File archiver with a high compression ratio and built-in encryption functionality.
Reviewed by Marco Wollank
7-Zip
7-zip.org 2 ratings so far*
Rate 7-Zip: No account needed
Threat level
Covered
A covered pick. Anyone can use it as a private drop-in, with no setup or know-how. Enough for most people. Threat levels
Our take
Almost everyone already has it for archives, and the built-in AES-256 encryption on a 7z file is a perfectly respectable way to lock up a folder before sending it. Just know its lane: this is convenient archive encryption, not full-disk security or a key-management system, and the password is the entire defense. A pragmatic pick for password-protecting a zip; reach for VeraCrypt or a dedicated tool when the stakes are higher.
GitHub at a glance
ip7z/7zip
Stars
3,471
+ 164 this week
Last commit
15d ago
healthy
Latest release
26.02
15d ago
Stars, last 31d
Website at a glance
7-zip.org
D score 30
Weak website security headers
Graded by Mozilla HTTP Observatory, tested 14d ago
Inspect this site yourself
Measures the security configuration of the tool's own website, not the privacy of the product itself. A strong tool can still score low here.
7-Zip alternatives
PrivacyNotes Zero-knowledge notes, tasks, files, passwords and journal secured by a single 12-word recovery phrase, with no email or password required. The crypto core and database schema are published for audit. No subscription model.
FileVault FileVault is the built-in full-disk encryption feature in macOS. On Macs with Apple silicon or a T2 chip, data is encrypted by hardware by default; enabling FileVault adds a login-password gate that prevents decryption without your credentials.
BitLocker BitLocker is the built-in full-disk encryption feature in Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. It encrypts the operating system drive and fixed data drives using AES-XTS, with optional TPM-backed pre-boot authentication.
VERNAM A free, fully client-side file encryptor that runs in your browser. Drop in any file, set or generate a passphrase, and it seals the result into its own .vrn format. Nothing is ever uploaded, and it works offline.
VeraCrypt It can create a virtual encrypted disk that works just like a regular disk but within a file. It can also encrypt a partition or the entire storage device with pre-boot…
Cryptomator Cryptomator encrypts your data quickly and easily. Afterwards you upload them protected to a cloud service.
* Average ratings will show on this page once the threshold of 5 ratings is reached.