease of Use
- → Feature Set
- → Security
- → Pricing/Value
The Best File Compression Software
#10
The Unarchiver
By Dag Agren / MacPaw
A simple, free, and highly capable archive extraction tool for macOS.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: macOS
Best For: Opening various archive formats on Mac, Replacing default macOS Archive Utility, Handling foreign characters
Key Features
- ✓Wide Format Support: Designed primarily for extraction, it handles a vast array of formats (Zip, RAR, 7z, Tar, Gzip, Bzip2, etc.).
- ✓Simplicity: Extremely easy to use; primarily works via double-clicking archives.
- ✓Character Encoding Support: Better handles filenames with foreign character sets than the built-in utility.
- ✓Free: Completely free to download and use from the Mac App Store.
Scorecard (Overall: 6.4 / 10.0)
Pricing
Free
Contact Vendor
- All features included
Limitations: Primarily an extraction tool, no compression capabilities
Pros
- + Handles a huge number of archive formats
- + Extremely simple to use
- + Completely free
- + Excellent handling of different character encodings
Cons
- - macOS only
- - Does not create archives (extraction only)
- - Very limited feature set beyond extraction
Verdict
"The essential free extraction utility for macOS users, vastly superior to the built-in tool for opening diverse archive types, but offers no compression features."
#9
Ashampoo ZIP Free
By Ashampoo GmbH & Co. KG
A free compression tool offering essential features with a clean interface and support for common formats.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Windows
Best For: Everyday compression tasks, Creating and opening ZIP archives, Repairing ZIP files
Key Features
- ✓User-Friendly Interface: Modern, tile-based interface.
- ✓Core Format Support: Creates ZIP, 7-ZIP, TAR, CAB, WIM. Reads over 30 formats including RAR.
- ✓Archive Repair: Includes a tool to repair broken ZIP files.
- ✓Preview Feature: Allows previewing files before extraction.
Scorecard (Overall: 7.4 / 10.0)
Pricing
Free
Contact Vendor
- Core compression/decompression
- Format support
- Repair tool
Pros
- + Completely free
- + Clean and modern interface
- + Includes archive repair functionality
- + Good support for common formats
Cons
- - Windows only
- - Lacks some advanced features of paid competitors or 7-Zip/PeaZip
- - May promote other Ashampoo products
Verdict
"A solid free option with a pleasant interface and useful repair features, suitable for standard compression needs on Windows."
#8
Express Zip
By NCH Software
A simple and efficient file compression tool for creating, managing, and extracting zipped files and folders.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Best For: Basic archiving and unzipping, Emailing smaller files, Quick compression tasks
Key Features
- ✓Fast Operation: Designed for quick zipping and unzipping.
- ✓Simple Interface: Easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface.
- ✓Email Integration: Allows direct emailing of zip files.
- ✓Format Support: Creates ZIP. Extracts ZIP, RAR, CAB, TAR, 7Z, ISO, GZIP, MULTIDISK, ZIPX, LZH, ARJ, etc.
Scorecard (Overall: 7.0 / 10.0)
Pricing
Free
Contact Vendor
- Basic functionality for non-commercial use
Limitations: Licensed for non-commercial use only
Plus Edition
$39.95 / One-time
- Commercial license
- Access to all features
Pros
- + Very easy to use
- + Fast for basic operations
- + Good context menu integration
- + Free version available for home use
Cons
- - Limited feature set compared to rivals
- - Compression ratio is average
- - Paid version is relatively expensive for the features offered
Verdict
"A straightforward tool for users needing basic, quick compression and extraction, particularly suitable for beginners or non-commercial use."
#7
PowerArchiver
By ConeXware, Inc.
A professional compression utility with extensive format support, strong encryption, and advanced features like backup and cloud integration.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Windows
Best For: Professional archiving, Secure data backup, Handling numerous formats, Cloud storage management
Key Features
- ✓Broad Format Support: Supports over 60 compression formats, including its proprietary PA format.
- ✓Advanced Security: FIPS 140-2 validated AES-256 encryption, OpenPGP support.
- ✓Cloud Integration: Connects to major cloud services (Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.).
- ✓Backup Suite: Includes dedicated backup features and scheduling.
Scorecard (Overall: 8.7 / 10.0)
Pricing
Free
Contact Vendor
- Basic compression/decompression
- Limited format support
- Nag screens/Ads
Limitations: Reduced features, Ads
Standard
$24.95 / One-time
- Full format support
- Encryption
- Basic cloud
- No ads
Professional
$39.95 / One-time
- All Standard features
- Advanced features
- Backup suite
- Command line version
Toolbox
$59.95 / One-time
- All Pro features
- Includes virtual drive, burning software
- Priority support
Pros
- + Extremely wide format support
- + Excellent security features (FIPS 140-2)
- + Integrated backup and cloud features
- + Powerful command-line options
Cons
- - Free version is quite limited
- - Can be resource-intensive
- - Windows only
Verdict
"A powerhouse tool for professionals needing extensive format support, top-tier security, and integrated backup/cloud features. The cost reflects its comprehensive capabilities."
#6
NanaZip
By M2-Team
An open-source file archiver derived from 7-Zip, featuring a modern Windows 11 style interface.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Windows
Best For: Modern Windows integration, High compression archiving, Handling diverse formats, Context menu usage
Key Features
- ✓Modern UI/UX: Integrates well with modern Windows design principles (Mica effect, context menus).
- ✓Based on 7-Zip: Inherits 7-Zip's high compression ratio and broad format support.
- ✓Context Menu Support: Offers comprehensive context menu options, including modern Windows 11 menus.
- ✓Open Source: Freely available under an open-source license.
Scorecard (Overall: 8.6 / 10.0)
Pricing
Free
Contact Vendor
- All features included
Pros
- + Excellent compression via 7-Zip engine
- + Modern interface that fits Windows 11
- + Completely free and open source
- + Great context menu integration
Cons
- - Windows only
- - Relatively new compared to established players
Verdict
"Combines the power and efficiency of 7-Zip with a modern Windows interface. An outstanding free choice for Windows users."
#5
Bandizip
By Bandisoft
A fast and lightweight archiver with a modern interface, offering both free and paid versions.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Windows, macOS
Best For: Fast archiving/extraction, Previewing archive contents, Handling common archive formats, Modern UI preference
Key Features
- ✓High-Speed Archiving: Utilizes multi-core processing for faster compression/decompression.
- ✓Archive Preview: Allows users to preview files within archives without full extraction.
- ✓Modern UI: Clean and intuitive user interface.
- ✓Context Menu Integration: Offers extensive options directly within the file explorer context menu.
Scorecard (Overall: 8.0 / 10.0)
Pricing
Standard (Free)
Contact Vendor
- Core archiving/extraction
- Format support
- Ad-supported
Limitations: Contains ads, Lacks some advanced features
Professional
$30.00 / One-time
- Ad-free
- Password Manager
- Archive Repair
- Password Recovery
Enterprise
$20.00 / Annual (per PC)
- All Pro features
- Centralized management tools
Pros
- + Very fast compression and extraction speeds
- + Clean, modern interface
- + Useful archive preview feature
- + Free version is highly functional
Cons
- - Free version displays ads
- - Advanced features like repair require paid version
Verdict
"A great choice for users prioritizing speed and a modern user experience. The free version is excellent, though ads may deter some."
#4
PeaZip
By Giorgio Tani
A free and open-source file archiver and manager focused on security and broad format support.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Windows, Linux, macOS (limited)
Best For: Secure archiving, Managing various archive types, File management, Cross-platform use
Key Features
- ✓Extensive Format Support: Opens over 200 archive types. Creates numerous formats including 7Z, ARC, BZ2, GZ, *PAQ, PEA, QUAD/BALZ, TAR, UPX, WIM, XZ, ZIP.
- ✓Strong Security Features: Supports AES, Twofish, Serpent encryption, secure deletion, and password manager.
- ✓File Manager: Includes features like file splitting/joining, checksums, and duplicate finding.
- ✓Portable Version: Available as a portable application that doesn't require installation.
Scorecard (Overall: 8.4 / 10.0)
Pricing
Free
Contact Vendor
- All features included
Pros
- + Completely free and open source
- + Supports an exceptionally wide range of formats
- + Strong focus on security with multiple encryption algorithms
- + Includes useful file management tools
Cons
- - Interface can feel somewhat cluttered
- - Compression speed might lag behind specialized tools for certain formats
Verdict
"An excellent free alternative, particularly strong in format support and security features, suitable for power users and those handling diverse file types."
#3
WinZip
By Corel Corporation
A long-standing and popular compression tool known for its user-friendly interface and integration features.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Best For: Easy file sharing, Cloud storage integration, Basic archiving, Secure file transfer
Key Features
- ✓Cloud Integration: Connects directly to Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, and more.
- ✓User-Friendly Interface: Modern and accessible interface suitable for beginners.
- ✓AES Encryption: Offers strong AES-128 and AES-256 encryption.
- ✓File Management: Includes features beyond compression like PDF conversion, watermarking, and file splitting.
Scorecard (Overall: 7.6 / 10.0)
Pricing
Trial
Contact Vendor
- Limited functionality/time
Limitations: Time-limited trial
Standard
$35.94 / Annual
- Core compression/decompression
- Encryption
- Basic cloud support
Pro
$59.94 / Annual
- All Standard features
- Advanced file management
- Automation
- Enhanced cloud features
Pros
- + Very user-friendly interface
- + Excellent cloud service integration
- + Offers additional file management tools
- + Available on multiple platforms including mobile
Cons
- - Relatively expensive compared to competitors
- - Compression ratio may not be as high as 7-Zip or WinRAR
- - Subscription-based pricing can be a drawback
Verdict
"Best for users seeking ease of use and seamless cloud integration, willing to pay a premium for convenience and extra features."
#2
WinRAR
By RARLAB (win.rar GmbH)
A powerful shareware archiver known for creating RAR files and its robust feature set.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Best For: Creating compact archives, Splitting large files, Repairing damaged archives, Secure archiving
Key Features
- ✓RAR Format: Proprietary format known for good compression and multi-volume archives.
- ✓Archive Repair: Includes functionality to attempt repair of corrupted archives.
- ✓AES-256 Encryption: Strong encryption for securing archives.
- ✓Wide Format Support: Creates RAR and ZIP. Unpacks RAR, ZIP, CAB, ARJ, LZH, TAR, GZ, ACE, UUE, BZ2, JAR, ISO, 7Z, Z.
Scorecard (Overall: 8.1 / 10.0)
Pricing
Trial
Contact Vendor
- Full functionality during trial
Limitations: Nag screen after trial period
Personal License
$29.00 / One-time
- Full version
- No nag screen
- Lifetime license
Pros
- + Efficient compression, especially with RAR format
- + Excellent archive repair feature
- + Intuitive interface
- + Available on multiple platforms
Cons
- - Shareware model with nag screen
- - RAR creation is proprietary
Verdict
"A feature-rich and reliable archiver, especially strong for its repair capabilities and RAR format efficiency, though it comes at a cost."
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#1
7-Zip
By Igor Pavlov
A free and open-source file archiver with a high compression ratio, known for its proprietary 7z format.
Platforms & Use Cases
Platforms: Windows, Linux (p7zip), macOS (unofficial ports)
Best For: Archiving large files, Reducing storage space, Secure file bundling, Software distribution
Key Features
- ✓High Compression Ratio: Excellent compression, especially with the 7z format.
- ✓Wide Format Support: Supports packing/unpacking: 7z, XZ, BZIP2, GZIP, TAR, ZIP, WIM. Unpacking only: AR, ARJ, CAB, CHM, CPIO, CramFS, DMG, EXT, FAT, GPT, HFS, IHEX, ISO, LZH, LZMA, MBR, MSI, NSIS, NTFS, QCOW2, RAR, RPM, SquashFS, UDF, UEFI, VDI, VHD, VMDK, WIM, XAR, Z.
- ✓AES-256 Encryption: Strong encryption available for 7z and ZIP formats.
- ✓Open Source: Freely available source code under the GNU LGPL license.
Scorecard (Overall: 8.4 / 10.0)
Pricing
Free
Contact Vendor
- All features included
Pros
- + Excellent compression ratio
- + Completely free and open source
- + Strong AES-256 encryption
- + Supports a vast number of formats for unpacking
Cons
- - User interface feels dated
- - Can be slower than some competitors for certain operations
Verdict
"The best free option offering top-tier compression and broad format support, ideal for users prioritizing efficiency and cost."
Final Thoughts
The file compression market offers excellent choices ranging from powerful, free, open-source options like 7-Zip and PeaZip to feature-rich commercial products like WinRAR, WinZip, and PowerArchiver. NanaZip provides a modern take on 7-Zip for Windows, while Bandizip excels in speed and usability. For macOS users needing broad extraction support, The Unarchiver is indispensable, though it lacks creation capabilities.