WinZip is a useful compression tool that comes with a boast of easier transfer. This two software allows you to send a bunch of files without hassle as it compresses all files into a single file. Unfortunately, WinZip is basically paid software though it offers a 30-day free trial. If you need a free tool with a similar function, take a look at the following recommendations of free WinZip alternatives.
Why do you need a recommendation to choose WinZip alternative? Today, a plethora of compression tools are available on the internet but not all of them work well. Picking the best one can be a real challenge, especially if you are not really into this field. Make sure to choose only reliable software as mentioned below.
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Top 8 Free WinZip Alternatives
The following compression tools are dedicated to help you transfer files with ease. A number of software such as 7-Zip, Zipware, and FreeArc have been widely used worldwide so you can rely on them to compress files. There are some other recommended utilities to help improve your archiving experience. Here is a closer look at WinZip alternatives:
1. 7-Zip
Compressing and decompressing files is getting easier with 7-Zip. This convenient program is open source, which means it can be downloaded and installed freely on any device. Much like WinZip, this alternative allows you to pack and unpack folders and files effortlessly. Despite being open-source, 7-Zip offers reliable compression with 10 percent better results compared to other similar software.
Downloading and installing 7-zip will not give a significant effect on the performance of your desktop computer. The fact that it is as small as 1MB makes 7-zip a lightweight software that won’t make your PC slugging. This is because the program uses system resources without bringing in outside materials.
This compression tool supports multiple formats including 7z, ZIP, GZIP, and TAR. It can also unpack more file-formats including CHM, DMG, and ARJ. With the ability to compress up to 70 percent, 7-zip offers an easier solution for file transfer. If you run Windows OS, the tool that has been around since 2019 can be a great alternative over WinZip.
2. B1 Free Archiver
B1 Free Archiver is a good name to mention when it comes to list of WinZip alternatives. This compression software helps simplify your way to zip and unzip any files and folders, allowing you to transfer a bunch of files effortlessly. As with 7-zip, B1 Free Archiver is an open-source program that can be downloaded and installed for free.
The cross-platform tool supports major operating systems including Windows, Linux, Mac, and Android. Coming with a simple and user-friendly interface, it makes sense if this software becomes a favorite among students and beginners. Additionally, B1 Free Archiver can be used both online and offline so you can compress and decompress files and folders without a problem.
The online archiver is very simple to use. All you need to do is visit the website from your browser and upload desired files or folders. Click compress and wait for the online archiver to do its job. Once it is finished, download the compressed files or folders. Luckily, B1 Free Archiver supports multiple formats including 7z, RAR, B1, and JAR. Read also: Best Free WinRAR Alternatives.
3. Bandizip
The worst part of installing free software is malware or adware addition. But if you are trying to find a free and safe compression tool, Bandizip can be a good bet. This program is designed to scan for threats and malware before opening, so your computer will remain safe and secure. It is also known as an efficient and fast program to save your time.
Bandizip comes with a lot of features such as drag and drop. This function enables you to drag desired files or folders and drop to the Bandizip interface. Unicode support is another highlight to enjoy from the software, allowing you to pack and unpack files with special characters such as Chinese, Japanese, or Korean. Not to mention it offers a preview feature to help you find the right archive.
A simple and user-friendly interface makes Bandizip easy to understand, even for beginners. It supports major compression formats such as RAR, Zip, and 7z. In addition to convenient features, this utility helps ensure the security of your data. Thanks to an improved algorithm that keeps unwanted people from reading your file. If you run Windows on desktop or laptop, this archiver can be a nice pick.
4. PeaZip
Another free WinZip alternative with excellent performance is PeaZip. This cross-platform compression tool works well on Windows and Linux but it is not available on Mac and Android. Despite the limited support to OS, this program comes with highlights and features to pack and unpack files as well as folders. Not only can you zip and unzip, but you can also manage files with this software.
Among highlights and features brought by this convenient tool is password manager. With this functionality, you can set a master password that can be used for all files. This password keeps your files and folders away from unwanted people, so your data security can be well-protected. In addition to password manager, it also features encryption and decryption ability.
This tool has a user-friendly and clear interface that is pretty easy to use. It also supports copious file formats for ultimate convenience. When it comes to file size, PeaZip is quite lightweight as it is only 10MB. If you are looking for a free compression tool that does not make your computer sluggish, PeaZip can be a perfect choice.
5. ExtractNow
Specifically designed for Windows, ExtractNow is an open-source archiver that helps compress and decompress your files. This WinZip alternative can run well on Windows 98 and higher, so it is suitable for most modern computers. Despite it being free of charge, ExtractNow has tons of features that help handle your files and folders before transferring.
The ability to set an automatic folder is among the highlights brought by this tool. As with Bandizip, it also features a drag and drop function that enables you to drag desired files and drop to the interface. Without the need to browse from your computer, this archiver helps save much of your time. Or, you can also right-click on the file and choose from menu options to extract with this tool.
ExtractNow is beginners-friendly, thanks to its intuitive and simple interface. As it supports most zip formats, having this tool on your computer is enough to handle any file formats. Much like other compression tools, this archiver will not consume a lot of space on your PC or make it sluggish. The most important, the tool is 100 percent free so you can download and install on any device.
6. Hamster Zip Archiver
One of the most recommended compression software is Hamster Zip Archiver. There are many reasons to choose this tool over WinZip such as easy and free to download, easy navigation, and intuitive design. The archiver is beginner-friendly, thanks to a simple yet cool interface that is easy to understand. It also offers a handful of features to help you pack and unpack files.
What makes it better? It is surely the support to access the cloud conveniently. Users can use popular cloud technology such as Google Drive, One Drive, Dropbox, and YandexDisk that helps create copies of important files. It also enables you to send photos or projects easily. With a high compression ratio, you can deliver exceptional results without too large file sizes.
Hamster Zip Archiver is not a cross-platform software, which means it only runs on a specific operating system. It is developed for Windows users, so Linux and Mac users cannot take advantage from its features. This tool, however, supports a few zip formats including zip, rar, tar, and 7z. It can be troublesome if you are going to zip files in different formats.
7. Ashampoo Zip
Next on the list, there is Ashampoo Zip that can be a great option for Windows users. This one of the best WinZip alternatives is free to download but it can give you more than expected. This compression tool is lightweight yet powerful, allowing you to enjoy the program without consuming a lot of system resources. With a support to over 60 different zip formats, you can easily tackle zip, rar, arc, xpi, and more files.
The compression utility offers not only basic pack and unpack functions but it also comes with the ability to create self-extracting files. This feature helps the software to repair corrupted archives, so you don’t necessarily need to lose important files. This convenient feature is commonly found in paid utilities but is rarely found in open-source software.
As with Hamster Zip Archiver, Ashampoo Zip supports cloud functions that enable you to use cloud services from One Drive, Google Drive to Dropbox. Additionally, this compression tool provides you with a preview function that allows you to find desired files without extracting. All the convenience is wrapped in an attractive and simple interface for any users.
8. FreeArc
FreeArc is an open-source compression and file manager utility that is developed for Windows and Linux. This software is claimed to combine the best features of 7-zip and RAR such as updatable solid archives and auto-selected compression. It also boasts a high compression ratio for easier transfer and maintained file quality. The most important, FreeArc works smoothly without any major issue.
This archiver is designed with quite an easy and simple interface, allowing users from different levels of skills to use it conveniently. Not to mention FreeArc comes with better performance and higher speed, especially when compared with other open-source compression utilities. Packing and unpacking folders is getting easier with this software.
FreeArc supports a variety of format files including zip, rar, and 7z. But it has its own archive format, which is the .arc. Using this archiver, you can enjoy a number of features such as solid compression, self-extracting archives ability, archive protection, and recovery layer. It also supports encryption and Total Commander plug-ins that may be attractive for users with higher skill levels.
Those are 8 best and most recommended free WinZip alternatives to keep in mind. All compression utilities above are reliable and able to deliver great performance on compatible devices. If you need a versatile archiver but WinZip is not a good choice, several alternatives above help handle your files and folders. Simply choose one that meets your preference!
