FreeArc for Windows

Name: FreeArc
Rating: 3 (2 reviews)
Author: Bulat Ziganshin

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Editors’ Review

Download.com staffFebruary 26, 2026

FreeArc is a high-performance, open-source file compression utility. It excels at creating highly compressed archives, offering superior speeds and compression ratios.

Top Recommended Alternative

Bandizip

Free

4.5

Pros
- Achieves highest compression levels.
- Uses multiple algorithms with automatic switching.
- Works 2-5 times faster than comparable programs.
- Supports custom external compressors and filters.
- Preconfigured with many external tools.
Cons
- User interface details are not provided.
- Self-extracting file creation details are minimal.

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: September 12, 2012

Latest update: February 26, 2026

Version: 0.666

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows 7
Windows 10
Windows Vista
Windows XP
Windows 2000

Additional Requirements: None

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 85,005

Downloads Last Week: 11

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Last Updated

User Reviews

3/5

2 User Votes

Disappointing
lunchmeat777April 6, 2013
Pros
Excellent interface, may not be for a beginner. Integrated well with other freeware and Windows 7 from an install to a remote drive.
Cons
LOW compression, almost the same as any other less sophisticated program. I decided to try to see what I could do with archiving a small section of my digital library. The test subject was a batch: 2520 full picture quality scans of books in PDF format, in 47 subfolders. The unpacked volume= 10.4 Gb. With 7zip 64 I ended up with a folder= 10.2 Gb, with Freearc I achieved a folder volume of 10.1 Gb. Wooptie-doo. I understand that compressing these types of files is not crazy effective, I expected WAY more from a program with hype all over the web. Now, with a volume= 10.1 Gb + the program itself is approaching the original unpacked volume. This may work for you but is useless to me.
Summary
If you have a huge volume of text files, simple spread sheets, etc. this may be your ticket. But if you have anything of quality, and actually worth backing-up, look elsewhere.
Best compressor so far
ndmushroomOctober 6, 2012
Pros
I compressed a 7,2GB random file collection using the "best compression" settings in WinRAR. After 37 mins, I was left with a 4,22GB .rar file. I did the same using the (basic) "maximum compression" settings in FreeArc. It took about 15 mins more, but the resulting file is only 1,73GB! I've yet to encounter a compression software (7zip and Winzip included) capable of such high compression.
Cons
Compressing a file is very resource-heavy. I suppose it's less resource-heavy for lower compression rates, but I haven't checked.
Summary

Developer’s Description

By Bulat Ziganshin

Compress and decompress files and create self-extracting files and extract archives.

FreeArc is an open-source file compression utility which is popular for its highest compression levels. FreeArc uses LZMA, PPMD, TrueAudio, Tornado and GRzip algorithms with automatic switching by file type, and also uses set of filters. FreeArc works 2-5 times faster than best programs in each compression class while retaining the same compression ratio; from technical grounds, it's superior to any existing practical compressor. You can use any external program as compressor or filter as easy as internal ones, with Precomp, ECM, CCM(x), PPMonstr, Durilca, LPAQ, UDA and PAQ are already preconfigured in arc.ini as shipped

FreeArc for Windows

Editors’ Review

Top Recommended Alternative

Bandizip

Pros

Cons