Do you want to zip and unzip your files? You know that there are many free zip software, but do you know which ones to choose? This guide will help you find the best free file compression software.
Zip is form of file compression which is commonly used to reduce the size of files for storage. Zip can also be used to send files over the internet, which is commonly referred to as file sending or file sending software. Below are some of the most popular zip software.
WinZip
One of the most famous names in the world of software utilities, WinZip is still going strong after nearly 30 years, and is still one of the best file compression tools around.
However, you may wonder if you can justify spending money on a compression tool when there are so many free alternatives available. Ultimately it depends on your priorities, but you do get a lot of extras for your money.
In addition to support for a wide range of archive formats (including ZIP, ZIPX, RAR (extraction only), 7z, TAR, GZIP, VHD and XZ), WinZip offers integration with a number of programs including Office for easy zipping as you work.
Other bonus features include the splitting of large zip files to fit different media, advanced file sharing options, cloud support and an advanced zip management system that rivals Windows Explorer. The interface adapts to suit mouse and keyboard setups or touchscreen devices, and there are backup and security options thrown in to protect your files.
WinZip is an incredibly useful tool to have in your software arsenal, and it’s flexible enough to work in the way that suits you best – you can create and extract via the program interface, or using the program window.
And if you’d rather not pay money, we’ve featured the best free alternatives to Winzip.
Ashampoo Zip Free
Ashampoo ZIP Free is easy to use the ZIP compression tool. This software supports creating and extracting with 7-ZIP, LHA, TAR, CAB, and many other formats. It has an integrated preview facility to effortlessly view files.
Feature:
- It provides a user-friendly graphical interface.
- Offers integration with Windows Explorer.
- It allows you to create the unlimited size of the archive.
- You can repair broken zip files.
- The tool helps you to create SFX (Special Effects) archive.
- You can integrate with the Windows operating system and windows server.
- Support for RAR format.
WinRAR
WinRAR is a zip software that allows you to create ZIP and RAR archives. This software allows you to add text comments to archives. The tool is available in more than 50 languages. It automatically recognizes and selects the ideal compression method.
Feature:
- It enables you to compress files quickly and easily.
- You can split the archive file into a separate volume.
- This Unzip software tool uses 256-bit password encryption for security.
- It uses a compression algorithm that helps you to compress multimedia files and executable files.
- WinRAR helps you to save your save disk space and transmission costs.
- The software has many integrated functions to manage your compress archive.
7-Zip
7-Zip is open source, meaning it’s completely free, even for commercial use. It’s only 1MB in size, and can pack and unpack just about any compressed file archive you can throw at it.
7-Zip isn’t the most attractive WinZip alternative around, but it’s so well designed that you won’t miss the slick interfaces of its paid-for equivalents. You can locate files to be archived using a simple Windows Explorer-style file tree, or drag and drop them into the main window.
Its own 7z format is designed for high compression, and is supported by almost all file archiving tools – both paid-for and free – making it an ideal choice for sharing. 7-Zip can also create self-extracting 7z archives.
You can apply password protection to packaged archives and split them into volumes, which is handy for sharing particularly large archives. The only key feature it’s missing is the ability to repair damaged archives – other than that, it’s a truly exceptional program.
Zip Archiver
It might not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of file compression software, but Zip Archiver has a very healthy following thanks to its thoughtfully designed interface, excellent format support, and because it offers all this for free.
What makes this program interesting is its incredible ease of use. Even someone who is unfamiliar with the idea of file compression and decompression should find it easy to achieve the results they want.
Creating and extracting archives to one of a range of formats is reduced to a simple drag and drop process, and there’s cloud support as a handy extra. What this means is that you can, in one quick and easy operation, create a compressed file, upload it to Dropbox, OneDrive, or Google Drive, and have a shareable link created automatically.
If you’re compressing files to share them, this is a brilliant option. If you’re not a fan of the drag-and-drop interface, you can use the Windows context menu to take care of everything – the choice is yours.
Bandizip
Bandizip is a free archiver for MS windows. It supports archive formats like ZIP, RAR, 7Z, and RAR5. This tool allows users to extract multiple files. The software helps you to easily open the extracted folder.
Feature:
- This application supports Windows operating system.
- It is free software.
- Extract files in more than 30 formats.
- You can compress archive with multi-volume and password.
- It enables you to compress fast with multi-core.
- Bandizip supports compression of a file having more than 4 GB.
- This tool offers security through an AES256 encryption algorithm.
Express Zip
Express Zip is easy to use and comprehensive file archive and compression tools available. This tool enables you to unzip zip archives and create zip compatible folders and files. It supports a wide range of popular archive formats, including ROpen RAR, 7Z, TAR, CAB, and more.
Feature:
- Create compatible zip files.
- It enables you to unzip archives.
- This tool has improved compression ratio.
- Email ZIP files in two easy clicks.
- You can open and extract data from ISO (International Organization for standardization) and RAR files.
PeaZip
PeaZip is another open source WinZip alternative, but with a few more features in a considerably larger package (around 10MB compared to 7-Zip’s 1MB).
PeaZip’s standard installation will make file associations and add context menu options automatically, which you might not want if you’re trying it for the first time. Select ‘Custom’ if you want to make your own choices.
PeaZip is compatible with pretty much every compressed file format there is. PEA, its own format, prioritizes security over compression, with optional integrity check and authenticated encryption. Unlike 7-Zip, it can repair damaged archives.
Its handy extra features include the ability to convert archive formats and test archives for errors. It can’t batch compress or watermark images as some of the other tools here can, but can rotate and crop them for you.
NX Power Lite Desktop
NX Power Lite Desktop is a simple app that enables users to compress their data easily and quickly. This program does not require any advanced computer skills in order to use it. Software is used for people who like to attach large email files.
Feature:
- Compress any file directly from Windows Explorer using the right mouse click menu option.
- Files can be collected as a single Zip file.
- This free Unzip software can compress up to 10,000 folders and files at one time.
- NX Power Lite Desktop automatically compresses email attachments.
Conclusion:
The zip file is a file compression and packaging utility that is used for compressing and archiving any number of files and folders into a single one. Thus, they can be easily transported across networks and transferred from one PC to another. It was originally created by the PKWARE company in 1989 and is widely used as one of the most popular file compression utilities today.