Best File Compression Software in 2026
Updated
In short: B1 Archiver is ranked #1 of 34 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Accessibility Test Framework for Android and 7-Zip. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Accessibility Test Framework for Android.
Bundling files into archives or extracting them calls for features that match the files and workflow you handle. Compared on archive formats, encryption, repair, and split archives, these tools offer different ways to manage compressed files. B1 Archiver, 7-Zip, and Bandizip are among the names shown. Command-line tools or a portable version may matter depending on how you work, while supported platforms indicate where software is available. Check free-plan availability and paid-from pricing alongside the archive features you need.
34 file compression software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
9 of the 25 here have a free tier you can use, 0 have open-source code on record, and 0 have full bars: free, open, on most of your devices and documented.
| # | App | Signal | Free tier | Open code | Devices | From | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B1 ArchiverWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android | Three bars | — | 5 of 6 | Free | 6.7 | |
| 2 | Accessibility Test Framework for AndroidWindows · Mac · Linux · Android | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 3 | 7-ZipWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 4 | BandizipWindows · Mac | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 5 | PeaZipWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 6 | PowerArchiverWindows · Mac | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 7 | IZArcWindows | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 8 | NanaZipWindows | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 9 | WinZip PDF ProWindows | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.2 | |
| 10 | KekaWeb · Mac · Android · iPhone · API · Extension | Two bars | — | — | 4 of 6 | — | 5.7 |
| 11 | lzipWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 12 | The UnarchiverWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 13 | XZ UtilsWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 14 | ZstandardWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 15 | ArkWindows · Linux | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 16 | bzip2Windows · Linux | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 17 | lrzipMac · Linux | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 18 | MousepadLinux | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 19 | p7zipMac · Linux | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 20 | StuffIt ExpanderWindows · Mac · iPhone | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 21 | 8 ZipWindows | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 22 | ALZipWindows | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 23 | BrotliMac · Linux | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 24 | EngrampaLinux | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 25 | File RollerLinux | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which file compression software is ranked first on Freedom251?
B1 Archiver is ranked #1 of 34 with a score of 6.7. Accessibility Test Framework for Android is second and 7-Zip third.
How many of these have a free plan?
9 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked free-and-open first: a usable free tier and open-source code, then the platforms it runs on and its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.