FreeArc

There have been so many different compression tools made over the last two decades. Each one tries to offer the fastest speed and best quality ratio imaginable.

WinZip and WinRAR are two very popular compression and archiving tools that most people use. However, there is a free alternative to these compression tools that is called FreeArc.



A Variety of Archiving Choices with Simple User-Friendly Access

The Context Menu of the software program lets you easily extract compressed files or create a brand-new archive file with a couple of clicks.

FreeArc gives you a wide range of options when you want to create an archive file, such as encryption protection, compression, comments, storing file paths, and update mode.

Simple to Use Interface

You can learn how to use the interface very quickly because of its simple and user-friendly design. If you’ve used other compression programs before, the interface is kind of like those.



So, you shouldn’t have to spend time learning anything. Just install the software, and that’s it.

Fast Speed While Using Lots of Resources

Speed and efficiency are two words that describe this tool. After testing the software with huge archive files and small archive files, the tests turned out great.

Although extracting the contents from a large archive file was a fast process, it did seem to exhaust the resources on the computer during the test. A large percentage of RAM and CPU were used up during this test.



Wide Range of Compatibility

If you choose the .arc format when creating your archive files with this tool, it is no big deal because most compression tools are compatible with this type of file.

The archives can be converted with this tool to other formats, such as SFX. The compressed files can even be locked so that no other changes take place.

FAQS

Which platforms does FreeArc support, and what formats can it handle?
FreeArc is available for Windows and Linux and uses its own .arc archive format. It can also extract popular formats like ZIP, RAR, and 7z. A newer version called FreeArc Next was announced to include 64-bit support and updated compression technologies, though it hasn’t seen a stable release.

Is FreeArc still being actively developed?
No, FreeArc is no longer in active development. The last major version (0.666) was released in 2010, and while there were mentions of a successor project, there have been no official updates or new releases in years.

Is FreeArc free to use, and what are its limitations?
Yes, FreeArc is completely free under the GPL-2.0 license for both personal and commercial use. However, its native format is not widely supported, and the interface looks outdated compared to modern tools. Additionally, since development has stopped, users won’t receive updates or bug fixes.

Alternatives

WinRAR - Known for its high compression ratios and support for various formats, WinRAR is a paid alternative that offers a free trial.

PeaZip - This open-source compression tool supports numerous formats and features a user-friendly interface.

WinZip - A commercial software with a long history, WinZip provides a user-friendly experience and cloud integration.

Bandizip - Bandizip is a lightweight and free compression tool known for its speed and efficient compression.

PowerArchiver - This paid software offers advanced features like FTP integration and disk burning capabilities.

PROS

• High Compression Efficiency.
• Open-Source and Freeware.
• Fast Compression Speed.
• Advanced Encryption Support.
• Multi-Platform Compatibility.

CONS

• No Recent Updates or Support.
• Limited Archive Format Options.
• Complex Interface for Beginners.
• Not Ideal for Large Files.
• Lack of Official Documentation.

Conclusion

If you want an easy-to-use alternative to the more popular compression tools on the market, then choose this one. Several useful features are included, and it is compatible with many different file formats.