15 rules in 5 groups, worth 100 points in all. They were set before any product was scored and apply the same way to all 10.
Version 1, published 9 Oct 2026
In short
Each rule is a yes-or-no fact, a list (such as the systems with an app) or a number with published thresholds, read from the vendor's own pages.
A fact the vendor does not publish earns nothing. A feature in beta or preview does not count.
The list follows the points. A tie goes to the lower price on "cost for the first year", then to the name.
File archivers for individuals that run on Windows (an installed app or a portable build). Online-only zip tools, command-line-only tools and business-only editions are left out. Features count on the cheapest edition for one person that makes AES-256 archives (the free edition if it does); a feature only a higher edition has counts as false. Sources: the vendor's site, help file or manual.
Formats 20 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Archive types you can create
The vendor's feature page or documentation says the program can create archives in each type, not only open them. Each one earns 2 points.
12
Archive types you can open
The vendor's feature page or documentation says the program can open or extract each type. Each one earns 2 points.
8
Protection 29 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
AES-256 encryption
The program can password-protect an archive it creates with AES-256 encryption, as named on a vendor page or in its manual. Encryption only described as 'strong' or 'advanced', without AES-256, is not enough. Counts on the edition that is priced.
12
Hides file names
The vendor's page or manual documents an option that encrypts the list of file names (not only the contents), so the archive cannot be browsed without the password.
7
Repair of damaged archives
The program can add recovery data to an archive (such as a RAR recovery record) or has a built-in repair command for damaged archives, as documented by the vendor. A web page that only explains how to recover data by hand does not count.
5
Open source
The source code of the program is public under an open-source licence.
5
Tools 22 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Split into volumes
The program can cut one archive into several parts of a size you choose (multi-volume archives), as documented by the vendor.
6
Self-extracting archives
The program can create an .exe archive that opens on a PC without an archiver.
3
Command line
A command-line program or a documented command-line mode ships with the Windows version (for example 7z.exe, Rar.exe or bz.exe).
5
File Explorer menu
Right-click entries in Windows File Explorer let you compress and extract without opening the program. The Windows 11 'Show more options' menu counts.
5
Portable version
The vendor offers a version that runs without installation, such as a portable download or a zip/7z package of the program files.
3
Systems 9 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Systems
The vendor offers a download for each system that runs the program (a command-line build counts; a Windows emulator wrapper or a third-party port does not). Windows is not scored, because every listed program runs on it. Each one earns 3 points.
6
Windows on ARM
The vendor offers a native ARM64 build for Windows, not only an x86 build.
3
Price 20 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Free to use without a time limit
The vendor says individuals can use the program for free with no time limit (a free edition, open source or built into Windows). A trial or evaluation period does not count, even if the program keeps working after it ends.
8
Cost for the first year
What one person pays in the first 12 months, before tax, for the cheapest single-user edition that makes AES-256 archives, in US dollars at the regular price. Pay-once licences count at the full price; subscriptions at the first year's price; bundles with other software are not used. A free product counts as $0. No AES-256 edition or no public price is null. $0 earns 12 points, $15 or less 9, $30 or less 7, $45 or less 5, $60 or less 3.