ToolCraft

ZIP Creator

Build compressed archives from your files — no upload required, everything stays on your device.

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6 — Balanced
No compression (fastest) Best compression (slowest)

What Is the ZIP Creator?

The ZIP Creator is a free browser-based tool that lets you bundle multiple files into a single compressed archive. It supports three formats — ZIP, TAR.GZ, and plain TAR — and runs entirely on your device. Your files are never uploaded to any server, which makes it safe to use with private documents, source code, or sensitive business files.

You can control the compression level to trade off between archive size and speed, and for ZIP archives you can add an AES-256 password to protect the contents from unauthorised access.

How to Create an Archive

  1. Drag and drop your files onto the drop zone, or click it to open a file picker. You can add as many files as you need.
  2. Select a format — ZIP, TAR.GZ, or TAR.
  3. Adjust the Compression Level slider if needed (ZIP and TAR.GZ only).
  4. For ZIP, optionally enter a Password to encrypt the archive with AES-256.
  5. Set an output filename (default is archive) and click Create Archive. The file downloads immediately.

Understanding Each Format

ZIP

The most universally supported archive format. Every operating system — Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS — can open ZIP files without installing anything. Choose ZIP when you need the widest compatibility or when you want password protection. Supports compression levels 0 (store only) through 9 (maximum compression).

TAR.GZ (.tar.gz)

A TAR archive compressed with GZIP. The standard format for distributing software packages on Linux and macOS. TAR preserves Unix file permissions and handles large numbers of small files more efficiently than ZIP. The GZIP layer provides compression similar to ZIP. Widely used for source code releases and server backups.

TAR (plain)

A raw TAR archive with no compression. Files are bundled together in a single stream without any size reduction. Useful when you are going to compress the archive separately with a different tool, or when you need to stream the archive to another process. Also useful for testing, as creating a plain TAR is the fastest operation.

About Compression Levels

Compression levels range from 0 (no compression — files are stored as-is) to 9 (maximum compression). Higher levels produce smaller archives but take more time to process. Lower levels are faster but produce larger files.

Level 0 — No compression. Use this when your files are already compressed (images, videos, PDFs) and you just want to bundle them.
Levels 1–3 — Fast compression. Good when speed matters more than file size.
Levels 4–6 — Balanced (level 6 is the default used by most tools). A good trade-off for everyday use.
Levels 7–9 — Maximum compression. Use when minimising file size is the priority, such as for distribution or storage.

Password Protection (ZIP Only)

Password-protected ZIP archives use AES-256 encryption — the same standard used by banks and government agencies. Without the password, the contents of the archive cannot be read.

Keep in mind: the file names inside a standard ZIP are not encrypted, only the file contents. If you need to hide file names as well, consider using 7-Zip's native format. For most everyday purposes — emailing sensitive documents, sharing files over cloud storage — AES-256 ZIP encryption is more than sufficient.

Important: there is no way to recover a lost password. Make sure you store the password somewhere safe before creating the archive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are my files uploaded to a server?

No. Everything — file reading, compression, and encryption — happens locally in your browser using JavaScript. Your files never leave your device.

Is there a file size limit?

There is no hard limit. The practical limit is the available RAM on your device, since the archive is built in memory before downloading. For most computers, archives of several hundred megabytes work without issues.

Can I add folders, not just files?

The standard file picker selects individual files. All selected files are placed at the root of the archive. Folder structure support may be added in a future update.

Can I open the archive I create?

Yes. ZIP files open natively on Windows, macOS, and Linux. TAR.GZ and TAR files open natively on macOS and Linux, and on Windows with tools like 7-Zip or WinRAR.

Why is RAR not supported?

RAR is a proprietary format owned by RARLAB. Creating RAR archives requires their commercial SDK — there is no open-source or browser-based RAR creator. ZIP with AES-256 encryption is a strong alternative that works everywhere.