File compression can be handy if you’re running low on disk space or want to share files on social media networks or messaging websites. If you’re not familiar with how file compression works, you can read our detailed guide on file compression and you can perform it on different platforms.
There are plenty of file compression software available if you want to compress files. However, each software supports different file archive formats and offers different features. Choosing the best out of the lot could be a time-consuming task. So, we’ve made this process simpler for you.
Here is a list of six such software that you can use to compress files in Windows and Mac.
6 Best File Compression Software For 2019
1. WinZip – Best Zip Program
Given its features and ease of usage, WinZip is one of the best file compression software that you can use.
Supported Formats: zip, tar, gzip, cab, rar, 7z, IMG, ISO, XZ, VHD, VMDK, lha/lzh
Price: 45-days free trial, $35.34 for Standard WinZip
2. 7-zip – Best Open Source File Compression Software
Supported formats: Packing/ unpacking – 7z, XZ, BZIP2, GZIP, TAR, ZIP and WIM. Unpacking only – AR, ARJ, CAB, CHM, CPIO, CramFS, DMG, EXT, FAT, GPT, HFS, IHEX, ISO, LZH, LZMA, MBR, MSI, NSIS, NTFS, QCOW2, RAR, RPM, SquashFS, UDF, UEFI, VDI, VHD, VMDK, WIM, XAR and Z.
Price: Free
Also Read: 7-Zip vs WinRar vs WinZIP: Choosing The Best File Compression Tool
3. WinRAR – Best Rar File Extractor
On the downside, WinRAR’s interface is a hassle especially for those who are new to the whole file compression saga. On top of that, if you prefer to use the free trial of the software, you will be constantly bugged with pop-ups to purchase the paid version.
Supported Formats: RAR, CAB, ZIP, UUE, Z, ACE, ARJ, 7-ZIP, and TAR.
Price: 40-days free trial, $29 for a single user
4. PeaZip – Best Zip File Opener
PeaZip has many advanced features that you might need if you want to compress different types of files while having limited resources.
Supported formats: 7z, Google Android’s apk, bz, bz2, bzip2, tbz2, tbz, gz, gzip, tgz, tpz, tar, zip, zipx, z01, smzip, arj, cab, chm, chi, chq, chw, hxs, hxi, hxr, hxq, hxw, lit, cpio, deb, lzh, lha, rar, r01, 00, rpm, z, taz, tz, iso, Java (jar, ear, war), pet, pup, pak, pk3, pk4, slp, [Content], xpi, wim, u3p, lzma86, lzma, udf, xar, Apple’s dmg, hfs, part1, split, swm, tpz, kmz, xz, txz, vhd, mslz, apm, mbr, fat, ntfs, exe, dll, sys, msi, msp, Open Office / Libre Office (ods, ots, odm, oth, oxt, odb, odf, odg, otg, odp, otp, odt, ott), gnm, Microsoft Office (doc, dot, xls, xlt, ppt, pps, pot, docx, dotx, xlsx, xltx), Flash (swf, flv), quad, balz, bcm, zpaq, paq8f, paq8jd, paq8l, paq8o, lpaq1, lpaq5, lpaq8.
Price: PeaZip is a free-to-use software
5. Zipware – Worth trying zip program for Windows
Additionally, Zipware also comes with a password manager to store and manage your passwords.
Supported formats: ZIP,ZIPX,7Z,RAR,RAR5,ISO,VHD,MSI,GZIP,BZIP2,TAR,CPIO,DEB,DMG,LZH,LZMA,LZMA2,PPMd, NSIS,RPM,UDF,WIM,XAR,XPI,CBR,CBZ,XZ,Z
Price: Free
6. Hamster Zip Archiver – Easy to use compression software
Supported formats: zip, 7z, arj, bz2, tbz, gzip, deb, dmg, img, gz, tgz, hfs, lzh, rmp, pkg, z, taz, cab, iso, rar, tar, wim, swm and jar.
Price: Free
Choosing the best file compression software
When choosing the best software for file compression, you must take into consideration certain points like the supported file formats, the operating system you want it to work upon and the compression rate. Apart from these compression tools, there are several online tools also available that can help you zipping and unzipping files and folders. However, there is always a risk involved in uploading your file to a server especially if that file contains sensitive data.
Also Read: How To Compress And Extract Files In Linux | Tar, Gzip, Gunzip Commands