Softwr

Utilities · head to head

7-Zip vs Magnet

7-Zip logo

7-Zip

Utilities

Free and open-source file archiver with high compression and strong encryption

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Magnet logo

Magnet

Utilities

Mac App Store window manager sold as a one-time paid app, with no free tier

From
$4.99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only 7-Zip has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 7-Zip windows-centric GUI design; native graphical interface is Windows-only, with no first-class macOS or Linux GUI applications provided; Magnet there is no free tier at all, so a user cannot try before buying beyond the Mac App Store return window.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 7-Zip and Magnet actually diverge.

Attributes where 7-Zip and Magnet differ
Attribute7-ZipMagnet
Starting priceFree$4.99/one-time
Pricing modelopen-sourceOne-time purchase
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Linux, macOSMac

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Utilities).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in 7-Zip

Nothing recorded that Magnet does not also cover.

Only in Magnet

  • Keyboard shortcuts
  • Drag to snap
  • Multi-display support
  • Mac App Store distribution
  • Menu bar access
  • Third display layouts

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

7-Zip

  • Creating highly compressed archives for backup and storage optimisationnot Magnet
  • Distributing self-extracting executables to users who lack archive toolsnot Magnet
  • Unpacking diverse archive formats (RAR, ISO, DMG) without purchasing separate toolsnot Magnet
  • CI/CD automation via command-line compression and extractionnot Magnet
  • Encrypting sensitive files with AES-256 for secure transmissionnot Magnet
  • Restoring archived VirtualBox and VMware disk imagesnot Magnet

Magnet

  • A user who wants the App Store handling licensing, family sharing and updates automaticallynot 7-Zip
  • Someone who prefers paying a small one-time fee up front over evaluating a free tool firstnot 7-Zip
  • A less technical user who does not want to install from GitHub or Homebrewnot 7-Zip
  • A family sharing one Apple ID that wants one purchase to cover multiple Macs in the householdnot 7-Zip

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

7-Zip

  • Windows-centric GUI design; native graphical interface is Windows-only, with no first-class macOS or Linux GUI applications provided
  • Linux and macOS support primarily through command-line tools; no native file manager integration on these platforms
  • User interface design is dated compared to modern alternatives; visual feedback and UX polish lag behind commercial archivers
  • ARM64 support limited to Windows; no ARM64 build for Linux or macOS despite growing ARM adoption
  • No built-in cloud storage integration or synchronisation; cannot extract directly to Dropbox, OneDrive, or Google Drive

Magnet

  • There is no free tier at all, so a user cannot try before buying beyond the Mac App Store return window.
  • It offers fewer customisation options than Rectangle, such as fewer configurable snap zones and less granular per-app behaviour.
  • Update cadence has historically been slower than the actively developed open source Rectangle project.
  • It is Mac only and App Store only, so it cannot be scripted, redistributed internally by a company, or installed outside Apple normal channels.
  • Being a small independent app, support depends on the developer responding to App Store reviews or email rather than a dedicated support team.

Pricing, plan by plan

7-Zip

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the 7-Zip review.

Magnet

$4.99/one-time
  • Magnet$4.99/one-time
    • Full app unlocked immediately, no trial gating
    • Mac App Store purchase and family sharing
    • Free updates through the App Store

Which should you pick?

Choose 7-Zip if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Linux, macOS.
7-Zip review

Choose Magnet if

  • You need keyboard shortcuts.
  • You work on Mac.
  • You also want drag to snap.
Magnet review

Questions people ask

Is 7-Zip or Magnet better?
Neither clearly leads. 7-Zip starts at Free and Magnet at $4.99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 7-Zip or Magnet?
7-Zip has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for 7-Zip and $4.99/one-time for Magnet.
Does 7-Zip or Magnet run on more platforms?
7-Zip runs on Windows, Linux, macOS. Magnet runs on Mac.
Can I use 7-Zip for free?
Yes. 7-Zip has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Magnet starts at $4.99/one-time.
What is 7-Zip best used for?
7-Zip is most often used for creating highly compressed archives for backup and storage optimisation, distributing self-extracting executables to users who lack archive tools, unpacking diverse archive formats (rar, iso, dmg) without purchasing separate tools, ci/cd automation via command-line compression and extraction. Of those, creating highly compressed archives for backup and storage optimisation and distributing self-extracting executables to users who lack archive tools are not what Magnet is typically brought in for.
What can 7-Zip do that Magnet cannot?
Magnet covers Keyboard shortcuts, Drag to snap, Multi-display support, Mac App Store distribution.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

7-Zip: Is 7-Zip free to use commercially?

Yes. 7-Zip is licensed under GNU LGPL with BSD 3-clause portions, permitting commercial and personal use without fees, registration, or restrictions.

Source
Magnet: Does Magnet have a free version?

No. It has always been a paid Mac App Store purchase with no free tier.

7-Zip: What file formats does 7-Zip support?

7-Zip natively creates 7z archives and supports packing/unpacking ZIP, GZIP, BZIP2, XZ, TAR, and WIM. It can unpack 30+ additional formats including RAR, ISO, DMG, and VirtualBox disk images without requiring external tools.

Source
Magnet: Can I share one purchase across my family Macs?

Yes, through Apple Family Sharing on the Mac App Store, the same as any other App Store app.

7-Zip: Does 7-Zip work on macOS and Linux?

Yes. 7-Zip operates on Windows, Linux, and macOS. Graphical interfaces are optimised for Windows; Linux and macOS primarily use command-line tools. Port and third-party GUI applications extend functionality on these platforms.

Source
Magnet: How is it different from Rectangle?

Magnet is a paid App Store app from the start; Rectangle is free and open source, with paid Pro features sold as a separate app.

Share

Related pages

More on 7-Zip

More on Magnet

Keep looking

Other head to heads