It’s common knowledge that compressed zip files are easy to share and help to free space on your disk. However, if you want to extract data from your zipped files, you need a zip file extractor. A tool that can decompress your data quickly and make it easily accessible for you. 

Usually, a zip tool can compress and decompress files for you. But some tools only have one feature — either they can zip or unzip files. So to help you find the best zip extract in 2021, we did a little market research and came up with the top ten tools. Just scroll down to learn about our recommended unzip tools. 

10 Best Zip File Extractors in 2021 — Quick Unzipping 

While selecting the zip extractors for our readers, we considered three main points — ease to use, affordability, and compatibility. And on these three parameters, the following ten stood proudly in 2021:

1. WinZip 

Software Rating: 4.8/5

Compatible Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android 

Unpacking Formats: BZ2, LHA, LZH, RAR, ZIP, Zipx, 7Z, and more

Free Trial: 20 days 

Price: $7.99/year 

No zip software list is complete without WinZip. It is the most popular zip file software since 1991. With 30 years of glory, this zip software can help you create zip archives, unzip files in numerous formats, and seamlessly integrate with all the leading operating systems. In addition, the software offers a banking-level encryption facility and seamless connectivity with cloud storage like Google Drive, OneDrive, and many more. To securely decompress your important files, you won’t get any better tool than WinZip in 2021. 

Unzipping Features 

• Extract files in convenient formats and systematically store them on your computer. 
• It can configure Microsoft Windows Shell files. 
• Directly writable to CDs or DVDs. 
• Decode files in formats like B64, HQX, UUS, ARC, or ARJ files.  
• Supports email archives, FTP uploads, and even automatically backup your data. 

Pros 

• Easy to zip and unzip files. 
• Attractive graphical user interface. 
• Supports multiple platforms. 

Cons 

• Need improvement in the area to create the smallest file sizes. 
• No new features or updates in a long time.  

2. 7-Zip 

Software Rating: 4.7/5

Compatible Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, BSD, ReactOS

Unpacking Formats: ZIP, gzip, bzip2, xz, tar, APM, ar, ARJ, CHM, cpio, deb, FLV, JAR, LHA/LZH, LZMA, MSLZ, and more

Free Trial: Yes

Price: Free 

Are you looking for a 100% free zip extractor? You won’t find a better option than 7-Zip. It is an open-source file archiver that can zip and unzip files in practically all the leading formats. Plus, 7-Zip uses its own 7z archive format. This program can be used from a command-line interface too, which makes it suitable for Linux systems. However, developers are restricted from using codes against RAR compression algorithms. Rest, it is a worth trying tool in 2021. 

Unzipping Features 

• 7-Zip supports a 256-bit AES cipher that lets you decompress files with passwords. 
• Allow creating a backup on removable devices like CDs or DVDs. 
• It has a File Manager toolbar to quickly create archives, extract files, test an archive, and more. 
• Available in over 87 languages. 
• Supports LZMA (Lempel Ziv Markov Chain Algorithm) and LZMA2 frameworks. 

Pros 

• Easy to use. 
• 100% free to decompress files. 
• Supports 7z format. 

Cons 

• Don’t offer archive repair tools. 
• Cluttered interface. 

3. WinRAR 

Software Rating: 4.7/5

Compatible Platforms: Windows, Android, Linux, FreeBSD, macOS 

Unpacking Formats: ARJ, BZIP2, CAB, GZ, ISO, JAR, LHA, RAR, TAR, UUE, XZ, Z, ZIP, ZIPX, 7z, and more

Free Trial: 40 days 

Price: $29/lifetime 

WinRAR is yet another popular file compression and decompression tool. It can compress files in ZIP or RAR formats while it can decompress files in numerous formats. The software also offers easy encryption, file extraction, and multi-part features. WinRAR is a Windows program, but compatible programs are available for other operating platforms such as RAR or UNRAR for Android, macOS, Linux, and others. 

Unzipping Features 

• Integrity verification for various file formats, including ARJ, BZIP2, CAB, GZ, BZIP2, RAR, XZ, ZIP, and 7z. 
• Multiple threaded CPU decompression. 
• Potential to decompress archives with 1 GiB dictionary. 
• Provides encryption using a 256-bit key AES. 
• Option to create self-extracting files for a smooth workflow. 
• Support for advanced NTFS file systems, including NTFS hard and symbolic links. 

Pros 

• High-tech data security. 
• Recover corrupted files. 
• Very easy to use. 

Cons 

• Scan virus feature is a bit clunky. 
• Unsystematic file display. 
• Need archiving repair. 

4. Zipware 

Software Rating: 4.6/5

Compatible Platforms: Windows 

Unpacking Formats: ZIP, ZIPX, 7Z, RAR, RAR5, ISO, VHD, GZIP, BZIP2, TAR, and more

Free Trial: Yes 

Price: Free 

Zipware is the perfect zip file extraction tool for people who want a simple and free solution. It is a dedicated Windows program that can extract files in various common and uncommon formats like new RAR. Zipware is designed to speed up and stabilize the large and small files extraction process. It also supports many Linux formats and is totally free for personal as well as commercial use. 

Unzipping Features 

• Allows creating password-protected files using AES-256 encryption. 
• Easy to use with Windows Explorer. 
• By integrating the Zipware context menu with Windows Explorer, users can perform 50+ antivirus scans. 
• Inbuilt Password Manager for storing your confidential passwords. 
• It is stamped by Verisign/Symantec digital certificate to prevent data tampering. 
• Simple file listicle menu based on sizes for easy organization. 

Pros 

• Easy to use. 
• Interact user interface. 
• Excellent virus scans. 
• Highly secure tool. 
• Fully free to use for personal and commercial purposes. 

Cons 

• Only available for Windows. 

5. PeaZip

Software Rating: 4.5/5

Compatible Platforms: Windows, Linux, BSD 

Unpacking Formats: ZIP, ZIPX, 7Z, RAR, RAR5, ISO, VHD, GZIP, BZIP2, TAR, and more

Free Trial: Yes 

Price: Free 

PeaZip is a free zip files extraction tool that can support over 150 different file formats. This open-source software has all the essential features to extract files along with some supporting features like two-factor authentication, encrypted password manager, duplicate file management, and much more. On top of all, PeaZip is available under the GNU Lesser General Public License, so you can easily customize it to meet your needs. 

Unzipping Features 

• PeaZip lets users extract files automatically using the command line option. 
• The program can split and join archiving files. 
• It can detect duplicate files and free up space on your disk. 
• You can password protect your files with this software.
• PeaZip even allows you to edit archived files. 
• The software supports a native PEA format. 

Pros 

• Free file extractor. 
• Encrypt files with a high compression ratio. 
• Very easy to use. 

Cons 

• Too many ads. 

6. The Unarchiver

Software Rating: 4.4/5

Compatible Platforms: Windows, Linux, macOS 

Unpacking Formats: Stufflt, Stufflt X, AmigaOS, LZH, LZX

Free Trial: Yes

Price: Free 

The Unarchiver is yet another great freeware zip file extractor in 2021. This is a dedicated decompressor, as the name suggests. Therefore, it is an active unpacker software supporting numerous file formats. Using the command-line utilities, you can run this program on Windows, Linux, and macOS. One of the best things about The Unarchiver is that it can handle obscure file formats like Stufflt and AmigaOS. 

Unzipping Features 

• You can quickly and easily install and run this software on your computer. 
• The Unarchiver can become your default file unarchiver and ease your workload. 
• The software can read non-Latin characters too. 

Pros 

• 100% free tool for personal and commercial uses. 
• Command-line interface. 
• Handle old and obscure file formats. 

Cons 

• Can’t compress files. 

7. Ashampoo ZIP Free

Software Rating: 4.3/5

Compatible Platforms: Windows 10, 8, 7

Unpacking Formats: ZIP, 7ZIP, CAB, TAR, LHA, and more

Free Trial: Yes 

Price: Free 

Ashampoo ZIP Free is a powerful utility tool with over 20 million users worldwide. You can download it on your Windows gadgets and nearly decompress your files in every available format. In Ashampoo’s free bundle, you will receive various security, reading, writing, and many other features. You will also get features like a jump list and daily progress display with this unpacking tool. 

Unzipping Features 

• Smooth integration with Windows Explorer Shell. 
• It can extract files from over 30 different formats. 
• It offers 256-bit AES encryption to secure your files. 
• Integrated preview that helps you view file content without extracting. 
• SFX Wizard supports robust self-extraction. 
• Easily split existing zip files into different segments. 

Pros 

• Stunning graphical interface. 
• Intuitive design. 
• Easy to use. 
• Excellent integration with Windows Explorer. 

Cons 

• Only available for Windows devices. 
• It supports fewer file extracting formats compared to its counterparts. 

8. Hamster Zip Archiver

Software Rating: 4.2/5 

Compatible Platforms: Windows 

Unpacking Formats: ZIP, RAR, TAR, 7Z, and more

Free Trial: Yes 

Price: Free 

Hamster Zip Archiver is the next-gen modern file compression and decompression software. It might be a free tool, but it is loaded with many latest features such as cloud technologies, sharing files with friends, high compression ratio, and more. In addition, you can effortlessly extract files with Hamster Zip Archiver using a simple drag and drop menu. Importantly, all these amazing features are fully free for personal as well commercial use.

Unzipping Features 

• Dynamic integration with cloud services like Google Drive, Yandex Disk, and Dropbox. 
• It has a high compression ratio that fully utilizes your computer resources to deliver optimal results. 
• You can generate a direct link to the archives and share it with your friends. 
• Hamster Zip Archiver makes the zip file extraction and management process super easy. 

Pros 

• Great drag and drop menu. 
• A high compression ratio delivers more speed. 
• Cloud integration. 
•  Generates shareable zip file links. 

Cons 

• Poor tech support. 

9. Bandizip

Software Rating: 4.1/5

Compatible Platforms: Windows 

Unpacking Formats: 7Z, ACE, AES, ALZ, ARJ, BH, BIN, BR, BZ, BZ2, CAB, and more 

Free Trial: Yes 

Price: $30/year 

Bandizip is also an exclusive Windows zip file extractor in 2021. It is a very high speed and powerful tool with many advanced features. Bandizip has both free and paid versions that you can download at your convenience. Additionally, Bandizip supports decompression in over 30 file formats; that’s a very useful feature. However, the free version has some limited features, but you can solve this issue by getting the paid version anytime. 

Unzipping Features 

• It can unpack zip files in almost all the leading file formats. 
• You can preview archives before extracting files. 
• You can extract one or multiple files from a zip folder with an easy drag and drop menu. 
• Users can make comments on ZIP and RAR files. 
• Offer one-click extraction for TGZ/TBZ formats. 
• Supports 256-bit AES integration, code-page change, Explorer shell integration, and many other features. 

Pros 

• Password protect files. 
• Use mult-compression and decompression. 
• Easy to use. 
• Intuitive interface. 

Cons 

• Free version has limited features. 
• The interface has a few glitches. 

10. jZip

Software Rating: 4/5

Compatible Platforms: Windows 

Unpacking Formats: ZIP, RAR, GZip, TAR, 7Z, and more.

Free Trial: Yes 

Price: Free 

jZip is the last but highly competent decompression tool on this list. This tool can preview files, free up space, and password-protect archived files, along with compressing or decompressing your files. Additionally, it is integrated with Windows Explorer that offers some of the advanced decompress features without downloading the tool. 

Unzipping Features 

• Can unzip files in nearly all the common file formats. 
• Decompression speed is quite remarkable. 
• Allow you to extract data from ISO and RAR file formats. 
• Supports old Windows like Windows 2000 and 2003. 

Pros 

• Totally free. 
• High compression ratio. 
• Fast and efficient tool. 

Cons 

• Only compatible with Windows. 

Let’s Unzip It!

There you go, peeps! Now you can unzip as many files as you want with ease. Just pick a tool from this list and download the right zip extractor on your computer today. 

Once you have extracted your vital files using our recommended tools in 2021, don’t forget to share your experience with us. Further, if you have any doubts, you can ask that too. 

If you find this post helpful, please share it with your pals.  

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