7-Zip vs PeaZip
7-Zip
7-zip.orgPeaZip
peazip.github.ioSide by side
| Figure | 7-Zip | PeaZip |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · File Compression Software | 8.1 (#4) | 7.6 (#18) |
| Spec score · File encryption software | 8.1 (#3) | 7.4 (#9) |
| Encryption | 7-Zip supports AES-256 encryption in 7z and ZIP formats. | It supports strong encryption, optional password-and-keyfile two-factor authentication, and authenticated encryption. |
| Format limitation | 7-Zip can unpack RAR archives but does not list RAR as a format it can pack. | Creating RAR archives requires WinRAR to be installed because standalone RAR compression is restricted by licensing limitations. |
| Purpose | 7-Zip is a file archiver with a high compression ratio. | PeaZip is a free file archiver and archive manager for creating, opening, and extracting archives. |
| Support | The support page directs common questions to the 7-Zip forum and bug reports to its bug tracker on SourceForge. | The project provides online help, FAQ pages, and an issue tracker for support and issue reporting. |
Plans
In their own words
7-Zip
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.
PeaZip
PeaZip is a free file archiver and archive manager for creating, opening, and extracting archives on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It extracts more than 200 archive formats and variants, including 7Z, RAR, TAR, ZIP, Brotli, and Zstandard, and can create supported archives, convert existing ones, and split or join files. Its file manager includes browsing, search, bookmarks, duplicate detection, and integrated text, hex, and image viewers. Encryption options include strong encryption, authenticated encryption, and optional password-and-keyfile two-factor authentication. Tasks set up in the graphical interface can be exported as command-line scripts. Portable packages are available for all three listed platforms and can be used without installation. PeaZip is licensed under GNU LGPLv3 and is free for personal, professional, and commercial use; the listed plan is free. The software says it does not collect or transmit personally identifiable information. Packages are not currently signed, but SHA256 hashes are published for integrity checks. Creating RAR archives requires WinRAR, while opening or extracting ACE files requires the optional UNACE plugin.