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Windows · Compression & Archives

PeaZip for Windows

Open-source archiver with a modern interface, archive conversion, secure delete, and support for more than 200 formats.

Updated July 9, 2026 · Reviewed by SoftNexi Editorial Team, Software research and documentation

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Overview

PeaZip is a free, open-source archive manager built on proven back ends including the 7-Zip engine. It reads an unusually wide list of formats and adds a friendlier interface than most open-source archivers.

Its distinguishing features are practical rather than headline-grabbing: archive conversion between formats, a secure-delete function, checksum and hash tools, and a bookmark system for folders you archive often.

PeaZip is a good fit if you want 7-Zip's capabilities with a more approachable front end, or if you regularly receive archives in unusual formats.

Key features

  • Reads more than 200 archive and image formats
  • Creates 7Z, ZIP, TAR, GZ, and the native PEA format
  • Converts existing archives from one format to another
  • Secure file deletion and checksum/hash tools
  • Two-factor authentication for archives using a password plus keyfile
  • Portable build that runs without installation

System requirements

Operating system
Windows 11 and Windows 10; Linux builds are also published
Architecture
x64 or x86
Disk space
Around 30 MB installed
Permissions
Administrator rights for the installer; portable build available

How to install PeaZip

  1. 1. Download the 64-bit build

    Use the peazip-64bit page on the project site and choose the installer or the portable ZIP.

  2. 2. Install or unpack

    The installer needs administrator rights; the portable build can be unzipped to a USB drive instead.

  3. 3. Set context menu options

    Open Options > Settings > System integration to choose which right-click entries PeaZip adds.

How to use it

  1. 1. Convert an archive

    Select an archive in PeaZip and choose Convert to repackage it into another format without extracting manually.

  2. 2. Use keyfile protection

    In the archive creation screen, set a password and add a keyfile so both are required to open the archive.

  3. 3. Verify a download

    Use Tools > Checksum/hash to compute SHA-256 for a file and compare it against a publisher's published value.

Safety and privacy

  • Downloads come from the project's GitHub-hosted site; releases are published with source code.
  • PeaZip relies on well-known back ends rather than a private compression implementation.
Bundled software
No bundled third-party offers in the official installer.
Privacy
Fully offline. No account, no telemetry requirement.

Known risks

  • As with any archiver, malformed archives are a plausible attack surface; keep the version current.

What's new

  • 10.x series

    Recent releases refreshed the interface, updated the bundled back ends, and improved dark theme support. See the project's release page for the current version.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Free and open source with a modern interface
  • Very wide format support, including uncommon ones
  • Archive conversion and hashing tools built in
  • Portable build available

Cons

  • Larger install than 7-Zip
  • Extra tools can feel cluttered if you only need compress and extract
  • Cannot create RAR archives

Verdict

PeaZip is the pick when you want open-source archiving with a usable interface and utilities like conversion and hashing in the same window. 7-Zip remains leaner; PeaZip is friendlier.

Frequently asked questions

Is PeaZip really free?

Yes, it is open source under the LGPLv3 with no paid edition.

Does PeaZip include the 7-Zip engine?

PeaZip builds on established open-source back ends including the 7-Zip engine for 7Z handling.