7-Zip vs XZ Utils
7-Zip
7-zip.orgXZ Utils
tukaani.orgSide by side
| Figure | 7-Zip | XZ Utils |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 0 |
| Spec score · File Compression Software | 8.1 (#4) | 6.9 (#29) |
| Format limitation | 7-Zip can unpack RAR archives but does not list RAR as a format it can pack. | The .xz format is a container for compressed streams and has no archiving capability; each stream holds a single file. |
| Licensing | 7-Zip is open-source software; most code is under the GNU LGPL, with some code under BSD licenses and an unRAR license restriction for some parts. | Since version 5.5.2beta, core components use the BSD Zero Clause License; some other parts use licenses including LGPLv2.1, GPLv2, or GPLv3. |
| Platforms | The download page lists Windows installers, a Linux console version, and a macOS console version. | The supported-platform list includes GNU/Linux, macOS, and Windows, among other operating systems. |
| Purpose | 7-Zip is a file archiver with a high compression ratio. | XZ Utils is a C99 implementation of the .xz file format. |
| Support | The support page directs common questions to the 7-Zip forum and bug reports to its bug tracker on SourceForge. | The project accepts bug reports through GitHub, email, or IRC, and asks that security issues be reported privately by email or through GitHub's vulnerability reporting feature. |
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.