5 File Compression Software: Which One is Your Choice?

By Sophia | Last Updated January 03, 2024

File compression software is a kind of useful as well as powerful tool. With the file compression software, files can be transmitted online in the smallest size quickly, especially in e-mails. Furthermore, some files need to be decompressed by the file compression software before we can view them.

There are many kinds of file compression software in the market and we may feel confused about which one to choose. Here is a list of five popular file compression software. Let's look through it before we make the decision.

Basic Information

WinRAR

Although it was developed after WinZip, WinRAR is on an equal footing with WinZip in some way, because it can not only extract RAR format but also create RAR files. Looking at its user interface, we can feel that it focuses on archiving. As the main features are displayed on the interface, we can easily know how to use it. Except compression as well as decompression, it also has some special features like testing and repairing files. Moreover, there is a Wizard option which can be great guidance for new users to unpack archives, create a new archive and add files to already existing archives. If you need to compress RAR files, WinRAR is a good choice.

WinZip

As the original file compression software, WinZip might be the first name that comes to your mind when you think of file compression software. It is still going strong today. Dragging files to zip or be opened is available in WinZip, which is convenient. There are also some advanced options, such as sharing files, backing up files and converting photos as well as PDFs. These features make WinZip more multifunctional even WinZip can replace some other software like file conversion software sometimes.With good reputation and advanced features, WinRAR is worth trying.

7-Zip

7-Zip is free software with open source and it is just like the leader of free compression software. It also has its own format named 7z which can be opened by much other file compression software like WinZip and WinRAR. This also shows its popularity in some way. The compression ratio of 7-Zip is high and it does well in compressing large files (up to 16 billion gigabytes said by its developers). And it can achieve tiny file sizes by its ‘solid compression', which costs much time. With basic features on the interface, we can master the software to zip files and test files in minutes. When it comes to the files which need to be compressed in large size like videos, 7-Zip might be the best helper.

PeaZip

PeaZip is free file archiver utility. It is cross-platform and work well with WinRAR especially. The left panel of its interface is like that of Windows file explorer, which is familiar to users. In addition to compression feature, it is super easy to test files and convert archives to different formats in it. Furthermore, the data security functions of it are powerful. You can protect data with Strong encryption (AES, Twofish, Serpent), encrypted password manager, and optional two-factor authentication. So if the data security is a big concern for you, you can take PeaZip into consideration.

Hamster ZIP Archiver

Hamster ZIP Archiver is a free compression program of which the interface is more compact than those of other four software in the list.The compact interface make it easy to handle for new users. Dragging files to create archives is also allowed in it, which makes it be easier to use. There is also a Links option in the left panel and we can create direct sharable links to our archives by it. Just want the basic features of compression software and use easily? Then Hamster ZIP Archiver is the answer for you.

Comparison

1. Compression

Note: Test under the same condition

Compression ratio results are very dependent upon the data used for the tests. Although it is a small test and can't represent all results, we may learn more about compression ability of the five compression software from it. From the form, we can see that their performance in terms of compression are almost the same, but there is still a winner which is WinZip.

2. Decompression

Note:Test under the same condition and each decompression time is the average number of three trials' decompression time.

From the form above, we can find that 7-Zip decompresses the file in the fastest speed and the decompression speed of Hamster ZIP Archiver is the slowest among those of five programs.

3. Encryption

We can encrypt our files in the five listed compression software here, but PeaZip is the one which focuses on encryption mostly as it has a wide set of data security features, such as strong encryption (AES, Twofish, Serpent), encrypted password manager, optional two-factor authentication (encryption with password and keyfile), and etc.

Recommendation

Do you have the decision which file compression software to choose now? The listed five compression software above all have their own unique features and we can choose one according to our needs.

I think that 7-Zip is a good choice, because it performs well overall, whether compression or decompression. Furthermore, it's easy and smooth to use it.