The best WinZip alternatives are discussed in this post to make compressing and decompressing various file types simple.
Sharing large-size files was a real issue for consumers until WinZip came into play. However, once this software was accessible, all that was required of users to minimize the size of files was to zip or compress them. The tool also makes it simple for users to open an email attachment by just unzipping it, in addition to making the contents easily shared. If you are considering purchasing this file compressor, postpone your decision and read this article instead, which lists the best free alternatives to WinZip.
These tools, like WinZip, offer additional capabilities that this software does not give, in addition to being free ways to compress and unzip files on both Windows and Mac computers. Let’s get to the list of these file compression software options without further ado.
7 Completely Free and Best WinZip Alternatives
Below are the software packages that are not only free but also the best WinZip alternatives that are way better than it.
1. Bandizip
Fast WinZip alternative for Mac and Windows with Unicode support
Here comes yet another WinZip alternative that you can download for free. With this program for both Windows and Mac platforms, you can compress ZIP, EXE(SFX), 7Z(lzma2), TAR, ZIPX(xz), LZH(lh7), TGZ, ISO(Joliet), XZ, and GZ, file formats. Whereas, for decompression, it supports 7Z, AES, ACE, ALZ, BH, ARJ, BZ, BIN, Compound(MSI), BZ2, CAB, EGG, ISO, GZ, ISZ, IMG, LZH, LHA, LZ, LZMA, RAR5, PMA, SFX(EXE), RAR, TAR, TGZ, TBZ, TBZ2, UDF, TLZ, TXZ, WIM, XZ, XPI, ZIP, Z, ZIPX, ZSTD, ZPAQ, NSIS and BR files.
The most noticeable feature of Bandizip is its speed. It works at a lightning-fast speed to pack and unpack files. Moreover, it also allows you to choose the archive type as well as the archive size. You can even select the archive size from the predefined options.
Like almost every free WinZip alternative that we have discussed here, it also lets you password-protect your files and repairs corrupted zip archives. Moreover, with this program, you can recover lost archive passwords and view thumbnails of images present in the archive.
This software is also pretty strong on the security front, as it also comes with a malware detector for archives.
It also has the drag-and-drop option for ease of use. And you can select the files from the context menu that you want to integrate with this software.
There is also Unicode support to let you pack or unpack files with Japanese, Chinese, or Korean characters.
The only downside is that this software might seem a bit complicated to amateur users.
2. PeaZip
Free WinZip alternatives that even support rare file formats
The first thing that caught our attention was PeaZip’s support for even the rarely used file formats, such as PAQ, DAB, DMG, and more. Apart from these less commonly used file types, it also supports over 200+ archive formats, including 001, 7Z, UDF, ACE(*), ARC, ARJ, BR, BZ2, ISO, GZ, LHA, RAR(**), TAR, ZIP, WIM, XZ, ZST, ZIPX, and more.
With PeaZip, you can pack and unpack 7Z, SFX (7Z AND ARC), Freearcs ARC/WRC, BZ2, GZ, QUAD/BALZ/BCM, PAQ/LPAQ/ZPAQ, PEA, TAR, SPLIT, UPX, ZIP, WIM files.
Talking about security, this software works on the two-factor authentication mechanism where the files are protected with a password and key file. You can create AES 256 encrypted passwords to secure your files. Moreover, it also boasts an option to remove files securely with its in-built file shredder.
PeaZip not only allows you to zip and unzip files but also serves as one of the best free WinZip alternatives to merge files and split them. Not only this, but it also doubles up as a duplicate file finder, hash calculator, and self-extracting archives creator.
The interface of this software is also among its noticeable characteristics. It boasts a simple, beginner-friendly interface that lets you compress and decompress files with an easy drag-and-drop option. In addition to this, it can also be integrated with the context menu of Windows.
However, it suffers from a few shortcomings its archive-creating speed is slower than the other tools on this list, and minor interface issues often come up while using it.
3. 7-Zip
The open-source WinZip alternative
7-Zip is among the most popular software for packing and unpacking large-size files on Windows computers. We have placed it on the list of the best WinZip alternatives as it supports a wide spectrum of file formats and its powerful file management. It supports over 31 types of files.
With 7-Zip, you can pack/unpack 7z, GZIP, XZ, BZIP2, ZIP, TAR, and WIM file formats. Whereas for CAB, AR, ARJ, CHM, CramFS, CPIO, FAT, DMG, EXT, GPT, IHEX, HFS, ISO, LZH, LZMA, MBR, MSI, QCOW2, NSIS, RPM, NTFS, RAR, UDF, SquashFS, UEFI, VMDK, XAR, VDI, VHD, WIM, and Z formats only unpacking is allowed.
What makes 7-Zip worth mentioning WinZip alternative for Windows 10 is the compression ratio it provides. 7-Zip’s file compression ratio is 2% to 10% improved than that of WinZip.
The software even allows you to create multi-part files by dividing the archives into individual parts and then letting you decide the amount and size. It makes file sharing via emails and creating file backups easy.
Other noticeable advantages of 7-Zip over WinZip are that it supports AES-256 encryption in ZIP and 7z formats, has Self-extracting ability for the 7z format, is a FAR Manager Plugin, and has 87 languages. Moreover, with the drag-and-drop option, you can effortlessly add files to begin the packing process. In a nutshell, 7-Zip is among the most feature-packed free, open-source WinZip alternatives.
The only disadvantage is that you cannot use this software to scan or repair archives.
4. Ashampoo ZIP Free
A decent software similar to WinZip
Next, we are going to talk about Ashampoo ZIP Free. It is one of the programs like WinZip but freely available. There are no highly advanced features in this freeware. But, it performs the task of packing and unpacking files quite well.
It allows you to pack and unpack file formats, such as ZIP, 7-ZIP, CAB, TAR (TAR.BZ2, TAR, TAR.XZ, TAR.GZ), and LHA.
Whereas, for unpacking, it supports over 30 file formats, such as RAR, ARJ, ZIPX, ARC, ACE, NSIS, MSI, CHM, RPM, CPIO, DMG, VHD, LZMA, XAR, LZH, SQUASHFS, ZOO, WIM PLUS ISO (ISO9660 and UDF), CRAMFS, Z, and more.
You can perform all the necessary functions with this software, such as reading encrypted archives, creating self-extracting and multi-volume ZIP archives, and repairing damaged archives. It also supports all versions of RAR.
As far as security is concerned, it allows you to encrypt the archives with 256-bit AES encryption.
There is also an integrated preview to view the images, text, and other details without even extracting them.
It also comes with Windows Explorer Shell integration. As for the interface, it is modern, intuitive, and simple enough for beginners.
Talking about the shortcomings, to get the advanced features, you need to upgrade to the Pro version.
Also know: CCleaner Alternatives
5. Zipware
A simple, fast, and free alternative to WinZip
Next, we have Zipware on this list of the best WinZip alternatives. This software scores full points for its simplicity and ease of use. However, it does offer not only a simple interface but also many other features that help you extract and create zip files with ease.
With this software, you can create 7 ZIP, ZIP, and EXE files. Whereas it allows you to extract file formats like ZIP, ZIPX, RAR5, 7Z, RAR, ISO, GZIP, VHD, TAR, BZIP2, CPIO, XZ, DMG, DEB, XPI, RPM, and more.
Moreover, it also enables you to convert any kind of file format to 7z, zip, or exe. As far as file security is concerned, it lets you encrypt the files with AES-256 encryption.
There is also an integrated virus-scanning tool to keep your archives virus-free. Moreover, in case you have lost the archive password, this software allows you to recover it.
It also has an integrated password management system and checksums calculator. Like all the other free WinZip alternatives for Windows 10 listed here, it also comes with the drag and drops function, context menu integration, and the option to create self-extracting and split/multi-volume archives.
The only not-so-good thing about this software is that it does not have an archive repair feature.
6. ZipGenius
Best free alternative to WinZip with a customizable interface
The next entrant on our list of WinZip alternatives is ZipGenius, i.e., one of the most customizable utilities for compressed archives. It offers quite a lot of options to customize its look and feel. Moreover, it also comes with a bunch of features that make it easy for you to zip and unzip files. This software supports over 20 types of archives.
Some of its praiseworthy features include the option to convert ZIP files into Self Extracting Files, create encrypted ZIP archives in CZIP format, and extract the files where they are required. Along with this, it hosts a lot of options to create file backups, a disk space calculator, and integration with your antivirus software to detect viruses.
You can also export the file list into multiple formats, sign ZIP archives with ZGSign, and install ZGTools to expand the software’s capabilities.
Talking about the interface, it is easy to use and tabbed so that you can open multiple archives simultaneously.
There is only one problem with this software it is not updated regularly.
7. Zip Archiver
Zip Archiver is an excellent free WinZip substitute. The program has a user-friendly interface, simple controls with impulsive touches, the option to upload archives as well as other data to cloud storage, and a straightforward slider to change compression settings.
The program provides drag-and-drop functionality for various formats, can open a wide range of compressed file formats such as ZIP and 7z files, and can build archives.
Zip Archiver is only compatible with Windows; WinZip, on the other hand, is cross-platform and functional on both desktop and mobile devices. In contrast to WinZip, free for only 30 days before requiring an upgrade to use all of its capabilities, Zip Archiver is entirely free to use.
Although it might not come to mind when thinking of file compression applications, zip wire has a sizable fan base because of its superb format compatibility, carefully considered user interface, and lack of cost.
Whether you’re an expert or a newbie trying to decompress or compress data, the tool is remarkably simple to use and can generate or extract archives in any kind of format. This entails that you can able to compress any file, simply upload it to Dropbox, Google Drive, or another cloud storage option, and then obtain a link to distribute the item to others.
If you don’t wish to use the drag-and-drop functionality of Zip Archiver, you also have the choice of using the Windows context menu.
Closing words on the Best Free WinZip Alternatives
These best free WinZip alternatives are listed above. They allow for hassle-free file creation, extraction, reading, and sharing. If you feel that we have overlooked any deserving program, please share it in the comments. We’ll try to examine it and include it in our list.
