Convert TAR to ZIP
Free, fast and secure — convert TAR to ZIP right in your browser.
Convert TAR to ZIP for wider compatibility
Converting TAR to ZIP gives you a more widely supported file that opens cleanly across more devices, apps and platforms — handy when TAR will not play nicely everywhere.
How to convert TAR to ZIP
- 1 Drop your TAR file into the converter above.
- 2 It is converted to ZIP automatically — no settings to fiddle with.
- 3 Download your new ZIP file instantly.
TAR vs ZIP
| Feature | TAR | ZIP |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossless | Lossless |
| MIME type | application/x-tar | application/zip |
| Best for | Bundling files on Linux and macOS, ready to be compressed as a .tar.gz or .tar.bz2. | Sharing and sending collections of files that must open anywhere without extra tools. |
About the formats
TAR archive
TAR (tape archive) bundles many files into a single uncompressed stream, preserving Unix permissions and structure. It is the backbone of Linux and macOS packaging, usually paired with gzip or bzip2 compression.
Strengths
- Preserves Unix permissions and symlinks
- Universal on Linux and macOS
- Ideal base for compressed tarballs
Limitations
- No compression on its own
- Not native to Windows
- No random access to members
Best for: Bundling files on Linux and macOS, ready to be compressed as a .tar.gz or .tar.bz2.
ZIP archive
ZIP is the world’s most common archive format, bundling many files and folders into one compressed container. Every major operating system opens it natively, with no extra software.
Strengths
- Opens on Windows, macOS and Linux out of the box
- Bundles many files and folders together
- Fast, lossless compression
Limitations
- Compresses less tightly than 7z
- Weak built-in encryption
- No solid-archive mode
Best for: Sharing and sending collections of files that must open anywhere without extra tools.