Traditionally the first choice when it comes to compressing and uncompressing files, WinZip is one of the most popular downloads of all time. Despite the fact that its competitors have caught up somewhat, it remains a simple way to archive programs and reduce file sizes.

Much of WinZip's success has been down to its simplicity. From the outset, the program prompts you to choose between Classic mode and Wizard mode. The wizard is great for beginners, although even the classic interface is easily negotiated, giving you instant access to a range of features such as compression ratios, password-protection and a Favorites list.

While archiving files in WinZip is quick and easy, you can't help but thinking that the program has lost some ground on its competitors. For instance, the compression rates aren’t as high as they are in WinRAR, and you can only save files in Zip format rather than RAR, ISO or JAR.

Nevertheless, WinZip performs its function well, helping you archive files quickly and effectively.

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Using the program is a pleasant experience - at the most basic level, add the files you want to compress/decompress using the file explorer on the right and chose the action you want from the main toolbar or by right clicking. The PeaZip interface is fresh and easy-to-use with a few built-in themes to spice things up.

Right-clicking on a file or folder and choosing Add to archive or Browse path with PeaZip will also provide direct access to the program's factions. The compression/decompression process is very quick and smooth, and there are impressive advanced options for users who want to get a little more technical.

Among the best of these advanced PeaZip features are the encryption/password options, compression variables, and the File tools, which allow you to split files, join them and even view the checksum files. PeaZip really impressed us - it's a top-class program that performs at a really high level, and is a worthy rival to apps such as WinZip or 7Zip.

PeaZip is a fantastic program for all your compressing/decompressing needs.

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Compressed archives are a handy way to share data online: they can contain multiple files and folders, and usually take less space. There are many compression formats and algorithms, but with IZArc you can easily handle them all.

This powerful compressing utility supports dozens of formats, including ACE, 7-ZIP, ISO, LZH, RAR, TAR and of course, ZIP. The program can be seamlessly integrated with Windows Explorer, which means you can use it without having to open its interface.

Working with IZArc is really easy. You have access to the main functions in Windows Explorer context menu, and can also drag and drop files and folders on its interface. IZArc includes interesting features such as support for encryption, multi-volume sets, scanning for viruses, and the possibility to create an EXE file that will extract the compressed data by just double clicking on it.

The latest version of IZArc, 4.0 Beta 1, is not that different from the previous ones, at least in appearance. The program seems to have improved the way it works with multi-folder compressed files, meaning you won't lose any subfolder or file when expanding them.

IZArc is a powerful free compression utility with support for many formats and a bunch of interesting extra tools.

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The PeaZip Portable interface has been renovated, with a nice fresh look and a few in-built themes to spice things up. Using the program is a pleasant experience - at the most basic level, add the files you want to compress/decompress using the file explorer on the right and chose the action you want from the main toolbar or by right clicking.

Right-clicking on a file or folder and choosing Add to archive or Browse path with PeaZipwill also provide direct access to the program's factions. The compression/decompression process is very quick and smooth, and there are impressive advanced options for users who want to get a little more technical.

Among the best of these advanced PeaZip Portable features are the encryption/password options, compression variables, and the File tools, which allow you to split files, join them and even view the checksum files. PeaZip Portable really impressed me - it's a top-class program that performs at a really high level.

PeaZip Portable is a fantastic program for all your compressing/decompressing needs.

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Some will argue that WinRAR isn’t as quick as rival WinZip at compressing files. However, for the small time difference, WinRAR leaves you with a significantly smaller archived file at the end of the process. What’s more, the application allows you to save files into both .ZIP and .RAR formats, with bunches of options for speeding up compression times and reducing file sizes.

Although many newcomers might be put off by the sheer range of features and settings within WinRAR, the interface doesn’t take long to get accustomed to, and if you’re still really stuck there’s a simple wizard-based system that walks you through the process of extracting or compressing. All this adds up to make WinRAR a dependable utility that performs better than any other tool in its class.

Boasting more compression options, higher compression rates and smaller file sizes than WinZip, WinRAR is now the undisputed market leader in file compression.

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To decompress a file, you simply drag and drop them into RarZilla Free Unrar, double click on it or right click on "decompress" in the menu context shell. To speed-up the process, RarZilla Free Unrar has the option to define a default output folder or a default password or both. Remember that before you do any of this though, you need to specify an output directory or else you'll end-up searching high and low for your files. Simply go to the folder that contains the RarZilla.exe, use notepad to create a text file named "folder.txt" and put one line in it with the path your desired default output folder (e.g.: F:\Media)

The only annoying thing is that RarZilla Free Unrar's password prompt dialogue keeps popping up and usually you don't want to set a password. However, this can be deactivated by following instructions in the documentation.

RarZilla Free Unrar is a better looking alternative to WinRAR although doesn't offer any major advantages.

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StuffIt is the basic version of Smith Micro's flagship file compression software. It claims to offer exactly what standard users need, but infuriatingly, doesn't offer a specific trial version, which means that when you're trying it out, it's difficult to tell what features are actually present and which belong to the deluxe version. According to the developer's description, StuffIt standard offers the ability to create 25 file formats.

On first glance, StuffIt doesn't seem to promise much. It's an old-fashioned looking program, with a mess of buttons and options that makes it hard to know where to start. The interface is divided into three parts, starting with the standard File, Edit, View options. Under them, there are some quick buttons, and beneath that, tabs giving you quick access to the rest of the program.

The best place to start when using Stuffit is the Wizards. These let you easily create basic compressed files in a number of steps. They don't introduce unnecessary complications, and within a few minutes you should have some nicely compressed files, ready for storage or further actions. We have to admit that the actual StuffIt creation process is quick and painless, and that the initial time estimation drops quickly as the process progresses.

As well as creating compressed files, StuffIt lets you open and extract previously-created files, convert from a specific variety of formats and make self-extracting files. You can also schedule operations and use the app as a file explorer. StuffIt's also packed full of configuration options, so if you want to tweak any of the options, you'll have plenty of scope for personalization.

In all, we were disappointed by StuffIt. Mainly, we were unconvinced that this program can do many things a free program like PeaZip or 7-Zip can't, and confused by the uncertainty regarding what the standard version of the program actually offers. StuffIt does the basic job of file compression/decompression well, but without much panache, and all in all, the whole program left us strangely unsatisfied.

StuffIt serves its purpose, but we can think of bunches of other programs we'd rather use.

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This application not only includes support for extracting virtually any kind of file compression format, it also reduces file sizes and runs on almost any version of Windows, from 98 to Windows 7.

Some will argue that WinRAR isn’t as quick as rival WinZip at compressing files. However, for the small time difference, WinRAR leaves you with a significantly smaller archived file at the end of the process. What’s more, the application allows you to save files into both .ZIP and .RAR formats, with bunches of options for speeding up compression times and reducing file sizes.

Although many newcomers might be put off by the sheer range of features and settings within WinRAR, the interface doesn’t take long to get accustomed to. If you’re still really stuck there’s a simple wizard-based system that walks you through the process of extracting or compressing. All this adds up to make WinRAR a dependable utility that performs better than any other tool in its class.

Boasting more compression options, higher compression rates and smaller file sizes than WinZip, WinRAR is now the undisputed market leader in file compression.

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The 7-Zip interface is similar to that of its competitors, with a main file manager and a command line to search and select files to extract or compress. The control panel has the essential basics like extract, add and test, as well as copy, move and delete functions to manage your files. 7-Zip extracts and compresses files as fast as WinZip and WinRAR and handles the main archive formats like ZIP, TAR, RAR and ISO.

The archiving process is where 7-Zip differs most from its rivals. Where WinZip only lets you compress to ZIP and WinRAR to RAR or ZIP, 7zip offers you up to 5 different archive formats to choose from. 7-Zip lets you choose the update mode, depending on whether you want to add and replace files, refresh the archive or just synchronize files. If you don’t want somebody opening up your archive without your permission, you can set a password to protect your archive.

We particularly liked the split tool as it can cut up your archive into equal parts which fit on a floppy, CD or DVD, handy if you need to distribute a particularly large archive. Unfortunately, security is where 7-Zip lags behind its main rivals. There is no option to scan archives for viruses and you can’t repair damaged or corrupted files.

7-Zip might not be as secure as WinZip or WinRAR but it is definitely more versatile. It works with more archive formats and offers many useful tools like update mode or splitting. If you feel too limited by WinZip and if you don’t like WinRAR, we suggest giving 7-Zip a try and taking advantage of all its possibilities.

Infinitely more flexible than its most famous rivals, 7-Zip is a great file compression tool.

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This free version only handles expansion - you can't compress your files - but unlike WinZip, StuffIt Expander will unpack many different compression formats. This includes common ones like RAR and TAR files. That alone makes it quite an improvement over the competition.

Expansion is unproblematic, and the simple interface has buttons to expand single files or groups. Destination folders can be chosen as you would expect, and that really is about it. There are no compression tools in StuffIt Expander, although they are available if you upgrade to the deluxe version.

Due to its speed, simplicity and broad compatibility, if extracting and expanding files is something you do a lot StuffIt Expander is a great solution

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Apart from anything else, the best thing about ZipItFree is that it is completely free - no annoying registrations or fees to pay. That said, the installation process is very aggressive, with ZipItFree offering you bunches of extra software and changing the way it is presented in the hope that you'll slip up and install it. The program is fully functional with Vista and Windows 7, although the interface isn’t quite up to speed with similarly modern programs.

The key point of ZipItFree, however, is the way it compresses files using what the developers call the Black Hole method, which provides very high compression ratios and ultra fast decompression. This is so efficient, in fact, that ZipItFree is a serious rival to the giants of the file compression world, like WinZip and WinRAR.

The other major selling point is what they call the ZipV2 encryption algorithm which they describe as "by far the most secure encryption for archiving (hundreds of times more secure than even the leading AES encryption)". How secure this format is is debatable, but the fact is that it's one of the less utilized compression ratios that should mean it's less liable to attack.

Apart from the fact that ZipItFree handles multiple formats with ease, you can also leave comments on your archives describing what the archive contains so you don't have to go to the hassle of unzipping it all to look inside. If you can overlook the ugly packaging, ZipItFree is a file compressor to be reckoned with.

For a free and powerful alternative to WinZIP and WinRAR, ZipItFree is one of the most impressive efforts out there.

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Being portable means that you'll be able to use this high-ratio compressor and extractor to manage files wherever you are - even if you're on the go or using 7-Zip Portable on a computer that's not yours. Given the utility of the app, it's probably a good idea to keep it on a pendrive so you can have access to it no matter where you are.

7-Zip Portable is one of many file compression apps, but it stands out because it can fit a lot of information into a small space - in other words, it can make large files much, much more manageable. You can use it either for compressing large files you own, or for opening files that other users have compressed. Either way, 7-Zip Portable couldn't be easier to use.

The app's interface is plain, but very self-explanatory and easy to use. It's integrated into the context menu, which means that to compress or extract a file, you only need to right-click. Double clicking on a compressed archive will extract it, and, of course, you can extract and compress via 7-Zip Portable's main interface and the buttons in the top bar.

Being open source and thoughtfully developed, 7-Zip Portable also has a number of nice features that don't always come as standard. Data nerds will love the benchmarking feature, while everybody should appreciate the test option (for making sure files aren't corrupted), excellent hotkeys and general selection of very user-friendly options.

Give 7-Zip Portable a try. If you're looking for portable, free and, above all, outstanding file compression and extraction, it's probably the app for you.

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