PeaZip
Focus: file archiver, compression and encryption. Shares zip and open source with 7-Zip. Adds macOS. Rated 4.6 (7-Zip: 4.7).
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.6Visit
Desktop App
7-Zip
A free, open-source file archiver with a high compression ratio.
Rating
4.7 / 5
Pricing
Free
Difficulty
Beginner
Works on
Windows, Linux, Offline
Built with love by Shushant Lakhyani. Building bestproductivityresources.com
What is 7-Zip?
7-Zip is a free, open-source file archiver that creates and opens ZIP and 7z files and extracts many other formats, including RAR, TAR and ISO. Its own 7z format offers strong compression and AES-256 encryption, and it integrates with the Windows right-click menu for quick use.
Pros: what 7-Zip does well
- Opens almost every archive format
- Strong compression and encryption
- Light and fast
Cons: where it falls short
- Very plain interface
- No official macOS app
Who 7-Zip is for
Windows users who regularly zip, unzip or password-protect files.
Who can skip it
People who only open the odd ZIP file with their system's built-in tool.
7-Zip alternatives
Not sold on 7-Zip? These do a similar job, and each card says what it has in common.
ouch
Focus: compression, archive and terminal. Shares zip and open source with 7-Zip. Adds macOS. Rated 4.5 (7-Zip: 4.7).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.5Visit
fzf
Focus: fuzzy finder, command line and shell. Shares open source with 7-Zip. Adds macOS. Rated 4.8 (7-Zip: 4.7).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.8Visit
Pandoc
Focus: document converter, markdown and command line. Shares open source with 7-Zip. Adds macOS. Rated 4.8 (7-Zip: 4.7).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.8Visit
ripgrep
Focus: search tool, command line and developer tool. Shares open source with 7-Zip. Adds macOS. Rated 4.8 (7-Zip: 4.7).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.8Visit
VLC media player
Focus: media player, video player and codecs. Shares open source with 7-Zip. Adds macOS, iOS and Android. Rated 4.8 (7-Zip: 4.7).
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.8Visit
Free alternatives to 7-Zip
Want to spend nothing? These free picks cover similar ground.
bat
Focus: file viewer, command line and developer tool. Shares open source with 7-Zip. Adds macOS. Same 4.7 rating.
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.7Visit
calibre
Focus: ebooks, ebook converter and library. Shares open source with 7-Zip. Adds macOS. Same 4.7 rating.
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.7Visit
croc
Focus: file transfer, encryption and command line. Shares open source with 7-Zip. Adds macOS. Same 4.7 rating.
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.7Visit
fd
Focus: file search, command line and developer tool. Shares open source with 7-Zip. Adds macOS. Same 4.7 rating.
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.7Visit
HandBrake
Focus: video converter, compression and media. Shares open source with 7-Zip. Adds macOS. Same 4.7 rating.
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.7Visit
LocalSend
Focus: file transfer, airdrop alternative and dropbox alternative. Shares open source with 7-Zip. Adds macOS, Android and iOS. Same 4.7 rating.
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.7Visit
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