Choosing an archiver: 7-Zip, Bandizip, WinRAR and the rest

All of them open ZIP, 7Z and RAR. The differences are in licensing at work, garbled file names from other countries, what the installer tries to add, and whether you need anything beyond what Windows already does.

Last updated 2026-10-23 Sources and review scope

Start with the file and the feature you need

• Standard 7-Zip cannot open ALZ or EGG. Bandizip can extract both; distinguish receiving these formats from needing to create a new archive in them.
• Before sending an encrypted ZIP, check the recipient’s tool and encryption support. The ZIP extension alone does not guarantee that Explorer can open it. Send a small sample first.
• Listing filenames and previewing images inside an archive are different features. Bandizip image previews require Professional; extracting only selected files does not by itself imply that you need that paid feature.

First: is the Windows built-in enough?

Windows 11 creates and extracts ZIP in Explorer, and since the late-2023 update it also extracts 7Z, RAR and TAR. If you only occasionally open an archive someone sent you, install nothing. It stops short at password-protected archives, split archives, regional formats such as ALZ and EGG, and archives whose non-English file names come out garbled. If any of those four turns up regularly, pick one of the programs below.

How they differ

7-Zip — open source, free commercial use

Free, no adverts, and no licensing question at a company or public body. Compression with its 7Z format depends on the files and settings. It supports AES-256 password protection and split archives. In exchange the interface is plain, there is no preview, and it handles archives with garbled non-English file names poorly. It cannot open ALZ or EGG.

Bandizip — the default for a home PC

It extracts ALZ and EGG and supports filename encoding selection and extraction of selected files. Distinguish the free Standard edition from paid editions: image previews inside archives and archive repair are Professional features.

WinRAR — the only one that makes RAR

Everyone can extract RAR; only WinRAR can create it. It is paid, with a trial that never quite expires, and it is what turns up in software audits when people assume it is free. Unless you must produce RAR files, there is no reason to buy it.

PeaZip and NanaZip — 7-Zip with a better face

PeaZip is open source with a friendlier interface and many formats. NanaZip is 7-Zip repackaged for the Microsoft Store with Windows 11 context-menu integration. Both are sound choices if 7-Zip’s look puts you off.

Compared where it matters

Garbled file names

ZIPs made on a Mac or by older software in Korea, Japan or China arrive with file names turned into "ã…" and similar. Bandizip detects the code page and usually extracts them intact, and lets you pick one if not. 7-Zip is weak here, so if you receive such files often, keep Bandizip alongside.

ALZ and EGG files

These Korean formats extract with Bandizip; you do not need ALZip for that. Creating them needs ALZip, but since the recipient may not have it, make ZIP or 7Z instead.

Password-protected archives

AES-encrypted ZIP and encrypted 7Z require an archive application that supports them. They do not open in every application, including Windows File Explorer. Ask the recipient to open a sample first. To hide file names, check the header-encryption option in 7Z; encrypting a ZIP alone does not hide its names.

Packing a large folder quickly

Time and archive size depend on the files, format, settings and PC. We have not benchmarked these products under matching conditions, so this guide does not rank them by speed or size. For already-compressed video and photos, consider the "Store (no compression)" option.

Work PC

7-Zip or Bandizip. WinRAR only with a purchased licence, and Korean ALZip only with one too. This site’s "Work PC" template includes 7-Zip.

So which one

1. 1

   Home PC, just one → Bandizip or 7-Zip

   Choose Bandizip for ALZ/EGG extraction and filename encoding controls; choose 7-Zip for common archives without ads. Image previews inside Bandizip archives require Professional.

2. 2

   Work PC → 7-Zip (or Bandizip)

   Nothing to check on licensing. If garbled file names are a daily thing, Bandizip is fine too — its free edition is permitted at a company.

3. 3

   You must produce RAR → WinRAR

   The only program that creates it. Buy the licence if it is for work.

4. 4

   If you installed two

   They fight over file associations. Decide which is primary and set the associations in that program’s settings; use the other from the right-click menu when needed.

Frequently asked