Compressed files are still widely used to be able to send numerous files via email or to save space, being able to compress even very heavy videos. The most used program on PC to manage all types of compressed files is still WinRAR, which is however offered as a free trial commercial program. So what to do at the end of this period "> 7-Zip
The most popular alternative to WinRAR is definitely 7-Zip .
This free and open source program allows you to easily extract all the most famous types of compressed archives (such as ZIP and RAR), as well as support 7z format files (the free format supported by the app), DEB files, ISO files (unpacking only) and many other little-known archives.
The program makes speed one of its strengths: it manages to unpack heavily compressed files in a few minutes (a lot will depend on the processor in use). In addition to extracting the archives, it allows you to easily create new ones in ZIP or 7z format, with the latter guaranteeing very high compressions, much safer protection and the possibility of creating multi-volume, self-extracting and password-protected archives. The only real flaw is the interface, for many too spartan, the management of the compressed files opened inside the program itself and the icons assigned to the compressed files (decidedly ugly to see!).
If we can go beyond the graphic aspect, this is without a doubt one of the free programs to have at all costs, so that we can manage compressed archives without worries.
PeaZip
Another free program that is very good as an alternative to WinRAR is PeaZip.
This program combines all the advantages of 7-Zip with a decidedly more beautiful interface, with all the buttons just a click away and a much more effective rapid extraction system (just two clicks are enough to choose the folder and extract all the file types). The left sidebar is also excellent, with all the paths and folders most used by users in the foreground, so that they can be extracted quickly to a well-defined position (we can also add customized paths, so that they can be extracted quickly to a preferred position). It obviously supports ZIP and RAR files, with the latter integrated with the official plugin (while 7-Zip uses an alternative open source library).
If we are looking for a real alternative to WinRAR, free, fast and with a much more modern graphic (icons included), PeaZip is the right choice for you.
ZipGenius
Another very valid program as an alternative to WinRAR is ZipGenius .
The program is very fast and complete with all the features necessary to open ZIP, RAR and many more files correctly. With the buttons at the top we can decide what to do after opening each type of file, even adding new files if necessary, extracting them to a different folder or creating a new compressed archive in ZIP format. The interface is well cared for, we can use it immediately without too many worries thanks to the tabbed navigation included and the side folder tree.
B1 Free Archiver
Among the alternative programs to WinRAR certainly stands out B1 FreeArchiver .
The program looks like a real file manager, with all the paths and folders most used on the computer in the side screen and the management buttons at the top, with which we can open new compressed archives, create new ones and extract them. When we select a compressed archive within the interface, we can admire the preview of the files or folders included directly in the right part of the program, so as to decide in advance whether it is convenient to extract it or not (with a simple touch with the mouse). It supports all the most famous formats (RAR and ZIP on all), allows you to join multi-archives and extract password-protected compressed archives.
Definitely one of the most complete programs to manage compressed files, we recommend everyone to give them a chance to find themselves a really useful program.
In addition to Windows, this program can also be used on our smartphones and tablets, by downloading the free dedicated app for Android.
Bandizip
The last program that we recommend you try on Windows as an alternative to WinRAR is Bandizip .
The program, simple and with an immediate interface, allows you to manage a large number of compressed files and to create new archives in ZIP, 7Z (lzma2), ZIPX (xz), EXE (sfx), TAR, TGZ, LZH (lh7 ), ISO (joliet), GZ and XZ. All compressed files are managed with a tree system, present in the sidebar, so that we can only extract the content of our interest. In addition to opening and creating new compressed archives Bandizip offers the possibility to add, delete and modify files directly within the archives so as not to have to create new ones with each modification. Also excellent is the Test mode, which allows you to check the integrity of the archive before its creation (similar to the verification function integrated within WinRAR).
Conclusions
In this guide we have shown you all the programs that we can install for free on Windows as an alternative to WinRAR, so that we can manage all the compressed files and obtain the same functions as the program mentioned without paying any license (especially in the commercial sector).If we find ourselves in front of a compressed archive protected by a password that we do not know, we advise you to read our dedicated guide -> Find or remove passwords from protected ZIP and RAR files .
If, on the other hand, we are looking for a way to recover corrupt or damaged ZIP or RAR files, we refer you to reading our guide on how to Extract and recover damaged or corrupt ZIP and RAR files .
