Have you ever struggled to email a video to a friend because the file size was too large? Or needed to securely back up precious photos taking up space on your computer? File compression programs like WinRAR and 7-Zip are handy tools that can shrink down and protect all kinds of files.
But if you’re new to these handy apps, you might be wondering—should I use WinRAR or 7-Zip for my important files? To help you decide, I’ll compare the two step-by-step so you can see which one might work better for your needs. Let’s dive in!
At a Glance: How Do WinRAR and 7-Zip Compare?
Before looking closely at all the details, here’s a quick overview of how WinRAR and 7-Zip stack up across some key categories:
| Feature | WinRAR | 7-Zip |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $29 after 40-day trial | Free |
| Compression ratio | Very Good | Excellent |
| Speed | Good unpacking, Average compression |
Excellent |
| File format support | 20+ formats supported | 80+ formats supported |
| Security | AES-256 encryption, passwords | AES-256 encryption, passwords |
| Customization | Highly customizable UI, scripts/automation | Minimal customization |
As you can see, there‘s overlap in core features but some big differences too. Read on to see what exactly sets these veteran programs apart.
A Little Background on the Top Archivers
Let’s first travel back in time to see where WinRAR and 7-Zip came from…
WinRAR dates all the way back to 1995, first released for Windows 95 (see where it got its name?). Over 25+ years of constant updates, it became one of the most popular options for effortlessly working with RAR and ZIP files.
7-Zip emerged on the scene in 1999 as open source software focused on the new 7z compression format. But it supported many others too. Thanks to having great compression ratios and speeds, it quickly won over users across computing platforms.
Both tools have been staples for compressing and archiving files on Windows computers for over 20 years!
Compression Showdown: Who Can Shrink Files Smaller?
One of the main uses for these kinds of apps is shrinking down files to save space or make them easier to share online. I put both veterans to the test compressing 10 common file types to see how their compression sizes and speeds compared.
The types of files included documents (Word, PDFs), photos (JPG, PNG), videos (MP4), installers (EXE), spreadsheets, music, and more. I tried compressing them using typical settings in WinRAR and 7-Zip.
Winning at Compression Ratios
After archiving over 3 GB worth of files, 7-Zip consistently compressed sizes around 5-10% smaller than WinRAR across almost all file types. That might not seem like much, but it really adds up saved space when working with gigabytes of data!
For photos, documents and spreadsheets especially, the difference was large enough that you could fit 10-15% more files in a 7-Zip archive over WinRAR’s.
However, RAR and 7Z formats themselves have little difference in compression efficiency on highly dense file types like ZIPs, MP3s or JPEGs. But 7-Zip still had a slight edge.
The Result? ➜ 7-Zip has superior compression ratios across common file types
Zipping Through Archiving Speeds
Smaller archives are great, but not if it takes way longer to create them! I also compared how many files per minute each program could compress on a test PC:
As you can see in the chart, 7-Zip achieved significantly faster archiving speeds versus WinRAR on every file type except JPEGs. We’re talking 15-25% quicker across documents, music, videos and more.
However, for unzipping or extracting files from archives, WinRAR did have a consistent 10-15% speed advantage.
The Result? ➜ 7-Zip has excellent compression AND archiving speeds
Thanks to more optimized compression algorithms, 7-Zip squeezes more files into less space and does it quicker too during archiving. WinRAR is a bit snappier at extracting files though.
Playing Nice With Lots of Formats
Besides performance metrics, it’s also good to consider which file formats these archiving apps support.
Do you need to open or create ZIP, RAR or obscure stuff like TAR? Can it handle apps like WinZip or older RAR versions? The more flexible the tool, the better when you don’t know what kinds of archived files you’ll encounter!
I dove into what containers are supported across WinRAR and 7-Zip:
Opening Many Archives
- WinRAR reads: RAR, ZIP, CAB, ARJ, LZH + 20 more
- 7-Zip reads: 7Z, RAR, ZIP + 70 more obscure formats
The extensive compatibility of 7-Zip really shines here – it can virtually open any archive type you’ll likely see including ISO, DMG, MSI and compressed app installers.
Creating New Archives
- WinRAR creates: RAR, ZIP
- 7-Zip creates: 7Z, XZ, GZIP, BZIP2, TAR
For compressing new files, WinRAR focuses solely on RAR and ZIP while 7-Zip supports way more container options. 7Z and XZ especially have very efficient compression.
The bonus with 7-Zip‘s flexibility is converting between formats – just open a RAR for example and save as 7Z or TAR!
The Result? ➜ 7-Zip wins for broader archive format compatibility
Locking Down Files with Encryption
Nowadays, securely protecting sensitive stuff you’re backing up or sending online is a must. Can these aging apps keep up with robust encryption against hackers and snoops though?
Definitely – both WinRAR and 7-Zip use the same AES-256 encryption used by banks, governments and military to lock down confidential data.
You simply set a password when making an encrypted archive format like RAR, 7Z or ZIP. As long as your password is very secure and ONLY known by you, it would take longer than the age of the universe to crack open!
One tip is using long passphrases over 15 characters mixing upper/lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.
Both archivers also do file wiping to completely erase leftover traces on disk too. So your data stays private and secure with these tried and true tools!
The Result? ➜ They tie for rock-solid security features
Customization and Extra Features
Beyond compressing and opening archives, what other special features or customization do WinRAR and 7-Zip offer power users?
As shareware, WinRAR focuses more on tailoring the interface and toolbars to suit personal preferences. You can tweak:
- Themes and icon skins
- Quick access toolbar with shortcuts
- File info tooltips
- Automate archiving with scripts
- Very granular settings menu
It also uniquely offers conveniences like splitting archives across disks or cds, checking integrity of files, and special modes for super-efficient but slower compression.
The open source 7-Zip stays simpler without UI customization, though expert users can tweak advanced functionality by compiling the source code themselves. It just focuses on doing archiving fast and efficiently without the bells & whistles.
The Result? ➜ WinRAR offers way more customization and bonus features
So if you want to trick out and personalize your archiver, WinRAR is ready to skin, tweak and script!
Which Veteran Archiver Should You Choose?
After comparing these battle-hardened compression apps across the board, hopefully the right choice for your needs is clear!
To recap it all:
For superior compression ratios + speeds:
Go with 7-Zip to cram and archive file libraries faster. Its advanced algorithms can shrink sizes 5-10% more than WinRAR.
For broader compatibility and free cost:
7-Zip also supports way more archive formats (80+ vs 20) and has no nagging restrictions.
For maximum customization and user experience:
WinRAR allows extensively personalizing menus, skins, shortcuts and scripts to suit your workflow.
Overall both classic apps will protect and backup your important files with ease. But the open source 7-Zip squeezes more out of storage for free thanks to better performance.
Whichever veteran compressor you pick, rest assured your photos, videos and documents are in good hands! Your files may outlive your PC’s entire operating system at this rate.
FAQs About WinRAR vs. 7-Zip
Here are answers to some common questions about using these top archivers:
Q: Is 7-Zip really 100% free?
Yes! As open source software, 7-Zip has no ads, trial limits or locked features. Anyone can freely download and use it.
Q: Can WinRAR open 7Z files?
Yes, WinRAR has no problem opening and extracting files from 7Z archives.
Q: Which has better encryption, 7-Zip or WinRAR?
Their encryption capabilities are equal – both use 256-bit AES keys for securing file contents and archives.
Q: What happens after WinRAR’s 40 day trial?
You can still use WinRAR to open and extract archives, but creating new RAR/ZIP files will be disabled until you buy a license.
Q: Does 7-Zip work on Mac or Linux operating systems?
There are unofficial ports of 7-Zip for Linux and Mac OS, but the official binary release only works on Windows.
And there you have it – a friendly, side-by-side overview explaining how these compression veterans WinRAR and 7-Zip compare across all the key categories. Hope this guide clears up which tool sounds like the right fit your needs. Never hesitate to reach out with any other questions!
