You’re probably familiar with either WinRAR or WinZip if you’ve ever had to unzip a file. Both are utilities for compressing or extracting data from compressed files, but there are some performance and price variances. If you have to select between the two, you should assess your requirements.
If you value performance and other features, winrar is the way to go, as it can also produce zip archives. However, if you want a simple way to create archives that you can send to your boss, winzip is the way to go. In this post, we’ll go over some of the key features that distinguish the two applications, as well as a quick look at price and performance.
What is WinRAR?
WinRAR Archiver was created by Eugene Roshal, a Russian software engineer. It’s a utility for archiving test software. Roshal Archives is the full form of RAR. Initially, it solely supported the Windows operating system. It now works on FreeBSD, Linux, Mac OS X, and Android devices. WinRAR vs. WinZip: What’s the Difference?
WinRAR is a file compression, encryption, packaging, backup, and protection programme. Your free trial will last up to 40 days, but the software will continue to work for free after that. The pop-up box with the message to buy the commercial version displays; you can click “Close” to continue using the free software. To extract the file, you’ll need to use other extension software. ExtractNow is a free Windows extractor.
WinRAR vs. WinZip: What’s the Difference? The filing cabinet supports 48 of the world’s languages. With WinRAR, the maximum file compression limit is infinite. With the assistance of a large storage space on your device and a pre-installed default NTFS (New Technology File System—Developed by Microsoft).You can store more than 85 EB of data with this (85 billion GB).
What is WinZip?
WinZip Archiver was created by WinZip International LLC and Corel Corporation. It also functions as a trial software archiver. WinZip lacks a complete format. Philip Walter Katz was the one who came up with the name (a computer programmer). Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android are among the operating systems supported by the software. It is incompatible with Linux and Free BSD systems.
Compresses, decompresses, secures, and shares files with the WinZip Compressor. The free trial of WinZip expires after 21 days; after that, you must purchase the software or it will cease to function. Its Zip64 extension can compress files up to 16 EB in size (16 billion GB). The file can be extracted without the use of any other programme. It has a decompression system built in. The software only supports 12 languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Italian, Korean, Chinese, Russian, Dutch, and Czech. All of the services offered on the website are specific and detailed.
Differences in Features
WinRAR and WinZip are two different programmes. WinZip is a payment programme that is available for free. WinRAR also offers a commercial version, but if we do not purchase it, the software will not push us to do so, and we will be able to enjoy its services without restriction. However, with WinZip, the situation is different; if you don’t pay for it, it will stop working.
WinRAR vs. WinZip: What’s the Difference?
The most obvious distinction between WinRAR and WinZip may appear to be that one supports RAR files while the other supports ZIP files, but this is not the case; both programmes handle both file types. In reality, here’s a list of all the file kinds that are supported by each.
| WinRAR | WinZIP |
| ZIP | ZIP |
| RAR | RAR |
| 7Z | 7Z |
| CAB | CAB |
| LZH | LZH |
| ZIPX | ZIPX |
| ISO | ISO |
| TAR | TAR |
| GZip | GZip |
| XZ | XZ |
| BZ2 | BZ2 |
| Z | Z |
| UUE | VHD |
| GZ | VDMX |
| 001 | |
| ARJ | |
| JAR |
Both programmes can compress and extract files, but there isn’t much of a difference in performance between them. While WinZip can be used on a Mac, WinRAR is only available for Windows. There are additional solutions to pick from if you wish to work with RAR files on a Mac environment (including WinZip itself.)
WinRAR’s free trial period is indefinite. Due to its low cost, WinRAR is the preferred alternative for many users. It provides a free trial of 40 days after which you’ll be encouraged to pay, however this is never enforced. In fact, WinRAR’s business model is around a never-ending free trial.
WinRAR is a once-in-a-while tool for the common user. The majority of the company’s revenue comes from enterprise-level clients who have access to special services. WinZip, on the other hand, offers a 21-day trial. If you do not pay before the time period expires, the service will cease to function. As a result, WinZip is sometimes referred to as a “premium” service, despite the fact that the performance difference is minor.
Performance: There Isn’t Much of a Difference
We created a test comprising of 20 files of various file types and sizes, including documents, photos, videos, and audio, to compare the performance between WinRAR and WinZip. The files weighed in at 1.78 GB in total. The rate of compression, the time it took to compress the files, and the final outcome were all measured.
- The files were compressed in 2 minutes and 6 seconds using WinRAR.
- The final compressed files were 1.77 GB, which isn’t much of a change.
WinZip, on the other hand, took 11 seconds to add the files to its folder and then compressed them in the background, making tracking the overall time much more difficult. The end result, though, was the same: a 1% compression for a total size of 1.77 GB. Because the majority of the files were multimedia, neither application compressed them very well. Multimedia files are already compressed, thus they don’t compress very much. Documents and text files, on the other hand, are compressed significantly more.
Many users prefer 7zip to WinRAR these days because it comes pre-installed on many PCs and is supplied with GPU drivers. WinRAR, on the other hand, is still useful, especially if you want superior compression without paying a lot of money. Don’t feel bad if you don’t want to pay for WinRAR. It’s part of the business strategy, as we previously stated. The revenue generated by enterprise purchases more than compensates for the users who only need to unzip a file once or twice a year.
Conclusion
Both instruments have distinct traits and policies, as well as being distinct in their own ways. They are available in a variety of languages and can archive a wide range of file formats. WinRAR is neither free nor premium software. There is, however, no compulsion to make the payment. You must pay to use WinZip on a long-term basis. It is not too expensive; it is still within reach. You can buy it and enjoy its benefits if you have enough money.
