7Zip Vs WinRAR: The Complete Comparison 2024
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Hello everyone, welcome to our first comparison article. In this article, we are going to compare 7Zip Vs WinRAR
[Please note that we write articles frequently. Some links provided in our article may have affiliate URLs. If you buy something from these URLs, we may get some commissions which inspire us to do more hard work.]
How will we choose the Winner?
Both of these software are quite similar in all steps. Also, both of them are very popular and can win the hearts of users. So, it is really difficult to choose the winner.
And so we have decided to choose the winner by using points. We will choose a winner for every comparison test we do.
If one of them do better than other one in a test then it will get 1 point. At last, when all the tests are finished then the software that will get the maximum number will be chosen as the Winner.
Current Point
7Zip: 0
WinRAR: 0
Our System Details
Before starting the test, let’s see which system we are using for the comparison test.
- Processor: Intel Corei9-13900K CPU @ 3.00GHz
- RAM: 32.0 GB (31.8 GB usable)
- System Type: 64-bit Operating System
7Zip Vs WinRAR: Supported Platforms
So let’s start with our first comparison test for 7Zip Vs WinRAR.
7Zip Supports:
Windows 10/8/7 (32-bit, 64-bit), Windows Vista/XP/2016/2012/2008/2003/2000/NT.
WinRAR Supports:
Windows 10/8/7 (32-bit, 64-bit) and Android. If you want to use WinRAR on more old version of Windows then you can use WinRAR 4.20 version of it.
As the latest version of 7Zip supports more platforms than WinRAR, so we may need to choose 7Zip as the winner. But unfortunately, we can’t. Because WinRAR supports both Windows and Android. But 7Zip doesn’t support it. So we can’t choose any of them as the winner and we will consider it as a tie.
Winner
Between 7Zip and WinRAR, the Winner in Supported Platforms: None. It’s a tie. Both will get 1 point.
Current Point
7Zip: 1
WinRAR: 1
7Zip Vs WinRAR: Download Size
7Zip and WinRAR are both very lightweight software. But let’s see which is lighter.
7Zip
It has different files for 64-bit type system and 32-bit type of system. The sizes for both types are:
- 32 Bit: 1.13 MB
- 64 Bit: 1.38 MB
WinRAR
Like 7Zip it also has different files for 64-bit type system and 32-bit type of system. The sizes for both types are:
- 32 Bit: 2.95 MB
- 64 Bit: 3.17 MB
As we can see, 7Zip is lighter than WinRAR. So, there is no hesitation to say that the winner of this test is 7Zip.
Winner
Between 7Zip and WinRAR, the Winner in Download Size: 7Zip. So, it will get 1 point.
Current Point
7Zip: 2
WinRAR: 1
7Zip Vs WinRAR: Installation Step
As it is tough to compare between 7Zip and WinRAR, we have also kept the installation steps in our test.
7Zip
To install 7Zip on your PC, you need to complete only 2 steps. After completing the installation process, it will not ask you anything and will automatically choose the default formats.
WinRAR
To install WinRAR on your PC, you need to complete only 3 steps. But like 7Zip you can complete the installation in only 2 steps. In its last step, it will ask you to choose all the formats that you want to use with WinRAR
In this test, we have chosen WinRAR as the winner. Because WinRAR will ask your permission for formats that you want to use. But 7Zip will not.
Winner
Between 7Zip and WinRAR, the Winner in the Installation Step: WinRAR. So, it will get 1 point.
Current Point
7Zip: 2
WinRAR: 2
7Zip Vs WinRAR: Installation Time
We have used a timer with a screen recorder to get the exact time.
7Zip
According to our test, 7Zip took only 1.79 seconds to complete the installation.
WinRAR
According to our test, WinRAR took only 1.24 seconds to complete the installation.
In this test, there is no doubt that WinRAR is the winner.
Winner
Between 7Zip and WinRAR, the Winner in Installation Time is WinRAR. So, it will get 1 point.
Current Point
7Zip: 2
WinRAR: 3
7Zip Vs WinRAR: Interface
For this test, we have just compressed a “Sample.txt” file into a “RAR” file and a “7z” file.
7Zip
The interface of 7Zip is almost the same as WinRAR. But on its toolbar, it has used icons to indicate its functions.
WinRAR
On the other hand, WinRAR has images for its functions which looks like more user-friendly than 7Zip.
In our opinion, we loved WinRAR’s interface more than 7Zip. So, we are again announcing WinRAR as the winner.
Winner
Between 7Zip and WinRAR, the Winner in Interface: WinRAR. So, it will get another 1 point.
Current Point
7Zip: 2
WinRAR: 4
7Zip Vs WinRAR: License
7Zip
7Zip is an open-source software. It is totally free to use.
WinRAR
WinRAR is a 40-day trial software. You can only use this software for 40 days without any issues. After 40 days it will still let you to continue with the software but it will show you a warning every time you use it.
In this test, 7Zip has taken the position of winner. Because 7Zip is totally free you need to pay a single penny. But for WinRAR, you will get only 40 days of trial software. If you want to buy its premium version then you may need to spent $25.20 for a license.
If you think that WinRAR will be best for you, we think you may buy the premium version to support the developer.
Winner
Between 7Zip and WinRAR, the Winner in License: 7Zip. So, it will get 1 point.
Current Point
7Zip: 3
WinRAR: 4
7Zip Vs WinRAR: Supported Formats For Compressing Files
7Zip and WinRAR are developed for different purposes. 7Zip is mainly developed for compressing and extracting files in “7z” format and WinRAR is mainly developed for compressing and extracting files in “RAR” format.
7Zip
7Zip supports to compress files into:
- 7z
- XZ
- BZIP2
- GZIP
- TAR
- ZIP
- WIM
WinRAR
WinRAR supports to compress files into:
- RAR
- RAR4
- ZIP
As we can see, 7Zip supports compressing files into 7 different formats whereas WinRAR supports only 3. So, we can easily decide on the winner.
Winner
Between 7Zip and WinRAR, the Winner in Supported Formats For Compressing Files: 7Zip. So it will get another 1 point.
Current Point
7Zip: 4
WinRAR: 4
7Zip Vs WinRAR: Supported Formats For Extracting Files
7Zip and WinRAR both support a large number of formats for extracting files. But which one supports more? Let’s see.
7Zip
7Zip supports to extract files from:
- ARJ
- CAB
- CHM
- CPIO
- CramFS
- DEB
- DMG
- FAT
- HFS
- ISO
- LZH
- LZMA
- MBR
- MSI
- NSIS
- NTFS
- RAR
- RPM
- SquashFS
- UDF
- VHD
- WIM
- XAR
- 7z
- XZ
- BZIP2
- GZIP
- TAR
- ZIP
- WIM
- Z
WinRAR
WinRAR supports to extract files from:
- RAR
- ZIP
- 7Z
- ARJ
- BZ2
- CAB
- GZ
- ISO
- JAR
- LZ
- LZH
- TAR
- UUE
- XZ
- Z
- ZIPX
- 001
According to the software manual of 7Zip and WinRAR, 7Zip supports 31 different file formats to extract, and WinRAR only 17.
Winner
Between 7Zip and WinRAR, the Winner in Supported Formats For Extracting Files: 7Zip. So it will get another 1 point.
Current Point
7Zip: 5
WinRAR: 4
7Zip Vs WinRAR: Features
Let’s see the features of 7Zip and WinRAR from this feature table:
| Features | 7Zip | WinRAR |
|---|---|---|
| File Manager | Yes | Yes |
| High compression ratio | Yes | Yes |
| 256 AES Encryption | Yes | Yes |
| Supported File Size | 16,000,000,000 GB | 8,589,934,591 GB |
| Unicode file names | Yes | Yes |
| Solid compressing | Supports 7z files | Supports RAR files |
| Archive headers compressing | Yes | Yes |
| Supported Compressing Methods | 4 | No |
| Password Protection | Yes | Yes |
| Password Manager | No | Yes |
| Recovery Damaged Files | Supports 7z files | Supports 7z files |
| Backup | Yes | Yes |
| Drag-and-drop | Yes | Yes |
| Language Supported | 87 | 47 |
| Virus Scan | No | Yes |
| Repair Files | No | Yes |
| Wizard Tool | No | Yes |
| Free | Yes | No |
From the feature table, we can see that WinRAR has more features than 7Zip. So, it is really easy to announce the Winner.
Winner
Between 7Zip and WinRAR, the Winner in Features: WinRAR. So, we are giving it 1 point.
Current Point
7Zip: 5
WinRAR: 5
7Zip Vs WinRAR: Right-click quick features
When we right-click on a file, we may see some quick features. After installing 7Zip or WinRAR, we will see more quick features provided by these.
7Zip
When you try to compress files and click on the right side of your mouse after selecting all the files, you will see 6 quick functions of 7Zip.
WinRAR
If you are using WinRAR, you will see 4 quick functions of WinRAR.
7Zip has more quick functions than WinRAR. More quick functions means it will help users to do their work more quickly.
Winner
Between 7Zip and WinRAR, the Winner in Right-Click quick features: 7Zip. So, it will get 1 point.
Current Point
7Zip: 6
WinRAR: 5
7Zip Vs WinRAR: Benchmark
7Zip
According to the 7Zip benchmark tool, its compressing speed is: 12812 KB/s and its decompressing speed is: 204052 KB/s.
WinRAR
According to WinRAR benchmark tool, its compressing and decompressing speed is 5204 KB/s.
As we can see, 7Zip’s compressing and decompressing speed is greater than WinRAR’s. So the winner will be 7Zip.
Winner
Between 7Zip and WinRAR, the Winner in Benchmark: 7Zip. So, it will get 1 point.
Current Point
7Zip: 7
WinRAR: 5
7Zip Vs WinRAR: Compression Speed
To perform this test we had downloaded WhatsApp For Windows both 64-bit and 32-bit, Line, The Bat both 64-bit and 32-bit. It was a total of 5 files and 555 MB. For giving you a clear explanation of this test, we have created a graph chart for you. Let’s explain, what we have found from that chart.
From this graph chart, we can see that, the 7Zip’s “Store” compression method took less time than WinRAR’s “Store” method.
But the 7Zip’s “Fastest” method is slower than WinRAR’s “Fastest” method.
After that, we can see that 7Zip’s Fast, Normal, and Maximum compression method is faster than WinRAR’s Fast, Normal, and Good method.
So, we can easily declare the winner for this test is 7Zip.
Winner
Between 7Zip and WinRAR, the Winner in Compression Ratio: 7Zip. So, it will get another 1 point.
Current Point
7Zip: 9
WinRAR: 5
7Zip Vs WinRAR: Compression Ratio
For this test, we have calculated before-compression and after-compression sizes which we have got from the previous test. We have also created a graph chart for you. Let’s explain, what we have found from that chart.
From this graph chart, we can see that, the 7Zip’s “Store” compression method has the same compression ratio as WinRAR’s “Store” method.
But the 7Zip’s Fastest, Fast, Normal, Maximum, and Ultra method has a greater compression ratio than WinRAR’s Fastest, Fast, Normal, Good, and Best method.
So, we can easily declare the winner for this test is 7Zip.
Winner
Between 7Zip and WinRAR, the Winner in Compression Ratio: 7Zip. So, it will get another 1 point
Current Point
7Zip: 9
WinRAR: 5
7Zip Vs WinRAR: Decompression Speed
To perform this test, we have decompressed 2 files which we had already compressed on our previous test. One of those files was in “7z” format and another one in “RAR” format. For giving you a clear explanation on this test, we have created a graph chart for this test also. Let’s explain, what we have found from that chart.
From this graph chart, we can see that, 7Zip took more time than WinRAR to decompress the files.
7Zip took 15.22 seconds whereas WinRAR took only 13.33 seconds.
So, we can easily declare the winner for test is WinRAR.
Winner
Between 7Zip and WinRAR, the Winner in decompression Speed: WinRAR. So, it will get another 1 point.
Current Point
7Zip: 9
WinRAR: 6
At a Glance: 7Zip Vs WinRAR Comparison
Check this comparison table to get a full summary of this comparison test between 7Zip and WinRAR.
| Test | 7Zip | WinRAR |
|---|---|---|
| Supported Platforms | 1 | 1 |
| Download Size | 1 | 0 |
| Installation Step | 0 | 1 |
| Installation Time | 0 | 1 |
| Interface | 0 | 1 |
| License | 1 | 0 |
| Supported Formats For Compressing Files | 1 | 0 |
| Supported Formats For Extracting Files | 1 | 0 |
| Features | 0 | 1 |
| Right-Click quick features | 1 | 0 |
| Benchmark | 1 | 0 |
| Compression Speed | 1 | 0 |
| Compression Ratio | 1 | 0 |
| Decompression Speed | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 9 | 6 |
Conclusion
Both of these software are amazing. Any of them which you will choose, will loved by you. You can download both of them from the official website or you can also download it from Fileion.