One might think that file compression software is an outdated concept with the high-speed broadband availability and increasing storage space on PCs, laptops, mobiles, and tablets. That is until you see the storage bar indicator turn red or receive the notification on your PC saying “Running low on storage space“. The first solution that pops up in a user’s mind is to back up large old files into either external storage or upload them online to cloud services.
This solution itself comes with many hurdles such as uploading huge files to the cloud takes a lot of time depending on your internet speed. Cloud services and external storage devices can get expensive especially if you buy one with ample storage space. Cloud storage and external backups raise security concerns. Your data might be vulnerable if someone gets their hands on the device.
File compression software can help tackle all these storage and transfer challenges. It can easily compress large files up to a staggering 40% of their original size for more efficient storage, easier uploading and sharing. Split large files up into multiple volumes to enable storing on multiple drives. It also offers strong encryption via passwords to keep your files safe and secure.
It is also important to make sure that the file compression software supports all the commonly used file formats since there are so many out there and one can easily run into compatibility issues. And with so many file compression tools available, both free and paid, choosing the right one can be difficult.
That’s why we have created this list to provide you with the best options available on the market today. All these apps were tested extensively to ensure that they meet your requirements and budget.
Without any further delays, here are the best free and paid file compression apps in 2024.
The Best File Compression and Decompression Apps of 2024
1. WinRAR by RarLab
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High compression ratios | Paid software |
| Own proprietary RAR format | Interface although simple has an outdated look |
| Fastest compression speeds on RAR archive format | Not the best compression ratio on this list |
| Unmatched decompression/extraction speeds | Limited platform support (Windows & Android only) |
| Supports multiple archive formats | |
| Intuitive and beginner-friendly interface | |
| Fully featured 40-day trial period | |
| 256-bit encryption | |
| Supports themes | |
| Available in over 40 languages | |
| Wizard option makes file compression a breeze |
WinRAR is arguably the best file compression software and even though it is not free, we still think it deserves the top spot in our list. The major reason for that is that it checks almost all the marks of normal compression software and then offers something unique on top of it, that being its own proprietary RAR file format which only it can create. However, this does mean that you have to pay for it, the good thing is that it is a one-time payment.
It is kinda not available on every platform though. On Windows and Android, you can get the full WinRAR/RAR applications but on Linux and Mac, only a text-based application is available. That might be a deal breaker for some users.
However, WinRAR’s staggering speeds, great compression ratios, simple yet functional interface, solid file encryption, theme customization, and loads of other features have earned it the first position in our list. If this wasn’t enough to convince you then we recommend trying out Win RAR for yourself via its 40-day trial period and you will see exactly what you’re buying.
Get the most premium File archiving tool now!
2. 7-Zip by Igor Pavlov
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free & Open-source | Slow compression and decompression speeds |
| Own proprietary 7z format | Outdated interface |
| Best compression rate with its own LZMA and LZMA2 methods | |
| Multiple archive format support | |
| AES-256 encryption | |
| Drag and drop feature | |
| Great for massive file size |
If this was a list of free file compression software then 7-Zip would take the top spot, that’s how good we think it is. It can compress huge files, better than any other software on this list thanks to its 7z format with LZMA and LZMA2 algorithms. This impressive compression rate does mean slower archive creation but we think that it is a necessary sacrifice.
Its UI has an outdated look similar to WinRAR but it is customizable to some extent including the Windows context menu which by default has too many options so it can be confusing for newbies.
However, its powerful compression methods, massive archive format support, and free open-source nature have won it the second position in our list.
Download the best free file compression tool below!
3. WinZip by WinZip Computing
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Good compression rate | Paid app |
| ZIP file creation speeds always beat WinRAR and 7-Zip | No proprietary archive format |
| Supports extraction & compression of many file types | Comes bundled with many unwanted software |
| AES 256 Military-Grade Encryption | Clunky user interface makes it hard to find basic features like encryption and file splitting |
| Cloud services & social media integration | |
| Self-extracting ZIP file creation | |
| PDF ⇆ Word converter capabilities | |
| 21-day trial period | |
| 30-day refund guarantee (official store purchase only) |
WinZip is one of the oldest names in the file compression industry and is still being actively developed. While it does not have its own proprietary file formats like WinRAR or 7-Zip, its ZIP file creation speeds are faster than that of its competition while achieving almost the same compression ratio.
What truly holds back WinZip is its clunky and non-beginner-friendly user interface. If you’re a non-techy person then it will be very hard for you to get started with using this software. Finding basic features like encryption and split-archive creation is difficult enough but then finding out how to get them to work is another hassle.
WinZip does however get bonus points for offering a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can have ease of mind when purchasing it. If you don’t like the program for any reason then Win Zip will offer you a full refund within 30 days of purchasing from the office WinZip store (other sources of purchase don’t qualify for this).
The pricing of WinZip starts from $34.95 which is the highest on this list but for this price, you do get bonus features like cloud support, social media support, PDF to Word/Word to PDF file converter, fastest archive creation as long as you’re creating files in the ZIP format, and much more.
Download the fastest ZIP file compression tool today!
4. PeaZip by Giorgio Tani
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free & Open-source | No proprietary file format |
| Strong AES-256 Encryption with Two-Factor authentication | Compression ratio in 7z and RAR format is not as good as WinRAR or 7-Zip |
| Supports ZIP & 7z archive creation | Slower compression speeds compared to WinRAR and WinZip |
| RAR archive creation support if WinRAR is installed | Interface might seem less polished to some users |
| Good file format support | |
| Supports file hashing | |
| Beginner-friendly user interface | |
| Supports archive format conversion | |
| Built-in file manager has a similar look to Windows File Explorer making it easy to navigate | |
| Included password manager to keep track of all your archive passwords |
The second best free file compression option you have after 7-Zip is PeaZip. Just like WinZip it also does not have its proprietary file format but it surprised us with its ability to create archives in all the popular archive formats like RAR, 7z, ZIP, and many others.
You will however need to have WinRAR installed if you want to create RAR files. While not too functional due to the requirement we still appreciate the option. This feature works regardless of whether WinRAR is paid or in a trial period, although we don’t recommend using it without buying WinRAR.
It features a two-factor authentication option with AES-256 encryption for greater security of your files and also includes a password manager for you to keep track of all your complex passwords. Its user interface while not polished is very well laid out and resembles that of Windows File Explorer making it easy for new users to get a hang of it.
While PeaZip isn’t the fastest or the best, it is the best utility-wise. Yes, your archives are created slower and perhaps a tiny bit bigger than the competition but the wide archive creation format support, free and open-source nature, built-in password manager with two-factor authentication, paired with a familiar-looking user interface earns it the fourth position in this list.
Download the best all-in-one file compression app below!
Which One Should You Choose?
Even with a detailed comparison, we understand it can be difficult to choose which one should you use. The bottom line is that each one of the above-selected software offers something unique over the other, so our advice is to go with the one that checks the most boxes for you. Alternatively, you could try each one of them because even the paid software on this list feature a trial period. At the end of the day whichever one you choose, know that you have made a good choice.