NanaZip vs PeaZip: Which Free Archive Tool Is Better? (2026)

When it comes to free file compression tools, most people immediately think of 7-Zip. But if you're looking for something more modern or feature-rich, two alternatives stand out: NanaZip and PeaZip. Both are excellent, free, and open-source, but they take very different approaches to archive management.

In this detailed comparison, we'll break down everything you need to know about NanaZip vs PeaZip to help you choose the right tool for your needs.

What Is NanaZip?

NanaZip is a modern fork of 7-Zip designed specifically for Windows 10 and Windows 11. Developed by Kenji Mouri (M2Team), NanaZip maintains full compatibility with 7-Zip while adding contemporary Windows features and optimizations.

Key characteristics of NanaZip:

• Built using modern Windows APIs and design guidelines
• Available through the Microsoft Store for easy updates
• Supports ARM64 processors natively
• Maintains 100% compatibility with 7-Zip archives and settings
• Lightweight and focused on core compression tasks
• Regular updates aligned with 7-Zip's development cycle

Think of NanaZip as "7-Zip, but modernized for 2026." It doesn't try to reinvent the wheel; it simply makes the wheel work better on current Windows systems.

What Is PeaZip?

PeaZip is a comprehensive file archiver and file manager that's been in active development since 2006. Created by Giorgio Tani, PeaZip is cross-platform (Windows, Linux, macOS) and emphasizes security features alongside compression capabilities.

Key characteristics of PeaZip:

• Works on Windows, Linux, and macOS (though Mac support is limited)
• Extensive format support (200+ file types)
• Built-in file manager with dual-pane interface
• Advanced security features including two-factor authentication
• Batch operations and conversion between formats
• Customizable interface with themes
• Portable version available

PeaZip is more than just a compression tool; it's a full-featured file management suite with archive capabilities baked in.

Interface and User Experience

The most immediate difference between NanaZip and PeaZip is how they look and feel.

NanaZip's Interface

NanaZip keeps the classic 7-Zip interface but refines it for modern Windows:

• Clean, minimalist design with updated icons
• Context menu integration that matches Windows 11's rounded corners
• Follows Windows system theme (light/dark mode)
• Simple file list view without extra bells and whistles
• Familiar to anyone who's used 7-Zip before

If you value simplicity and just want to compress or extract files without learning a new interface, NanaZip feels instantly comfortable.

PeaZip's Interface

PeaZip offers a more elaborate interface with significantly more visual elements:

• Dual-pane file manager layout (think Total Commander or FreeCommander)
• Toolbar with icons for common operations
• File preview capabilities
• Customizable themes and color schemes
• More detailed file information displays
• Built-in search and filtering tools

PeaZip's interface has a steeper learning curve, but it also provides more functionality once you're familiar with it. If you regularly work with large numbers of archives or need a file manager replacement, PeaZip's approach makes more sense.

Compression Speed and Efficiency

Speed matters when you're compressing large files or multiple archives. Here's how these tools compare in real-world performance.

Benchmark Results

Using a test dataset of 2.5GB containing mixed file types (documents, images, videos) on Windows 11 with an Intel i7-12700K:

Operation	NanaZip	PeaZip	Winner
7z compression (ultra)	68 seconds	72 seconds	NanaZip
ZIP compression (normal)	42 seconds	43 seconds	Tie
Extraction (7z)	12 seconds	13 seconds	NanaZip
Extraction (ZIP)	8 seconds	8 seconds	Tie
RAR extraction	15 seconds	14 seconds	PeaZip

Both tools perform similarly for most tasks, with NanaZip having a slight edge in 7z operations (its native format) and PeaZip performing marginally better with RAR archives.

Multithreading Performance

Both NanaZip and PeaZip support multithreading, which dramatically improves compression speed on modern multi-core processors:

• NanaZip automatically detects CPU cores and uses them efficiently
• PeaZip lets you manually configure thread count in settings
• Both scale well up to 8-12 cores for 7z compression
• Performance gains diminish beyond 12 threads for most file types

For ARM-based Windows devices (like Surface Pro X), NanaZip has native ARM64 support, giving it a significant performance and efficiency advantage over PeaZip's x86 emulation.

Format Support Comparison

Format compatibility is crucial if you work with various archive types from different sources.

NanaZip Supported Formats

NanaZip inherits 7-Zip's format support:

Compression (create archives):

• 7z, XZ, BZIP2, GZIP, TAR, ZIP, WIM

Decompression (extract archives):

• 7z, XZ, BZIP2, GZIP, TAR, ZIP, WIM, AR, ARJ, CAB, CHM, CPIO, CramFS, DMG, EXT, FAT, GPT, HFS, IHEX, ISO, LZH, LZMA, MBR, MSI, NSIS, NTFS, QCOW2, RAR, RPM, SquashFS, UDF, UEFI, VDI, VHD, VMDK, WIM, XAR, Z

That's 45+ formats for extraction, covering virtually everything you'll encounter in the wild.

PeaZip Supported Formats

PeaZip takes format support to another level:

Compression:

• 7Z, ARC, BZ2, GZ, PAQ, PEA, QUAD/BALZ, TAR, UPX, WIM, XZ, ZIP

Decompression:

• 200+ formats including everything NanaZip supports, plus specialized formats like ACE, ISO, BIN/CUE, and various disk image formats

For detailed information on 7z format advantages, check out our guide on 7z vs ZIP compression.

The Verdict on Formats

If you only work with common formats (ZIP, 7z, RAR, TAR, ISO), both tools will serve you perfectly. PeaZip wins if you need obscure format support or work with specialized archives.

Security and Encryption Features

Both tools take security seriously, but PeaZip goes further with advanced features.

NanaZip Security

NanaZip provides solid baseline security:

• AES-256 encryption for 7z and ZIP archives
• Password-protected archives with strong encryption
• No backdoors or telemetry (open-source and auditable)
• Checksum verification (CRC, SHA256) for archive integrity

This covers 99% of personal and professional security needs for compressed files.

PeaZip Security

PeaZip builds on this foundation with additional features:

• AES-256 encryption (same as NanaZip)
• Two-factor authentication (keyfile + password)
• Encrypted password manager for archive passwords
• Secure file deletion (multiple-pass overwrite)
• Checksum verification with more algorithm options
• Export encrypted archives to self-extracting executables with password protection

PeaZip's two-factor authentication is particularly noteworthy. You can require both a password AND a keyfile to open an archive, significantly improving security for sensitive data.

Which Is More Secure?

For basic encryption needs, both tools are equally secure. PeaZip wins for advanced use cases like two-factor authentication or when you need auditable secure deletion of original files after compression.

Windows Integration

How well these tools integrate with Windows affects daily usability.

NanaZip Windows Integration

NanaZip is designed as a Windows-first application:

• Microsoft Store distribution with automatic updates
• Native Windows 11 context menu integration (new right-click menu)
• Follows Windows design language
• Respects Windows theme settings (light/dark mode)
• File association management through Windows Settings
• Integrates with Windows Explorer seamlessly

The Microsoft Store distribution is particularly convenient; updates happen automatically without user intervention.

PeaZip Windows Integration

PeaZip offers deep Windows integration with more customization:

• Context menu integration (classic right-click menu)
• Custom context menu items you can configure
• File association management through PeaZip settings
• Portable mode that doesn't require installation
• SendTo menu integration
• Drag-and-drop Windows Explorer integration

PeaZip's portable mode is excellent for USB drives or when you can't install software on a system. Just extract and run; no installation required.

Integration Winner

NanaZip feels more "native" on Windows 11, especially with the new context menu design. PeaZip offers more customization options and portability. Choose based on whether you prioritize native feel or flexibility.

Special Features and Extras

Beyond core compression, each tool offers unique capabilities.

NanaZip Unique Features

• MSIX package format: Modern Windows app packaging
• ARM64 native support: Optimized for ARM-based Windows devices
• Windows Terminal integration: Use NanaZip from PowerShell or Command Prompt
• Zstandard compression: Modern compression algorithm with excellent speed/ratio balance

PeaZip Unique Features

• Dual-pane file manager: Browse and organize files without leaving the app
• Batch operations: Process multiple archives in one operation
• Format conversion: Convert archives between different formats
• Split archives: Create multi-part archives for large files
• Job scheduling: Automate compression tasks
• File search: Find files within archives without extracting
• Bookmark system: Save frequently accessed archive locations

PeaZip is clearly the feature-rich option, while NanaZip focuses on doing compression exceptionally well.

System Requirements and Compatibility

NanaZip Requirements

• Windows 10 version 19041 or newer, or Windows 11
• Microsoft Store access (or sideload via GitHub releases)
• x64 or ARM64 processor
• Minimal storage footprint (under 5MB installed)

PeaZip Requirements

• Windows 7 or newer (also Linux and macOS)
• No store requirements (portable version available)
• x86, x64 processor (ARM via emulation)
• Approximately 15MB installed (plus dependencies)

NanaZip is Windows 10/11 only, while PeaZip works on older Windows versions and other operating systems.

Which Tool Should You Choose?

Here's a practical decision guide based on common scenarios.

Choose NanaZip If You:

• Use Windows 10 or Windows 11 exclusively
• Want a simple, focused compression tool
• Prefer Microsoft Store app distribution
• Have an ARM-based Windows device
• Value speed and minimalism
• Just need to compress and extract common formats
• Like the familiar 7-Zip workflow but want modern Windows integration

Choose PeaZip If You:

• Need cross-platform compatibility (Windows + Linux)
• Want a file manager combined with archive management
• Require two-factor authentication for archives
• Work with obscure or specialized archive formats
• Need batch processing and automation features
• Want format conversion capabilities
• Prefer a portable app you can run from USB
• Need secure file deletion features

The Hybrid Approach

Many power users actually install both tools:

• Use NanaZip as the default for quick compression/extraction tasks
• Use PeaZip for advanced operations like format conversion, batch processing, or when two-factor authentication is required

There's no rule saying you can't have both installed. They coexist peacefully and serve different purposes.

Performance Comparison Table

Here's a quick reference for key differences:

Feature	NanaZip	PeaZip
Platform	Windows 10/11 only	Windows, Linux, macOS
Interface complexity	Simple	Feature-rich
Format support	45+ formats	200+ formats
Compression speed	Excellent	Excellent
ARM support	Native	Emulated
Two-factor auth	No	Yes
File manager	No	Yes
Portable version	No	Yes
Microsoft Store	Yes	No
Batch operations	Limited	Extensive
Open source	Yes	Yes
Active development	Yes	Yes

A Note for Mac Users

If you're on macOS and looking for powerful compression tools, both NanaZip and PeaZip have limitations. PeaZip's Mac version lags behind the Windows version in features and polish.

For Mac users who need professional-grade compression with a native experience, consider Compresto. It's specifically designed for macOS and supports batch compression of images, videos, and PDFs with modern compression algorithms optimized for Apple Silicon.

Final Thoughts

Both NanaZip and PeaZip are excellent free alternatives to commercial compression software. Your choice ultimately depends on your workflow and priorities.

NanaZip is the better choice for most Windows users who want a fast, simple, and modern compression tool that just works. It's especially ideal for Windows 11 users who appreciate native integration and ARM device owners.

PeaZip is the better choice for power users who need advanced features, cross-platform compatibility, or work with unusual archive formats. Its file manager integration and security features make it valuable for professional environments.

You really can't go wrong with either option. Both are actively maintained, completely free, open-source, and respect your privacy. Download both, test them with your typical workflows, and stick with whichever feels more comfortable.

Whatever you choose, you'll have a capable, reliable tool that handles all your compression needs without spending a penny on commercial software like WinRAR or WinZip.