Look for winzip for mac alternative as it is not working on my new mac

WinZip for Mac sucks. Does not support .rar well and the extracting speed is very slow. The FossZip app is much better as it supports many archive formats for file compression and decompression. It can also password protect a zip file.

Quick Tutorial: https://www.pctipdaily.com/best-winzip-alternative-for-mac

By the way, this app works well on Apple Silicon Mac and the latest macOS Sequoia.

Many free WinZip for Mac alternatives tend to come with basic functionalities. You might find that while they’re great for extracting .zip and .rar files, they lack advanced features like file management or batch processing. If you’re someone who likes to do more complex stuff with archives, like splitting or repairing, you might be left wanting. Honestly, not all free archiving tools for Mac nail the interface. You might come across some that feel a bit clunky or just not very "Mac-like." It's like using an app that hasn't fully figured out how to fit in with Apple's design philosophy. You want something that feels smooth and just works seamlessly with your system, right?

While many free WinZip for Mac alternative are safe, you do have to be careful. Some lesser-known apps might come bundled with ads, or, worse, malware. It's important to stick with trusted sources or reviews, but that can sometimes be a bit of a gamble. You want to avoid a scenario where you're downloading an app thinking it’ll make your life easier, only to have it backfire. Not every WinZip for Mac alternative plays nice with every file format. You might find yourself running into problems trying to open certain types of archives that a more robust tool, like WinZip, would handle just fine. Always check the supported formats, or you could end up right back where you started.

For me, The Unarchiver is not a good consideration as winzip for mac alternative.

While The Unarchiver excels in extraction, it lacks some of the advanced compression features that WinZip provides. WinZip offers more comprehensive tools for creating and managing archives, including password protection, encryption, and various compression levels. If you frequently need to create archives or require specific features like splitting files into smaller parts, FossZip might still be a better choice. The Unarchiver, on the other hand, focuses mainly on extraction and may not meet the needs of users who require a more robust set of tools for creating archives.

Ultimately, the choice between The Unarchiver and FossZip depends on your specific needs. If you primarily need to extract files and prefer a simple, intuitive experience, The Unarchiver is an excellent choice that leverages macOS's native capabilities. However, if you require advanced compression features or plan to create archives frequently, FossZip may be more appropriate working as Winzip for mac alternative. Both applications have their strengths, and the best option will depend on your particular use case and workflow preferences.

If you're on the hunt for a safe WinZip for Mac alternative, you've got some solid options, but there are a few things to keep in mind. The built-in zip/unzip tools are great for everyday tasks, but they’re pretty basic. If you need anything fancy, like password protection or support for multiple file formats, you might feel a bit limited. For example, if your buddy sends you a RAR file or something exotic, you're gonna need another tool! If you're going the command-line route with tools like 7-Zip or pigz, there’s definitely a learning curve. 

Not everyone’s a fan of the terminal, and those command lines can be a bit intimidating—especially if you're not super tech-savvy. It takes a bit of practice to get the commands down so you don’t end up wrestling with syntax!

Tools like 7-Zip require Homebrew, which is another tool you need to install and understand. Setting it up can be a tad annoying if you just want to zip a few files without messing around with software managers. It feels like you’re jumping through hoops for a task that should be straightforward. Some of these advanced tools, while powerful, can be slower than the native options for simple zipping/unzipping. I’ve found that sometimes the built-in macOS tools get the job done faster for typical zip files. Who has any other WinZip for Mac alternatives?

Here are a set of common issues when you are using the WinZip app on a Mac. You should find a good WinZip alternative on Mac if you don't like the following issues:

​​Outdated Interface and Design​​: WinZip for Mac often feels clunky and outdated compared to modern macOS applications. Its interface can be unintuitive, and it doesn't fully embrace the sleek, streamlined design philosophy of macOS. This can make it frustrating for users who are accustomed to the smooth, integrated experience of native apps.

Limited Functionality​​: While WinZip is known for its compression capabilities on Windows, its Mac version often falls short in terms of features. It lacks some advanced functionalities that users expect, such as better integration with macOS, support for newer archive formats, or more robust file management tools. Additionally, it may not handle certain file types or compression methods as efficiently as other apps.

Performance Issues​​: Many users report that WinZip for Mac is slower and less efficient than other options. It can consume more system resources, leading to lag or crashes, especially when handling large archives. This performance gap makes it less appealing for users who need a reliable and fast archiving tool.

Lack of Native macOS Features​​: WinZip for Mac doesn't fully integrate with macOS features like Spotlight search, Quick Look, or drag-and-drop functionality as seamlessly as native apps do. This can make it feel less like a true macOS application and more like a ported version of its Windows counterpart.

While WinZip has its merits, these shortcomings often lead users to seek out better WinZip alternatives for mac that better meet their needs on macOS. Fosszip, for example, is praised for its simplicity, speed, and compatibility with a wide range of formats, making it a more appealing choice for many Mac users.

The Unarchiver is often considered one of the safe WinZip for Mac alternative. The Unarchiver is completely free, whereas WinZip typically requires a paid license for full functionality. This makes The Unarchiver an accessible choice for users who need basic archiving and unarchiving capabilities without the financial commitment. And it supports a wide variety of file formats beyond the standard ZIP and RAR files. It can handle formats like 7z, Tar, Gzip, Bzip2, and more. This versatility makes it a robust tool for users who encounter different types of compressed files.

The Unarchiver is known for its efficiency and speed. It performs well without consuming a lot of system resources, making it a suitable choice for users looking for a lightweight solution. The Unarchiver features a straightforward and user-friendly interface which makes it easy to use, even for those who are not tech-savvy. The lack of excessive features that can overwhelm some users is a plus.

Unlike some free WinZip for Mac alternatives that may include ads or additional software bundled with their installation, The Unarchiver remains clean and focused solely on its function of file extraction.

If you're looking for a free WinZip alternative on Mac,  then unzip and zip are built-in tools that handle basic compression and extraction efficiently. These commands come pre-installed with macOS and support standard ZIP files. For instance, to extract a file, you can use unzip archive.zip, and to create a ZIP file and run:

zip -r archive.zip folder

These tools are lightweight, fast, and perfect for simple tasks without needing additional installations.

For more advanced features like stronger encryption (AES-256), 7-Zip is a great alternative, though it requires installation via Homebrew.

brew install p7zip

Once installed, you can use 7z x archive.zip to extract files or 7z a -tzip archive.zip folder/ to compress them. Unlike the basic zip command, 7-Zip supports multiple formats (7z, RAR, TAR, etc.) and stronger security, making it a versatile choice for power users.

If you prefer a more modern CLI tool, pigz and unraar can be installed via Homebrew for faster compression and RAR support. However, for pure ZIP functionality, the built-in zip/unzip commands are often sufficient.

For GUI lovers, The FossZip is a great WinZip for Mac alternative, but if you strictly want command-line tools, unzip, 7z, and tar (for TAR/GZ files) cover most needs without extra cost.