file compression program · Igor Pavlov

7-Zip

Free, open-source archiver that makes AES-256 7z and ZIP archives and opens RAR, ISO and CAB files.

91/100

#2 of 10 file compression programs
Facts checked 9 Oct 2026

In short

7-Zip is free for any computer, including in a company, with no registration¹.
It packs 7z, XZ, BZIP2, GZIP, TAR, ZIP and WIM, and only unpacks RAR, ISO and CAB¹.
AES-256 encryption works in 7z and ZIP archives; 7z can also encrypt file names^1,6.
Windows installers come for x64, x86 and ARM64; Linux and macOS get console builds².
Most of the code is under the GNU LGPL, with some BSD parts^1,3.

7-Zip suits anyone who wants a no-cost archiver with AES-256 and open source code^1,3. It also offers volumes, self-extracting archives and a command line^1,7,8. The catch: it cannot create RAR or Zstandard archives, and its documentation describes recovery of damaged archives as a manual job^1,4,5,9.

Best for: People who want a free, open-source archiver with strong encryption.

Where the points come from

Formats16 of 20

Protection24 of 29

Tools22 of 22

Systems9 of 9

Price20 of 20

Formats 16 of 20 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Archive types you can create	ZIP, 7z, TAR, GZIPHome page lists packing and unpacking for 7z, XZ, BZIP2, GZIP, TAR, ZIP and WIM. RAR and zstd are unpack-only^1,4.	8 / 12
Archive types you can open	RAR, 7z, ISO, CABRAR, ISO and CAB are listed under unpacking only; 7z is packed and unpacked¹.	8 / 8

Protection 24 of 29 points

Rule	What is published	Points
AES-256 encryption	YesHome page: strong AES-256 encryption in 7z and ZIP formats¹.	12 / 12
Hides file names	YesThe -p switch page says that with the -mhe switch archive headers are encrypted, so file names are encrypted⁶.	7 / 7
Repair of damaged archives	NoThe documented commands include no repair command, and the recovery page describes manual repair with a hex editor^5,9.	0 / 5
Open source	YesHome page says 7-Zip is free open-source software, mostly under the GNU LGPL^1,3.	5 / 5

Tools 22 of 22 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Split into volumes	YesThe -v switch sets the volume size in bytes, kilobytes, megabytes or gigabytes⁷.	6 / 6
Self-extracting archives	YesHome page lists self-extracting capability for 7z; the -sfx switch creates a self-extracting archive^1,8.	3 / 3
Command line	YesHome page lists a command line version; the extra package ships the console program^1,2.	5 / 5
File Explorer menu	YesHome page lists integration with Windows Shell¹.	5 / 5
Portable version	YesThe 7z extra package holds a standalone console version that needs no installer. Counted as portable; no portable GUI is offered².	3 / 3

Systems 9 of 9 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Systems	macOS, LinuxDownload page offers console builds for Linux and macOS².	6 / 6
Windows on ARM	YesDownload page offers a 64-bit ARM64 Windows installer².	3 / 3

Price 20 of 20 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Free to use without a time limit	YesHome page: no need to register or pay, including in a commercial organisation¹.	8 / 8
Cost for the first year	$0Free; no paid edition¹.	12 / 12

The rule behind each line: how we score file compression programs.

Plans and prices

As the vendor lists them, before tax. Prices are in US dollars unless the plan shows euros; the points use US dollars, with euros converted at the ECB rate.

Plan	Price as listed	Per month	Notes
7-Zip1 person or company	Free¹	$0	No registration; open source

Strengths

Free for personal and company use, with no time limit¹.
Encrypts 7z file names as well as contents with the -mhe option⁶.
Native ARM64 Windows installer, plus console builds for Linux and macOS².
Splits archives into volumes of a size you set⁷.

Limits

Cannot create RAR or Zstandard archives; it only unpacks them^1,4.
No repair command is documented; recovering a damaged 7z archive is a manual process^5,9.
Linux and macOS builds are console-only².

What Igor Pavlov says

Vendor claims. We show them, but they earn no points.

7-Zip says its ZIP and GZIP compression ratio is 2-10 % better than PKZip and WinZip¹.

Other file compression programs

1
PeaZipPeople who want a free archiver with file-name encryption and many formats
95/100
$0cost for the first year
3
NanaZipWindows 11 users who want 7-Zip's features with a File Explorer menu
87/100
$0cost for the first year
4
BandizipPeople who want a free Windows archiver with an Explorer menu
83/100
$0cost for the first year
5
7-Zip ZSPeople who want 7-Zip plus newer codecs such as Zstandard
81/100
$0cost for the first year

7-Zip vs PeaZip · 7-Zip vs NanaZip · All 10 file compression programs

Sources

7-Zip, 7-Zip. Accessed 9 Oct 2026.
7-Zip Download, 7-Zip. Accessed 9 Oct 2026.
License for use and distribution, 7-Zip. Accessed 9 Oct 2026.
7-Zip history, 7-Zip. Accessed 9 Oct 2026.
Recover corrupted 7z archive, 7-Zip. Accessed 9 Oct 2026.
7-Zip help file: -p (Set Password) switch, 7-Zip documentation (Japanese project site linked from 7-zip.org). Accessed 9 Oct 2026.
7-Zip help file: -v (Create Volumes) switch, 7-Zip documentation (Japanese project site linked from 7-zip.org). Accessed 9 Oct 2026.
7-Zip help file: -sfx (Create SFX archive) switch, 7-Zip documentation (Japanese project site linked from 7-zip.org). Accessed 9 Oct 2026.
7-Zip help file: Commands, 7-Zip documentation (Japanese project site linked from 7-zip.org). Accessed 9 Oct 2026.

Website: www.7-zip.org · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Igor Pavlov.