WinRAR is the only archiver that creates archives in RAR format. Many sites have WinRAR Download option. However, the creators of the format allow third-party developers to use the source code of their unpacker in their programs. Among the free WinRAR analogies that can open RAR-archives, the following archivers can be distinguished:
- 7-Zip creates archives in its own 7z format, as well as ZIP, GZIP, BZIP2 and TAR formats. The developers claim that they can all use the archiver for free, even for commercial purposes. 7-Zip, unlike WinRAR, doesn’t integrate into Windows Explorer, its interface is made in the style of a classic file manager, supplemented with buttons for compressing and decompressing files.
- Another variant to substitute WinRAR is the Hamster Free ZIP Archiver. Its developers argue that their archiver is the fastest, on the main page of the official site even compares its speed with similar programs. The archiver weighs about 10 MB and during installation suggests to install advertising software (compensation for free). Hamster Free ZIP Archiver can create 7z and ZIP archives, open and unpack Zip, 7z, RAR and other known compression formats. The archiver has only 32-bit version and only for Windows.
- Free Chinese archiver HaoZip is released in two versions – x32 and x64, its interface is translated into English, but there is a crack. Enthusiasts from the Internet portal “ru-board” regularly support the update of the archiver and release its Russian assemblies.
- PeaZip has a simple interface similar to 7-Zip. The archiver is built into Windows Explorer and associated with system file extensions. It’s able to make and open archives in all popular formats. After installation, the program interface will be in English, but you can change it through the settings on any of the list.
- ALZip – file archiver, working in a Microsoft Windows environment. Supports a large number of compression formats, has its own format ALZ and is able to work with disk images. For home or non-commercial use, the program is free. Main features and features of ALZip:
- The company ESTsoft creates a so-called cute software (English cute software), so the interface uses ALTools Eggheads.
- Support ISO and BIN disk images, as well as LCD.
- Support for multi-volume archives.
- Making self-extracting archives.
- Recovering corrupted archives.
- Encryption using a 256-bit AES key.
- Integration into the context menu of Windows Explorer.
- Support for automatic scanning for viruses using antivirus software.
- Support for various interface languages, including Russian.
- Check for program updates over the Internet.
- IZArc is a free file archiver working in Microsoft Windows environment. Supports a big amount of compression formats and is able to work with disk images. Main features and features of IZArc:
- Support for disk images (ISO, BIN, MDF, NRG, IMG, C2D, PDI, CDI)
- Cyrillic support in RAR archives
- Converting archives and disk images
- Support for multi-volume archives
- Creating self-extracting archives
- Transforming self-extracting archives into regular archives
- Recovering corrupted archives
- Encryption using a 256-bit AES key
- Integration into the context menu of Windows Explorer
- Support for automatic scanning for viruses using antivirus software
- Support for various interface languages, including Russian.
- TUGZip is a free open source file archiver working in Microsoft Windows environment. Supports a large number of compression formats and can work with disk images, and there is the possibility of encryption of files with algorithms Blowfish, DES, Triple DES and Rijndael. TUGZip supports the creation of self-extracting archives and encrypted archives. It recovers corrupted archives (supports only ZIP and SQX formats). The functionality of the program can be extended with the help of plug-ins. Main features and features of TUGZip:
- Support for third-party plugins
- Support for disk images (ISO, BIN, NRG, IMG, C2D)
- Integration into the context menu of Windows Explorer (though, at the same time it hangs on archives with a large number of files (at least, zip, at least version 3.4.0.2))
- Creating scripts for automatic archiving
- Support for multi-volume archives
- Encryption with the ability to use one of six methods: DES (56 and 168-bit keys), AES (128, 192 and 256-bit keys)
- Creating self-extracting archives, including – using encryption
- Recovering corrupted archives
- Extracting an archive group to one directory
- Support for automatic scanning for viruses using antivirus software
- Support for various interface languages.
- Check for software updates via the Internet
- GZip (short for GNU Zip) – a utility for compressing and restoring (decompressing) files using the Deflate algorithm. It is exploit mainly in UNIX-systems, in some of which it is the de-facto standard for data compression.
