Yes, 7-Zip is free. Its official site says 7-Zip is free software with open source, you don't need to register it, and you can use it on any computer, including one in a commercial organisation. There's no premium version or trial.
That's different from file archivers that nag you to register after a while. 7-Zip has no nag and no time limit. The only part of the licence that needs care is for developers who build 7-Zip's code into their own software. Here's the detail.
What 7-Zip gives you for free
- Packing and unpacking of 7z, XZ, BZIP2, GZIP, TAR, ZIP and WIM files, according to the 7-Zip site.
- Its own 7z format with LZMA and LZMA2 compression, which 7-Zip says gives a high compression ratio.
- Windows versions for 64-bit, 32-bit and ARM64 machines on the download page.
- Regular updates. The site lists 7-Zip 26.05, released on 21 October 2026.
Can you use 7-Zip at work?
Yes. 7-Zip's FAQ answers this directly: you can use 7-Zip in a commercial organisation because it's free software, and you don't need to register it. That makes it an easy pick for small businesses that want a file archiver on every computer without tracking licences.
The 7-Zip licence, in plain English
| Part of 7-Zip | Licence |
|---|---|
| Most of the code | GNU LGPL |
| Some code | GNU LGPL with the unRAR licence restriction |
| Some code | BSD 3-clause licence |
| Some code | BSD 2-clause licence |
| All other files | GNU LGPL |
For everyday use, none of this changes anything. You install 7-Zip and use it. The licence only matters if you ship 7-Zip's files or code inside your own product.
If you're a developer using 7-Zip code
7-Zip's FAQ sets out the rules for building it into software:
- You can use the 7-Zip EXE or DLL files in a commercial application, as long as you say that you used parts of 7-Zip, that it's licensed under the GNU LGPL, and where people can get the source code.
- If you use 7-Zip's source code in a commercial application, the LGPL code has to stay under the LGPL.
- Your changes, additions or wrapper code around that LGPL code must be licensed under the LGPL or GPL.
- Any other code in your application can be licensed however you like.
The unRAR restriction is the extra rule to watch: the part of 7-Zip that opens RAR files comes with its own condition, so read the licence file before reusing that code.
Features you get free in 7-Zip
- AES-256 encryption in 7z and ZIP archives, so you can password protect files you send.
- Unpacking for many more formats, including APFS, ARJ, CAB, CHM, DMG, FAT and HFS, which the 7-Zip site lists as unpacking only.
- Windows Shell integration, so 7-Zip appears in your right-click menu.
- A command line version for scripts and automation.
- 87 languages, according to the 7-Zip home page.
The encryption point is worth using. If you're emailing documents with personal details, a 7z or ZIP file with AES-256 and a password you share separately is a simple step up from sending them as they are.
Archives can be encrypted, but dedicated tools are listed in encryption software.
Which formats 7-Zip handles
7-Zip packs and unpacks 7z, XZ, BZIP2, GZIP, TAR, ZIP and WIM. Its home page lists a much longer set it can open but not create, including RAR, ISO, MSI, DMG, VHD and VMDK files. That's why 7-Zip is often the tool IT teams reach for when someone sends a file nothing else will open.
Two more features from the home page are useful day to day. You can make self-extracting 7z archives, which open on another computer without 7-Zip installed, and 7-Zip includes its own file manager. For ZIP and GZIP files, 7-Zip says its compression ratio beats PKZip and WinZip.
It's also small and works on old machines. The 64-bit Windows download is about 1.6 MB, and the site lists support from Windows 11 right back to Windows 2000.
How to install 7-Zip safely
- Go to the official 7-Zip site at 7-zip.org.
- Choose the download that matches your Windows version, usually 64-bit x64.
- Run the installer. There's no registration step.
- Right-click any file or folder and use the 7-Zip menu to compress or extract it.
If you're new to archives, my step-by-step on how to zip a file walks through the basics, and my check on whether 7-Zip is safe covers downloading it without picking up anything you didn't ask for.
For help, the 7-Zip site has its own FAQ and support pages, and the project is also listed on SourceForge. There's a plugin for FAR Manager too, if you use that file manager.
My verdict: 7-Zip is free for everyone, including businesses, with no registration and no premium upgrade. If you only need to open and make archives, it's the one I'd install. Developers should read the LGPL and unRAR notes before shipping its code.
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Frequently asked questions
Is 7-Zip completely free?
Yes. 7-Zip's site says it's free software with open source and you don't need to register it.
Can I use 7-Zip for commercial use?
Yes. 7-Zip says you can use it on any computer, including a computer in a commercial organisation.
What licence is 7-Zip under?
Most of 7-Zip's code is under the GNU LGPL, with some parts under BSD licences and some under the LGPL with an unRAR restriction.
Does 7-Zip have a free trial or nag screen?
No. 7-Zip is free with no registration step, so there's no trial to run out.
Can I include 7-Zip in my own software?
Yes, under its LGPL rules. 7-Zip's FAQ says you must credit it, note the LGPL and say where to get the source code.
Can 7-Zip password protect files?
Yes. 7-Zip offers AES-256 encryption in 7z and ZIP formats.
Can 7-Zip open RAR files?
Yes. 7-Zip lists RAR among the formats it can unpack, along with ISO, MSI, DMG and many more.
Is there 7-Zip for Mac?
The official 7-Zip download page lists Windows versions only, for 64-bit, 32-bit and ARM64 machines.
Can 7-Zip make self-extracting archives?
Yes. 7-Zip's home page lists self-extracting capability for the 7z format.
Which Windows versions does 7-Zip support?
7-Zip's home page lists Windows 11, 10, 8 and 7 and older versions right back to Windows 2000, plus Windows Server releases.
Does 7-Zip have its own file manager?
Yes. 7-Zip's home page lists a file manager alongside Windows Shell integration and a command line version.
