Head-to-head · File Compression Software
7-Zip vs File Roller
7-Zip leads on 0 checks, File Roller on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest score7-Zip · 9.4/10
- Free planboth
- Most features7-Zip · 5 of 5
7-Zip scores higher on our rubric for file compression software: 9.4 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #7.
7-Zip is the better fit for free cross-platform archiving with broad format support. File Roller is the better fit for linux users wanting a capable graphical archiver.
- 7-Zip fits best
Free cross-platform archiving with broad format support
- File Roller fits best
Linux users wanting a capable graphical archiver
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Side by side
| Feature | 7-Zip 9.4/10 Visit ↗ | File Roller 8.4/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.4 | 8.4 |
| Ranking | #1 in File Compression Software | #7 in File Compression Software |
| Best for | Free cross-platform archiving with broad format support | Linux users wanting a capable graphical archiver |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Free plan | Free plan |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Desktop | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux, macOS | Linux |
| Integrations | 2 integrations | 3 integrations |
| Features 7-Zip 5/5 · File Roller 3/5 | ||
| Archive encryption | ✓ | ✓ |
| Split archives | ✓ | ✓ |
| Command-line tools | ✓ | ✓ |
| Portable version | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Archive repair | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| Archive formats | Create/extract: 7z, XZ, BZIP2, GZIP, TAR, ZIP, WIM; extract: APFS, AR, ARJ, CAB, CHM, CPIO, CramFS, DMG, EXT, FAT, GPT, HFS, IHEX, ISO, LZH, LZMA, MBR, MSI, NSIS, NTFS, QCOW2, RAR, RPM, SquashFS, UDF, UEFI, VDI, VHD, VHDX, VMDK, XAR, Z | 7z, ace, alz, ar, arj, cab, cpio, deb, dmg, iso, jar, ear, war, lha, rar, cbr, rpm, tar, tar.gz, tar.br, tar.bz, tar.bz2, tar.bz3, tar.Z, tar.lrz, tar.lz, tar.lzo, tar.7z, tar.xz, tar.zst, snap, squashfs, sit, zip, cbz, zoo, gz, br, bz, bz2, bz3, Z, lrz, lz, lzo, rz, xz, zst |
| Supported platforms | Windows, Linux, macOS | Linux |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | 7-Zip is an open-source file archiver for compressing, extracting, browsing, and managing files. It suits individuals, developers, and technical teams that need a free tool for creating archives, unpacking diverse file types, or automating… Read the review → |
File Roller is a graphical archive manager for the GNOME desktop environment, designed for Linux users who want to create, inspect, modify, and extract archives through a desktop interface. It can display archive contents, open files… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
7-Zip — where it wins
- Creates and extracts major archive formats, including 7z, ZIP, TAR, and WIM.
- AES-256 encryption, split archives, and documented 7z recovery procedures.
- Supports Windows, Linux, and macOS with command-line archive operations.
Where it doesn't
- Archive creation supports fewer formats than archive extraction.
- AES-256 encryption is available for 7z and ZIP formats.
- Linux and macOS downloads are provided as console versions.
File Roller — where it wins
- Supports a broad range of archive and compressed-file formats
- Creates, modifies, extracts, and inspects archive contents
- Offers encryption, multivolume archives, and command-line opening
Where it doesn't
- Available for Linux desktop environments
- Feature availability depends on installed utilities and libraries
- Relies on external archiving programs such as tar and zip
- 7-Zip9.4/10 · Free plan
A free, open-source archiver with broad formats, encryption, recovery tools, and cross-platform support.
Visit 7-ZipFull verdict → - File Roller8.4/10 · Free plan
A capable open-source graphical archiver with broad format and archive-management support.
Visit File RollerFull verdict →
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- 7-Zip vs Ark
- 7-Zip vs The Unarchiver
- PeaZip vs File Roller
- PowerArchiver vs File Roller
All file compression software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update