file compression program · Ashampoo GmbH & Co. KG

Ashampoo ZIP Free

Free Windows archiver with a paid Pro edition that adds AES-256, split volumes and repair.

59/100

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

In short

ZIP Free is free, and the page mentions no trial or time limit¹.
ZIP Free does not name its encryption; AES-256 is documented on the paid ZIP Pro edition^1,2.
ZIP Pro has a regular price of $40; the page shows $15 at 62% off².
ZIP Pro adds split volumes, self-extracting archives and ZIP repair, and has a portable build².
ZIP Pro runs on Windows 10 and 11 only³.

Ashampoo ZIP Free suits people who want a free archiver that opens RAR, 7z, ISO and CAB files, with Pro available later^1,2. The free edition names no AES-256 encryption, so the score counts ZIP Pro 4, which lists it². The catch: splitting, self-extracting archives and repair are Pro features, and the vendor pages mention no command line or ARM64 build^1,2,3.

Best for: People who want a free zip tool with a paid upgrade path.

Where the points come from

Formats12 of 20

Protection17 of 29

Tools17 of 22

Systems0 of 9

Price13 of 20

Formats 12 of 20 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Archive types you can create	ZIP, 7zZIP Pro FAQ says it can create archives and encrypt ZIP and 7-Zip archives. Other create formats are not separated from open-only².	4 / 12
Archive types you can open	RAR, 7z, ISO, CABZIP Pro lists ZIP, RAR, 7-Zip, TAR, CAB and ISO². ZIP Free names the same formats in its FAQ¹.	8 / 8

Protection 17 of 29 points

Rule	What is published	Points
AES-256 encryption	YesZIP Pro FAQ: ZIP and 7-Zip archives can use AES-256 encryption. ZIP Free does not name its encryption^1,2.	12 / 12
Hides file names	Not publishedNot published on the vendor's ZIP Pro page².	0 / 7
Repair of damaged archives	YesZIP Pro includes a repair tool that restores damaged ZIP archives where possible².	5 / 5
Open source	Not publishedNot published on the vendor's ZIP Free or ZIP Pro pages^1,2.	0 / 5

Tools 17 of 22 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Split into volumes	YesZIP Pro FAQ lists volume splitting as a Pro feature; ZIP Free does not split archives^1,2.	6 / 6
Self-extracting archives	YesZIP Pro FAQ lists self-extracting archives, described as 256-bit encrypted².	3 / 3
Command line	Not publishedNot published on the vendor's ZIP Free, ZIP Pro or requirements pages^1,2,3.	0 / 5
File Explorer menu	YesZIP Pro integrates with Windows Explorer and its context menu².	5 / 5
Portable version	YesZIP Pro Portable runs from a flash drive or external disk without installation².	3 / 3

Systems 0 of 9 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Systems	NoneThe requirements page names Windows 11 and Windows 10 only³.	0 / 6
Windows on ARM	Not publishedNot published on the vendor's ZIP Pro or requirements pages^2,3.	0 / 3

Price 13 of 20 points

Rule	What is published	Points
Free to use without a time limit	YesZIP Free is described as 100% free, with no trial or time limit mentioned¹.	8 / 8
Cost for the first year	$40/yrZIP Pro 4 at the regular $40; the page shows $15 at 62% off. Licence term not stated².	5 / 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
ZIP Free1 person	Free¹	$0	Creates mainly ZIP archives; opens many formats
ZIP Pro 41 person	$40 regular ($15 on sale)²	–	AES-256, split volumes, SFX, repair, portable; licence term not stated

The page shows $15 at 62% off the $40 regular price and does not state whether the licence is one-time².

Strengths

Free edition with no trial period mentioned¹.
ZIP Pro names AES-256 for ZIP and 7-Zip archives².
ZIP Pro adds volume splitting, self-extracting archives and ZIP repair².
Runs from a flash drive as ZIP Pro Portable².

Limits

The free edition does not name its encryption¹.
Splitting, self-extracting archives and ZIP repair need Pro^1,2.
The page shows the Pro price at $15 on sale; the regular price is $40².
Supports Windows 10 and 11 only; Pro needs an internet connection to activate³.

What Ashampoo GmbH & Co. KG says

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

Ashampoo says ZIP Pro supports over 60 archive formats².

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
2
7-ZipPeople who want a free, open-source archiver with strong encryption
91/100
$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

All 10 file compression programs

Sources

Ashampoo ZIP Free, Ashampoo. Accessed 9 Oct 2026.
Ashampoo ZIP Pro 4, Ashampoo. Accessed 9 Oct 2026.
Ashampoo ZIP Pro requirements, Ashampoo. Accessed 9 Oct 2026.

Website: www.ashampoo.com/en-us/zip-free · Markdown version · We are not affiliated with Ashampoo GmbH & Co. KG.