There are far better alternatives than the old ZIP format, yet we all still insist on using this antiquated archive system for handling and distributing files. The primary reason is that Microsoft and Apple have built support for ZIP in to the operating system, so download a ZIP file from a website and you can open within Explorer or Finder.

However, this doesn’t mean that you have to use ZIP to archive the files you offer for download from your homepage. There are plenty of archive tools, for Windows, Mac and Linux that will enable any user to open your file. Choose a different archive format and you’ll be able to squeeze more from the files you are attempting to archive.

PeaZip is a completely free archive management tool that will enable you to both open and create many different archive types, including primary formats such as ZIP, RAR and TAR and relatively new archive formats such as 7Z and more obscure formats such as ISO, which is used to distribute CD images. You can encrypt your archives, distribute as multiple archives, password protect and much more.

It’s well designed too, which is always a bonus. The download here is for the Windows edition and a Linux version is also available from the PeaZip homepage.

This is the portable version of PeaZip.