A side-by-side comparison
Download now
Looking for a WinRAR alternative? In this informative guide, we’ll show you a side-by-side comparison of WinZip and WinRAR, so you can determine which is right for you.
What is the best WinRAR alternative?
WinZip is the best WinRAR alternative because it offers all the same functionality of WinRAR … plus much, much more. After all, there’s a reason WinZip is the world’s #1 compression software.
As an alternative to WinRAR, WinZip is more powerful, versatile, and convenient. WinZip offers advanced features that WinRAR just doesn’t have, including:
- A better user interface
- Easier file sharing
- Advanced backup capabilities
- Image viewing & editing within zip files
- Superior file management
To better illustrate this, here’s a side-by-side comparison of WinRAR vs WinZip:
Features
| Detailed Features | WinZip Pro | WinRAR |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced WAV compression (WavPack) | ||
| Advanced JPG Image File compression | ||
| Advanced MP3 Compression | ||
| Automatic selection of Best Compression Method by file type | ||
| BZip2, LZMA, PPMd, Enhanced Deflate, XZ, ZSTD | ||
| Zip 2.0 (Normal, Maximum Deflated) |
| Detailed Features | WinZip Pro | WinRAR |
|---|---|---|
| POSIX TAR Support | ||
| Advanced Compression (Jpeg) Method | ||
| Advanced Compression (WavPack) Method | ||
| Advanced Compression (MP3) Method | ||
| Advanced Compression (BZip2, LZMA, PPMd, XZ) Methods | ||
| Zip 2.0 Methods (Normal, Maximum, Enhanced) | ||
| Archive Files: 7Z | ||
| Archive Files: LHA/LZH | ||
| Archive Files: TAR, Z, BZ, TBZ, GZ, BZ2, TBZ2 | ||
| Archive Files: RAR | ||
| Archive Files: CAB, ZIP | ||
| Archive Files: B64, HQX, TAZ, TXZ, TZ | ||
| Archive Files: ZIPX | ||
| Archive Files: XZ | ||
| Archive Files: ARJ | ||
| Encoded Files: UUE, MIME, BINHEX | ||
| Disk Image Support: ISO, IMG |
| Detailed Features | WinZip Pro | WinRAR |
|---|---|---|
| Can split archives into multiple volumes | ||
| Supports archive formats larger than 4GB |
| Detailed Features | WinZip Pro | WinRAR |
|---|---|---|
| Remove additional EXIF data from files | ||
| Create policies to enforce password complexity | ||
| Take advantage of hardware and GPU’s for even faster AES encryption | ||
| AES Encryption 256-bit | ||
| AES FIPS-197 Certified | ||
| Auto-wipes (“shred”) temporarily extracted copies of encrypted files (prior to being deleted) using U.S. Department of Defence standard (DoD 5220.22-M) to prevent files from being recovered | ||
| Zip 2.0 (Legacy) Encryption |
| Detailed Features | WinZip Pro | WinRAR |
|---|---|---|
| Perform File Conversions before Zipping | ||
| Set Expiration Dates for Zip files and Log files | ||
| Specify the Job Name At End of Job Creation | ||
| Create new jobs from existing jobs | ||
| Burn Backups to Blue-ray Disc | ||
| Burn Backups to CD/DVD (automatically split archive over multiple discs if necessary | ||
| Save Backups to the Cloud (Box, OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, CloudMe, SugarSync, MediaFire, ZipShare, SharePoint and Amazon S3) | ||
| Save Backups to an off-site server using internal FTP client | ||
| Create custom backups for selected files and folders | ||
| Backup files from the cloud (Box, OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, CloudMe, SugarSync, MediaFire, SharePoint and Amazon S3 | ||
| Pre-defined data backup for your documents, email, desktop, libraries, etc. | ||
| Backup photos directly from your digital camera | ||
| Email backup files automatically from virtually any of your email addresses | ||
| Email log files upon completion of backups and automated jobs from virtually any of your email addresses | ||
| Schedule backups and Zipping jobs to run automatically and unattended | ||
| Create Backup Jobs from Explorer | ||
| Scan documents and images with a scanner, zip, and save | ||
| Command Line Support Add-on for scripting |
| Detailed Features | WinZip Pro | WinRAR |
|---|---|---|
| Automate WinZip Express | ||
| Share using Windows Charms | ||
| Shorten shared URLs | ||
| WinZip Express copy to clipboard | ||
| Supports individuals with multiple accounts for a specific cloud service, up to 16 accounts per service | ||
| Microsoft Office add-on support zipping and sharing from within Office apps | ||
| WinZip Express Email add-on supports Microsoft Outlook | ||
| Post files or Zip files on Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn) | ||
| Instant Message files or Zip files (Google Hangout, Jabber, Office 365 Groups) | ||
| Share an unzipped image directly from the File Viewer to social media sites | ||
| Place URLs to files stored on Cloud Services on the clipboard for sharing in other apps | ||
| Scan documents and images with a scanner, zip, and share | ||
| Advanced Sharing options such as file encryption, image resizing, image watermarking, and conversion of Microsoft Office files to PDF | ||
| Internal email client supports Yahoo! Mail, Google Gmail, and Microsoft Outlook.com. and can be configured for many other email services | ||
| Internal email client has built in address book that can collect contact information from Google Contacts, Google Hangout, Office 365 Outlook, Outlook, Yahoo! Contacts, Office 365 Groups, Twitter, and Jabber. | ||
| Address book supports up to 16 accounts per contact service |
| Detailed Features | WinZip Pro | WinRAR |
|---|---|---|
| File Search | ||
| Expanded Features for Background Tools | ||
| Set Expiration Dates for Files and Folders | ||
| View Date taken and Date Modified | ||
| Rename Multiple files at once | ||
| Image format conversion | ||
| Remove personal data from files | ||
| Move, Copy, Delete, Rename Local and Network Files | (Limited Funtionality) | |
| Move, Copy, Delete, Rename Cloud Service Based Files | ||
| Create/Delete/Rename Folders | (Limited Funtionality) | |
| Display File and Folder Properties | ||
| Open, Edit, and Print Local Files with the Associated App | ||
| Open, Edit, and Print Network Files with the Associated App | ||
| Open, Edit, and Print Cloud Service Based Files with the Associated App | ||
| Open, Edit, and Print Local Files with Alternate Apps | ||
| Open, Edit, and Print Network Files with Alternate Apps | ||
| Open, Edit, and Print Cloud Service Based Files with Alternate Apps | ||
| Map Folders as Drives | ||
| Preview Local Files | ||
| Preview Network Files | ||
| Preview Cloud Service Based Files | ||
| Wipe Files | ||
| Image Resize and save | ||
| Image Watermark and save | ||
| Convert to PDF and Save or Share | ||
| Image Resize and share | ||
| Image Watermark and share | ||
| Combine PDF's into One and Save or Share | ||
| Replace Individual Local and Network Files with Zipped Files | ||
| Replace Individual Cloud Service Based Files with Zipped Files | ||
| Get Links to Cloud Based Files and Folders to Paste and Share | ||
| Add a Network Location | ||
| Share Local and Network Files via Email, IM or Social Media | ||
| Share Cloud Based Files via Email, IM or Social Media | ||
| More Pinning Choices in Files Pane | ||
| Shell Extension Support in Files Pane |
| Detailed Features | WinZip Pro | WinRAR |
|---|---|---|
| Option to view password entry | ||
| Prompt to unzip on open | ||
| Unzip to file pane folder |
| Detailed Features | WinZip Pro | WinRAR |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Explorer Interface | ||
| Drag and Drop 'Add to Zip' in WinZip's Files Pane | ||
| See Zip file content and open files in Explorer’s previewer using Zip file previewer | ||
| Tool tip summary of Zip file content | ||
| Use Drag and Drop to add files to an archive file | ||
| Windows Explorer Context Menu for creating archive files | ||
| Add to archive file (specify location) | ||
| Add to archive (current location) | ||
| Zip and Email | ||
| Zip and Email with encryption and renaming of Zip file | ||
| Replace selected files with Zipped files | ||
| Zip and Share includes renaming Zip file, conversions, encryption, saving to cloud, sharing via email, IM, and social media | ||
| Windows Explorer Context menu for using archive files | ||
| Encrypt Zip files | ||
| Create self-extracting Zip files | ||
| Unzip to selectable folder location | ||
| Unzip to current folder location | ||
| Detailed Features | WinZip Pro | WinRAR |
|---|---|---|
| Create new automated zipping jobs | ||
| Create new Zip files on CD/DVD | ||
| Create new Zip files locally or in the cloud | ||
| Open a Zip file stored locally or in the cloud | ||
| Open recently used archive files | ||
| Pin to taskbar and unpin from taskbar |
| Detailed Features | WinZip Pro | WinRAR |
|---|---|---|
| Slide to Hide Files and Action Panes | ||
| Dynamic access to common features based on current task | ||
| File/Folder (locally and on the cloud) access for zipping and unzipping within the app | ||
| Customize the look and feel of the interface; showing/hiding ribbon, showing hiding panes, selecting alternative views of the archive content | ||
| Windows modern style dialogs | ||
| Touch support and optimized UI for touch | ||
| 2 in 1 Support with UI automatically changing to user’s preferences based on screen orientation and lack or presence of mouse/keyboard | ||
| Optimized use of display area when used on tablets, notebooks, laptops, and desktops | ||
| Browse local and network files from within the app | ||
| Move, Copy, Rename, and Delete local and network files from within the app | ||
| Preview cloud based files from within the app | ||
| Move, Copy, Rename, and Delete cloud based files from within the app | ||
| Provide views to maximize information show, simple touch control, or thumbnails | ||
| Temporarily extract Zip files using the 'Unzip and Try' feature to view inter-related components contained in the Zip file (such as an HTML page and associated graphics) | ||
| Scan and Diagnose your PC’s performance with built in System Scanner tool |
| Detailed Features | WinZip Pro | WinRAR |
|---|---|---|
| Expand the Preview Pane | ||
| Rotate, resize, save and view full size images directly within a Zip file (internal viewer) | ||
| Display slide show of all images in an archive file | ||
| Thumbnail view of images in an archive file | ||
| Share an image to social media while viewing images | ||
| Resize shared copies of images while maintaining the original from the archive |
| Detailed Features | WinZip Pro | WinRAR |
|---|---|---|
| Windows |
| Detailed Features | WinZip Pro | WinRAR |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Direct Access Technology for Faster Display and Unzipping From the Cloud | ||
| Display Compression and technical details | ||
| Native 64-bit engine | ||
| Engine supports multiple processors and GPU | ||
| Compatible with Windows 10 Anniversary |
Get WinZip Pro Today
Compression Methods Available
WinRAR only supports the Zip 2.0 compression method. By contrast, WinZip supports multiple compression methods, so you can reduce the size of your files … without affecting their quality.
Zip 2.0 (Normal and Maximum Deflated), standard or lossless compression in one tool, at your fingertips
Advanced JPG Image File Compression, advanced image compression features for the world's most popular image format
Advanced WAV compression (WavPack), audio compression format that provides lossless, high-quality lossy and hybrid modes
Bzip2, LZMA, PPMd, Enhanced Deflate, XZ, ZSTD, enjoy the full spectrum of compression methods for all applications
Advanced MP3 Compression, engineered precisely for high performing MP3 files
Automatic selection of best compression method by file type, so you're never left guessing which method will deliver the best compression results
Supported Decompression Formats
There’s just no contest between WinZip vs WinRAR when you look at all the decompression methods WinZip supports and WinRAR doesn’t:
- POSIX TAR Support
- Advanced Compression (JPEG) Method
- Advanced Compression (BZip2, LZMA, PPMd, XZ) Methods
- Advanced Compression (WavPack) Method
- Advanced Compression (MP3) Method
- Archive Files: B64, HQX, TAZ, TXZ, TZ
- Archive Files: ZIPX
- Disk Image Support: ISO, IMG
Backup and Automation
WinZip beats WinRAR hands-down when it comes to backing up files and automating tasks, so you can rest easy, knowing your files are safe and secure … while saving time on routine functions.
For instance, with WinZip, you can:
NEW - Perform File Conversions Before Zipping - Merge a wide variety of files types into a single PDF prior to zipping … saving data in the way that’s most convenient for you, while maximizing your computer’s storage space.
Save Backups to the Cloud - Let WinZip seamlessly backup your ZIP files to the cloud (Box, OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, CloudMe, SugarSync, MediaFire, ZipShare, SharePoint and Amazon S3) … to improve your efficiency while making sure all your important data is preserved.
Schedule Backups & Zip Jobs - Set it and forget it! Enjoy the ultimate in convenience by scheduling backups and zip jobs to run automatically and unattended. Just select your files in Windows Explorer and create a WinZip job, scheduling when and how often it should run.
Create WinZip Jobs - With WinZip’s easy-to-use Job Wizard, you can create WinZip jobs that automatically perform tasks for you, like:
- Specifying a Job Name Last - New! Focus on the task at hand by choosing the files you want to back up, as well as indicating how they should be backed up. When you’re finished, then select the name of your job for a more intuitive workflow.
- Creating New Jobs from Existing Jobs - New! With WinZip, you don’t have to waste time creating new jobs from scratch. Instead, use its clone feature to modify an existing job for ultra-efficiency.
- Setting Expiration Dates for Zip Files & Log Files - Don’t risk exceeding your cloud’s storage limit by allowing unneeded files to accumulate. Set expiration dates for your files, so they’re deleted automatically at a future date.
Sharing
WinZip is the indisputable champ over WinRAR, because it offers tons of advanced sharing features that WinRAR just doesn’t have … making it a breeze for you to collaborate with others.
Just check out some of the file-sharing features WinZip has to offer:
- Zip & Share within Microsoft Office - Zip, share, and encrypt files without leaving the Microsoft application you’re using. Use the free WinZip Express Office add-on to quickly zip and share documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
- Connect Up to 16 Cloud Accounts - Don’t waste time logging in and out of your personal and work cloud accounts. With WinZip, you can add up to 16 accounts per cloud service and give them nicknames for easy identification.
- Enjoy Advanced Sharing Options - Convert Office documents to PDF files as they’re being added to your ZIP file. In the process, you can also conveniently encrypt the files being zipped, resize images to save space, and watermark images to protect your work.
- Easily Share Zip Files via Email - Simply right-click the files you want to send from Windows Explorer and select WinZip’s “Zip and Email” option. WinZip will then zip the files before emailing them to your recipient using WinZip’s built-in emailer or your internal email client (WinZip supports Gmail, Outlook, and more).
- Send Large Files without Bouncing - When the size of your ZIP file is over a certain threshold, WinZip will upload it to the cloud automatically, then send a link to your recipient rather than the physical file. This makes it easy to share files that are larger than mail service providers allow. Supported cloud services include Box, OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, CloudMe, SugarSync, MediaFire, ZipShare, SharePoint and Amazon S3.
- Shorten Shared URLs - WinZip shortens the URLs of shared files you’ve uploaded to the cloud … making file management simple and straightforward.
- Integrate with SharePoint - With the free WinZip Express SharePoint add-on, you’ll enjoy the convenience of zipping, encrypting, converting to PDF, and sharing files … directly from SharePoint.
- Scan & Share - Just click the Scan and Share button in WinZip to scan documents or images, then zip them. As you’re going through this process, you’ll have the opportunity to email your zipped file as an attachment or to share it as a link, using email, instant messaging, social media, Windows Charms, or the clipboard.
- Save URLs to Clipboard - WinZip places the URLs of files that have been zipped to the cloud into your clipboard, enabling easy sharing and better file management.
Almost done!
Follow 3 easy steps to install WinZip
Click downloaded file
winzip.exe
Click “Yes” to allow installation
Follow setup instructions to finish installation
If your download did not start automatically, please click here
If your download did not start automatically, please click here
