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Head-to-head · File Compression Software

7-Zip vs Keka

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score 7-Zip #1 in File Compression Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit 7-Zip
Keka #5 in File Compression Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Keka

7-Zip leads on 0 checks, Keka 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 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #5.

7-Zip is the better fit for free cross-platform archiving with broad format support. Keka is the better fit for mac and iOS archive handling.

  • 7-Zip fits best

    Free cross-platform archiving with broad format support

  • Keka fits best

    Mac and iOS archive handling

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Side by side

Feature 7-Zip 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Keka 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.7
Ranking #1 in File Compression Software #5 in File Compression Software
Best for Free cross-platform archiving with broad format support Mac and iOS archive handling
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Windows, Linux, macOS macOS, iOS
Integrations 2 integrations 3 integrations
Features 7-Zip 5/5 · Keka 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 Create: 7Z, ZIP, TAR, GZIP, BZIP2, XZ, LZIP, DMG, ISO, BROTLI, ZSTD, LRZIP, AAR, WIM; extract: 7Z, ZIP, ZIPX, RAR, TAR, GZIP, BZIP2, XZ, LZIP, DMG, ISO, BROTLI, ZSTD, LRZIP, LZMA, EXE, CAB, WIM, MSI, PAX, JAR, WAR, IPA, XIP, APK, APPX, XPI, WPRESS, IS3, CPGZ, CPIO, CPT, SPK
Supported platforms Windows, Linux, macOS macOS, iOS, iPadOS
Our review
Pros
  • 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.
  • Creates and extracts a wide range of archive formats
  • Supports AES-256 7z encryption and split archives
  • Works with Finder, Dock, iOS sharing and the command line
Cons
  • 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.
  • Apple-focused platform support excludes non-Apple systems
  • Advanced archive repair is not part of the documented offering
  • The App Store version is separate from the free macOS download
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 →

Keka is a file compression and extraction application for macOS and iOS. It is suited to Mac users who need to create archives in formats such as 7Z, ZIP, TAR, GZIP, BZIP2, XZ, DMG, ISO, Brotli and ZSTD, or open archives including RAR,…

Read the review →
  1. 7-ZipFile Compression Software 9.4Free plan
  2. KekaFile Compression Software 8.7Free plan

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.

  • Keka — where it wins

    • Creates and extracts a wide range of archive formats
    • Supports AES-256 7z encryption and split archives
    • Works with Finder, Dock, iOS sharing and the command line

    Where it doesn't

    • Apple-focused platform support excludes non-Apple systems
    • Advanced archive repair is not part of the documented offering
    • The App Store version is separate from the free macOS download
  • 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 →
  • Keka8.7/10 · Free plan

    A broad-format archive tool for Apple devices with free macOS access.

    Visit KekaFull verdict →

More comparisons

All file compression software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update