The WinZip Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about WinZip in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
WinZip
The Insider’s Guide
Archiver with encryption, cloud sharing and file management tools
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among desktop utilities, read from WinZip’s own pages.
Made by Corel Corporation · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from WinZip’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on WinZip’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.4
GPA, above 35 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade
WinZip compresses, extracts and encrypts files on Windows and Mac, and adds tools for sharing, backup and cloud file management. It is sold as annual subscriptions in three tiers (Standard, Pro and Ultimate), with a separate quote-based Enterprise edition for IT-managed deployments. It is made by Corel.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about WinZip, taken from its own pages and our grades.
But it is sold only as yearly subscriptions, backup and the system tools need Pro or Ultimate, and Enterprise has no published price.
- 1
Best for a paid zip tool with cloud and backup extras
WinZip compresses, extracts and encrypts on Windows and Mac.
- 2
Paid plans start at $3.33 a month
As its pricing page puts it: $3.33 per month, billed annually (incl. VAT).
- 3
You can try it first
21-day free trial
- 4
It runs on 2 platforms
Windows and macOS.
- 5
Compression and extraction
Zips and unzips files and opens other archive types such as RAR, 7Z, TAR and ISO.
- 6
File and email encryption
Encrypts files and email attachments, and lists secure, unrecoverable file wiping among its core capabilities.
- 7
Multi-cloud file management
Browse and manage files across several cloud storage accounts, with batch file conversion.
- 8
A 2.4 GPA, above 35 of 186
That is against the other desktop utilities we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
The plain part of WinZip you could make: file compression. What surrounds it you could not. The 5 things listed below take a company, not a weekend.
WinZip at a glance
- Pricing
- Free trial, from $3.33 per month, billed annually (incl. VAT)
- Free plan
- No
- Free trial
- 21-day free trial
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows
- Made by
- Corel Corporation
- Category
- Desktop Utilities
- Our grade
- 2.4 GPA, fair
The report card
Best for a paid zip tool with cloud and backup extras
WinZip compresses, extracts and encrypts on Windows and Mac. But it is sold only as yearly subscriptions, backup and the system tools need Pro or Ultimate, and Enterprise has no published price.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | C | Standard is $3.33 a month billed yearly, which is this category's typical monthly price. Pro is $5.00 and Ultimate is $10.00. |
| Free plan and trial | C | There is a 21-day trial. The page we read doesn't say whether a card is asked for, and there is no free edition after it. |
| Features | B | Compression, extraction, encryption, cloud file management, backup and system utilities across the tiers. Nothing in the listing is missing from the job, though much of it is above Standard. |
| Ease of use | B | Install it and zip or unzip files with nothing to set up. No store rating is on record. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | Windows and Mac, computers only. No Linux, phone or web version. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who WinZip is for
- Fits if you want zip, encryption and cloud sharing from one paid program
- Works for IT-managed teams that want a quoted Enterprise edition
Who it is not for
- Pricey if all you do is unzip files, because free archivers do that for nothing
- Skip it if you won't pay a yearly subscription, since there is no one-time licence
- Watch out: backup, SafeShare, image tools and the system utilities need Pro or Ultimate
- Watch out: prices include VAT, so the amount charged may differ by region
Good to know
Good for
- Users who want one subscription covering compression, encryption and sharing
- People who also want PDF tools or system cleanup bundled in
- IT teams that need enforced encryption policies on shared files
Worth knowing
- Sold only by subscription, billed annually; there is no free edition beyond the 21-day trial.
- The pricing page labels prices as including VAT, so the amount charged may differ by region.
- Backup, SafeShare, image tools and the system utilities suite need Pro or Ultimate.
- Enterprise has no published price and is sold through a quote request.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$3.33
A month to start
WinZip is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $3.33 per month, billed annually (incl. VAT).
The page we read doesn't say whether a card is asked for, and there is no free edition after it.
Standard
$3.33
per month, billed annually (incl. VAT)
Zip, protect, share and manage files; includes WinZip Standard for Windows and Mac, Courier and Ad Remover.
Pro
$5.00
per month, billed annually (incl. VAT)
Adds Secure Backup, SafeShare, Image Manager, Duplicate File Finder and the System Utilities Suite.
Ultimate
$10.00
per month, billed annually (incl. VAT)
Everything in Pro plus WinZip PDF Pro, the PDF editing and watermarking tool.
Enterprise
Custom
Quote-based edition for IT teams with AES-256-GCM encryption, policy enforcement, recovery keys and volume licensing.
Trying it first
21-day free trial
Read from winzip.com on Nov 13, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
2
Places it runs: macOS and Windows
Archiver with encryption, cloud sharing and file management tools. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: file sharing, file management, file compression, pDF editing.
Compression, extraction, encryption, cloud file management, backup and system utilities across the tiers.
- Compression and extraction
- Zips and unzips files and opens other archive types such as RAR, 7Z, TAR and ISO.
- File and email encryption
- Encrypts files and email attachments, and lists secure, unrecoverable file wiping among its core capabilities.
- Multi-cloud file management
- Browse and manage files across several cloud storage accounts, with batch file conversion.
- Backup and advanced tools
- The comparison table lists automated backups, secure FTP transfers, malware scanning of zip files and PDF and image management.
- System utilities
- Pro and Ultimate bundle the System Utilities Suite: disk and memory cleanup, registry optimization, a driver updater and a speed booster.
- Enterprise controls
- Enterprise adds AES-256-GCM with FIPS 140-3 compliance, an IT-held recovery key and policy enforcement across the organization.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
WinZip is made by Corel Corporation.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
35/186
Other desktop utilities it is graded above
WinZip's GPA of 2.4 is higher than 35 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 33.
It stands best on features (B, above 113 of 186) and worst on value for money (C, above 5).
Its paid plans start at $3.33 a month, against a middle price of $2.99 for the category: 20 of the 36 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.7 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 187 desktop utilities we grade, cut by the letter each got. WinZip’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 5 of 186
- CFree plan and trialAbove 8 of 186
- BFeaturesAbove 113 of 186
- BEase of useAbove 78 of 186
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 111 of 186
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 103 desktop utilities. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. WinZip is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
The plain part of WinZip you could make: file compression. What surrounds it you could not. The 5 things listed below take a company, not a weekend.
That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 118 of the 186 other desktop utilities grade higher. It costs $39.96 a year.
What you could make
- File compression: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- A file manager working directly on your disk.
- Storing and serving files for other people.
- Editing the text inside a PDF without breaking its layout.
- A real app for macOS and Windows. Something home-made would be a web page.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. WinZip’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Bandizip, 7-Zip, WinRAR, PeaZip and BetterZip
The 5 tools WinZip is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 3.0GPA
Bandizip
Free plan · from $0.99/mo
Archiver for Windows and Mac that opens 40+ formats including RAR.
- Bandizip has a free plan. WinZip does not, though it has a free trial.
- WinZip also covers file sharing and pDF editing.
- 3.0GPA
7-Zip
Free
Free, open-source file archiver with the 7z format.
- 7-Zip has a free plan. WinZip does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only 7-Zip lists a Linux app.
- 7-Zip is open source, according to its own site.
- 2.8GPA
WinRAR
Free trial · from $29 one-time
Windows archive manager for RAR and ZIP files.
- Only WinRAR lists Linux and Android apps.
- WinRAR can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- WinZip also covers file sharing, file management and pDF editing.
- 3.2GPA
PeaZip
Free
Free file archiver for Linux, macOS and Windows.
- PeaZip has a free plan. WinZip does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only PeaZip lists a Linux app.
- PeaZip is open source, according to its own site.
- 2.6GPA
BetterZip
Free trial · from $35 one-time
Mac archive tool for creating, browsing and extracting files.
- Only WinZip lists a Windows app.
- BetterZip can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- WinZip also covers file sharing and pDF editing.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
11
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is WinZip free?
No, WinZip is a paid product, but you can try it first. 21-day free trial.
How much does WinZip cost?
WinZip lists 4 plans. Standard: $3.33 per month, billed annually (incl.
What platforms does WinZip work on?
WinZip is available on Windows and macOS.
Does WinZip have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. WinZip is listed for Windows and macOS.
Does WinZip have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. WinZip is listed for Windows and macOS.
Is WinZip open source?
WinZip is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 13, 2026.
Who makes WinZip?
WinZip is made by Corel Corporation.
What are the alternatives to WinZip?
The closest alternatives to WinZip in our directory are Bandizip, 7-Zip, WinRAR, PeaZip and BetterZip.
How does WinZip compare with other desktop utilities?
WinZip's GPA of 2.4 is higher than 35 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 33.
Is WinZip good value for money?
ToolGPA grades WinZip C for value for money. Its paid plans start at $3.33 a month, against a middle price of $2.99 for the category: 20 of the 36 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of WinZip?
The plain part of WinZip you could make: file compression. What surrounds it you could not.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from WinZip’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Corel's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Corel Corporation. Prices change, so check winzip.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- WinZip, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/winzip
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "WinZip: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/winzip
Know someone choosing between desktop utilities?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/winzip/guide
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See our other guides
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Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what WinZip’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. WinZip is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Corel Corporation. Prices and plans change: check winzip.com before you buy.