7-Zip vs ALZip

7-Zip is a file archiver for Windows, Linux, and macOS, offered at free with no registration or payment required. It creates and extracts 7z, XZ, BZIP2, GZIP, TAR, ZIP, and WIM archives, and can extract additional formats such as RAR, ISO, and VHDX. The 7z format uses LZMA and LZMA2 compression, and AES-256 encryption is available for 7z and ZIP files. Other listed capabilities include split archives, archive repair, portable use, and command-line tools. The Windows version includes Shell integration, a file manager, a command-line version, and a FAR Manager plugin. The software is open source; most code is under the GNU LGPL, with some under BSD licenses and an unRAR restriction applying to some parts. The maker says it can be used in commercial organizations without payment. It is localized in 87 languages. Developers can use the LZMA SDK, which includes documentation, samples, headers, libraries, and tools for applications using LZMA compression.

ALZip is a file compression and extraction program published by ESTsoft. It handles about 40 formats, including ALZ, EGG, ZIP, LZH, TAR, and JAR, and can extract split ALZ, EGG, ZIP, RAR, and ACE archives. Listed features include encryption, split archives, command-line tools, multithreaded ZIP compression, solid and split EGG archives, and Unicode compression. In icon view, users can preview image thumbnails without extracting an archive; linked image viewing requires installing ALSee. ALZip can warn when an archive contains a suspected malicious file and extract it to a safe folder. The PC version can use ALYac to scan compressed files for risks. The product page recommends Windows 11 and 10 for PC and describes a Linux version with similar functions; an Android app is also linked. ESTsoft claims extraction speed can increase by up to 700%, with results depending on format, PC, and environment. The Personal plan costs nothing for qualifying domestic individual users using it noncommercially. Business, education, and public-sector licenses are sold separately, with prices available through the business shopping mall.