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It’s time to compress some files, so what format do you use? Zip, RAR, 7z, or something else? We performed some benchmarks to determine which format gives you maximum compression.
Compression ratio isn’t the only factor, of course. Some of these formats are just easier to use because they’re integrated into desktop operating systems, while some require third-party software.
File Compression Benchmarks
This is more complicated than it seems. How much compression you achieve will depend not only the on the archive type you create, but on the application you use to compress it and the settings you use. We stuck with popular applications at their default compression settings to simplify things.
Rather than messing with some of the usual file types here — like Word DOCX documents, which already use a form of Zip compression, and JPG images, which also use a form of compression — we decided to compress a few installed PC games. Games incorporate graphics, music, text files, executables, and various other different types of files, so they’re a good real-world dataset with various different types of files.
First, we installed Bastion and compressed its folder — about 863 MB in size of music, graphics, executable files, and various different types of documents:
- Zip (Windows 8.1): 746 MB (86.4% of the original size)
- Zip (WinZip): 745 MB (86.3% of the original size)
- RAR (WinRAR): 746 MB (86.4% of the original size)
- 7z (7-Zip): 734 MB (85% of the original size)
Next, we compressed Hotline Miami, which is 654 MB of data:
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- Zip (Windows 8.1): 316 MB (48.3% of the original size)
- Zip (WinZip): 314 MB (48% of the original size)
- RAR (WinRAR): 307 MB (46.9% of the original size)
- 7z (7-Zip): 301 MB (46% of the original size)
And the Winner Is…
The winner by pure compression is 7z, which isn’t surprising to us. We’ve seen 7z come on the top of file compression benchmarks time and time again. If you want to compress something to use as little space as possible, you should definitely use 7z. You can even crank up the compression settings to save even more space, although it will take longer to compress and decompress.
Overall, Zip and RAR came pretty close to each other. WinZip also didn’t beat out the integrated Windows support for creating Zip files by that much. In short, we recommend:
- For Maximum Compression: Create 7z archives with 7-Zip.
- For Ease of Use and Maximum Compatibility: Create Zip files with the feature integrated into your operating system. For example, on Windows, select some files in Windows Explorer or File Explorer, right-click them, point to Send To, and select Compressed (zipped) folder.
Operating System Support
If you’re just compressing files for your own use, you can use whatever file format you like. However, some archive formats are more interoperable and work out-of-the-box on various operating systems without installing third-party software. If you’re sending the archives to someone else, or you’re posting them online, you’ll probably want to use a format that the recipients can access with less fuss.
Here are the formats integrated into popular operating systems:
- Windows: Zip only. This feature was added back in Windows XP, so practically every Windows user can create and extract zip files.
- Mac OS X: Zip is supported, and so are other archive types like .tar.gz and .tar.bz2. .7z and .rar will require third-party software.
- Linux: Zip is generally supported out-of-the-box. 7z and RAR files will work in standard programs like File Roller, but you’ll have to install the appropriate command-line utilities from your package manager first. Tar formats like .tar.gz and .tar.bz2 are supported out-of-the-box on Linux, too.
- Chrome OS: Zip and RAR are both supported. Tar.gz and tar.bz2 can also be opened in the Files app, and the contents can be extracted.
Windows is the biggest stick-in-the-mud here — it only supports Zip files, so Zip is the most universal format. If you work with Mac or Linux, you could use a .tar format instead. 7z is the least supported — it’s not integrated into any operating system, so you’ll have to install an application to open .7z archives. But, if you want the best compression ratio possible, 7z is the way to go.
All compression benchmarks are rough. You’ll get different results with different data and types of data. We’re happy with our overall results, but you might see different results when compressing different types of data.
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Compression Program in title |
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1 | lARP64Free |
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lARP64Free is a 64 bit compressionprogram based on LZMA compression technology. lARP64Free is a 64 bit compressionprogram based on LZMA compression technology. This freeware edition was specifically designed to be superfast and reliable. Downloads ... |
Size: 4.2 MB, Price: Free, License: Freeware, Author: lARP64Tech (larp64.com) |
2 | PentaZip-PRO |
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PentaZip-PRO is the latest release of the award winning File Compressionprogram complete with PDF Creation, PDF Editing and Digital Signatures. PentaZip-PRO is the latest release of the award winning File Compressionprogram complete with PDF Creation, ... |
Size: 3.9 MB, Price: USD $89.00 , License: Shareware, Author: PentaWare Inc. (pentaware.com) |
3 | Freebyte Zip |
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Freebyte Zip is a free file compressionprogram. Freebyte Zip is a free file compressionprogram. It will neatly compress any number of files to help you send them by e-mail faster or when save them to a removable device of limited capacity. You can ... |
Size: 299.8 KB, Price: Free, License: Freeware, Author: Freebyte! (freebyte.com) |
4 | Courier Compressor |
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Courier Compressor is a compressionprogram of PDF documents and images. Courier Compressor is a compressionprogram of PDF documents and images. This tool provides a procedure which preserves text legibility while maintaining high visual and color quality. |
Size: 37.9 MB, Price: Free, License: Demo, Author: SeaSecure Ltd. (seasecure.net) |
5 | ALZip |
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Extract 40 and save 8 formats, Unicode support and better compression ratio through new file format 'EGG', make self extractors (SFX, EXE), file encryption with AES-256, command line, easy enough for kids, powerful enough for IT pros. ALZip ... |
Size: 6.5 MB, Price: USD $29.95 , License: Shareware, Author: ESTSoft corp. (cabal.co.kr) |
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6 | PowerZip |
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PowerZip makes zipping / unzipping quick simple while providing advanced compression security features: Easy to use Wizards, Strong encryption (256-bit AES), Supports 12 types of archives, Create PowerZip Macro files to automate backup and more. Unzip ... |
Size: 2.3 MB, Price: USD $20.00 , License: Shareware, Author: Trident Software Pty Ltd (tridentsw.com) |
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7 | SecureFile |
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SecureFile is an encryption and compressionprogram that allows you to encrypt and decrypt files using symmetric key and asymmetric key mechanism. It creates a self-decryption archive which can be decrypted at the other end without any dependencies. |
Size: 714.1 KB, Price: USD $15.00 , License: Shareware, Author: SecureSoft Technologies (securefile.tripod.com) |
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8 | ZFilter |
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It enables them to full-text index the contents of zip archives created with WinZip, PKZIP, or any other compressionprogram that uses the PKWARE compression format. ZFilter is designed for Internet Information Server, SharePoint, Exchange Server, ... |
Size: 949.1 KB, Price: USD $75.00 , License: Shareware, Author: 4-Share (4-share.com) |
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9 | DevSolutions SecureFile |
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1 is an easy to use encryption and compressionprogram, which is able to encrypt your personal files and sensitive data quickly, easily and securely. In addition to encryption, SecureFile creates self-decrypting exe - files which anybody with the right ... |
Size: 1.2 MB, Price: USD $30.00 , License: Shareware, Author: devsolutions.net (devsolutions.net) |
10 | DWG Fix Toolbox |
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This program does not require the presence of data recovery engineers, all DWG recovery activities are performed on your PC without the assistance of other services, it allows preserving your confidentiality, it is often important during the analysis ... |
Size: 3.1 MB, Price: USD $99.00, USD 99 , License: Shareware, Author: Fix Toolbox, Inc. (fixtoolboxx.com) |
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11 | Archiwizator Zip Standard |
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The application allows to choose a compression ratio and provides basic options concerning the save file path as well as the type of the file. Additionally, the program offers a network drive connection and has a built-in FTP Client. Apart from the ... |
Size: 1.7 MB, Price: Free, License: Freeware, Author: Zenon Mieszkuniec (archiwizator.com) |
12 | Repair Word File Free |
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Open the website of Recovery Toolbox, Inc if you'd like to know how to repair Word 2007 file online and how to repair corrupted Word file? It is much easier than you may think, the online MS Word file repair tool looks like a file compressionprogram that ... |
Size: 1.4 MB, Price: USD $27.00 , License: Shareware, Author: Recovery Toolbox, Inc. (recoverytoolbox.com) |
13 | Serif RotateMyPics |
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The resulting images retain the exact same quality of the input photograph, as no compression whatsoever is involved in the rotation process. This tiny tool could easily work as a plug-in for other image editing applications, and in fact it does look ... |
Size: 13.6 MB, Price: Free, License: Freeware, Author: Serif (Europe) Ltd (freeserifsoftware.com) |
14 | RAR Fix Toolbox |
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Anyway there is no need to modify some additional settings, all options of WinRAR recovery are fully automated, in general this application is easier than any other file compressionprogram. As soon as the analysis of selected files is successfully ... |
Size: 3.3 MB, Price: USD $27.00, USD 27 , License: Shareware, Author: Fix Toolbox, Inc. (fixtoolboxx.com) |
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15 | ZIP Fix Toolbox |
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Zip Fix Toolbox is compatible with Windows 7 and other versions of this operating system, please get the setup file of WinZip recovery program on your PC and follow the instructions. As for the rest it looks like any other file compression tool and ... |
Size: 2.6 MB, Price: USD $27.00, USD 27 , License: Shareware, Author: Fix Toolbox, Inc. (fixtoolboxx.com) |
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16 | Minutes of Meeting Recorder |
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This program helps you record and summarize your meetings. With its recorder you can choose sound quality, get real-time compression, export/import recordings and use transcription playback mode. It also keeps your text notes in the same meeting file ... |
Size: 2.8 MB, Price: USD $39.00 , License: Shareware, Author: XemiComputers Ltd. (regnow.com) |
Actions, Agenda, Audio Notes, Closure, Compression, Conference, Discussion, Keep, Microphone, Minutes Of Meeting Recorder, Ogg, Share, Summarize, Take, Transcription, Vorbis |
17 | HiBase Task Scheduler |
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The program allows you to schedule repetitive tasks. You can run applications at certain times, execute files using Windows file associations, copy/rename/delete files. Task Scheduler has built-in ZIP compression support too. There are always some tasks ... |
Size: 708.6 KB, Price: USD $29.95 , License: Shareware, Author: HiBase Group (dbf2002.com) |
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18 | ABC Backup Pro |
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This program allows you to create backups at various different compression levels, automatically backups data on schedule to local or remote storages, network drives and ftp servers, supports writing to CDR, CDRW, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW or DVD+RW. This ... |
Size: 1.8 MB, Price: USD $49.95 , License: Shareware, Author: A-B-C Backup Software (abcbackup.com) |
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19 | Handy Backup Lite |
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Free Easy-to-use backup program for Windows 9x/NT/2000/Me/XP. Can work with CD, FTP and local network. Flexible scheduler, 128-bit file encryption and ZIP compression on the fly. Handy Backup Lite is an easy-to-use freeware backup program designed for ... |
Size: 3.4 MB, Price: Free, License: Freeware, Author: Novosoft LLC (office-backup.com) |
Backup, Backup Software, Compression, Encryption, Free Download, Ftp, Lan |
20 | Insider |
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The encoding program is also hidden inside another program Everybody has a right to privacy. Your confidential information can be saved as a file (photo, document, program, music or video file etc.). You do not want anyone to know your secret and anyone ... |
Size: 4.5 MB, Price: USD $29.00 , License: Shareware, Author: Janusware Ltd. (janusware.com) |
Aes, Double Steganography, File Compression Utility, File Encryption, Hide Files, Program And Information Hiding, Shred |
21 | FabFilter Pro-C for Mac OS X |
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FabFilter Pro-C is a high quality compressor plug-in with various beautiful program dependent compression styles. FabFilter Pro-C is a high quality compressor plug-in with various beautiful program dependent compression styles. Professionals will be ... |
Size: 7.3 MB, Price: USD $149.00 , License: Trialware, Author: FabFilter (fabfilter.com) |
Audio Compression, Audio Filter, Compression, Compressor, Filter, Rtas Plugin |
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22 | FabFilter Pro-C x64 |
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FabFilter Pro-C is a high quality compressor plug-in with various beautiful program dependent compression styles. FabFilter Pro-C is a high quality compressor plug-in with various beautiful program dependent compression styles. Professionals will be ... |
Size: 1.8 MB, Price: USD $149.00 , License: Trialware, Author: FabFilter (fabfilter.com) |
Audio Compression, Audio Filter, Compression, Compressor, Filter, Rtas Plugin |
23 | FabFilter Pro-C |
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FabFilter Pro-C is a high quality compressor plug-in with various beautiful program dependent compression styles. FabFilter Pro-C is a high quality compressor plug-in with various beautiful program dependent compression styles. Professionals will be ... |
Size: 3.1 MB, Price: USD $149.00 , License: Trialware, Author: FabFilter (fabfilter.com) |
Audio Compression, Audio Filter, Compression, Compressor, Filter, Rtas Plugin |
24 | TripleCopy |
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An easy to use program that performs file backup, file compression, file encryption, zip archive creation and placement of the zip archives in multiple storage locations. An easy to use program that performs file backup, file compression, file encryption, ... |
Size: 1.1 MB, Price: USD $40.00 , License: Trialware, Author: BlueSAN Technology (bluesan.com) |
Backup, Compression, Encryption, File, Triple Copy, Zip |
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25 | CyberArchive |
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Cyber Archive is a data compression and archival program which also serves as a demonstration for the Cyber Compression Suite and Cyber Operations' data compression services. Cyber Archive is a data compression and archival program which also serves ... |
Size: 645.1 KB, Price: Free, License: Freeware, Author: Cyber Operations, Inc. (cyberoperations.com) |
Archive, Archiver, Compression, Compression, Cyber, Data, File, Operations, Suite, Zip, Zlib |
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