Best file compression software in 2024

What is the Best File Compression Program? Are you wondering which is the best file compression program for your computer or mobile device? In this article we’ll discuss top recommendations and compare the compression rates of popular programs like 7-Zip WinRAR and WinZip. Why Do We Use Compression Programs?

The primary reason for using compression programs is to reduce file sizes which is incredibly useful for several reasons. For instance these programs can compress HTML code allowing webpages to load faster. Considering millions of people browsing the web the benefits are clear. So file compression programs are essential for tasks like reducing file sizes transferring files between servers sending and receiving emails and saving storage space.

Below you’ll find a list of the most useful compression programs. Note that while I highly recommend 7-Zip I also detail the compression rates and test results of WinRAR and WinZip for comparison. Additionally I’ve included programs that can be installed on mobile devices and offer significant compression. Free English download links are provided for those interested.

How Do Compression Programs Free Up Space?

Compression programs free up space on your computer by combining the code portions of files. This process reduces unnecessary kilobytes caused by spaces within the code thus compressing the file. Importantly this compression does not result in any loss of quality. Documents are the file types that benefit the most from compression while images and videos generally don’t see as much space savings since they are often already compressed.

What is a Compression Program?

Compression programs are software tools designed to reduce the size of files stored on technological devices to free up space on hard drives or make file transfers easier. The most popular compression programs include WinRAR WinZip and 7-Zip. Among these 7-Zip stands out as the best in terms of providing answers to all the common questions regarding file compression. Therefore 7-Zip tops my list of recommended compression programs.

Let’s explore what 7-Zip can do:

7-Zip (Program that opens Zip 7Z and GZIP files)

To download the latest version of the 7-Zip program please visit the official website’s relevant webpage. The installation file you download is free and fully functional requiring no license key. Additionally setup files are available to install on Windows 10 Home or Pro Windows 8.1 Windows 7 Ultimate and other operating systems.

The best compression program designed for use on a Windows-installed computer is 7-Zip. It compresses files on your computer to free up space in the system’s memory. While many file compression programs work on Windows only 7-Zip provides the highest level of compression. For instance it achieves a compression rate of 12% on a 100MB video file whereas WinRAR can only achieve up to 9%. WinZip on the other hand falls short of both.

WinRAR remains the most widely used file compression program globally. However many PC users today are recognizing the advantages of 7-Zip and are incorporating this program into their computers. Over time users of WinRAR who see the benefits of 7-Zip will undoubtedly stick with it.

Download 7Zip

Here are 7 reasons to use 7-Zip!

High File Compression:

7-Zip achieves maximum compression of up to 70% making it the only program capable of such high compression. However not all files can be compressed to the same extent! For example MP3 or JPG files are already compressed so re-compressing them results in minimal reduction. Therefore achieving 70% compression on such files is not feasible.

Evaluating Compression Programs:

When evaluating a compression program it’s important to consider these file types separately. Nonetheless more than 80% of files on Windows have a high compression potential. This is because a significant portion of these files are stored on the computer without compression. In comparison WinRAR and WinZip have lower compression rates for these files.

7-Zip Shrinks Compressed Files Again:

Another feature that sets 7-Zip apart is its ability to further increase the compression ratio of previously compressed files. For example you can convert a 40 MB compressed RAR file into a 38 MB 7Z file using 7-Zip. This means you can gain an additional 2 MB reduction even on already compressed files.

7-Zip Differs from Other Compression Programs:

7-Zip stands out from other compression programs in several ways. While ZIP files are produced by Winzip and RAR files by Winrar 7Z files can only be created using the 7-Zip compression program. Winrar and Winzip compress by simply removing empty characters from the code stored within applications. On the other hand 7-Zip compresses by eliminating unnecessary letters or numbers from the code and then reorganizing it.

Don’t worry! When the contents of a compressed file are extracted the deleted spaces and characters within the files are added back. The program adds a guide to the file properties to accomplish this.

7-Zip Compresses System Files:

It’s possible to compress all files on a computer including Windows system files. When new updates are applied the amount of data on the hard disk increases. Initially Windows files might start at a size of 8GB but after updates they can expand up to 32GB. 7-Zip facilitates compression of these new files leading to overall savings in storage space.

7-Zip Extracts Compressed Files:

When compressed media files stored on a computer are accessed for playback they may take a moment to open. For Windows this delay typically ranges from approximately 3 to 10 seconds. Of course the exact time depends on the size of the video file. However if the compression program you’re using isn’t fully compatible with Windows this delay could be even longer.

When using WinRar this delay increases by about 1 second for a 10-megabyte file and WinZip starts the video playback 3 seconds later. Therefore we can say that 7-Zip is the fastest program for extracting files among all these compression programs. With 7-Zip there’s minimal delay before the compressed video starts playing.

7-Zip Supports English Language:

When installing the program on Windows computers the language is automatically set to English. However since we are using English Windows we need to change the language option during installation. If you skipped the language selection step open the program after installation click on the language options button set it to English and save the settings. Using an English language file compression program is highly advantageous for detailed usage. I recommend installing 7-Zip in English to benefit from this feature.

Does 7Zip Outshine WinRar?

In 2024 7Zip took second place among the most used programs. So even though 7-Zip was the best compression program of 2024 WinRar continued to be the most downloaded compression program. If 7-Zip manages to develop a new and stable program version in 2025 that could dethrone WinRar it might achieve the status of being the most popular and remain indispensable for computers for many years.

Are we expecting this from it? Absolutely we are. Because a program that can excel WinRar in key features such as file extraction speed and compression rate deserves to be the most used. Still I must say… in my opinion 7-Zip is the only program that can perform the best compression on Windows 7 and Windows 10 operating systems. I highly recommend using it.

WinRar (RAR File Opener)

Whether on computers or mobile phones the file compression extension RAR is developed and produced by the WinRar program which can be used on all devices. RAR files are used worldwide and the first program that needs to be installed on a computer to open them is WinRar.

WinRar is highly popular because it was the first compression program added to Windows operating systems. However it is a paid software. There is also a free trial version but when using this version a window appears every time a RAR file is opened reminding you to purchase the full version. This can be quite annoying. However the free version has no time restrictions. If you don’t mind the reminder window you can continue using the free WinRar program. The reminder window is disabled when you purchase the full version which in my opinion is worth paying for.

Despite its popularity advantage over other file compression programs WinRar is gradually losing its usage potential day by day due to free alternative programs seeking their place in the market. As mentioned at the beginning of our article 7-Zip is emerging as the leading program poised to gradually replace WinRar.

Download WinRAR

Nevertheless WinRar has some very important features that could make it indispensable. Now let’s delve into the details you need to know about WinRar.

What Features Does WinRar Have?

I want to outline its features by looking at the buttons in the program menu.

RAR Repair Button:

The Repair button provides us with an opportunity to open corrupted RAR files. If you have a corrupted or unopenable RAR file using this button is the only way to open it.

• Open WinRar.
• Navigate through the folders on the window to locate the problematic RAR file.
• Ensure the file is selected.
• Click on the Repair button.
• A window titled “File is being repaired” will open.
• At this stage you can choose to save the corrupted archive file as either RAR or ZIP. (Typically saving a corrupted RAR file as RAR and a ZIP file as ZIP increases the success of the repair. I recommend selecting the same file extension as the original file type.)
• Click OK and the repair process will be completed shortly generating a new file. This newly created file opens smoothly without any issues.

Note: Unlike WinRar other programs do not have a RAR repair system. This is precisely why WinRar should be on the list of essential compression programs for every computer and in my opinion it should be used on every computer.

WinRar’s Wizard Tool for Streamlined Operations:

The Wizard button is another feature of WinRar that enhances user convenience. If you’re not familiar with archiving tasks this feature simplifies them for you. WinRar’s Wizard tool streamlines all operations that can be performed for a RAR file through a single tool. It guides through each step of the process allowing us to see various alternative methods for compression operations.

When you run WinRar and open any file use the Wizard button. You’ll see a window with forward and backward instructions. Select the option you wish to perform and click Next. The Wizard operates in this manner.

Let’s clarify with an example:

• Select “Extract archive” box. Click Next.
• In the next window you’ll see a Browse button to open the archive package. Decide which file you want to extract from the archive by using this button. Select any RAR or ZIP file and click Next.
• The following window has a Browse button similar to the previous one. Here you can choose where the extracted files will be stored. However you don’t need to do this! By default the extracted files will be extracted to the directory where the archive package is located. Click the final button to extract all files.

Another feature of the Wizard tool is its guidance in creating a new RAR file. Creating a new RAR file with the Wizard is as easy as the previous explanation.

Scanning for Viruses with WinRar:

Another feature that distinguishes WinRar from other compression programs is its ability to scan compressed files for viruses. If you have downloaded a RAR file from an untrusted source you can perform a virus scan before opening it. I must emphasize especially archive packages from online games often have a high likelihood of containing viruses. I recommend performing a virus scan with WinRar before opening such files.

So how do you perform a virus scan in WinRar?

1. First open the WinRar program.
2. Select the file you want to scan within the WinRar window.
3. Open the “Tools” link in the WinRar menu.
4. Click on the “Scan archive for viruses” link in the mini window that appears. (Keyboard Shortcut: Alt+D).
5. A window for protecting against viruses will open. Select the Browse button in this window and navigate to the directory where your antivirus program is located on the C: drive. Antivirus programs are usually found in: C:\Program Files\Name of Antivirus Program
6. Click OK to start the virus scan.

If you want to avoid potential harm from compressed archive files obtained from unknown sources it’s important to perform a virus scan.

WinZip (The Best Zipping Program)

Among file compression programs WinZip is the oldest. As long as I can remember Windows installed on computers have been able to open Zip files by default. However WinZip stands out because it offers additional features within the program itself making it a must-download compression program. Especially for users who download programs and similar files from the internet installing WinZip is essential.

WinZip

Moreover it’s useful for file transfer operations especially when uploading files to websites. Some sites don’t accept RAR files so creating Zip files is necessary.

So why should you use WinZip?

1. If you want to upload compressed files to your website.
2. If you want to send small-sized files via email.
3. If you want to compress all files into a single archive to save space on your computer.

In fact users may have more purposes based on their needs but WinZip’s fundamental purposes are to Zip Compress Send and Store files.

AlZip (The Newest File Compression Program)

How about getting acquainted with a new program that’s been popping up lately? AlZip caught my attention as a handy program with a rather simple interface compared to all other compression software out there. So I decided to install it right away to give it a test run on my computer. First off I must say the Penguin icons indicating the Open and New buttons are quite cute. The logic behind these icons is to show files being compressed as if crushing an egg. This is evident as a large penguin egg icon is added just to the left of these icons and you perform the file call function with this button.

Similar to WinRAR and WinZip AlZip also uses the right-click and compress logic for file compression. This is a must-have feature for any compression program. However what piqued my curiosity was what came next after opening it. I wondered what file formats I could compress with this program. Yes… As the name suggests it greeted me with Zip format by default.

So what else could there have been?

Well here’s the surprise: This program’s compression format was EGG yes egg. It was amazing… I started turning all files into eggs. Quite enjoyable actually.

But what about the compression ratio?

Guys rest assured there isn’t much of a significant difference among file compression programs. The system is pretty much the same. Only the brand names change. What sets this program apart from others is its ability to produce compressed files with the EGG extension.

However this program has a long way to go to become popular and prove itself. Besides EGG it allows you to create ZIP ALZ TAR TBZ TGH LZH and JAR files here. You can also encrypt files and even divide them into volumes like in WinRAR. Yet I was quite surprised to find out there’s a paid version of this program too. Because apart from eggs and its simple interface it doesn’t differ from other programs at all. In my opinion they should have entered the market with a free version. Plus the fact that it can’t create RAR files is another downside in my book. Hopefully they’ll improve with successful updates.

Comparison of File Compression Programs.

After compressing 10 MB files here are the compression ratios obtained:

7-Zip:

• PNG: 9.21MB
• JPEG: 8.12MB
• AVI: 5.59MB
• DOCX: 2.36MB
• MP4: 8.13MB
• MPEG: 7.92MB
• ISO: 9.03MB
• WAV: 2.46MB
• EXE: 8.34MB
• ETC: 1.47MB

Winrar:

• PNG: 9.78MB
• JPEG: 8.97MB
• AVI: 6.47MB
• DOCX: 3.89MB
• MP4: 8.81MB
• MPEG: 8.79MB
• ISO: 9.94MB
• WAV: 3.26MB
• EXE: 9.15MB
• DLL: 2.18MB

Winzip:

• PNG: 9.90MB
• JPEG: 9.13MB
• AVI: 7.08MB
• DOCX: 4.29MB
• MP4: 9.11MB
• MPEG: 8.96MB
• ISO: 9.99MB
• WAV: 3.69MB
• EXE: 9.47MB
• ETC: 2.69MB

By far WinRAR remains the most widely used file compression program of all time. Despite its full version being paid the free ad-supported version is still available for download and remains incredibly popular. While 7-Zip initially took second place in compression capacity and speed upon its release WinRAR continues to be the preferred choice for file compression.

What is the best file compression program for Windows?

To install a good compression program on a Windows-based computer it needs to have multiple features. One of these is ensuring maximum compression of all files within Windows. It should compress files quickly and allow other operations to proceed during extraction. Many compression programs make it quite challenging to perform other tasks while extracting files.

Compatibility with a 64-bit operating system is also a necessary feature. The most comprehensive compression program that encompasses all these features is 7-Zip. Unlike WinRAR and WinZip 7-Zip also creates GZIP files and can open all compressed files. Therefore I recommend installing 7-Zip on all computers.

Best compression programs for file types

Do you know which compression programs are best for reducing the size of PDFs DOCs MP4s AVIs and other commonly used files? Free up extra space on your computer by experimenting with efficient compression programs tailored to specific file types.

File Optimizer (Free program that compresses all file types)

This program enables the optimization and compression of all files on your computer. Unlike WinRAR it does not convert files to a different format. The file extension remains the same after compression; only the file size is reduced. Most file compression programs on the market are paid but File Optimizer stands out by being available for free.

Now let’s take a look at what we can do with the File Optimizer program:

PDF compression program

If you want to reduce the size of a PDF file to its minimum File Optimizer handles this task smoothly. All you need to do is drag the PDF file into the program and right-click to press the “Optimize All” button. The process completes in a very short time.

Some files are encrypted so their passwords must be removed first. This is because the program needs access to the data inside an encrypted folder. Therefore for security reasons it’s not possible to create an unencrypted version of this file. Make sure you have removed the password using a PDF password remover program before transitioning to this one.

Compression ratio for PDF files: 32 MB / 8 MB (reduces a 32 MB file to 8 MB).

DOC compression program

Files saved in Microsoft Office 365 Word as DOC files take up a significant amount of memory in their default form. By compressing these types of files we can free up space in memory. File Optimizer effectively reduces the size of DOC files preventing the hard disk from filling up. For instance a DOC file with a normal size of 12 MB can be reduced to as little as 2 MB using File Optimizer.

Moreover if your computer contains thousands of DOC files you won’t need to individually compress each one. File Optimizer streamlines the process by automatically compressing all files in one go making your job easier.

What is the best file compression program for mobile phones?

For mobile phone users the importance of compressed files is even greater. With limited storage capacity in internal memory that quickly fills up there’s often not enough space to save new photos or videos. In such situations a file compression program becomes essential.

So which compression program should you install to free up more space on your phone? When looking at file compression apps available for Android devices we find that both WinRAR and WinZip are the most widely used and provide the highest compression ratios. Both applications offer similar compression rates as they do on computers.

While there are many other compression apps available I recommend using one of these two popular programs because when you send a compressed file to another person they would also need to install the same app to open it.

WinRAR Mobile (RAR file opener).

WinRAR Mobile is the official file compression program from RARLAB available for download on the Play Store app store. It supports compression extensions such as RAR ZIP TAR GZ BZ2 XZ 7z ISO ARJ ZIPX BZIP2 LZMA and PPMd. Compressed files can be saved with RAR and ZIP extensions. Files created can easily be opened on any Android smartphone that has WinRAR or a similar compression application installed.

Compression ratios vary depending on the file type similar to those on computers. It is the most efficient file compression program for mobile phones capable of compressing files significantly. It also opens files compressed on computers. I recommend using this program.

Download WinRAR Mobile

Note: Installation is done through the Play Store.

WinZip Mobile (Zip file opener)

WinZip has released an application for Android smartphones that allows you to unzip Zip files. It’s perfect for those seeking a free file compression program. WinZip Mobile compresses Zip Zipx 7z RAR and LHA files into smaller sizes saving significant storage space on your phone. The files that often require the most compression on a mobile phone are videos and photos as they quickly fill up memory. Reducing the size of these files allows you to add more videos to your phone.

WinZip is an essential file compression application due to its English interface and user-friendly interface with just a few buttons. On a 10 GB storage WinZip can free up approximately 3 GB of space which is a considerable compression ratio. If you need more storage you can back up your photos and videos using Google Cloud services.

Download WinZip Mobile

Note: Installation is done through the Play Store.

What are the purposes of file compression programs?

Among the essential programs that every computer should have are compression software. But do we know why they are so important? Let’s look at this briefly under a few headings.

Freeing up disk space:

Our hard drives do not have infinite capacity. Especially with today’s video and image files increasing in size. For example where image files used to only take up about 1/2 MB today’s photos can start at around 4/6 MB. The same trend applies to videos. Previously video file sizes were around 100/200 MB but now they are measured in GB.

When such large files fill up a hard disk it quickly exceeds its capacity and leaves no space. This means we can no longer save new files. This is where compression programs come to our rescue. By significantly reducing the space occupied by large files on the hard drive compression programs help free up memory.

What a great benefit isn’t it?

File Compression Programs: Their Uses and Benefits

File transfer acceleration:

Another important use of compression programs is to speed up file transfers between servers. When we try to send uncompressed files the system attempts to send them one by one which can be very slow due to their larger size. In fact some servers may not even allow the transfer of uncompressed files. To overcome these issues and facilitate faster file transfers we use compressed files. Using a file compression program becomes essential in such scenarios.

Enhances website loading speed:

Today to ensure faster loading times web pages containing HTML CSS JS and other code are compressed using GZIP compression. This is another area where compression programs play a crucial role. For instance a 1MB web page can be reduced to as little as 200KB when compressed resulting in faster-loading websites. Therefore improving website loading speeds is another key purpose of compression programs.

Creates password-protected files:

Isn’t this a fantastic feature? There are times when we need to protect certain files on our computers and prevent others from accessing them. In such cases we can use a compression program to convert all files into a single compressed file. During this process we add a password that must be entered to open the file. This ensures secure file storage. Compression programs offer many more benefits but these are the primary areas of use. Other options cater to more specific needs. Nevertheless these programs remain essential tools that every computer user should have. Be sure to download and keep the best compression program on your computer at all times.