Best freeware file compression utility

Even someone who is unfamiliar with the idea of file compression and decompression should find it easy to achieve the results they want. Creating and extracting archives to one of a range of formats is reduced to a simple drag and drop process, and there's cloud support as a handy extra. What this means is that you can, in one quick and easy operation, create a compressed file, upload it to Dropbox, OneDrive, or Google Drive, and have a shareable link created automatically.

If you're compressing files to share them, this is a brilliant option. If you're not a fan of the drag-and-drop interface, you can use the Windows context menu to take care of everything — the choice is yours. There are dozens of compressed file formats, but Zip Archiver can handle them all. The only drawback is that Zip Archiver is only available for Windows.

Another free compression program, PeaZip for Windows and Linux is simple looking but surprisingly powerful, and offers plenty of security options.

In addition to regular compression and decompression options, you can also use PeaZip to convert archives between formats. For the security conscious, this file compression software also offers AESbased encryption and two-factor authentication , as well as a password manager.

As with the other compression tools in this roundup, you can make use of the main program interface, or fall back in love with the right mouse button and use the context menu.

PeaZip is one compression tool that can, sort of, create — as well as extract — RAR files. Although no warning message will be displayed, you're not really supposed to use WinRAR after the end of the trial period, either on its own or through PeaZip. Sofia is a tech journalist who's been writing about software, hardware and the web for nearly 20 years — but still looks as youthful as ever! After years writing for magazines, her life moved online and remains fuelled by technology, music and nature.

In either case, a data-compression tool can help you out. We know of three free capable compression tools for your file zipping and unzipping needs. Select 'Custom' if you want to make your own choices. PeaZip is compatible with pretty much every compressed file format there is. PEA, its own format, prioritizes security over compression, with optional integrity check and authenticated encryption.

Unlike 7-Zip, it can repair damaged archives. Its handy extra features include the ability to convert archive formats and test archives for errors. It can't batch compress or watermark images as some of the other tools here can, but can rotate and crop them for you. Many free Winzip alternatives hide their best features behind a complex system of menus. Ashampoo Zip Free is a rare exception, with a clear interface and an optional touch mode with larger, tap-friendly icons.

Many of the options shown on the main splash screen are links to paid applications like dedicated encryption and decryption tools, but don't let this put you off; all the essentials that you'll find in other free file compression software are present and correct, including archive creation, extraction, repair, and multi-volume ZIP writing. Interestingly, Ashampoo Zip Free also gives previews of files before you extract an archive. This can be very useful, but it happens automatically so don't be alarmed if a music file begins playing on mouseover.

Ashampoo Zip Free doesn't offer an overwhelming number of options, and each of its features is clearly presented and explained. Advanced users may prefer the more fine-grained customization provided by tools like 7-Zip, but for the average user this is an excellent choice. Zipware looks as good as any premium file compression software, and is wonderfully simple to use. Simply choose 'New' or 'Open', choose your source file or archive, tweak a few optional settings and you're done.

IZArc is freeware, but donations are accepted. WinRAR is a powerful file compression and decompression tool that's been around since As the first result in a Google search for RAR , it's probably the first option most of us stumbled onto when we ran into our first RAR file. That said, WinRAR supports a wide range of formats. PeaZip is a free and open-source archive manager that supports a boatload of formats.