--- title: Bandizip canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/bandizip/ category: File Compression Software points: 83 rank: 4 of 10 facts_checked: 2026-10-09 --- # Bandizip Ad-supported free archiver for Windows with AES-256, file-name encryption and a native ARM64 build. 83 points out of 100. #4 of 10 file compression programs. Vendor: Bandisoft. Website: https://www.bandisoft.com/bandizip/ - The Standard edition is free to use at home and in business, with no licence to buy [3]. - It creates ZIP, 7z, TAR and GZ archives, and opens RAR, 7z, ISO and CAB [1][2]. - AES-256 is in the free edition, and 7z archives can hide file names when you set a password [1][5]. - Repair Archive and password recovery need the Professional edition at $30, one user [1][7]. - Windows builds include a portable download and native ARM64; a separate Mac app is sold on the Mac App Store [2][8]. Verdict: Bandizip suits Windows users who want a free archiver with AES-256, volume splitting, a console tool and an ARM64 build [1][2][4]. The licence is commercial rather than open source, and the free edition shows ads [2]. The catch: archive repair is Professional-only, and the feature list shows no Zstandard or recovery-record support [1]. Best for: People who want a free Windows archiver with an Explorer menu. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Formats | Archive types you can create | ZIP, 7z, TAR, GZIP | 8/12 | Product page lists compression to ZIP, 7Z, ZIPX, EXE, TAR, TGZ, LZH, ISO, GZ and XZ; no RAR or Zstandard [6]. | | Formats | Archive types you can open | RAR, 7z, ISO, CAB | 8/8 | Decompression list names RAR, 7Z, ISO and CAB among 40+ formats [6]. | | Protection | AES-256 encryption | Yes | 12/12 | Listed as 'AES256 encryption algorithm' in the features shared by all users, including the free edition [6]. | | Protection | Hides file names | Yes | 7/7 | Setting a password on a 7Z archive hides file names; the help page does not limit this to a paid edition [5]. | | Protection | Repair of damaged archives | No | 0/5 | Repair Archive is listed as a Professional-only feature; the free edition only tests integrity [1]. | | Protection | Open source | No | 0/5 | Licence is listed as 'Advertising-supported software / Commercial software' [2]. | | Tools | Split into volumes | Yes | 6/6 | 'Split to volumes' lets you pick a size or enter one; multi-volume compression is a feature for all users [6][9]. | | Tools | Self-extracting archives | Yes | 3/3 | EXE (sfx) archives can be created, in the features shared by all users [6]. | | Tools | Command line | Yes | 5/5 | Help page says Bandizip.exe and its console application bz.exe support command-line parameters [4]. | | Tools | File Explorer menu | Yes | 5/5 | 'Right-click menus on File Explorer' is listed among the features for all users [6]. | | Tools | Portable version | Yes | 3/3 | Download page offers a Portable download for Windows [2]. | | Systems | Systems | macOS | 3/6 | Bandizip for Mac is sold on the Mac App Store; no Linux version is mentioned [8]. | | Systems | Windows on ARM | Yes | 3/3 | Supported OS line lists Windows 32bit, x64 and ARM64, with a 32bit/ARM64 download [2]. | | Price | Free to use without a time limit | Yes | 8/8 | Licence page says Standard Edition needs no licence purchase and may be used at home and in business [3]. | | Price | Cost for the first year | $0 | 12/12 | Free Standard edition makes AES-256 archives [3][6]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | Standard (free) | Free [2][3] | $0 | | Professional | $30 [1][3][7] | - | The license policy says a Bandizip license has no expiration date, and the buy page lists the Professional price as $30 for a single-user license [3][7]. ## Strengths - Free edition may be used at home and at work [3]. - AES-256 on free; 7z archives can hide file names [1][5]. - Native ARM64 build for Windows, and a portable download [2]. - Console tool bz.exe supports the same command-line parameters as Bandizip.exe [4]. ## Limits - The free edition is advertising-supported [2]. - Not open source; the licence is listed as commercial software [2]. - Repair Archive is a Professional feature, priced at $30 for one user [1][7]. - The compression list has no RAR or Zstandard; the Mac page mentions no Linux version [6][8]. ## Sources 1. [Bandizip](https://www.bandisoft.com/bandizip/), Bandisoft, accessed 2026-10-09 2. [Bandizip download](https://en.bandisoft.com/bandizip/dl/), Bandisoft, accessed 2026-10-09 3. [Bandizip license policy](https://en.bandisoft.com/bandizip/help/license-policy/), Bandisoft, accessed 2026-10-09 4. [Bandizip command line parameters](https://en.bandisoft.com/bandizip/help/parameter/), Bandisoft, accessed 2026-10-09 5. [Encrypting file names in archives](https://en.bandisoft.com/bandizip/help/encrypt-file-names/), Bandisoft, accessed 2026-10-09 6. [Bandizip features](https://en.bandisoft.com/bandizip/), Bandisoft, accessed 2026-10-09 7. [Buy Bandizip](https://en.bandisoft.com/bandizip/buy/), Bandisoft, accessed 2026-10-09 8. [Bandizip for Mac](https://en.bandisoft.com/bandizip.mac/), Bandisoft, accessed 2026-10-09 9. [Splitting a large file into smaller files](https://en.bandisoft.com/bandizip/help/how-to-split-a-large-file-into-smaller-files-with-bandizip/), Bandisoft, accessed 2026-10-09