--- title: Best File Compression Software canonical: https://saasranked.com/best/file-compression-software/ facts_checked: 2026-10-09 --- # Best File Compression Software Pack files into smaller archives, open the ones other people send you, and lock them with a password. 10 file compression programs ranked by points out of 100 from 15 published rules. Method: https://saasranked.com/best/file-compression-software/how-we-score/ | # | Product | Points | Formats | Protection | Tools | Systems | Price | Cost for the first year | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 1 | [PeaZip](https://saasranked.com/software/peazip.md) | 95 | 18/20 | 29/29 | 22/22 | 6/9 | 20/20 | $0 | | 2 | [7-Zip](https://saasranked.com/software/7-zip.md) | 91 | 16/20 | 24/29 | 22/22 | 9/9 | 20/20 | $0 | | 3 | [NanaZip](https://saasranked.com/software/nanazip.md) | 87 | 18/20 | 24/29 | 22/22 | 3/9 | 20/20 | $0 | | 4 | [Bandizip](https://saasranked.com/software/bandizip.md) | 83 | 16/20 | 19/29 | 22/22 | 6/9 | 20/20 | $0 | | 5 | [7-Zip ZS](https://saasranked.com/software/7-zip-zs.md) | 81 | 18/20 | 24/29 | 13/22 | 6/9 | 20/20 | $0 | | 6 | [PowerArchiver](https://saasranked.com/software/powerarchiver.md) | 72 | 16/20 | 24/29 | 22/22 | 3/9 | 7/20 | $22.95/yr | | 7 | [ALZip](https://saasranked.com/software/alzip.md) | 68 | 12/20 | 17/29 | 19/22 | 0/9 | 20/20 | $0 | | 8 | [WinRAR](https://saasranked.com/software/winrar.md) | 66 | 12/20 | 24/29 | 19/22 | 6/9 | 5/20 | $33.50/yr | | 9 | [Ashampoo ZIP Free](https://saasranked.com/software/ashampoo-zip-free.md) | 59 | 12/20 | 17/29 | 17/22 | 0/9 | 13/20 | $40/yr | | 10 | [Windows compressed folders](https://saasranked.com/software/windows-compressed-folders.md) | 21 | 8/20 | 0/29 | 5/22 | 0/9 | 8/20 | Not published | ## 1. PeaZip Best for: People who want a free archiver with file-name encryption and many formats. PeaZip suits people who want a free archiver with strong encryption, hidden file names and a wide list of formats. It adds volume splitting, self-extracting archives and a Windows context menu. The catch: it cannot create RAR archives without WinRAR installed, and the download pages list no native Windows ARM64 build. ## 2. 7-Zip Best for: People who want a free, open-source archiver with strong encryption. 7-Zip suits anyone who wants a no-cost archiver with AES-256 and open source code. It also offers volumes, self-extracting archives and a command line. The catch: it cannot create RAR or Zstandard archives, and its documentation describes recovery of damaged archives as a manual job. ## 3. NanaZip Best for: Windows 11 users who want 7-Zip's features with a File Explorer menu. NanaZip suits Windows 10 and 11 users who want the 7-Zip feature set with a File Explorer context menu, ARM64 support and extra codecs such as Zstandard. It costs nothing and the code is public. The catch: it has no macOS or Linux builds, and its pages document few features directly, so most of the feature set is documented by 7-Zip. ## 4. Bandizip Best for: People who want a free Windows archiver with an Explorer menu. Bandizip suits Windows users who want a free archiver with AES-256, volume splitting, a console tool and an ARM64 build. The licence is commercial rather than open source, and the free edition shows ads. The catch: archive repair is Professional-only, and the feature list shows no Zstandard or recovery-record support. ## 5. 7-Zip ZS Best for: People who want 7-Zip plus newer codecs such as Zstandard. 7-Zip ZS suits people who want the free 7-Zip tool with Zstandard and other newer codecs. It encrypts with AES-256 and can hide file names. It has an ARM64 Windows build. The catch: the project's pages say nothing about split volumes or repair data, and its README says the fork will currently not be included in mainline 7-Zip. ## 6. PowerArchiver Best for: People who want a one-time purchase instead of a subscription. PowerArchiver Business suits people who prefer to pay once, at $22.95, and want AES-256, file-name encryption and a portable build. It creates and reads the common formats. The catch: there is no free edition, the separate command-line tool is not in Business, and the vendor pages do not mention a Windows ARM64 build. ## 7. ALZip Best for: People who want a free Windows archiver with AES-256 passwords and support for old formats. ALZip suits people who want a free archiver that opens many old and regional formats. Its manual documents AES-256 passwords, splitting, self-extracting EXE files, repair and a command line. The catch: it creates only a short list of types, and splitting works only in its own EGG and ALZ formats. Ad-free use needs the separate AD-ZERO subscription. ## 8. WinRAR Best for: People who need to create RAR archives with repair data. WinRAR suits people who need RAR archives with recovery records, repair and volumes. A 29.95 euro licence is perpetual, but the trial ends after 40 days. The catch: it creates only RAR and ZIP archives, is not open source, and has no Windows ARM64 build. ## 9. Ashampoo ZIP Free Best for: People who want a free zip tool with a paid upgrade path. Ashampoo ZIP Free suits people who want a free archiver that opens RAR, 7z, ISO and CAB files, with Pro available later. The free edition names no AES-256 encryption, so the score counts ZIP Pro 4, which lists it. The catch: splitting, self-extracting archives and repair are Pro features, and the vendor pages mention no command line or ARM64 build. ## 10. Windows compressed folders Best for: People who only need to zip and unzip files and want nothing to install. Windows compressed folders suits quick zipping and unzipping when you do not want another program. It reads RAR, 7z and TAR archives on Windows 11 24H2. The catch: Microsoft says it does not support operations on encrypted archives and points users to 7-Zip or WinRAR.