WinZip 19 review

WinZip's latest update takes the industry-standard compression tool to new heights by adding the ability to manage and archive data in the cloud.

Pros

Comprehensive syncing: WinZip 19 lets you manage and sync with most popular cloud services: Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, MediaFire, SugarSync, and CloudMe.

Integrated experience: WinZip 19's newly streamlined interface is almost identical to Windows Explorer's, for a fluid transition between browsing files on your computer and managing files on WinZip. You can switch back to the classic view, if you prefer.

Effortless setup: Getting your accounts to work with the new WinZip is relatively easy. Just log in and give the app permission to maintain your files on your preferred cloud service. In our tests, some hosts like Box and Google Drive took time to get everything situated, but the overall process went smoothly.

Manage, back up, and share: You can now migrate data across different clouds, and encrypt, compress, or even back up data from one dashboard. Zipping files is still as fast as you would expect. Additional features like PDF conversion, watermark addition, or image resizing during zipping allow you to quickly upload and share your work.

Security: Encrypting your ZIP file in the cloud provides an additional layer of defense in case your account is compromised. So even if data thieves snatch your files, they can't access them.

Cons

Classic view hides new features: The classic interface is a welcome feature for veteran users but is not designed with the new features in mind. Performing basic tasks, such as transferring files between cloud services, is a chore, making you dig through menus and tabs. Stick to the new UI unless you're really attached to the classic look.

Bottom Line

WinZip 19 demonstrates how the prominent utility has moved beyond compression and unzipping. There's plenty to like about the latest WinZip: the uncomplicated interface, the ability to bridge different cloud services, and file encryption. If you're looking to manage all your cloud storage from a single interface, the new WinZip 19 is an excellent choice.

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