7-Zip vs. p7zip

Attribute	7-Zip	p7zip
Licensing	GNU LGPL license	GNU LGPL license
Supported formats	7z, XZ, BZIP2, GZIP, TAR, ZIP, WIM, ARJ, CAB, CHM, CPIO, CramFS, DEB, DMG, FAT, HFS, ISO, LZH, LZMA, MBR, MSI, NSIS, NTFS, RAR, RPM, SquashFS, UDF, VHD, WIM, XAR, Z	7z, ZIP, GZIP, BZIP2, XZ, TAR, WIM, ARJ, CAB, CHM, CPIO, CramFS, DEB, DMG, FAT, HFS, ISO, LZH, LZMA, MBR, MSI, NSIS, NTFS, RAR, RPM, SquashFS, UDF, VHD, XAR
Operating systems	Windows, Linux, macOS	Linux
Command line interface	Yes	Yes
Graphical user interface	Yes	No

Overview

7-Zip and p7zip are two popular file archiving tools that are widely used for compressing and decompressing files. While both programs serve the same purpose, there are some key differences between them in terms of features, compatibility, and performance.

Interface

One of the main differences between 7-Zip and p7zip is their user interface. 7-Zip has a user-friendly interface with a simple design that makes it easy to navigate and use. On the other hand, p7zip is a command-line tool, which means that it is primarily used through the terminal or command prompt. This can make p7zip more challenging for users who are not familiar with command-line interfaces.

Supported Formats

7-Zip supports a wide range of file formats for compression and decompression, including ZIP, RAR, TAR, and GZIP. In contrast, p7zip is specifically designed to work with the 7z format, which is known for its high compression ratio. While p7zip can also handle other formats, its primary focus is on the 7z format.

Performance

When it comes to performance, both 7-Zip and p7zip are known for their fast compression and decompression speeds. However, some users have reported that 7-Zip tends to be slightly faster than p7zip when working with larger files or archives. This difference in performance may be due to the optimizations and improvements made to the 7-Zip software over the years.

Compatibility

7-Zip is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it a versatile choice for users on different operating systems. On the other hand, p7zip is primarily designed for Linux systems, although there are unofficial ports available for Windows and macOS. This limited compatibility may be a drawback for users who require a file archiving tool that works across multiple platforms.

Features

Both 7-Zip and p7zip offer a range of features beyond basic file compression and decompression. 7-Zip, for example, includes a file manager and a command-line version of the software, as well as the ability to create self-extracting archives. p7zip, on the other hand, focuses more on the core functionality of compressing and decompressing files, without additional features like a file manager.

Community Support

7-Zip has a large and active community of users who contribute to the development and improvement of the software. This community support means that users can easily find help and resources online, as well as access to updates and new features. p7zip, on the other hand, has a smaller community of users due to its more specialized focus on the 7z format, which may limit the availability of support and resources.