What is 7-Zip?
7-Zip is a free, open-source file archiver by Igor Pavlov. It creates and opens archives in 7z, ZIP, TAR, GZIP, BZIP2, XZ and WIM, extracts many other formats including RAR and ISO, and can protect 7z and ZIP archives with AES-256 encryption. The Windows version adds commands to the Windows shell and includes a file manager, and console versions are available for Linux and macOS.
7-Zip is free to use. See every plan
Good for
- Windows users who need to open or create archives at no cost
- Compressing large folders into 7z archives with a high compression ratio
- Organizations, since the license allows use on commercial computers without registration
Worth knowing
- The graphical app and File Manager are for Windows; the Linux and macOS downloads are console versions only.
- RAR archives can be unpacked but not created; RAR is listed under unpacking-only formats.
- Help comes through the forum, bug reports and feature request systems on the project's SourceForge page.
Key features
- 7z format with LZMA and LZMA2
- Creates 7z archives using LZMA or LZMA2 compression. The format supports solid compression, Unicode file names and compressed archive headers.
- Wide format support
- Packs and unpacks 7z, XZ, BZIP2, GZIP, TAR, ZIP and WIM, and unpacks many more formats, including RAR, ISO, DMG, CAB, MSI, VHD and VMDK.
- AES-256 encryption
- Archives in the 7z and ZIP formats can be encrypted with AES-256.
- Windows shell integration and File Manager
- Integrates with the Windows shell and includes its own File Manager for browsing and working with archives.
- Command line version
- A command line version ships with the Windows release, and console builds are offered for Linux and macOS on x86 and ARM processors.
- Self-extracting archives
- Can create self-extracting archives in the 7z format.
7-Zip pricing
- Starts at
- Free
- Free plan
- Free, open-source software. No registration or payment is needed on any computer, including one in a commercial organization.
- Free trial
- None listed
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| 7-Zip | $0 | The complete archiver for Windows, plus console versions for Linux and macOS. Most of the code is under the GNU LGPL. |
Read from 7-zip.org on Oct 5, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with 7-Zip before you buy.
Works with
- FAR Manager
7-Zip alternatives
- 7-Zip vs WinRAR
Free trial · from $29 one-time
- 7-Zip vs Keka
Free plan · from $3.99 one-time
Common questions
Is 7-Zip free?
Yes. 7-Zip is free to use. Free, open-source software. No registration or payment is needed on any computer, including one in a commercial organization.
How much does 7-Zip cost?
7-Zip lists one plan. 7-Zip: $0. Prices were read from 7-zip.org on Oct 5, 2026.
What platforms does 7-Zip work on?
7-Zip is available on Windows, Linux and macOS.
Does 7-Zip have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. 7-Zip is listed for Windows, Linux and macOS.
Does 7-Zip have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. 7-Zip is listed for Windows, Linux and macOS.
Is 7-Zip open source?
Yes. 7-Zip is open source, according to its own site.
Does 7-Zip work offline?
Yes, according to its own site. What works without a connection differs by plan and platform, so check the vendor's page for the detail.
What does 7-Zip integrate with?
7-Zip's listing names FAR Manager. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes 7-Zip?
7-Zip is made by Igor Pavlov. It dates from 1999.
What are the alternatives to 7-Zip?
The closest alternatives to 7-Zip in our directory are WinRAR, Keka and The Unarchiver. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with 7-Zip.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 5, 2026.