7-Zip

7-Zip
License:
Free (GPL)
Language:
English
Developer:
OS:
Win98/98SE/Me/2000/NT/XP/2003/Vista/7
Updated:
See detailed info

Softonic review

Cyril Roger

“GPU archiver with high compression ratio”

by Cyril Roger about 7-Zip

To extract and compress your files, 7-Zip is a great free WinRAR alternative.

The 7-Zip interface is similar to that of its competitors, with a main file manager and a command line to search and select files to extract or compress. The control panel has the essential basics like extract, add and test, as well as copy, move and delete functions to manage your files. 7-Zip extracts and compresses files as fast as WinZip and WinRAR and handles the main archive formats like ZIP, TAR, RAR and ISO.

The archiving process is where 7-Zip differs most from its rivals. Where WinZip only lets you compress to ZIP and WinRAR to RAR or ZIP, 7zip offers you up to 5 different archive formats to choose from. 7-Zip lets you choose the update mode, depending on whether you want to add and replace files, refresh the archive or just synchronize files. If you don’t want somebody opening up your archive without your permission, you can set a password to protect your archive.

We particularly liked the split tool as it can cut up your archive into equal parts which fit on a floppy, CD or DVD, handy if you need to distribute a particularly large archive. Unfortunately, security is where 7-Zip lags behind its main rivals. There is no option to scan archives for viruses and you can’t repair damaged or corrupted files.

7-Zip might not be as secure as WinZip or WinRAR but it is definitely more versatile. It works with more archive formats and offers many useful tools like update mode or splitting. If you feel too limited by WinZip and if you don’t like WinRAR, we suggest giving 7-Zip a try and taking advantage of all its possibilities.

Infinitely more flexible than its most famous rivals, 7-Zip is a great file compression tool.

Pros
  • Compatible with main archive formats
  • Good choice of update modes
  • Split archives to specific sizes
  • Compress to 5 different archive formats
Cons
  • No virus scan
  • No file repair tool
  • Can’t set file encryption level
Free Download 7-Zip 9.21 beta

7-Zip is virus free

We have analyzed the latest version of 7-Zip with 30 antivirus engines and it is virus free. See analysis results.

TESTED VIRUS FREE - Softonic GUARANTEED

Developer's description

7-Zip is designed for creating or unpacking archived and compressed files. The application can unpack 7zip, ZIP, CAB, RAR, ARJ, GZIP, BZIP2, TAR, CPIO, RPM and DEB files, or create file archives in those formats.

For the standard ZIP and GZIP formats, 7the application promises to deliver a compression ratio that is 2 - 10 % better than that provided by PKZip or WinZip, and the native 7zip format can provide a 45% reduction in file size from the common zip format.

Key features:

  • High compression ratio in new 7z format with LZMA compression
  • 7-Zip is free software distributed under the GNU LGPL
  • Supported formats: Packing / unpacking: 7z, ZIP, GZIP, BZIP2 and TAR; Unpacking only: RAR, CAB, ARJ, LZH, CHM, Z, CPIO, RPM and DEB
  • For ZIP and GZIP formats 7-Zip provides compression ratio that is 2-10 % better than ratio provided by PKZip and WinZip
  • Self-extracting capability for 7z format
  • Integration with Windows Shell
  • Powerful File Manager
  • Powerful command line version
  • Plugin for FAR Manager
  • Localizations for 59 languages

7-Zip (3) User reviews

  • Good
  • 8/10
  • dbdan dbdan
    User reviews
    2

    Fast download and it worked out of the cloud-box. I was happy with how well it worked considering it's free. A++ Highly Recommended... More

    • Review of 7-Zip - 23 May 2011
      This review is liked by 0 of 1
  • b1sh0p b1sh0p
    User reviews
    62

    Compressed files take up less space and therefore they are often found on the Internet as their transmission lasts much shorter than uncompressed files. Are you looking for a completely free tool t... More

    • Review of 7-Zip - 02 Jul 2010
      This review is liked by 34 of 35
  • friggje_friggels friggje_frigg
    els
    User reviews
    1
    • Good
    • 9/10
    7-zip

    very good. easy lay-out, perhaps a bit too sober and short for older people.
    when looking for a file, i would have prefered a menu where i can easily search for my files. now you have to press the ... More

    • Review of 7-Zip - 16 Sep 2009
      This review is liked by 48 of 54
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