7-Zip vs PeaZip: Lean Windows Tool or Cross-Platform App?
Pick 7-Zip if you are on Windows and want a small, fast archiver that handles the common formats and plugs straight into the right-click menu. Pick PeaZip if you want the same kind of free, open source tool with a full graphical app on macOS, Linux or BSD as well, plus extras like two-factor archive encryption, secure deletion and a portable version.
The two are closer than they look: PeaZip uses 7-Zip's own engine for 7z and many other formats. Both are free for any use and both are open source under the GNU LGPL. The choice comes down to platforms and how many features you want in one window.
7-Zip vs PeaZip at a glance
| 7-Zip | PeaZip | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, including for business use | Free |
| Free plan | The whole program is free | The whole program is free |
| Platforms | Windows (full app); Linux and macOS (command line only) | Windows, macOS, Linux and BSD (full app on each) |
| Open source | Yes, mostly GNU LGPL | Yes, GNU LGPLv3 |
| Formats | Creates 7 formats (7z, XZ, BZIP2, GZIP, TAR, ZIP, WIM); extracts 32 more, including RAR and ISO | 200+ archive types; 243 file extensions in version 11.4.0 |
| Encryption | AES-256 in 7z and ZIP | Several encryption standards, plus two-factor authentication |
| Portable version | Not listed on the download page | Yes, for Windows, Linux, macOS and BSD |
| Best for | Windows users who want a light, no-frills archiver | Mac and Linux users, or anyone who wants more tools in one app |
Is PeaZip just 7-Zip with a different look?
Partly. PeaZip is its own program, but it runs 7-Zip's code under the hood for many formats.
PeaZip's project page says it "uses open source technologies from 7-Zip/p7zip, FreeArc, PAQ/ZPAQ, PEA, UPX, Brotli, and Zstd projects." On top of those engines it adds its own interface, written in Lazarus/FreePascal, and its own PEA archive format.
We checked both release pages on 6 November 2026. 7-Zip's latest version was 26.05, released on 21 October 2026. PeaZip's latest release, 11.4.0 from 17 October 2026, says its backends were updated to "7z/p7zip 26.04". So PeaZip was shipping the 7-Zip engine one release behind 7-Zip itself. That gap is normal for a project that bundles another one, but if you want 7-Zip's newest fixes the day they land, use 7-Zip directly.
Which works on Mac and Linux?
PeaZip, clearly. This is the main reason people pick it over 7-Zip.
- 7-Zip: the full app runs only on Windows (64-bit, 32-bit and ARM64). For Linux and macOS, the download page offers "console version" builds, which are command line tools with no windows or menus.
- PeaZip: runs as a native app on BSD (x86-64), Linux (x86-64 and aarch64), macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon) and Windows. The 11.4.0 release includes a Windows installer, an MSIX package, Linux DEB and RPM packages, macOS DMG files and portable archives for every platform.
If you switch between a Windows PC and a Mac, PeaZip gives you the same app on both.
Which supports more formats?
PeaZip lists far more, though 7-Zip covers what most people actually open.
7-Zip's site splits formats into two groups. It can create and extract 7z, XZ, BZIP2, GZIP, TAR, ZIP and WIM. It can only extract 32 others, including RAR, ISO, DMG, CAB, MSI and VHDX. For ZIP and GZIP it claims compression 2 to 10 percent better than PKZip and WinZip.
PeaZip's project page says it works with "200+ archive types and variants", including 7z, ACE, ARC, Brotli, BZ2, CAB, GZ, ISO, PEA, RAR, TAR, WIM, ZIP, ZIPX, ZPAQ and Zstandard, and handles split archives. The 11.4.0 release notes put the count at 243 file extensions. PeaZip can also convert existing archives from one format to another, split and join files, and search inside archives.
Neither project publishes a head-to-head speed or size test against the other, so we will not pick a winner on compression.
Which is more secure?
Both are safe, open source tools. PeaZip has more security features; 7-Zip keeps it simple.
- 7-Zip: strong AES-256 encryption for 7z and ZIP archives. Most of its code is under the GNU LGPL, with some parts under the BSD 3-clause license and an unRAR restriction on the RAR extraction code.
- PeaZip: supports several archive encryption standards, two-factor authentication, an encrypted password manager, secure deletion of files and file hashing tools. It is licensed under LGPLv3.
For either one, download only from the official site or project page, since repackaged copies on download sites can include unwanted extras.
Looking beyond these two, for example at paid tools like WinZip, see our WinRAR alternatives. If you are deciding between 7-Zip and the RAR format's own tool, read 7-Zip vs WinRAR.
Which should you choose?
- Windows only, mostly extracting downloads: 7-Zip. Its Windows installer is just 1.6 MB.
- You use a Mac or Linux and want a real app, not a command line: PeaZip.
- You want to run it from a USB stick without installing: PeaZip, which offers portable packages.
- You want two-factor encryption or secure deletion: PeaZip.
- You want the newest 7-Zip engine as soon as it ships: 7-Zip.
FAQ
Is PeaZip free for commercial use?
PeaZip is free and open source under the LGPLv3 license. 7-Zip's site states plainly that it can be used in a commercial organization without paying.
Does PeaZip use 7-Zip?
Yes. PeaZip uses 7-Zip/p7zip as one of its backends. Version 11.4.0 shipped with 7z/p7zip 26.04.
Can 7-Zip run on a Mac?
Only as a command line tool. 7-Zip's download page offers a macOS console version, not a graphical app.
Can both open RAR files?
Yes. 7-Zip extracts RAR files, and PeaZip lists RAR among its supported archive types.