Welcome to 7-Zip, the best archiving tool that you can find on the internet. If you need your files to be organized and placed on a single compressed file, 7zip can do that for you. You will never need any archiving tool again with the 7zip software.
In all our everyday computing needs, documents, and media files pile up and clutter through time. It creates unwanted chaos especially when you need a document from some years ago that you created and saved on your Windows computer or Macbook with 7Zip. Sure, you can use your operating system's native search function, but that is only good for a single or a few files. What will help you organize those files is the 7zip archiving tool.
What is 7-Zip?
Keka is a port of 7-Zip on Mac OS. It accepts 7z files. Guest. Sep 2017. 1 agrees and 4 disagrees While Keka works with more file formats that OS X's native compressed file handler, that's about all that it does. 7- Zip is an open-source utility software which is available for free. It is used for packing. 7-Zip is completely free to download and use, and its many upsides far outweigh the few minor drawbacks that come with it. If you're looking for an alternative to WinZip or another similar program.
The 7-Zip archiving tool is the open-source software created by Igor Pavlov back in 1999. This is to address the problem of keeping multiple files organized in one place. Also, though archiving, it also lessens the size of the files in the process without compromising the files' entire integrity.
7-Zip, as mentioned, is an archiving tool. You can use 7-Zip to create a cabinet of similar files that will help you organize everything. The best thing about file compression is that you lessen the size of the file or files that you archived. This means you will have even more free space for other new and bigger files. The 7zip archiving tool can also be set to group files in one specific archive and protect them by encryption or password. This is very much useful and helpful, especially when sending sensitive data through a network.
Supported Archiving Formats
7-Zip supports many file compression formats. Its native archive format is 7Z which represented by .7z file extension. While 7zip alone can create various archiving formats such as ZIP, RAR, 7Z, Gzip, bzip2, xz, tar, and WIM, it can unpack a lot more different file compression formats. Here's a list that you can use as a reference: APM, ARJ, CHM, Cpio, DEB, FLV, JAR, LHA/LZH, LZMA, MSLZ, Office Open XML, Onepkg, RAR, RPM, Smzip, SWF, XAR, Z archives, CramFS, DMG, FAT, HFS, ISO, MBR, NTFS, SquashFS, UDF, VHD disk images, NSIS (LZMA), some MSI files, Some Microsoft CAB (LZX compression).
To give you a broader view of what 7zip can actually do and why it is useful for your everyday office-based needs or even home-based tasks, we have listed some of its major features. These features, as you will find, are very much the basic fundamental uses of 7zip.
What It Can Do?
Compress Files
Whether you want a single file or a group of files to be compressed, 7zip can do that for you in different archiving and compression formats that you desire.
File Manager
7zip supports graphical user interface on Windows OS. That means you can use this app to access all your drives, folders, and files within its user-interface. It has a built-in file manager so you can navigate through all your directories.
Supports Multiple-core CPU Threading
Did you know that 7zip is also used for measuring CPU clock speed in terms of multi-core performance? The 7zip software can utilize multi-core on any CPU, both mobile desktop version, to provide faster and efficient file processing and archiving.
Versatile
7zip's native file extension is reportedly much better than the traditional ZIP file extension when it comes to keeping the archived files integrity intact. It was also hailed as the much better choice in terms of encryption and file security.
Independent Tool
Compared to other file compression tools, the 7zip can pretty much do it all. It can create self-extracting single volume archives and open .EXE files as archives for allowing of decompression of data within the entire installable program setup.
.7Z File Extension
7zip's native file extension is reportedly much better than the traditional ZIP file extension when it comes to keeping the archived files integrity intact. It was also hailed as the much better choice in terms of encryption and file security.
Better Encryption
The 7zip, especially with its native .7z file extension, can provide 256-bit AES cipher that can help secure your file in case of compromise and data breach.
Command-line Interface
For non-Windows users, the 7zip supports Linux's command-line execution to manipulate, compress, and decompress files on a different platform that supports this software.
Is it Safe?
Due to its less popular reception and late arrival to the scene, the 7zip is sometimes mistaken as some form of malware. This is natural for those less acquainted users. But the fact to the matter is, 7zip is the safest and most useful tool compared to other popular archiving tools.
In fact, the 7zip software is used by some IT professionals and tech individuals as a manual tool for extracting, identifying, and deleting some types of malware and computer viruses. Unlike the better known WinRAR, which has some serious vulnerabilities for most malware, the 7zip has no known Windows virus that can defeat it.
While its interface may look outdated and too simplified for most people's taste, it makes up for its usefulness on most archiving, compression, and decompression tasks. So if your question about 7zip and its safety still stands, let us be the one to assure that it is safe in any means and angle possible.
The only reason that we see 7zip being not safe software is if you downloaded it from an unofficial source. We all know that anyone can rename a file or any software and brand it as 7zip. So to be able to make sure that you are using the original and safe version of 7zip, kindly get your installer from a trusted source such as from this site or from 7zip's official website. www.7zip.org.
Use 7-Zip for All Your Archiving Needs
If you regularly deal with all sorts of files, do not just use a folder to organize them. Folders are easily hacked and accessed by any person even the non-techy ones. To be more safe and secure, use 7Zip to organize your files and make them encrypted using your own preferred password. Plus, you get to save more hard drive spaces the more you use it.
We highly recommend using 7Zip in your everyday use. Choosing this archiving tool as your primary cabinet or folder in your computing machine makes a lot of difference especially in the long run.
We Are Here to Help!
If you have any questions, ideas, or suggestions that you want to share with us, feel free to leave a message in the comment section. We would love to answer all your questions and interact with all of you so we can share useful information for a positive community. Rest assured that we will be watching the comment section area for any of your inputs.
7zipUnlike Windows, macOS can handle ZIP archives natively, but for other archive types like RAR and 7-Zip, you'll need a third-party app. Getting a quality RAR or ZIP file ready on your computer can make a world of difference when you're trying to keep your data organized while avoiding taking up too much disk space. But it is often tough for Mac users to find a quality program that can help with getting these files ready. After all, WinRAR is not available on Mac and this kind of puts us in a quandary. But that's where these good WinRAR alternatives for Mac users can come in handy.
You don't have to struggle with trying to get RAR or ZIP files ready on your computer when you have a great program that lets you create those files while also unpacking files you might find. Besides, there is no real reason why Mac users should not be able to get their files packed into RAR or ZIP files.
Read: How to reduce PDF size without losing quality
WinRAR Alternatives For Mac
1. The Unarchiver
Does the Unarchiver sound like a strange name for a WinRAR alternative for Mac users? Maybe it is, but the Unarchiver is perfect for your work. With the Unarchiver, you can handle more file formats than the Archive Utility program that Mac OS X comes with.
This is a free open source program that works quickly as a basic option. Consider this if you just want something that is generally no-frills but still works with support for more file types than what OS X can already work with. On a related note the Unarchiver stores all of the files/folders within reach, unlike Apple's archive tool that hides it in CoreServices folder. The app is also available on App store.
Pros: Supports files with foreign characters, does not use lots of system resources.
Cons: Does not work on OS X 10.6 or lower, does not compress files. Also, it doesn't let you extract individual files from a full zip/rar/iso file.
Price: Free
2. The Archive Browser
The Unarchiver only allows you to extract the full zip/rar/iso file. If you want to see the list of contents and let you extract individual files, then go for 'The Archive Browser' — another app made by the same dev.
Like The Unarchvier, it can handle a large number of different archive formats, but on top of them, it also lets you easily peek into the archive, find the files you need, preview and extract them without unarchiving everything.
Pros: Can extract single files from the archive and works with almost every different archive format including the older ones like StuffIt, DiskDoubler, LZH, ARJ, and ARC.
Cons: It's a paid software
Price: $3.99
3. Keka
While 7- Zip is not officially available on macOS, Keka is the best 7zip alternative you can find. The app is a ported version of the 7-Zip, so you'll be able to extract 7z, Zip, Tar etc, along with other popular archive formats like RAR, Zip, Tar, ISO, EXE etc.
The app is free to download from the official website, but if you want to download the App Store you'll have to shell out $2. We haven't tried the App store version, so can't really say if it spots some new feature. That said, the version downloaded from the official website offers faster compression, compared to other apps in the list.
Pros: Faster compression. You can also specify different compression level like you do with 7- zip. It also supports Password protection.
Cons: You have to drag and drop files to compress them, which may or may not be intuitive depending on how you like to use your compression app.
Price: Free
4. WinZip Mac Edition
Don't assume that WinZip is just a Windows-only program. WinZip has been running a Mac version of its program since 2010. It works with many of the functions that WinZip has supported since it was first introduced in 1991. But the user interface on WinZip Mac Edition is cleaner than what the Windows version offers.
It lets you choose from many file formats including not only the RAR and ZIP formats but also the LHA, Zipx and 7Z formats. You can also preview the contents of a file before opening it through WinZip. You can also share your files with Dropbox, iCloud Drive and Google Drive among many other cloud-based programs. WinZip Mac Edition lets you get all those files linked up to a database with ease.
Pros: Does well with Mac application bundles, simple and easy to use, does not use lots of memory.
Cons: Relatively lesser options for compressing files. Pricey
Price-Free Trial/$30 for Premium
5. BetterZip
It is very easy to organize your files with BetterZip. If anything, you can use this if you have a regular need for handling files at the workplace as this works with a faster interface for keeping it working well. You can add or delete files from your archives fast. You can rename files or even move them into different folders. BetterZip reviews your changes and adjusts the files accordingly to ensure everything stays intact and can be read well enough as you open up your files.
You can open and edit ePub files and even get images off of PDF or Flash files. DMG files can also be extracted or opened through the BetterZip program. You have the option to work with a quick look option too so you can preview everything inside the unit.
Pros: Simple preview interface, review all photos before you extract a file.
Cons: Takes a bit long for the program to load up previews.
Price:Free Version/ Paid costs $24.95
6. Zipeg
You can use another free option in Zipeg. It is another bare-bones option but it is fine if you simply want a program you can use right now without having to get through lots of technical stuff just to make it work. But you might be impressed with how flexible the program is as it works with many types of files.
Zipeg works for not only common file formats but also for rare ones like CPIO, ARJ, LHA and WAR files. You can move over each file in a package to get a quick preview of it before you open up the entire pack.
Pros: Simple and intuitive design, works with Gmail and Facebook files, works fast.
Cons: Not as intensive as some other options on the market.
Price-Free
7. iPackr
7zip Equivalent For Mac Download
iPackr has not gone through many updates since it was first released in 2011, but it is still useful for when you are aiming to get your files compressed and opened up the right way. iPackr gives you added help for getting files open quickly and effortlessly. You can compress ZIP and 7Z files and then decompress them and RAR files. The 64-bit computing feature on iPackr helps you to open files quickly.
Pros: Drag and drop support, works for many volumes on a single archive.
Cons: Does not compress RAR files although it can decompress them, not much for a preview feature.
I encountered some sluggishness while unpacking RAR files
Price: Free
8. SimplyRAR
SimplyRAR is the last of the options for you to see when finding a great archiver for your Mac needs. However, this is a program that has not been updated in a while, what with the company that built SimplyRAR no longer being operational. But the good news is that SimplyRAR is stable and should work well for your needs when getting files ready.
The SimplyRAR, you can right-click on a RAR or ZIP file and automatically get it opened up through SimplyRAR. You can use this quickly without using up lots of resources on your computer.
4. WinZip Mac Edition
Don't assume that WinZip is just a Windows-only program. WinZip has been running a Mac version of its program since 2010. It works with many of the functions that WinZip has supported since it was first introduced in 1991. But the user interface on WinZip Mac Edition is cleaner than what the Windows version offers.
It lets you choose from many file formats including not only the RAR and ZIP formats but also the LHA, Zipx and 7Z formats. You can also preview the contents of a file before opening it through WinZip. You can also share your files with Dropbox, iCloud Drive and Google Drive among many other cloud-based programs. WinZip Mac Edition lets you get all those files linked up to a database with ease.
Pros: Does well with Mac application bundles, simple and easy to use, does not use lots of memory.
Cons: Relatively lesser options for compressing files. Pricey
Price-Free Trial/$30 for Premium
5. BetterZip
It is very easy to organize your files with BetterZip. If anything, you can use this if you have a regular need for handling files at the workplace as this works with a faster interface for keeping it working well. You can add or delete files from your archives fast. You can rename files or even move them into different folders. BetterZip reviews your changes and adjusts the files accordingly to ensure everything stays intact and can be read well enough as you open up your files.
You can open and edit ePub files and even get images off of PDF or Flash files. DMG files can also be extracted or opened through the BetterZip program. You have the option to work with a quick look option too so you can preview everything inside the unit.
Pros: Simple preview interface, review all photos before you extract a file.
Cons: Takes a bit long for the program to load up previews.
Price:Free Version/ Paid costs $24.95
6. Zipeg
You can use another free option in Zipeg. It is another bare-bones option but it is fine if you simply want a program you can use right now without having to get through lots of technical stuff just to make it work. But you might be impressed with how flexible the program is as it works with many types of files.
Zipeg works for not only common file formats but also for rare ones like CPIO, ARJ, LHA and WAR files. You can move over each file in a package to get a quick preview of it before you open up the entire pack.
Pros: Simple and intuitive design, works with Gmail and Facebook files, works fast.
Cons: Not as intensive as some other options on the market.
Price-Free
7. iPackr
7zip Equivalent For Mac Download
iPackr has not gone through many updates since it was first released in 2011, but it is still useful for when you are aiming to get your files compressed and opened up the right way. iPackr gives you added help for getting files open quickly and effortlessly. You can compress ZIP and 7Z files and then decompress them and RAR files. The 64-bit computing feature on iPackr helps you to open files quickly.
Pros: Drag and drop support, works for many volumes on a single archive.
Cons: Does not compress RAR files although it can decompress them, not much for a preview feature.
I encountered some sluggishness while unpacking RAR files
Price: Free
8. SimplyRAR
SimplyRAR is the last of the options for you to see when finding a great archiver for your Mac needs. However, this is a program that has not been updated in a while, what with the company that built SimplyRAR no longer being operational. But the good news is that SimplyRAR is stable and should work well for your needs when getting files ready.
The SimplyRAR, you can right-click on a RAR or ZIP file and automatically get it opened up through SimplyRAR. You can use this quickly without using up lots of resources on your computer.
Pros: Simple design, easy to use for many file formats.
Cons: Does not have any updates coming
Installation issues on latest macOS High Sierra
Price-Free
Wrapping it up: WinRAR Alternatives
No wonder you need a great WinRAR alternative if you want to get your ZIP and RAR files read well enough. You as a user should not have to struggle with trying to compress files or by opening up such files as you see fit.
For 90 percent of Mac users, The Unarchiver should be sufficient. Keka is another good choice if you are looking a free 7-zip alternative to Mac that supports password protection and different level of compression.
The choices that are available offer many ways for you to get more out of a program without being a challenge for you to utilize or handle in any form. Google draw 3d.
7zip Equivalent For Mac Shortcut
Read: Compress Videos for YouTube Without Lossing Quality
