Zip files have a big importance in this digital world. It helps us in reducing the size of big files into smaller ones. So, we can use this to compress files before sending large files in an email or sharing them via other cloud storage services. WinZip is the most popular software to compress or decompress files. But this software is not free. So, you need to buy this software if you want to decompress a zip file or compress files in a zip file. If you do not want to pay, you can try the freely available WinZip alternative software. These WinZip alternatives support making ZIP archives and extracting ZIP archives.
Also see: Best Free Photoshop Alternatives You Need to Know
Free Winzip alternative Software
1. 7-Zip:
7-Zip is the most popular Winzip alternate software. It supports ZIP, RAR, and 7-ZIP file formats. It is open source and the source code is available under the GNU LGPL license. It claims to provide a 2-10% better compression ratio than WinZip. It can offer compression of up to 30-70%. This depends on the type of compression file. You can compress files to 7z, ZIP, GZIP, RAR, TAR, and WIM file types.
7-Zip works on all available Windows versions, Linux, and macOS.
Availability: Windows, macOS, Linux, ReactOS, and FreeBSD
2. PeaZip
PeaZip is another popular open-source file compression software available for Windows and Linux. It supports strong encryption standards and provides a better compression ratio. It claims to support more than 80 file types including 7Z, RAR, TAR, and ZIP.
PeaZip is free software that comes with Open Source LGPLv3 license. It is available for macOS, Linux, and Windows platforms.
Availability: Windows, macOS, and Linux
3. Zip Free
Zip Free is also one of the best WinZip alternatives. This software comes with a clean interface. This software handles compressed archives. It can be used to read, write, and repair compressed archives. Zip Free supports popular ZIP formats including 7-ZIP, LHA, CAR, TAR, ZIPX, and many more
Zip Free is free and supports all available Windows formats.
Availability: Windows
4. IZArc
IZArc is also a nice software that can extract Zip, Rar, 7-zip, and many other popular archives. The main features of the tool include creating an archive, adding files to an existing archive, converting the archive, and many others. With this tool, you can also open CD image files like ISO, BIN, CDI, and NRG. It also supports 256-bit AES encryption to secure your data.
Izarc is available for all available Windows including Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11.
Availability: Windows
5. Bandizip
Bandizip is also a free tool for file compression. It adds powerful encryptions, such as AES 256 and ZipCrypto for optimum protection. It also supports multi-core compression. It handles most of the popular compression formats including zip, 7z, Rar, and much more.
It can also create self-extracting files (.EXE) and multi-volume (split) archives. The tool also does not come with adware.
Availability: Windows, macOS
6. The Unarchiver
The Unarchiver is an impressive Winzip alternative for macOS. It supports several archive formats including Zip, Zipx, RAR, 7z, Tar, Gzip, ISO, and many more. If you are using a MacBook, you can use this software to make and extract different archive files.
The Unarchiver is free and does not come with any in-app purchase for additional features.
7. B1 Free Archiver
B1 Free Archiver is also a good free Winzip alternative that supports several archive formats including 7z, ZIP, RAR, XPI, JAR, and many others. The software features good interface and works across several platforms. It comes for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android. It is completely free, safe and secure.
Availability: Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android
Wrap Up
There is various other free archive software available that supports most of the archive files. But you will get the desired result from the above tools. 7-Zip is impressive but it only supports 7z and ZIP formats. I personally recommend PeaZip which supports 180 file formats. What is your favorite WinZip alternate software?