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Head-to-head · File Compression Software

7-Zip vs PeaZip

  • 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
PeaZip #2 in File Compression Software 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit PeaZip

7-Zip leads on 0 checks, PeaZip 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

7-Zip scores higher on our rubric for file compression software: 9.4 against 9.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.

7-Zip is the better fit for free cross-platform archiving with broad format support. PeaZip is the better fit for broad, free desktop archiving.

  • 7-Zip fits best

    Free cross-platform archiving with broad format support

  • PeaZip fits best

    Broad, free desktop archiving

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Side by side

Feature 7-Zip 9.4/10 Visit ↗ PeaZip 9.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.2
Ranking #1 in File Compression Software #2 in File Compression Software
Best for Free cross-platform archiving with broad format support Broad, free desktop archiving
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows, Linux, macOS Linux, macOS, Windows
Features 7-Zip 5/5 · PeaZip 5/5
Archive encryption ✓ ✓
Split archives ✓ ✓
Command-line tools ✓ ✓
Portable version ✓ ✓
Archive repair ✓ ✓
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 Creates 7Z, ARC, BZ2, GZ, PAQ/LPAQ/ZPAQ, PEA, QUAD/BALZ/BCM, RAR conditionally, TAR, UPX, WIM, and ZIP/ZIPX; extracts 200+ types
Supported platforms Windows, Linux, macOS BSD, Linux, macOS, Windows
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.
  • Opens and extracts more than 200 archive types
  • Includes encryption, splitting, repair, hashing, and secure deletion
  • Portable packages and command-line script export support flexible workflows
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.
  • The interface includes more file-management tools than some users need
  • RAR creation is conditional rather than broadly supported
  • There are no AI features
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 →

PeaZip is a free, open-source file and archive manager for desktop users who need to create, convert, browse, test, split, join, and extract compressed files. It creates archives in formats including 7Z, ARC, BZ2, GZ, PEA, TAR, WIM, and…

Read the review →
  1. 7-ZipFile Compression Software 9.4Free plan
  2. PeaZipFile Compression Software 9.2Free 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.

  • PeaZip — where it wins

    • Opens and extracts more than 200 archive types
    • Includes encryption, splitting, repair, hashing, and secure deletion
    • Portable packages and command-line script export support flexible workflows

    Where it doesn't

    • The interface includes more file-management tools than some users need
    • RAR creation is conditional rather than broadly supported
    • There are no AI features
  • 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 →
  • PeaZip9.2/10 · Free plan

    A capable free archive manager for desktop users who need broad format coverage and file utilities.

    Visit PeaZipFull 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