7-Zip vs PowerArchiver

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.

PowerArchiver creates, extracts and manages more than 60 archive formats, including ZIP, 7Z, RAR, TAR, ISO and CAB. It supports archive encryption with AES-256, split archives and archive repair. Its proprietary PA codec provides lossless compression and is described as reducing documents by 30–70%. The Windows edition supports Windows 7 through Windows 11 and Server 2008 R2 through Server 2025; PowerArchiver Pro for Mac is a separate macOS codebase with Finder integration and native drag-and-drop. Edition features vary: Professional includes Outlook, Word and Excel add-ins, while Professional Toolbox adds a cloud browser for S3, Google Drive, OneDrive, Azure and Box, as well as the PACL command-line tool. Business and higher editions include MSI installation, Group Policy support and silent deployment. Enterprise adds FIPS 140-2 validated encryption and lists HIPAA and DFARS support. The free edition is restricted to non-commercial personal, student and nonprofit use. A 30-day trial unlocks the highest Toolbox edition’s features. Prices range from PowerArchiver Free at free to Enterprise Unlimited at $4,995, paid once.