Free and open first

Best File Compression Software in 2026

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.

36 apps
Research read 23 Sept 2026
How the order is worked out

1

Keka

Free plan Open source AndroidAPIExtension+3

Keka combines HR and payroll workflows with hiring, attendance, performance, and project operations, alongside an employee mobile app. The listed US plans show free trials but no numeric prices.

8.9 Free plan Visit site
2

7-Zip

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

7-Zip covers archive creation and extraction across three desktop platforms, with encryption and command-line support. RAR is extract-only, and some listed features are specific to Windows.

7.6 Free plan Visit site
3

B1 Archiver

Free plan AndroidLinuxMac+2

B1 Free Archiver covers archive creation and extraction across several platforms, with no registration required. Review its privacy disclosures if using the online or mobile versions.

7.6 Free plan Visit site
4

ALZip

Free plan AndroidLinuxWindows

ALZip combines broad format support with archive preview and security-related features. Check the personal-use eligibility and platform details before choosing it.

7.5 Free plan Visit site
5

Ark

Free plan LinuxWindows

Ark provides archive creation and extraction alongside previewing and support for many formats.

7.3 Free plan Visit site
6

Bandizip

Free plan MacWindows

Bandizip combines broad format support with tools for encryption, split archives and in-archive editing.

7.3 Free plan · paid from $20 Visit site
7

8 Zip

Free plan Windows

8 Zip covers common archive tasks, with support for a broad range of formats and AES-256 encryption in ZIP and 7z. The product page lists a free Lite version, but gives no Pro price.

7.2 Free plan Visit site
8

bzip2

Free plan LinuxWindows

bzip2 offers compression tools and a library, with limited recovery support and broad source portability noted by its maker.

7.2 Free plan Visit site
9

lrzip

Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted

Choose lrzip if you need a free, GPL-2.0 command-line tool for compressing large files and can work within its CPU and RAM demands.

7.1 Free plan Visit site
10

Engrampa

Free plan Linux

Engrampa combines MATE integration with extensive archive-format coverage, encryption, split archives, and command-line controls.

7.0 Open source Visit site
11

FileOptimizer

Free plan Windows

FileOptimizer offers broad file support, batch handling and command-line workflows at no charge.

7.0 Free plan Visit site
12

File Roller

Free plan Linux

File Roller covers common archive tasks and a wide range of formats in a free Linux utility. Check the read-only format list if you need to change files inside particular archives.

7.0 Free plan Visit site
13

lzip

Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1

lzip emphasizes interoperable .lz archives, integrity checks, and long-term access, with a related utility for certain recovery tasks.

7.0 Free plan Visit site
14

PeaZip

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

PeaZip combines broad archive extraction with file management, encryption, and scripting in a free package. Note the extra requirements for RAR creation and ACE extraction.

7.0 Free plan Visit site
15

PowerISO

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

PowerISO combines disc, image, archive, and USB utilities, with a free evaluation version for limited use. The 39.95 USD one-time license removes the 300MB restriction and includes lifetime updates.

7.0 From $39.95 Visit site
16

IZArc

Free plan Windows

IZArc combines archive creation and extraction with conversion, search, repair, encryption, and Windows Explorer options at no listed cost.

6.9 Free plan Visit site
17

p7zip

Free plan LinuxMac

Choose p7zip if you want a free command-line archive tool for a listed Unix-like platform and can build it from source.

6.9 Free plan Visit site
18

PowerArchiver

Free plan MacWindows

PowerArchiver covers a broad range of archive formats, with higher editions adding cloud, Office, deployment and enterprise controls. Check the edition and license terms to match your intended use.

6.9 Free plan · paid from $22.95 · 30-day trial Visit site
19

The Unarchiver

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

The Unarchiver provides broad archive-format support in a free macOS app, with command-line tools for other operating systems.

6.9 Free plan Visit site
20

Zstandard

Free plan APILinuxMac+2

Zstandard offers configurable compression through both a C library and command-line tool, with broad build and language integration options.

6.9 Free plan Visit site
21

NanaZip

Free plan Windows

NanaZip offers a Windows-focused archiver with modern interface and File Explorer features.

6.8 Free plan Visit site
22

RAR for Android

Free plan Android

Choose RAR for Android if you need archive creation, extraction, repair and basic file handling on an Android device.

6.7 Free plan Visit site
23

Universal Extractor 2

Free plan Windows

Universal Extractor 2 offers broad extraction support and batch and scan-only modes on Windows.

6.6 Free plan Visit site
24

WinZip PDF Pro
by WinZip PDF Pro
Free plan Windows

WinZip PDF Pro offers a broad set of PDF editing and document-management tools, alongside a free reader for continued basic access.

6.6 Free plan · 7-day trial Visit site
25

XZ Utils

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

XZ Utils is a focused compression toolkit with libraries, terminal tools, and scripts across major desktop platforms.

6.5 Free plan Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

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