7-Zip Alternatives: The Best File Compression Software

We've all, at some point, needed to compress or decompress a file on our computer or mobile device. For many, 7-Zip has everything you need: speed, compatibility with different formats, a user-friendly interface, free, and no ads. But, When it comes to managing large files, particular needs arise that force us to look for alternatives to 7-Zip. Are there any? Yes. We've listed them below.

Why look for alternatives to 7-Zip?

Before we dive into 7-Zip alternatives, it's fair to ask what this file compression software is missing. It seems to have it all: Free, lightweight, compatible with multiple formats (ZIP, RAR, TAR, GZ, etc.) and fast at workHowever, sometimes managing large files requires additional features, and many users like to try something different.

If 7-Zip is missing something, it's a renewal in its interface. It's been sporting that Windows 98-like feel for some time now, and it might be a bit unattractive or unintuitive for the modern user. The same goes for how it works: lacks modern options such as native cloud integration or automatic repair of damaged files.

Another reason to look for alternatives to 7-Zip is its Low support for less common proprietary formats. This can be a problem for users who work in educational or professional environments. They may also need to have a better technical support or more frequent updates, two of 7-Zip’s weakest sides.

7 Best 7-Zip Alternatives: The Best File Compression Software in 2025

Of course, 7-Zip will continue to be the preferred choice for many, who find everything they need in this software. But if you're looking for a more comprehensive tool or one with specific features, you'll like what's coming. It's The 7 best alternatives to 7-Zip for compressing files in 2025. Let's get started.

PeaZip: Open source with user-friendly interface

If what you like about 7-Zip is that it is free and open source, PeaZip is one of the best alternatives you can use. And, unlike 7-Zip, it has a much more modern and feature-rich interface. Plus, it's compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, and you can download it risk-free from the PeaZip official website.

• Another advantage of PeaZip is that supports more than 200 file formats, equaling and even surpassing 7-Zip.
• It also includes robust encryption functions (AES-256) and the ability to securely split files.
• And, if that were not enough, it has a portable version that you can carry on a USB without installation.

WinRAR: The paid classic

I could not miss WinRAR (the grandfather of compressors) among the best alternatives to 7-Zip. Even in 2025, it remains a Robust, secure, and preferred option, especially for handling the .rar formatIt's a paid version, but you can try the free version almost indefinitely without losing access to its main features.

And speaking of features, one of the most praised by WinRAR users is its ability to protect and recover damaged or corrupted compressed filesThis is especially valuable for sending large files via unreliable means. Furthermore, the program integrates seamlessly into the Windows Explorer context menu, making it very easy to use. (See the article The best alternatives to WinRAR: Complete guide and comparison).

Bandizip: Fast and simple, one of the best alternatives to 7-Zip

If for something Bandizip has gained reputation, it is because of its High compression and decompression speed, especially on Windows systems. Additionally, its interface is very clean, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. This file manager is available for free with basic features, and paid editions offer a variety of advanced features.

Among the most outstanding advanced features is the image previewThis allows you to view thumbnails of images inside compressed files without having to extract them first. It also offers an anti-malware scan to verify file security before extracting.

Ashampoo Zip Free: Well done and supported

Ashampoo is known for creating software with very polished and easy-to-use interfaces. Its Ashampoo Zip Free software is a clear example of this: A powerful file compressor wrapped in a visually appealing packageWhy does it stand out among the best alternatives to 7-Zip? Here are some reasons:

• It has what is probably the most beautiful and intuitive interface of all the alternatives mentioned.
• Allows you to mount compressed files as virtual drives.
• Also allows connect and manage directly compressed files on services like Google Drive or OneDrive.
• It is completely free and without limited functions.

NanaZip: The modern successor for Windows 11

Another of the best alternatives to 7-Zip is the NanaZip project. It is nothing more than a fork of 7-Zip, but specifically designed to integrate seamlessly with Windows 10 and, especially, Windows 11. The bad news is that it retains the main interface of its predecessor, so it doesn't gain in that regard. These are some of its most notable features:

• It integrates into the Windows 11 context menu (the one that appears when you right-click).
• Supports all formats supported by 7-Zip.
• It is lightweight, free and open source.
• You can Download NanaZip from the Microsoft Store.

Zipware: Security and Simplicity

At the end of this list we find Zipware, A simple and powerful alternative to 7-Zip that you can try on Windows computers. Like NanaZip, Zipware integrates very well into Windows File Explorer and context menu..

In addition, it allows you to package files in ZIP, 7-ZIP and EXE formats, and decompress into more than 20 formats, including RAR5 and DEB. And in terms of security, it has AES-256 encryption, file verification with SHA-1, SHA-256 and MD5, as well as malicious file analysis with VirusTotal.

Keka: One of the best alternatives to 7-Zip on macOS

Si You just switched to macOS and need a compressed file manager like 7-Zip., cake It's the best option. It supports creating archives in more than 10 popular formats and extracting them to more than 30 different formats. You can download this software from its official website or from the Mac App Store.